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

In the bustling streets of 1773 New York, a six‑year‑old girl named Hazel Boniface watches boys glide across the frozen Collect, dreaming of her own skates. Born to a Loyalist father who wears a bright red coat, she inherits a fierce devotion to King George, while the city around her still pulses with ponds, hills, and the lively chatter of a growing nation. The narrative paints a vivid picture of everyday life—market stalls, river creeks, and the simple wonder of a child eager to belong.

When Hazel boldly asks the renowned skater Starlight for lessons, a gentle rivalry sparks that opens a window onto the complexities of loyalty, family, and the looming shadows of conflict. Through her eyes, listeners glimpse real historical touches—a captain’s letter, a prisoner‑ship tale, and the echo of the Revolutionary tide—yet the focus remains on her playful innocence and the bonds that shape her world. The story balances gentle humor with sincere affection for a vanished New York, inviting listeners to stroll back a century and feel the crisp air of adventure.