Born as Prince At-mun, he is a tall and well-built young leader of the At-mun-shi people who is captured and sold into slavery. Renamed Amos, he relies on a strong Christian faith and exceptional work ethic while adapting to life in New England. He possesses a deeply patient nature, believing in waiting for the right moment for freedom rather than rebelling against his captors. As he develops his skills as a tanner, he demonstrates intense devotion to helping others and saves his earnings to purchase the freedom of enslaved women.

Princess Ath-mun is the twelve-year-old sister of At-mun and daughter of the At-mun-shi chief. She has a physical disability in her leg that makes her shy and reliant on her brother's protection. When invaders attack their village, she accepts the heavy responsibility of leading the remaining members of her people. Her memory serves as the primary motivation for her brother's future charitable actions toward other vulnerable women.

Caleb Copeland is a Quaker living in Boston who purchases Amos upon his arrival in America. Though opposed to slavery in principle, he justifies the purchase as an opportunity to provide a Christian home and civilizing education to a captive. He acts as a paternalistic authority figure, intending to grant freedom only after Amos meets his requirements for assimilation.

Ichabod Richardson is a stern but respected tanner living in Woburn. He frequently purchases enslaved Africans to train them in his trade, paying them small amounts while requiring total obedience. He establishes strict contractual conditions for freedom, enforcing a system where good behavior and hard labor are absolute prerequisites for release.

Violet is an enslaved woman who becomes Amos's partner. She holds complicated feelings about her status, sometimes missing the structured comforts of her former life as a servant in a large house. She is practical and highly protective of her family's financial security. This pragmatic streak occasionally causes friction when Amos prioritizes charity for struggling neighbors over buying land for their own family.

Celyndia is Violet's four-year-old daughter. She cherishes a brown doll made of corn husks and leather given to her by Amos, even though she initially wishes for a white china doll. As she grows up in Jaffrey, she helps with household tasks like spinning linens but sometimes feels alienated among her white schoolmates.

Celia Copeland is Caleb's wife and runs a small school in her kitchen. Initially viewing Amos as uncivilized, she takes on the responsibility of teaching him English commands and Western customs. She facilitates his literacy by instructing him to read using the Bible, viewing her efforts as part of a religious mission.

The young son of Caleb and Celia Copeland. He grows up in the same household as Amos, eventually becoming a weaver and moving away with his own family to start an independent life.

The daughter of the Copeland family who grows up alongside Amos. She studies the Bible with him, inadvertently prompting him to speak his first full sentence in English about being a king.

The wife of Woburn tanner Ichabod Richardson. She accepts small gifts from Amos whenever he returns from visits to the Boston wharf. She plays an administrative role in managing the household and executing the legal agreements her husband dictates.

Lily is an enslaved Black woman whom Amos courts. Amos works diligently for several years to accumulate the funds necessary to purchase her freedom so they can marry, viewing her liberation as his personal responsibility.

Lydia is an enslaved woman whose physical disability reminds Amos of his sister, Ath-mun. Despite her difficult past, she maintains a cheerful spirit filled with singing and laughter, inspiring Amos to spend years saving money to buy her freedom.

Lois Burdoo is a widowed Black woman living in Jaffrey with her numerous children. She lives in severe poverty and relies heavily on charity from the townspeople and Amos. Her inability to improve her financial situation draws intense criticism from Violet, though Amos views her with deep sympathy.

The eldest son of the widowed Lois Burdoo. The town eventually auctions his labor to Joseph Stewart, a harsh employer, as a means of addressing the Burdoo family's poverty.

A physically frail daughter of Lois Burdoo who is prone to daydreaming. When the town decides to auction her labor to address her family's poverty, Amos intervenes by bidding high enough to bring her into his own home. She attempts to help with chores but struggles with a persistent cough and physical weakness.

Charlie is a young white boy from Lunenburg. When his father falls on hard times, Charlie is legally bound as an apprentice to Amos. His contract requires strict obedience, while Amos must teach him the tanning trade, reading, and writing.

A benevolent physician from Woburn who once provided free medical care to Amos's family. Years later, after facing financial ruin, he entrusts his son Charlie to Amos as an indentured servant.

A white cobbler in Keene who recognizes the exceptional quality of Amos's leather work. His offhand remark about the local need for a skilled tanner serves as a divine sign for Amos to settle in the area.

The local religious leader in Jaffrey who actively supports Amos's arrival. He offers the Fortune family fresh milk, gingerbread, and loaner land to help establish the new tannery.

A spirited young preacher at the local church who has a paralyzed right arm. He ministers to the congregation where the Fortune and Burdoo families attend.

A harsh local man in Jaffrey who wins the auction for Moses Burdoo's labor. He is known in the community for his strict, punishing demeanor toward laborers.

A tall, warm man in Jaffrey whom Amos trusts. Amos selects him to officially execute his final will and manage his significant charitable donations to the local church and school.

One of the free Black residents of Jaffrey who attends church with the Fortune family and shares their segregated seating arrangements.

A member of the Black community in Jaffrey who befriends the Fortune family at church.

A Black resident of Jaffrey who forms part of the social circle the Fortunes join upon moving to the town.

A landowner in Jaffrey who conducts business with Amos when the tanner finally decides to purchase a permanent homestead for his family.

An apprentice who assists Amos as the tanning business expands and becomes highly successful in Jaffrey.