LIBERTY SMITH. The hero of our tale. He left his home in colonial Virginia to rise above his humble beginnings. With the ambitious dream of freeing the thirteen colonies from the rule of Great Britain, he influenced the major figures of his day and changed the course of American history. And yet his name and legend have been forgotten—until now.
GEORGE WASHINGTON. Known as the Father of Our Country, George, as a boy, chopped down a memorable cherry tree. But was the famous line "I cannot tell a lie" really uttered by George or rather by his best friend, Liberty Smith, who also played a role in this little bit of history?
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. Author, printer, lover, and inventor extraordinaire. But was it Dr. Franklin who flew the kite on that famous stormy day, or was it his apprentice, Liberty Smith, who helped the good doctor with his electrical experiments and almost lost his life when lightning struck?
BETSY ROSS. A widowed seamstress, Philadelphia’s Betsy Ross earned the honor of sewing America’s first flag. But how many patriots know that her initial color scheme was black and white and that she did not hit upon the combination of red, white, and blue without the suggestions of a certain young man?
PAUL REVERE. Boston’s favorite silversmith, rabble-rouser, and drinking companion, Paul charmed one and all—with the possible exception of his exasperated wife. Children young and old know of the famous Midnight Ride. But was it Paul who rode by moonlight, or was it some other brave revolutionary?
THOMAS JEFFERSON. Congress asked this shy and neurotic Virginian to compose a Declaration of some sort, but he would have rather played his violin. After suffering a bout of writer’s block, did Jefferson write "We hold these truths…" all alone, or did he receive some much-needed assistance from one Liberty Smith?
BENEDICT ARNOLD. Treachery is now synonymous with the name of this American general. Yet how many know that Benedict was really a powdered and perfumed fop? When he finally turned traitor, his fiendish plot was unraveled by a man whose name is not yet hallowed in the halls of history. Any guesses?
EMILY ANDREWS. The niece of Betsy Ross, Emily felt frustrated by her life as an eighteenth-century woman. She wondered why she could not do all that a man could do. Through drive and determination, she was able to travel abroad and take part in the world of men. But did she win the love of Liberty Smith?