William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

"I am free now"

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2017

1. "I am free now" Marker Text

Inscription.
Oney Judge's strong desire for freedom drove the 22-year-old enslaved seamstress to flee the President's House on May 21, 1796. With the help of friends of African descent, she found passage to New Hampshire, where she married, raised a family, and lived to old age.

"Whilst they were packing up to go to Virginia, I was packing to go, I didn't know where; for I knew that if I went back to Virginia, I should never get my liberty. I had friends among the colored people of Philadelphia, had my things carried there beforehand, and left Washington's house while they were eating dinner."

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is May 21, 1796.

Location. 39° 57.029′ N, 75° 9′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. Marker is at the intersection of Market Street and South Independence Mall West (6th Street), on the left when traveling west on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 530 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "We shall come to a civil war" (here, next to this marker); "Burn this treaty to Hell!"

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(here, next to this marker); "An Act respecting fugitives from Justice" (here, next to this marker); The opener of the Way (here, next to this marker); Suppressing the Opposition (here, next to this marker); "I will fear no Evil" (here, next to this marker); A Day of Reciprocity (here, next to this marker); The Executive Branch (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

More about this marker. The marker is highly reflective and difficult to photograph straight on.

Also see . . .
1. Oney Judge. (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. The Story of Oney Judge (YouTube video). (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Oney Judge's Journey to Freedom (NPS Lesson Plan). (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Oney Judge's Burial Site?. (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

"I am free now" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2017

2. "I am free now" Marker

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2017

3. "I am free now" Marker

Exhibit on the exterior of the east wall of The President's House partial reconstruction (far left marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on August 16, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.