Never Caught

By: Erica Armstrong Dunbar

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

A startling and eye-opening look into America's first family, Never Caught is the powerful narrative of Ona Judge, George and Martha Washington's runaway slave who risked it all to escape the nation's capital and reach freedom.

When George Washington was elected president, he reluctantly left behind his beloved Mount Vernon to serve in Philadelphia, the temporary seat of the nation's capital. In setting up his household, he took Tobias Lear, his celebrated secretary, and eight slaves, including Ona Judge, about which little has been written. As he grew accustomed to Northern ways, there was one change he couldn't get his arms around: Pennsylvania law required enslaved people be set free after six months of residency in the state. Rather than comply, Washington decided to circumvent the law. Every six months he sent the slaves back down south, just as the clock was about to expire.

Though Ona Judge lived a life of relative comfort, the few pleasantries she was afforded were nothing compared to freedom, a glimpse of which she encountered firsthand in Philadelphia. So, when the opportunity presented itself one cold spring day in Philadelphia, Judge left everything she knew to escape to New England. Yet freedom would not come without its costs.

At just 22 years old, Ona became the subject of an intense manhunt led by George Washington, who used his political and personal contacts to recapture his property.

Impeccably researched, historian Erica Armstrong Dunbar weaves a powerful tale and offers fascinating new scholarship on how one young woman risked it all to gain freedom from the famous founding father.

©2017 Erica Armstrong Dunbar (P)2017 Simon & Schuster

very educational

this book was very educational and insightful and enlightening. I enjoyed learning of the persistence of our ancestors.

Phenomenal! Thank you for sharing!

This is a truly powerful though painful story of one woman's tenacious quest and fearless escape for freedom from slavery. Blessings to Ona Judge. We owe our liberation to you and countless others who refused to accept the status of a slave!

Read like a story

This is factual history that is told in a story format. Was very informative and realistic, this book makes plain the possible reasons and factual experiences of both slave and slaveholder.

Who Knew?

Thank you for sharing another part of American History not taught in the classroom.

The storytelling was amazing and informative.

Susan

Excellent true story! Very interesting. Somewhat sad but inspirational as well. I highly recommend it.

good listening

this is a well told story that gave important and relevant information. and yet, it did not get bogged down in over detail.

Black history is so important

I enjoyed listening to this incredible story of Ona Judge Stains and her incredible journey.

Nice History Lesson

Even George had flaws. This part of America's history has been kept hushed. It's been ignored long enough. It is a part of our country's shameful past. If we are not careful history may repeat itself. I am ashamed of the government we have in control now. We should be far from this, but are we? Sadly, I think not.

Rich in historical detail

Much can be learned from review of historical documents - land & property records, wills, marriages, letters, census, newspapers, histories, etc., that greatly help to figure out the lives of our forebears.
Erica Dunbar has gone further and filled in a very realistic life of this very formidable woman.
Love the real life details of the president & his wife’s behavior in the epilogue.
Recommend to all who wish to understand the history of slavery in America, as one of several primers.

Wow

It’s a really surprising book my ancestors had hardships unimaginable for me, to ever believe
So much to be learned and a lot seems the very same