Indentured servitude was common in America. It was just a glossy cover for slavery. Parents, especially poor Irish, German and Scandinavian, would often times sell their children to give them a chance at a better life in America. Sometimes Ship captains would steal children to sell. Brothers Hans and Karl Gruber were part of the former. Sisters Gretchen and Ellen Schmidt were part of the latter. Through his hard work, Hans was able to purchase the last part of his brothers servitude. He also bought the two girls. When he tried to give them their freedom, it backfired on him. Their freedom became so important to them that Karl and Ellen named their first born Freedom. Through the revolutionary war, their lives continue to change, as they experience the birth of freedom.