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Liberty Lettters
Personal Correspondence of Elizabeth Walton and Abigail Matthews: The Story of Pocahontas, 1613
The Liberty Letters(tm) series explores the lives of teens who courageously lived out their faith and commitment to God in challenging times. power of friendship, courage, ingenuity, and faith to make a difference in the key events of U.S. history. In this book, Elizabeth Walton of London, England corresponds with her friend, Abigail Matthews. Abigail is a daring adventurer who sets sail from London to make her home first in Jamestown, and then in Henricus, Virginia. and of Pocahontas and her conversion to Christianity. Liberty Letters(tm) is a tribute to America's foundation of faith and freedom. story. And now, a new generation can experience history as they discover how God works through ordinary people in extraordinary times. souls.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2003
About the author
Nancy LeSourd
8 books7 followersNancy LeSourd is an author, attorney, wife, and mother of two, who lives in the Washington D. C. area. She has a B.A. in political science from Agnes Scott College, a M.A. from Tufts University in secondary education with an emphasis on American History, and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. A William Robertson Coe fellow in American history, she taught American history to middle and high school students. For more information, visit www.libertyletters.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 6, 2026
3 stars, personally ⭐️ Christian Fiction - Upper Middle-Grade Historical Fiction (1600s)
About this book:
“After enduring a dangerous voyage to the New World, Abigail discovers that her fight for survival in Jamestown has only begun. When she must face her enemy, an Indian princess called Pocahontas, Abigail uncovers the enemy of her own heart—unforgiveness. In London, England, her friend Elizabeth yearns for adventure, but society’s conventions threaten to crush her dreams. As the girls face their deepest fears, they discover how their choices can change a nation’s---and a young woman’s—destiny.”
Series: Part of the “Liberty Letters” series, but does not seem to be connected to the other books in the series.
Spiritual Content- Scripture read, mentioned, quoted, & discussed; Witnessing to others; Church going; A song about God is sung; Many talks about God, Jesus Christ, trusting Him, praying, forgiveness, sin, & witnessing to others; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God or Jesus; Elizabeth is given a New Testament in Greek and hopes to study the language, but her father will not let her as he believes she will not have any need for knowing the language; Abigail wonders if God even hears her prayers and is mad at God, but later feels like God has a reason for her coming to America; Abigail has hatred and bitterness towards the Indians, but feels the Holy Spirit tugging on her and *Spoiler*; It is a rule in James Towne to attend church and there are punishments for missing (such as if a man misses for the third time without good reason, the man will be shot or hanged); Many mentions of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, trusting Him, His will, forgiveness, & higher callings; Many mentions of churches/cathedrals, church going, services, worship, reverends/ministers, & sermons; Many mentions of Christians, witnessing to others, & salvation through Jesus Christ; Mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, those and events in the Bible, & Bible classes; Mentions of Christmas & reading about the birth of Jesus; Mentions of miracles; Mentions of baptisms; Mentions of sins & sacrifices; Mentions of copying Scriptures and the Lord’s Prayer; Mentions of young girls (including Abigail and Elizabeth) having instructors “in the Christian faith”, church doctrine, & catechism; Mentions of the ‘Book of Common Prayer’ & the girls having to study it; Mentions of a man not wanting to marry a woman who doesn’t share his Christian faith despite loving her greatly; A few mentions of being blessed; A couple mentions of communion;
*Note: Abigail gets very upset at a reverend who wants to tell the Indians about God and have them their away from their savage ways (*Spoiler* ); Abigail thinks the Indians will not believe in God because of their own gods and does not wish for Pocahontas or the other Indians to need her God (her view is clouded with bitterness and hatred towards them and wants the Indians to be left alone with their gods; She starts to feel guilt for her bitterness and not wanting to share God with the Indians); Abigail is told about the Indians’ two gods, Ahone (the creator god who gives good things) and Okee (the devil god who is more powerful, does all the bad things, and requires child sacrifice to appease); Elizabeth’s mother tells her to think “good thoughts” for Abigail; Abigail calls the colony “godforsaken” when first arriving; Some believe that the Bermuda islands are “enchanted and filled with witches and devils” (but quickly learn that it is not “Devil’s Island” like they thought); A comment that some think of Indians as savages who are “devil-inspired to quench the flame of truth”; Mentions of Indians doing child sacrifices to appease a “devil god”; A few mentions of pagans & heathens.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘stupid’; A fire, Being bit by a poisonous snake, Pain, & Injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Seeing others die and be close to death & extreme grief (including for parents, *Spoilers* , up to semi-detailed); Abigail is bitter and hateful towards Pocahontas (she tries to ignore the guilt she feels about this; Pocahontas asks why Abigail hates her and she shares about how the Indians have harmed her family; *Spoiler* ); A boy is given to a group of Indians in a trade (but is later given back unharmed); Many, many mentions of deaths (including children and infants), people being near to death, drownings, possible drownings, sicknesses, starvation, & extreme grief (including for parents, a girl for a father, a wife for her husband, a husband for his wife); Many mentions of Indian attacks and Colonists attacking Indians, possible attacks, war/battles, massacres and ambushes (on both sides), arrows and people being shot, murders/executions and planned murders/executions, & brutal deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of child sacrifice (to the Indian’s devil god); Mentions of kidnappings/abductions, captives/hostages, & ransom; Mentions of explosions, fires, & burning villages on purpose; Mentions of injuries, pain, burns, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of snakes & poison; Mentions of pipes, smoking, & tobacco; Mentions of a man eating his dog due to hunger & others eating dogs and (implied) horses; Mentions of hunting; Mentions of hatred; A few mentions of whippings, being shot, & being hanged (punishments); A couple mentions of lies & lying; A couple mentions of gossip & rumors; A mention of jealousy;
*Note: Two paintings in the bonus content at the end of the book show Indians shooting Colonists & Colonists carrying a dead woman to bury her; Elizabeth wants to learn and study more subjects, but her father will not let her because they are not needed for running her own house one day (this is shown throughout the book including by her commenting if she was a boy she could have been taught like her brother (Abigail wants that she should have been born a boy), her uncle encouraging her learning about different subjects (when her father finds out, he is very upset and limits her time with him), her father being very against her learning other languages, & her father commenting that no man will want to marry a woman smarter than he is; *Spoilers* .
Sexual Content- When seventeen, Abigail says she is not ready to courtship or marriage, but maybe someday (*Spoiler* ); Mentions of courting & girls getting prepared for marriage (including Elizabeth’s parents focusing on preparing her); Mentions of handsome young men & dances; A few mentions of possible crushes & being sweet on someone;
*Note: Elizabeth’s father comments that no man will want to marry a woman smarter than he is (Abigail tries to encourage Elizabeth that perhaps she will marry a man who will encourage her learning).
-Abigail Matthews, age 12-17
-Elizabeth Walton, age 13-18
P.O.V. switches between them via letters
Set in 1609-1614
219 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Three Stars
New Teens- Four Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
This book re-confirmed something I already knew, but I’ll say it again: The Lord always knows what He is doing, but He especially knew not to put me in the 1600s! I would not have made it during this book’s time period, to say the very least. I’ll admit that I found this book a little depressing at first (about the first fourth of the story), but it did improve. I’m not personally interested in the 1600s or the 1700s, but it is history—albeit pretty sad history—and it is important to know. The faith content was strong and there were good moments of witnessing to others and showing forgiveness. This book wasn’t my favorite of the series, but still interesting in a I’m-so-glad-this-isn’t-my-life kind of way.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“After enduring a dangerous voyage to the New World, Abigail discovers that her fight for survival in Jamestown has only begun. When she must face her enemy, an Indian princess called Pocahontas, Abigail uncovers the enemy of her own heart—unforgiveness. In London, England, her friend Elizabeth yearns for adventure, but society’s conventions threaten to crush her dreams. As the girls face their deepest fears, they discover how their choices can change a nation’s---and a young woman’s—destiny.”
Series: Part of the “Liberty Letters” series, but does not seem to be connected to the other books in the series.
Spiritual Content- Scripture read, mentioned, quoted, & discussed; Witnessing to others; Church going; A song about God is sung; Many talks about God, Jesus Christ, trusting Him, praying, forgiveness, sin, & witnessing to others; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God or Jesus; Elizabeth is given a New Testament in Greek and hopes to study the language, but her father will not let her as he believes she will not have any need for knowing the language; Abigail wonders if God even hears her prayers and is mad at God, but later feels like God has a reason for her coming to America; Abigail has hatred and bitterness towards the Indians, but feels the Holy Spirit tugging on her and *Spoiler*; It is a rule in James Towne to attend church and there are punishments for missing (such as if a man misses for the third time without good reason, the man will be shot or hanged); Many mentions of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, trusting Him, His will, forgiveness, & higher callings; Many mentions of churches/cathedrals, church going, services, worship, reverends/ministers, & sermons; Many mentions of Christians, witnessing to others, & salvation through Jesus Christ; Mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, those and events in the Bible, & Bible classes; Mentions of Christmas & reading about the birth of Jesus; Mentions of miracles; Mentions of baptisms; Mentions of sins & sacrifices; Mentions of copying Scriptures and the Lord’s Prayer; Mentions of young girls (including Abigail and Elizabeth) having instructors “in the Christian faith”, church doctrine, & catechism; Mentions of the ‘Book of Common Prayer’ & the girls having to study it; Mentions of a man not wanting to marry a woman who doesn’t share his Christian faith despite loving her greatly; A few mentions of being blessed; A couple mentions of communion;
*Note: Abigail gets very upset at a reverend who wants to tell the Indians about God and have them their away from their savage ways (*Spoiler* ); Abigail thinks the Indians will not believe in God because of their own gods and does not wish for Pocahontas or the other Indians to need her God (her view is clouded with bitterness and hatred towards them and wants the Indians to be left alone with their gods; She starts to feel guilt for her bitterness and not wanting to share God with the Indians); Abigail is told about the Indians’ two gods, Ahone (the creator god who gives good things) and Okee (the devil god who is more powerful, does all the bad things, and requires child sacrifice to appease); Elizabeth’s mother tells her to think “good thoughts” for Abigail; Abigail calls the colony “godforsaken” when first arriving; Some believe that the Bermuda islands are “enchanted and filled with witches and devils” (but quickly learn that it is not “Devil’s Island” like they thought); A comment that some think of Indians as savages who are “devil-inspired to quench the flame of truth”; Mentions of Indians doing child sacrifices to appease a “devil god”; A few mentions of pagans & heathens.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘stupid’; A fire, Being bit by a poisonous snake, Pain, & Injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Seeing others die and be close to death & extreme grief (including for parents, *Spoilers* , up to semi-detailed); Abigail is bitter and hateful towards Pocahontas (she tries to ignore the guilt she feels about this; Pocahontas asks why Abigail hates her and she shares about how the Indians have harmed her family; *Spoiler* ); A boy is given to a group of Indians in a trade (but is later given back unharmed); Many, many mentions of deaths (including children and infants), people being near to death, drownings, possible drownings, sicknesses, starvation, & extreme grief (including for parents, a girl for a father, a wife for her husband, a husband for his wife); Many mentions of Indian attacks and Colonists attacking Indians, possible attacks, war/battles, massacres and ambushes (on both sides), arrows and people being shot, murders/executions and planned murders/executions, & brutal deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of child sacrifice (to the Indian’s devil god); Mentions of kidnappings/abductions, captives/hostages, & ransom; Mentions of explosions, fires, & burning villages on purpose; Mentions of injuries, pain, burns, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of snakes & poison; Mentions of pipes, smoking, & tobacco; Mentions of a man eating his dog due to hunger & others eating dogs and (implied) horses; Mentions of hunting; Mentions of hatred; A few mentions of whippings, being shot, & being hanged (punishments); A couple mentions of lies & lying; A couple mentions of gossip & rumors; A mention of jealousy;
*Note: Two paintings in the bonus content at the end of the book show Indians shooting Colonists & Colonists carrying a dead woman to bury her; Elizabeth wants to learn and study more subjects, but her father will not let her because they are not needed for running her own house one day (this is shown throughout the book including by her commenting if she was a boy she could have been taught like her brother (Abigail wants that she should have been born a boy), her uncle encouraging her learning about different subjects (when her father finds out, he is very upset and limits her time with him), her father being very against her learning other languages, & her father commenting that no man will want to marry a woman smarter than he is; *Spoilers* .
Sexual Content- When seventeen, Abigail says she is not ready to courtship or marriage, but maybe someday (*Spoiler* ); Mentions of courting & girls getting prepared for marriage (including Elizabeth’s parents focusing on preparing her); Mentions of handsome young men & dances; A few mentions of possible crushes & being sweet on someone;
*Note: Elizabeth’s father comments that no man will want to marry a woman smarter than he is (Abigail tries to encourage Elizabeth that perhaps she will marry a man who will encourage her learning).
-Abigail Matthews, age 12-17
-Elizabeth Walton, age 13-18
P.O.V. switches between them via letters
Set in 1609-1614
219 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Three Stars
New Teens- Four Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
This book re-confirmed something I already knew, but I’ll say it again: The Lord always knows what He is doing, but He especially knew not to put me in the 1600s! I would not have made it during this book’s time period, to say the very least. I’ll admit that I found this book a little depressing at first (about the first fourth of the story), but it did improve. I’m not personally interested in the 1600s or the 1700s, but it is history—albeit pretty sad history—and it is important to know. The faith content was strong and there were good moments of witnessing to others and showing forgiveness. This book wasn’t my favorite of the series, but still interesting in a I’m-so-glad-this-isn’t-my-life kind of way.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
July 21, 2024
Of course Adventures in Jamestown gets 5 stars. Nothing less for such great books. Always and forever will these books receive 5 stars. Such a beautiful story with beautiful friendships and beautiful lessons to be learned.
These books always make me cry in their own little ways.
Normally they make me cry towards the end as the book begins to wind itself down. However, this one has such heartbreak in the beginning and I forgot such details. I was immediately caught off guard and spent the beginning of the book crying.
In the end I messaged my friend about how I was crying because she had such an encounter with God; one very similar to ones I have had many, many times. All I could do was cry in relation.
These books, Liberty Letters, always touch me in such tender hearted ways and will always and forever hold such a special place in my heart ❤️❤️
These books always make me cry in their own little ways.
Normally they make me cry towards the end as the book begins to wind itself down. However, this one has such heartbreak in the beginning and I forgot such details. I was immediately caught off guard and spent the beginning of the book crying.
In the end I messaged my friend about how I was crying because she had such an encounter with God; one very similar to ones I have had many, many times. All I could do was cry in relation.
These books, Liberty Letters, always touch me in such tender hearted ways and will always and forever hold such a special place in my heart ❤️❤️
June 1, 2025
The intentions were probably good, but this book was so painfully on the nose, which made me sad. It missed an opportunity and went for being a sermon instead of being a plain good story. I did appreciate the real historical figures as characters and facts about the time and setting, and one quote stood out to me about clarity and trusting God. Besides that, it was very preachy and forced to me (especially in the last half) and the emotions felt contrived. Not my fave
January 2, 2018
A good book.
January 28, 2021
Written very well. I believe any age bracket would like this story. Love how the author incorporated history, friendship, & God's word into this fabulous tale.
December 29, 2025
I absolutely loved this story! The letters gave the book a very intimate feeling. All young girls should be reading these books!
September 10, 2021
A wonderful book! I like how the author adds things at the back of the book (items that were used in the book). I recommend it for all ages. :)
November 30, 2013
Out of the many diary-style books I have read over the years, this book and series is by far my favorite. The story of friends Elizabeth and Abigail is absolutely beautiful as these girls write to one another and grow to womanhood, each dealing with very different changes and challenges along the way.
Abigail's family has set sail with the Virginia Co. to the New World. New dangers and new adventures await. But Abigail must learn how to forgive, and how to love, and stand strong in her faith when her world is turned upside down and all feels lost. Meanwhile on the other side of the world in England, Elizabeth receives the letters of her hurting friend. As she strives to love and reach out to Abigail across the miles, her own life is filled with gaiety and fun, yet still has it's own changes of a different kind.
Seeing these two very different young ladies writing back and forth to one another during the very founding of our great nation moved and inspired me. There is a strong connection with the characters as a reader and the feeling you could be friends with them at the same time, creating an endearing story. No amount of miles could ever sever true friendship; more than friendship, the bond between sisters in Christ.
Packed with true historical content of the New World, the story of Pocahontas and her conversion to Christianity, the message of faith and forgiveness and the most beautiful salvation message I have ever read, Nancy LeSound has woven a story that will encourage and challenge all who read it.
“Abigail, you are asking important questions. Questions of the heart. Questions of life. There is not a generation that passes that does not face and ask these same questions. Is God really there for you, Abigail? ...You know much about him, Abigail, but do you know him? Can you abandon yourself to him and know he loves you? Can you, in adversity as well as joy, in blessings as well as difficulties, trust you heavenly Father? ...He is taking you on a deeper walk with him – asking you to trust him when there are no clear answers. Is not that what trust is really all about? If you could see clearly you would have no need to trust in him.” (p. 216)
Abigail's family has set sail with the Virginia Co. to the New World. New dangers and new adventures await. But Abigail must learn how to forgive, and how to love, and stand strong in her faith when her world is turned upside down and all feels lost. Meanwhile on the other side of the world in England, Elizabeth receives the letters of her hurting friend. As she strives to love and reach out to Abigail across the miles, her own life is filled with gaiety and fun, yet still has it's own changes of a different kind.
Seeing these two very different young ladies writing back and forth to one another during the very founding of our great nation moved and inspired me. There is a strong connection with the characters as a reader and the feeling you could be friends with them at the same time, creating an endearing story. No amount of miles could ever sever true friendship; more than friendship, the bond between sisters in Christ.
Packed with true historical content of the New World, the story of Pocahontas and her conversion to Christianity, the message of faith and forgiveness and the most beautiful salvation message I have ever read, Nancy LeSound has woven a story that will encourage and challenge all who read it.
“Abigail, you are asking important questions. Questions of the heart. Questions of life. There is not a generation that passes that does not face and ask these same questions. Is God really there for you, Abigail? ...You know much about him, Abigail, but do you know him? Can you abandon yourself to him and know he loves you? Can you, in adversity as well as joy, in blessings as well as difficulties, trust you heavenly Father? ...He is taking you on a deeper walk with him – asking you to trust him when there are no clear answers. Is not that what trust is really all about? If you could see clearly you would have no need to trust in him.” (p. 216)
March 1, 2010
This book is written in the form of letters between two friends. Elizabeth Walton and Abigail Matthews are both eleven years old in the summer of 1609, and are the best of friends. But their lives take very different paths when Abigail's family decides to leave England to settle in the new colony of Jamestown, Virginia. Saddened by their separation, the friends keep up a regular correspondence with each other. Elizabeth's life continues much as it always has, although more is expected of her as she grows into a young lady. But Abigail's is vastly changed. Shortly after arriving in the New World, she loses both of her parents -- her mother dies of starvation, and her father is killed by Indians. In the years that follow she struggles to understand why so much hardship has happened to her.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but in the second half it went from dealing with Abigail's personal struggle with her faith in the midst of so much tragedy, to being a bit too preachy when it dealt with the conversion of Pocahontas. Still, it was well written, and well researched with interesting historical details, both about life in Virginia and life in England from 1609 to 1614, a time period I particularly enjoy to read about. I also liked the fact that it was written in the form of letters, because it was a unique idea. I would recommend it to readers who are interested in this historical period and who do not mind the religious content, or who feel they can overlook it.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but in the second half it went from dealing with Abigail's personal struggle with her faith in the midst of so much tragedy, to being a bit too preachy when it dealt with the conversion of Pocahontas. Still, it was well written, and well researched with interesting historical details, both about life in Virginia and life in England from 1609 to 1614, a time period I particularly enjoy to read about. I also liked the fact that it was written in the form of letters, because it was a unique idea. I would recommend it to readers who are interested in this historical period and who do not mind the religious content, or who feel they can overlook it.
December 27, 2010
Abigail leaves her comfort in England to a new country America.Both her parents are killed one by starvation because no one will go outside to look for food,Because if they do they will get shot by the Indians.The other parent gets shot by a Indian.Abigail is fighting through all this hatred when Indian princess Pocahontas is captured and lives with Abigail to learn about the English customs.You have to find out if Abigail will forgive the princess whose father killed both her parents, or will she hate Pocahontas forever.
January 28, 2011
An interesting story in letter form, with lots of interesting historical tidbits.
January 23, 2016
I liked learning about the past. I loved the Christian perspective and showed how they came to God. It wasn't happy throughout, but that's life. I liked it enough to read the rest of the series.
May 14, 2025
I read this to see if it would be appropriate for my niece. I would say it is very interesting and would recommend it for middle school girls. There is some really tough stuff in it.
May 22, 2023
I never read a book that handles the story of pocahontas quite like this one
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews