Rachel is an indentured maid working in the household of John and Abigail Adams in Boston. Having grown up under the abusive care of her Uncle Eb, she cherishes the security and structure of her current position. She seeks to better herself through education and observation, hoping to earn a stable, respected place in society while actively avoiding the growing political conflicts in the streets.

Matthew is a young private in the British Army's 29th regiment, stationed in Boston to enforce the Crown's laws. Indentured to the military after his older brother traded him to pay off gambling debts, he is exhausted, hungry, and far from home. His rigid military training clashes with his growing frustration over the harsh treatment and constant taunts he receives from local Patriots.

Jane is a maid in a Boston household and Rachel's closest friend. She is a fiery and staunch supporter of the Patriot cause, possessing a confident, secretive demeanor that makes her seem privy to inside information. Unlike Rachel, she actively welcomes the brewing rebellion and thrives on the excitement of standing up against British rule.

Uncle Eb is Rachel's cruel relative who previously traded her into indentured servitude. He operates as an opportunistic Tory merchant who publicly acts loyal to the Crown but privately breaks nonimportation agreements to sell British goods. He uses intimidation and blackmail to manipulate Rachel for his own political and financial gain.

John Adams is a prominent lawyer and politician living in Boston's Brattle Square. He values the law and fair treatment above mob mentality, carefully weighing his choices to maintain his moral integrity. Though he sympathizes with the Patriot cause, he insists on order and civil rights, attempting to steer a middle path during the city's escalating unrest.

Abigail is the educated and composed wife of John Adams. She actively encourages Rachel's intellectual curiosity, believing that knowledge should be available to anyone willing to learn, regardless of their social class. Her quiet confidence and domestic stability serve as a model for the kind of woman Rachel hopes to become.

Henry is a local Boston bookstore owner who treats customers from all political backgrounds with civility. He serves as an intellectual guide for Rachel, discussing literature and philosophy with her while advising her to maintain her friendships despite political differences.

John Hancock is a wealthy Boston merchant and a central figure in the Patriot movement. His business practices bring him into direct conflict with the Crown's customs officers, making him a target for British authorities and a hero to the local rebels.

Sam Adams is the leading force behind the Patriots' rebellion in Boston. He organizes loosely formed rebel groups, utilizing mob tactics to oppose British taxes and pushing the city closer toward open conflict with the Crown.

Paul Revere is a local artisan and active Patriot in Boston. He creates engravings that depict the conflicts in the city, using his artwork to promote the Patriot cause and shape the public's understanding of events between the colonists and the British soldiers.