A patriot lad of old Boston

In Short

Set in Boston during the early years of the American Revolution, this story follows Don Alden, a young boy living with his aunt and uncle as the city suffers under British occupation. Through Don’s eyes, the reader experiences the mounting tensions of the Port Bill, the rationing of food, and the constant threat of the Redcoats. It is a portrait of quiet, domestic heroism, illustrating how even a young boy can influence the fight for liberty through steadfastness, courage, and a series of small, risky decisions that eventually catch the attention of George Washington.

The Story

The narrative begins with Don watching the Boston Tea Party, a defining moment that immediately solidifies his political stance and costs him his friendship with Tom, a local Tory. As the British blockade tightens and food grows scarce, Don’t household becomes a covert hub of resistance. His Aunt Martha, a woman of indomitable spirit, refuses to vacate their home in Pudding Lane, while his Uncle David and a rugged trapper named Glen Drake secretly assist the colonial cause.

As the conflict escalates, Don finds his loyalties tested in unexpected ways. In a moment of impulsive mercy, he rescues a drowning British soldier named Hawkins—a deed that earns him both suspicion from his uncle and an awkward, begrudging respect from his peers. This connection to Hawkins later becomes a vital shield when Tory collaborators attempt to ransack his home for hidden supplies. Don constantly navigates the tension between his boyish desire for action and the harsh realities of his aunt’s daily struggle for survival.

The tension peaks as the British prepare to evacuate Boston. With the city under military lockdown, Don and his friend Jud discover a plot by local Tories to seize supplies hidden in their cellar. Through a tense confrontation where they narrowly evade search, Don manages to protect the cache until the British finally depart. After the occupation ends, Don takes the inventory of those very supplies—cloth and vital materials—directly to General Washington. The General’s personal acknowledgement of Don as a "true patriot" serves as the emotional resolution to his journey, cementing his transition from a boy observing history to one who has actively contributed to the birth of a nation.

How It Unfolds

The divide deepens Don witnesses the protest at Griffin’s Wharf, leading to a permanent rift with his Tory friend, Tom. He returns home to find his aunt anxious, setting the tone for their life under the tightening British blockade.

The occupation tightens As the number of Redcoats on the Common grows, Don begins to see the human cost of the occupation. He develops a complicated relationship with a British soldier whose life he once saved, creating a buffer between his family and the authorities.

War hits home News of the fighting at Lexington and Concord arrives, sending his uncle to the front lines. Don is left to manage the household alongside his aunt, who refuses to abandon their home despite the danger.

The final standoff When Tory collaborators attempt to break into his cellar to seize hidden goods, Don relies on his wits and his tenuous connection to the British soldier Hawkins to defend the house. The confrontation proves successful, keeping the supplies safe until the American army takes control of the city.

A patriot’s reward Following the British evacuation, Don secures a meeting with General Washington. By delivering the supplies he protected, he gains the validation he has sought throughout the long occupation.

The People

Don Alden is the central consciousness, a boy who desperately wants to participate in the revolution but is often relegated to the role of protector for his household. His evolution is marked by the shifting balance between his youthful, impulsive nature and a maturing sense of duty. Aunt Martha is the moral anchor of the story; her fierce refusal to leave her home, despite the creeping threat of war, provides Don with a model of quiet, immovable courage. Uncle David and the trapper Glen Drake represent the shadow world of the resistance, moving in and out of the house to manage the logistics of the revolt. Tom, the antagonist and former friend, serves as the embodiment of the local Tory sentiment, providing a personal face to the political divisions that tore Boston apart. Harry Hawkins, the British soldier, occupies a unique space; he is an enemy who possesses enough individual integrity to intervene against his own, complicating the simple binary of "patriot" and "Redcoat."

In Its Own Voice

“I think we--that is, the Indians,--did the proper thing in throwing the tea overboard.”

Don explains his support for the revolutionary cause to his friend Tom, effectively ending their long-standing friendship.

“I’m sure I don’t know.”

Don answers an inquiry regarding what his uncle might say about his decision to save a drowning British soldier, highlighting his internal conflict.

“The army will be very grateful to have these supplies,” he said. “I thank you, my boy. You are a true patriot.”

General Washington validates Don’s efforts during their brief but significant meeting at the end of the war.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book explores the nature of patriotism in the domestic sphere. It argues that heroism is not solely the province of the soldier on the battlefield but also resides in the endurance of those who maintain their integrity during civilian occupation. The narrative questions the cost of political division, particularly how it fractures long-standing friendships and neighbors. By centering on a boy, the author frames the American Revolution as a personal, ethical struggle rather than a distant, historical abstraction. It posits that true loyalty is defined by the ability to remain steadfast when one’s daily life is under constant surveillance and pressure.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical fiction that focuses on the lived, daily experience of significant events will find this a rewarding look at 18th-century Boston. The book captures the atmosphere of a city under siege—the narrow, crooked streets, the mud flats, and the persistent tension of living among an occupying force. It is written with a straightforward, earnest tone that reflects the sensibilities of its 1923 publication.

Modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific language and attitudes, which are reflected in the characters' clear-cut, often rigid views on loyalty and the "correctness" of the revolutionary cause. While the prose is accessible, it moves at a steady, deliberate pace that prioritizes character-driven moments over modern, high-octane action. Those who appreciate the charm of coming-of-age stories set against grand historical backdrops will enjoy the way the author transforms the geography of old Boston into a playground for a boy discovering his place in history. It remains a poignant, grounded reminder that the great movements of history are often supported by the silent, grit-filled work of individuals who simply refuse to give up their homes or their convictions.