Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dunbar Book Analysis

George Washington once said, “The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.” Those who lived through enslavement in the 1800s lived a devastating and burdensome life without access to freedom. Slavery during this era formed the perspective of living life with constant fear. Some people were willing to risk their life by running away from their slave owners, while others were terrified by the life-changing consequences that will come with it. The resistance to escaping determined the measurements enslaved people would take to avoid life in bondage. If someone was born into a family where both parents were in the slavery establishment, they would be at risk of becoming enslaved themselves. In the novel, Never Caught, written by Erica Armstrong Dunbar, the author goes into detail describing the story of the runaway slave, Ona Judge.

Ona Judge’s character showed an endless amount of strength and determination. She was born into an enslaved status since her mother, Mulatto Betty, a dower slave, was owned by Martha Washington’s first husband, Daniel Parke Custis. As a seamstress, Betty had the advantage other slaves did not have which was bringing her son along with her to Mount Vernon as Martha Washington prepared to relocate after marrying George Washington. The birth of Ona Judge did not add any value for George Washington but instead would increase profit for Martha. Ona Judge was not capable of having a pleasant childhood due to all the distressing events she encountered such as the brutality of whippings and punishments. Judge’s youth diminished at the age of ten after she was ordered to be in the service of Martha Washington at the Mansion House. On April 30, 1789, George Washington took the oath of office and issued an inaugural address; this action changed Judge’s life indefinitely. The level of concern increased after Ona Judge is notified that she would be leaving behind her loved ones and will accompany the Washington’s to New York. 

Ona Judge was not familiar with the drastic change that was bound to occur in her life as too she was only aware of Mount Vernon and its surroundings. Her work consisted of packing Martha Washington’s dresses, organizing her personal belongings, and helping with the grandchildren with no entitlement to complain. As Ona Judge traveled, she was exposed to free black communities such as in Philadelphia, where she saw the prominent abolitionist broadside, Description of a Slave Ship. The persistent appearance promoting the abolition of slavery affected her to a great extent. Philadelphia was specifically what inspired her to plan her escape from not being free and the distressful labor she had to live with. The free blacks represented an image that showed they were living a preferable life outside of a master’s home. While Ona’s life was not as awful with the Washingtons she still pursued an escape. While plotting to make a run for it she stood by until it was the right time for her to leave. On May 21, 1796, as the Washingtons prepared to return to Mount Vernon, Ona Judge was preparing to escape.

The author, Erica Armstrong Dunbar, portrays the hardships Judge experienced after escaping her slave owner’s home. Ona’s life as a free woman was not what she had expected furthermore, because she was the slave of the president. Upon her fleeing, the Washingtons felt betrayed and offered a ransom for her return. This is one of the main reasons slaves did not want to escape because they feared living with an unceasing target on them. The author includes the description of the advertisement released by Frederick Kitt following the possible escape route of Ona Judge,

“But as she may attempt to escape by water, all matters of vessels are cautioned against admitting her into them, although it is probable, she will attempt to pass for a free woman, and has, it is said, wherewithal to pay her passage” (Dunbar 176). 

The ad released created conflict between Ona Judge and her freedom because now everyone was alerted that she was a runaway. Assisting the escape of the president’s slave may put one in extreme danger with the possible outcome of a fine and/or imprisonment.