From left to right: Selectboard member Stephan Toth, State Representative Peggy Balboni, Jaci Grote, Dennis Malloy, State Senator Deborah Altschiller and State Representative Jerry Ward were on hand for the formal dedication on the Parade in Greenland, NH.
The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire and the Greenland Historical Society dedicated a monument marker honoring Ona Marie Judge Staines on May 3, 2025 on the Parade in Greenland, NH.
In 1796 this courageous young woman fled to freedom from her enslavement by President George Washington and his wife Martha. She arrived in Portsmouth, where she lived briefly, and married Jack Staines, a free Black mariner.
Pursued for years, she was in danger of capture in 1799 when her husband was at sea. President Washington knew of her flight first to Philadelphia and then to Portsmouth, however, when his representatives were prepared to capture and send her back to Mt. Vernon President Washington agreed to let her live her life as she chose. Eventually Ona settled in Greenland where she and her infant daughter temporarily took refuge with John and Phyllis Jack, members of Greenland’s formerly enslaved community.
After her husband’s death in 1803, Ona Judge Staines again moved in with the Jack family and the two families lived out their lives in Greenland. As they aged, Greenland provided them with goods and services, including firewood, medical assistance, and burials. Ona’s story inspired the abolitionists T.H. Adams and Benjamin Chase, who interview her before he death in 1848.
There have been books and plays produced that chronical Ona’s story of escape from slavery and how she was pursued here in New Hampshire and now she rests in Greenland, in a grave that is cared for by a Greenland family.
Ona made a living for herself and her family as seamstress and providing other housekeeping services to local residents. She was a contributing member of Greenland for many years, until her death in 1848.
Her story is an important reminder of how much we value our freedom in this country and the ability live without fear and retribution. I also think it’s an important message on how the mercy of the nation’s first president lived and followed the founding values of this country at least in the case of Ona Judge Staines who was by the way a personal slave to both Martha and George Washington. Even though Ona was a “runaway” slave, the President and Mrs. Washington willingly gave up their pursuit to let Ona live a free life. Saturday May 3, 2025 in Greenland the Black Heritage Trail and the Greenland Historic Society honored Ona Marie Judge Staines by unveiling a marker honoring her life.