Neal, the Miller: A Son of Liberty

In the bustling towns of pre‑revolutionary New Hampshire, a young farmer named Walter Neal dreams of turning a piece of untouched riverbank into a thriving grist‑mill. His plans are fueled by a recent pledge to the Sons of Liberty, a pledge that raises both hopes and doubts among his acquaintances. As he navigates the practicalities of contracts, lack of capital, and the looming demands of colonial law, Neal finds himself caught between personal ambition and the growing call for resistance.

A sudden, secretive summons leads Neal to a hidden meeting with his trusted mentor, Andrew McCleary, where promises of aid clash with the risk of breaking his newly taken oath. The encounter forces him to weigh the cost of securing a modest sum of money against the larger stakes of the rebellion stirring around him. As the river’s current hints at opportunity, Neal’s resolve is tested, setting the stage for a tense struggle between enterprise and emerging liberty.