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Advertisement for the Capture of Oney Judge, Claypoole's American (May 25, 1796)

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In this advertisement, published on page 3 of Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser of Philadelphia, on May 25, 1796, President George Washington seeks the return of his fugitive slave Oney Judge. Frederick Kitt was steward of the President's House in Philadelphia. Some spelling has been modernized.

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Transcription from Original

Ten Dollars Reward.

ABSONCDED from the household of the President of the United States, on Saturday afternoon, ONEY JUDGE, a light Mulatto girl, much freckled, with very black eyes, and bushy black hair.—She is of middle stature, but slender and delicately made, about 20 years of age. She has many changes of very good clothes of all sorts, but they are not sufficiently recollected to describe.

As there was no suspicion of her going off, and it happened without the least provocation, it is not easy to conjecture whither she is gone—or fully, what her design is, but she may attempt to escape by water, all masters of vessels and others are cautioned against receiving her on board, altho' she only, and probably will endeavour to pass for a free woman, and it is said has, wherewithal to pay her passage.

Ten dollars will be paid to any person, (white or black) who will bring her home; if taken in the city, or on board any vessel in the harbour; and a further reasonable sum if apprehended and brought home, from a greater distance, and in proportion to the distance.

FRED KITT, Steward.

May 24