Washington Square East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Escape of Ona Judge

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 24, 2025

1. Escape of Ona Judge Marker

Inscription. Judge (c.1773-1848) was brought to Phila. in 1790 as the enslaved house servant of First Lady Martha Washington. She escaped from the President's House on May 21, 1796, to New Hampshire with the assistance of the city's African American community. President Washington's attempts to recapture her were unsuccessful, as he met resistance from federal officials who would not comply with the Fugitive Slave Act. Judge lived as a free woman for the rest of her life.

Erected 2023 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

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

Location. 39° 57.029′ N, 75° 9.033′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Washington Square East. It is on South 6th Street south of Market Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 S 6th St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 6th & Market (a few steps from this marker); Contagion and Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker); Chef Hercules (within shouting distance

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of this marker); The President's House Site 1790-1800 (within shouting distance of this marker); Archeology Methods and Interpretation (within shouting distance of this marker); The President's House - Washington and Adams (within shouting distance of this marker); Enslaved Africans in the Household of George and Martha Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Strengthening Ties with the United States (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 24, 2025

2. Escape of Ona Judge Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 655 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.