Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge

Three starred reviews!

The National Book Award Finalist for Nonfiction by New York Times bestselling biographer Erica Armstrong Dunbar is now available as a young readers edition—the “gripping” (BCCB, starred review) narrative of Ona Judge, George and Martha Washington’s runaway enslaved woman, who risked everything for a better life.

In this incredible narrative, Erica Armstrong Dunbar reveals a fascinating and heartbreaking behind-the-scenes story of the Washingtons when they were the First Family—and an in-depth look at their enslaved person, Ona Judge, who dared to escape from one of the nation’s Founding Fathers.

Born into a life of slavery, Ona Judge eventually grew up to be George and Martha Washington’s “favored” dower enslaved woman. When she was told that she was going to be given as a wedding gift to Martha Washington’s granddaughter, Ona made the bold and brave decision to flee to the north, where she would be considered a fugitive but have the ability to live freely.

From her childhood to her time as an enslaved person with the Washingtons to her escape to New Hampshire and her life afterwards, Ona Judge’s little-known but powerful history, culminating in her journey to freedom, is intimately shared by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve.