Forged in Philadelphia

The year is 1792, and although American independence has been secured, individual freedoms are still elusive for many. Adam Eckfeldt is an apprentice to his father’s blacksmith business. For his father Jacob, there is no question the young man will someday replace him, but Adam has other aspirations.

The Eckfeldt family slave has his own dreams. Christian yearns for emancipation. This yearning only increases when he falls in love with Ona Judge, maid to Lady Martha Washington. In post-revolutionary Philadelphia, Adam and Christian must forge the pathway to their dreams. These friends navigate the unfamiliar territory of the early abolitionist movement as well as the ins and outs of the Washington household. Their unlikely friendship and their loyalties are tested as they each face dilemmas that will alter the course of their young lives.

“There. That should do it! I believe that will hold for a good, long time.”

Adam Eckfeldt lifted his head, flexed his cramped shoulders, and stood to his full height. Sweat rolled down his forehead, cheeks, and chin. He wiped the moisture from his eyes and carefully inspected his work. Using tongs, Adam held out the teapot he’d repaired to his young servant Christian. Christian had been traded to Adam’s father, Jacob, four years ago, at the age of fourteen, for a plowshare, two scythes, and five rakes. He was learning the blacksmith trade alongside Adam, who had recently celebrated his twenty-fourth birthday.

“Bank the fire for the night and close up the shop, would you, Christian? … We’ll let this teapot cure for the night, and tomorrow morning I will deliver it to President’s House for Mrs. Washington. She’ll need it for afternoon tea.”

Adam turned and headed to the door but stopped short when he saw Christian’s disappointed expression.

“What is it, Christian?”

“Nothing, sir. It’s nothing.” Christian turned back to tend the fire.

“It’s far from nothing with such a long face. Would you like to go with me to President Washington’s house in the morning, Christian?”

“Oh yes, sir. I would like that very much.”

“It’s Mrs. Washington’s girl you want to see, I’m guessing. What’s her name? Ona Judge? The one who brought the teapot this morning? She caught your eye, didn’t she?”