I Survived the American Revolution, 1776

Nate first meets Paul when the older boy is “a joking eighteen-year-old with bright red hair and a gap-toothed grin” (8). Paul is a prankster on Papa’s ship and soon takes young Nate under his wing. He is loyal like Nate and does everything he can to reconnect with Nate after Papa’s death. In the two years since Nate and Paul last saw each other, Paul has grown up to become a brave and responsible soldier.

When Nate reconnects with Paul, he reflects, “Nobody drove Papa and his men crazier—or made them laugh harder. But now Paul’s eyes looked serious and thoughtful” (49). Paul has seen an overwhelming amount of death and bloodshed in those two years, starting with Papa’s death. After Papa was thrown overboard, Paul never set foot on a ship again. He felt lost afterward and didn’t know where he belonged anymore. He returned to his family’s farm for a while, but when the opportunity to join the fight came, Paul jumped at the chance to regain the feeling of having a purpose and a team.

Paul is very protective of Nate, and when they encounter danger on the way to Gowanus Heights, his first instinct is to protect Nate, just as he promised to do two years ago. When Nate leaves the Connecticut 5th to go home to Eliza and Theo, Paul gives him his prized possession: his ugly green hat. This symbol of America’s tenacity is mirrored in Nate, and the gift is meant to bring him good luck as the two friends part ways.

Eliza is a kind woman who is enslaved by Nate’s uncle, Storch. When she is first introduced, she is described as being hardworking and underappreciated. For example, she serves an excellent meal to Storch and his friend, and although she had been awake “since dawn cooking this meal,” she is unsurprised when “neither of the men [thank] her, or even [look] at her” (6). Seeing this, Nate reflects that despite his own hatred for his cruel uncle, “Eliza had it far worse” (6). In an attempt to make the best of her harsh circumstances, Eliza keeps to herself and tries not to upset Storch in order to avoid punishment.

Eliza’s own husband was sold by Storch a few months prior to the start of the book. Eliza’s family now consists of Theo (her three-year-old son) and Nate. Eliza has become a mother figure for Nate. She stays by his side when he has nightmares and encourages him whenever he feels lonely or scared. She is only physically present in the first few chapters and the last chapter of the book, but she is present in Nate’s memory throughout his experiences in New York. Her kindness and quiet strength are qualities that Nate takes with him, and he carries her spirit even across the water.

Slash O’Shea is the hero of the legendary pirate stories that Papa passed down to Nate in his earlier years, and Nate now shares these stories with Theo. Although Slash is a pirate, he is known for taking from the rich and giving to the poor. In this way, he is a good role model for Nate and Theo, and his stories teach about the importance of bravery, equality, and perseverance. Slash O’Shea “got his name from the dagger strapped to the stump where his hand used to be” (14), a hand he lost in a cannon firing gone awry. Nate often finds himself thinking of what Slash would do whenever he is confronted with a crisis. When Nate first runs away and questions whether he can survive on his own, he thinks, “If young Slash could go to sea, why couldn’t he?” (26). The story of how Slash began his days at sea gives Nate the necessary courage to start a new life on his own as well.

The Slash stories help Nate in several different dangerous moments. Perhaps the most dramatic example occurs when Nate must find a way to pass undetected through the enemy camp in order to reach the fort. If he keeps his American clothes, he will surely be shot. Then, he remembers a time when Slash was distributing stolen wealth to people in need and was spied by a policeman who proceeded to chase him. To avoid being caught, Slash ran into a tavern and bought a fancy outfit from one of the customers. He changed into this outfit and evaded capture. This story inspires Nate to don the Hessian’s uniform and walk through the enemy camp in disguise.

One of the antagonists (aside from the British army and the Hessians) is Nate’s abusive uncle, Storch. Storch is a Loyalist, so he supports the British crown, and he also runs a wealthy household in Connecticut. Nate remarks that “Storch pretended to be a gentleman. But [he] had seen hogs with better manners” (5). While Nate is grateful to have a roof over his head, he hates living with his uncle because the man “never treat[s] Nate like family” (10). Instead, he treats Nate like “a stray dog,” forces him to do loads of work, and never shows him any kindness. Storch is even more cruel to Eliza and Theo and is not above splitting up families, as proven by his decision to sell Eliza’s husband.

Storch does not survive the Revolutionary War. Six months after the Battle of Brooklyn, Nate receives word that Storch has died in a smallpox outbreak that killed over 100 people. Ironically, because Storch left no will, the people he treated the worst benefit the most from his death. Nate inherits Storch’s belongings, so he returns to Connecticut with the goal of setting Eliza and Theo free and helping Eliza to reunite with her husband. Storch, who began the book confident in his own wealth and in the British Empire, ultimately gains nothing.