Elijah is an eleven-year-old boy and the first freeborn child in the Elgin Settlement of Buxton. He helps his neighbors by completing chores, such as catching fish with perfectly aimed rocks. Though he displays a fearful side regarding snakes and unfamiliar situations, he actively tries to behave respectfully. His parents push him to develop common sense and courage.

Sarah Freeman is Elijah's mother, a formerly enslaved woman who provides a stable and firm upbringing for her son. She holds a deep appreciation for her hard-won freedom and works to instill critical thinking in Elijah. She occasionally uses practical jokes, such as hiding a snake in a cookie jar, to teach him about facing his fears.

Spencer Freeman is Elijah's father and a respected Elder in the Buxton community. He provides steady guidance to his family and assists his neighbors with heavy labor, such as pulling tree stumps. He maintains a protective watch over his community and openly distrusts individuals who act suspiciously or make unverified claims.

The Right Reverend Deacon Doctor Zephariah Connerly the Third is a smooth-talking man who carries a silver pistol and claims religious authority. He frequently invents stories to frighten children and manipulates situations to profit himself. He attempts to exploit Elijah's rock-throwing skills for financial gain at a local carnival.

Mr. Leroy is a hardworking resident of Buxton who carries the deep emotional trauma of his past enslavement. He works tirelessly clearing land to earn money to purchase freedom for his wife and children. He demands strict respect for the experiences of former slaves and reacts severely to ignorant language.

Cooter is Elijah's best friend and frequent companion in woodland mischief. He shares Elijah's tendency to misunderstand adult concepts, often arriving at wildly incorrect conclusions about school assignments. He struggles with his lessons but remains fiercely loyal to his friends.

Emma is a sensible, proper classmate of Elijah who carries a misshapen rag doll named Birdy. She possesses a special talent for calming frightened individuals arriving in the settlement, approaching them with a gentle and disarming manner. She performs well academically, causing slight jealousy in Elijah.

Mr. Travis is the schoolteacher and Sunday school instructor in the settlement. Born free in New York, he holds exceptionally high expectations for his students. He demands that the children respect their elders and appreciate the educational opportunities available in Buxton.

Mrs. Holton is a wealthy Buxton resident whose husband was captured during their escape north. She lives with her daughters and employs Mr. Leroy to clear trees from her property. She relies on her neighbors for support and reading assistance when mail arrives from the United States.

Mr. Theodore Highgate is a legally emancipated neighbor in the Buxton community. He possesses manumission papers that prove his free status, making him a reliable candidate for traveling safely across the border. He cooperates with the community elders when they need a trustworthy escort for important tasks.

Mrs. Chloe is a captive woman whom Elijah meets during his travels outside of the settlement. She endures harsh conditions while prioritizing the safety and future of her infant daughter. She speaks practically and uses subtle language to assess whether outsiders are trustworthy enough to help her family.

Hope, also called Too-mah-ee-nee by her father, is the infant daughter of Mrs. Chloe and Kamau. She is a quiet, vulnerable baby who represents her parents' desperate wish for a life free from bondage.

MaWee, originally known as Jimmy Blassingame in the settlement, is a young boy purchased by a carnival owner to perform in a traveling show. He works menial tasks and plays the role of a tribal chief in a slingshot act. He eventually joins the school in Buxton to receive a proper education.

Sir Charles is the owner of a traveling carnival camped near Chatham. He presents himself as a knighted noble from England and runs a mesmerist act. He exploits uneducated children for his theatrical performances and uses racist signage to advertise his shows.

Kamau is a captive man from Africa who speaks minimal English. He is fiercely devoted to his partner, Mrs. Chloe, and their infant daughter, Hope. He endures extreme physical hardships while remaining protective of his small family.

Mr. Segee is a Buxton resident who oversees the local barn animals. He provides Elijah with regular chores, such as cleaning stalls and brushing mules, and allows the boy to borrow the mule Old Flapjack for fishing trips.

Mrs. Brown is a grieving neighbor in Buxton who lost her young son to a fever. She wears mourning clothes and frequently roams the woods at night. She trades her freshly baked cherry pies for the fish that Elijah catches in the local streams.

John Holton is Mrs. Holton's husband, who was captured by slavers during their escape north. His absence leaves his family relying on the Buxton community for support, and his memory is deeply respected by his neighbors.

Madame Sabbar is the featured slingshot artist at Sir Charles's traveling carnival. She performs theatrical feats of accuracy for the crowds, though her act relies heavily on blindfolds, stage tricks, and audience participation to maintain the illusion of danger.

Samuel is a white boy who attends the traveling carnival and volunteers for the mesmerist's act. He openly doubts the reality of the hypnotism, though his willingness to undress on stage leaves the audience questioning his actual state of mind.