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. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Ruth Ogden was the pen name of Fannie Ogden Ide, a late 19th century American children's book author.