A Loyal Little Red-Coat: A Story of Child-life in New York a Hundred Years Ago

"A Loyal Little Red-Coat: A Story of Child-life in New York a Hundred Years Ago" by Ruth Ogden is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set in the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War, focusing on the experiences of a young girl named Hazel Boniface, a Loyalist growing up in New York City during this tumultuous time. The narrative explores her interactions with various characters, including her friendship with Job Ainsworth, a Whig, highlighting the conflicts and camaraderie between those on opposing sides of the political spectrum. The opening of the book introduces Hazel Boniface, born into a Loyalist family, and illustrates her young life against the backdrop of a shifting political landscape in 1783 New York. Hazel is depicted watching boys skating and playing during a winter outing with her father, and soon her thoughts turn to her friend Job, with whom she has a burgeoning friendship despite their differing loyalties. The chapter establishes her deep concern for her friends' rights, particularly her worries about the treatment of a family displaced by British soldiers, and sets the stage for Hazel’s determination to advocate for justice while navigating the complexities of childhood friendships amidst the Revolutionary War's end.