The Rangers; or, The Tory's Daughter: A Tale Illustrative of the Revolutionary History of Vermont and the Northern Campaign of 1777

"The Rangers; or, The Tory's Daughter" by Daniel P. Thompson is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. The book explores the intricacies of social dynamics during the American Revolutionary War, focusing on characters caught between loyalty to the crown and the burgeoning revolutionary spirit of the colonies. Among the central figures is Sabrey Haviland, the daughter of a loyalist, who finds herself grappling with her feelings in a time of political and social unrest. At the start of the narrative, a group of wealthy loyalists, including Sabrey and her father, is introduced as they make their way through the melting snow towards a court session in Westminster. The scene is set with vivid descriptions of the changing weather and the struggles of their vehicle against the thawing paths. Tension arises when a reckless young man named Harry Woodburn, representing the local farmers, confronts one of the loyalists, John Peters, after a tragic sleigh accident that results in the death of Woodburn's horse. This opening portion not only establishes the characters and their backgrounds but also hints at the growing discontent among the lower classes, foreshadowing larger conflicts as the story unfolds.