Historical Drama
In 1773, the winds of freedom stirred in the hearts of the people in Colonial America.
Merchant seaman JOHN TAYLOR returns from Paris to Boston where he reunites with his best friend IAN WILLIAMSON, a Harvard educated lawyer. He finds things in a state of rebellion over Parliament increasing taxes and duties through the imposition of acts which have been legislated without any representation from the colonies.
Ian provides assistance to his mentor, lawyer John Adams, and keeps the logbooks for merchant John Hancock's shipping company. With Ian's help, John Taylor has an interview with Hancock who is happy to hire an internationally seasoned merchant.
John is sent to London and encounters ALBERT RALEIGH CHELMSFORD III who epitomizes everything many colonists have grown to disparage about their mother country. Chelmsford is arrogant, entitled, unscrupulous, and greedy. John publicly puts him in his place, insisting that he must pay monies owed to Hancock. Furious, Chelmsford seeks vengeance by setting a thug on him and stealing back the money collected for Hancock, thereby jeopardizing John's new position. This marks the beginning of an ongoing vendetta between them.
Meanwhile, Ian pines that his effort to make enough money to open his own law office is keeping him away from Newport, Rhode Island and his true love REBECCA WINTHROP. He worries if she is even still waiting for him as she has not responded to his letters for months. Unbeknownst to them, as well as to Rebecca's devoted brother Elijah, her mother has confiscated their correspondence because she feels Ian does not travel in the right social circles. Not having heard from Ian in a very long time, Rebecca is convinced that he no longer cares. Heartbroken, she reluctantly accepts another's marriage proposal.
As agitation in Boston begins to escalate, John and Ian become involved with the patriots and their cause. John and others, disguised as Indians, dump tea into Boston Harbor. Relations with England become strained, and the port of Boston closes in the summer of 1774. John and Ian decide to return to Newport, where they met as boys.
Ian is devastated to learn that Rebecca is engaged to someone else. John convinces Ian that he must fight for her and bolsters his courage by plying the teetotaling Quaker with rum. Ian tries to confront Rebecca, but, inebriated, he passes out. After sleeping it off, they have a passionate discussion in which she confesses that she still loves him. They are quietly married when her mother is out of town.
John and Ian struggle to find enough work in Newport. Due to growing political tensions, war with England is imminent. In 1775, John and other townsmen station themselves at Brenton Point . There, John trains them to fight with swords. Ian, a pacifist, does his part by delivering news. British soldiers swarm the town on Christmas Eve, even firing upon it, frightening a very pregnant Rebecca.
In 1776, John and Elijah enlist in the local militia. Ian pleads for help for Newport from the Continental Army by writing letters to Hancock and Adams. Hancock and other patriots lead troops into the Battle of Rhode Island in the summer of 1778. John, Elijah and many of their fellow Newporters fight hard, but it is a resounding defeat.
IN UPCOMING EPISODES: The war is won; John meets the woman who will become the love of his life; John gets his own ship and crew; Ian becomes John's first mate, much to the dismay of his wife Rebecca; John endeavors to be the first American merchant to reinstate trade with England as an independent nation, and he reengages with his old nemesis Chelmsford.
MAJOR CHARACTERS:
JOHN TAYLOR, mid 20's, cuts an impressive figure. Tall with a commanding physique and mesmerizingly attractive, he is confident and charming. He is the bastard of a doctor's housekeeper in France and a prominent Newport businessman who was already married with a family. He constantly battles against the idea that one can have protection at a price but will always be the bastard, not entitled to the same rights as the legitimate family. He aspires to command his own ship and make a name for himself through trade, allowing him the freedom to control his own destiny. John personifies Colonial America’s dream to be treated as an equal, regardless of the circumstances of one’s birth.
IAN WILLIAMSON, mid 20's, is intelligent and gentle with a strong, trim physique. A Harvard educated lawyer, he aspires to have his own practice. Raised by Quakers after the death of his parents, he is a pacifist. He believes law and negotiation, rather than violence, are the best ways to resolve disputes. He is often tested as to whether he will sacrifice his idealism to protect that which he loves and respects. He is in love with Rebecca Winthrop, who is the motivation for all his endeavors. As John's best friend, Ian is his moral compass and stabilizing force.
REBECCA WINTHROP, 20, is petite and pretty with delicate features. She is intelligent, eager to learn, and passionate in her beliefs. She comes from a tight-knit family of modest means, respected in their community. She and her beloved older brother Elijah are very close. In love with Ian Williamson, Rebecca puts her life on hold waiting for him. This displeases her domineering mother.
ALBERT RALEIGH CHELMSFORD III, mid 30's, is a well-known, successful but unscrupulous commission dealer of international commerce in London. With his wavy long black wig, fine clothing, and arrogant demeanor, he exudes privilege. His sharp features, mustache and goatee give him a sinister appearance. As John Taylor’s nemesis, he personifies England’s delusion that certain men unequivocally deserve a privileged status in society and are entitled to rule over others because of their birthright.
