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Friends of Liberty: Thomas Jefferson, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, and Agrippa Hull: A Tale of Three Patriots, Two Revolutions, and the Betrayal that Divided a Nation
Friends of Liberty tells the remarkable story of three men whose lives were braided together by issues of liberty and race that fueled revolutions across two continents. Thomas Jefferson wrote the founding documents of the United States. Thaddeus Kosciuszko was a hero of the American Revolution and later led a spectacular but failed uprising in Poland, his homeland. Agrippa Hull, a freeborn black New Englander, volunteered at eighteen to join the Continental Army. During the Revolution, Hull served Kosciuszko as an orderly, and the two became fast friends. Kosciuszko's abhorrence of bondage shaped histhinking about the oppression in his own land. When Kosciuszko returned to America in the 1790s, bearing the wounds of his own failed revolution, he and Jefferson forged an intense friendship based on their shared dreams for the global expansion of human freedom. They sealed their bond with a blood compact whereby Jefferson would liberate his slaves upon Kosciuszko's death. But Jefferson died without fulfilling the promise he had made to Kosciuszko-and to a fledgling nation founded on the principle of liberty and justice for all.
328 pages, Hardcover
First published March 24, 2008
About the author
Gary B. Nash
199 books37 followersGary B. Nash was a distinguished American historian known for his scholarship on the American Revolutionary era, slavery, and the experiences of marginalized communities in shaping early U.S. history. A graduate of Princeton University, where he earned both his undergraduate and doctoral degrees, Nash also served in the U.S. Navy before embarking on an academic career. He taught at Princeton and then at UCLA, where he became a full professor and later held key administrative roles focused on educational development.
Nash's work highlighted the roles of working-class individuals, African Americans, Native Americans, and women in the nation's founding, challenging traditional narratives centered solely on elite figures. His inclusive approach often sparked debate, notably with historian Edmund Morgan, who questioned the broader impact of the grassroots movements Nash emphasized.
Beyond academia, Nash was instrumental in shaping history education in the United States. He co-directed the development of the National History Standards and led the National Center for History in the Schools. A past president of the Organization of American Historians, he was also a member of numerous esteemed scholarly societies. Throughout his career, Nash authored or contributed to dozens of influential books, articles, and essays that left a lasting mark on the field.
Nash's work highlighted the roles of working-class individuals, African Americans, Native Americans, and women in the nation's founding, challenging traditional narratives centered solely on elite figures. His inclusive approach often sparked debate, notably with historian Edmund Morgan, who questioned the broader impact of the grassroots movements Nash emphasized.
Beyond academia, Nash was instrumental in shaping history education in the United States. He co-directed the development of the National History Standards and led the National Center for History in the Schools. A past president of the Organization of American Historians, he was also a member of numerous esteemed scholarly societies. Throughout his career, Nash authored or contributed to dozens of influential books, articles, and essays that left a lasting mark on the field.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 28, 2022
The book starts with introduction of three men. Thomas Jefferson doesn’t need an introduction.
Tadeusz Kosciuszko came from lower nobility class of Poland. He fought for independence on both continents, first for America, then Poland. During the American Revolution, he was praised for his skills as a military engineer.
Agrippa Hull was a freeborn black in Massachusetts. He claimed to be a son of a prince from Africa, there is no proof of that. In 1778, when New England allowed blacks to join local militias or Continental Army units, he did it at eighteen. His fellow soldiers quickly started calling him Grippy. He was assigned as an orderly to Colonel John Paterson.
It was at Fort Ticonderoga that Grippy met Kosciuszko for the first time, when he was serving dinner to Colonel Paterson and his guests. Grippy soon learned about Pole’s views of race and human equality and that he came from a nation that was struggling for democracy, too. They had a lot in common. Both men shared the same traits of modesty, loyalty and frugality. Seeing a close bond between two men, Colonel Paterson let Grippy be Kosciuszko’s orderly. There is a funny story that happened at West Point, when Grippy personified Kosciuszko.
During his second trip to the US, Kosciuszko received the money due him for his service during the American Revolution. Before returning to Europe, he asked Jefferson to be his will executor. Upon Kosciuszko’s death, the money was supposed to be used to buy Jefferson’s slaves or others and provide them with education in some trade. Jefferson agreed, but when Kosciuszko died Jefferson was in financial dire. He sought a fault in Kosciuszko’s will in order not to execute it.
After five years in Paris as minister, the exposure among abolitionist friends of the Enlightenment seemed to have little impact on Thomas Jefferson. After a slave uprising in Saint Domingue in 1791, he showed no sympathy. His loyalty was to the colonial sugar and coffee planters.
This book, in the first part is more concentrated on the friendship between Grippy and Kosciuszko. Later, it focuses on the friendship between Kosciuszko and Jefferson. And Jefferson’s take on slavery.
If you’re not familiar with Grippy and Kosciuszko, this book offers enough detail about them, but is not overwhelming in its scope.
It is written clearly, with details, but without tedious details, making it a quick and fascinating read.
Tadeusz Kosciuszko came from lower nobility class of Poland. He fought for independence on both continents, first for America, then Poland. During the American Revolution, he was praised for his skills as a military engineer.
Agrippa Hull was a freeborn black in Massachusetts. He claimed to be a son of a prince from Africa, there is no proof of that. In 1778, when New England allowed blacks to join local militias or Continental Army units, he did it at eighteen. His fellow soldiers quickly started calling him Grippy. He was assigned as an orderly to Colonel John Paterson.
It was at Fort Ticonderoga that Grippy met Kosciuszko for the first time, when he was serving dinner to Colonel Paterson and his guests. Grippy soon learned about Pole’s views of race and human equality and that he came from a nation that was struggling for democracy, too. They had a lot in common. Both men shared the same traits of modesty, loyalty and frugality. Seeing a close bond between two men, Colonel Paterson let Grippy be Kosciuszko’s orderly. There is a funny story that happened at West Point, when Grippy personified Kosciuszko.
During his second trip to the US, Kosciuszko received the money due him for his service during the American Revolution. Before returning to Europe, he asked Jefferson to be his will executor. Upon Kosciuszko’s death, the money was supposed to be used to buy Jefferson’s slaves or others and provide them with education in some trade. Jefferson agreed, but when Kosciuszko died Jefferson was in financial dire. He sought a fault in Kosciuszko’s will in order not to execute it.
After five years in Paris as minister, the exposure among abolitionist friends of the Enlightenment seemed to have little impact on Thomas Jefferson. After a slave uprising in Saint Domingue in 1791, he showed no sympathy. His loyalty was to the colonial sugar and coffee planters.
This book, in the first part is more concentrated on the friendship between Grippy and Kosciuszko. Later, it focuses on the friendship between Kosciuszko and Jefferson. And Jefferson’s take on slavery.
If you’re not familiar with Grippy and Kosciuszko, this book offers enough detail about them, but is not overwhelming in its scope.
It is written clearly, with details, but without tedious details, making it a quick and fascinating read.
August 28, 2024
An interesting account of three Revolutionary War characters, especially Tadeusz Kościuszko the Polish national who became one of the most influential figures of the era, a true and unwavering man of the Enlightenment.
My knowledge of American history has been shown to be very limited by this book and I plan to read more to enlighten myself on this topic.
Ultimately, Thomas Jefferson betrayed his ideals of the equality of all men and then betrayed his close friend Kościuszko by not honoring his will. Shonda.
My knowledge of American history has been shown to be very limited by this book and I plan to read more to enlighten myself on this topic.
Ultimately, Thomas Jefferson betrayed his ideals of the equality of all men and then betrayed his close friend Kościuszko by not honoring his will. Shonda.
April 29, 2017
One evening I decided to learn more about Tadeusz Kościuszko, the man the county I live in is named after, because I knew virtually nothing about him except that he was Polish. After reading what I could find online, I became absolutely fascinated with this incredible Revolutionary War hero and had to know more.
Kościuszko was a military engineer and revolutionary. He spent his entire life fighting to secure the unalienable rights of all people. He served for 7 years in the American revolution and was pivotal in America gaining its independence from England. Afterwards, he returned to Poland to fight in its war against Russia, was seriously injured in battle and imprisoned by the Russians for four years.
During his war years in America, he met Thomas Jefferson; but the two didn't become close friends until years later when Jefferson was in Paris. The two spent a great deal of time together when Kościuszko returned to Philadelphia after his release from the Russian prison.
Kościuszko had been given hundreds of acres of land in Pennsylvania and Ohio as partial payment for his military service. When he was planning to leave America for good, he drafted his will naming Jefferson, his most trusted and beloved friend, executor. The will stated that all of his U.S. assets were to be used to free as many slaves as possible and provide them with an education that would help them be successful. Jefferson swore to his friend that he would do this. Had he kept that promise, it surely would have altered the course of American history. Sadly, he did not.
I loved this book. Not only did I learn about the extraordinary Kościuszko, I also learned a lot about Jefferson, a man I once admired. Jefferson talked a good game but flatly refused to back up his words with actions.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in American history and/or the fight to end slavery.
Kościuszko was a military engineer and revolutionary. He spent his entire life fighting to secure the unalienable rights of all people. He served for 7 years in the American revolution and was pivotal in America gaining its independence from England. Afterwards, he returned to Poland to fight in its war against Russia, was seriously injured in battle and imprisoned by the Russians for four years.
During his war years in America, he met Thomas Jefferson; but the two didn't become close friends until years later when Jefferson was in Paris. The two spent a great deal of time together when Kościuszko returned to Philadelphia after his release from the Russian prison.
Kościuszko had been given hundreds of acres of land in Pennsylvania and Ohio as partial payment for his military service. When he was planning to leave America for good, he drafted his will naming Jefferson, his most trusted and beloved friend, executor. The will stated that all of his U.S. assets were to be used to free as many slaves as possible and provide them with an education that would help them be successful. Jefferson swore to his friend that he would do this. Had he kept that promise, it surely would have altered the course of American history. Sadly, he did not.
I loved this book. Not only did I learn about the extraordinary Kościuszko, I also learned a lot about Jefferson, a man I once admired. Jefferson talked a good game but flatly refused to back up his words with actions.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in American history and/or the fight to end slavery.
August 6, 2012
I really enjoyed this historical account of the intertwined lives of Thomas Jefferson, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, and Agrippa ("Grippy") Hull. Who Hull? you ask. Agrippa Hull was a Massachusetts freeman who joined the revolutionary army and became the personal orderly of Colonel Paterson and later to Thaddeus Kosciuszko.
Both were very fond of the young Hull, who brought an unfailing good cheer and humor to his job. The tale of Mr. Hull is remarkable as an example of what free blacks could have accomplished for themselves if slavery had been dealt with and outlawed early in the life of the colonies and the young United States.
But the virus of slavery was not outlawed, even though there were regular petitions to do so. The virus festered until it finally boiled over into the main issue behind the Civil War -- I mourn the at least 618,000 who died in the Civil War who would not have been killed if this matter had been wrestled with early.
Mr. Kosciuszko at one point in his life had some funds invested in the young nation, and expressed a wish that this part of his estate be used to buy the freedom of some slaves upon his demise. This was not done, and the story behind that is a long and twisting one involving multiple wills and multiple claimants to the estate, but the bottom line is that the American funds still could have been used for their intended purpose if the existing laws of Virginia had not gotten in the way.
And as for the otherwise well-documented life of Mr. Jefferson, I probably do not need to detail any of it except for the fact that he did not follow in the footsteps of Mr. Washington in freeing his slaves upon his demise. No, he did not. He was possibly too far in debt in have the luxury of letting any of his property (that includes slaves) go without being sold. Mr. Jefferson owed about $17,000 in about the year 1815, and at the time of his death it had ballooned to around $100,000 -- an unbelievable total when translated into modern dollars.
At the same time, Mr. Hull through a disciplined program of investing the profit of his farming operation back into buying more land, died as the wealthiest black villager in Stockbridge. His widow received the house and lot, plus 28 acres of land, and $167.50 in the bank account. This was accomplished after spending six years in the revolutionary army and being discharged with absolutely nothing to his name.
The Kosciuszko funds invested in the young nation eventually accrued to about $20,000 through his wise management of the funds. If only Mr. Jefferson had taken a leaf from Mr. Kosciuszko's book on investing, he would have been able to afford to free his slaves upon his death.
I am probably spending too much verbiage on the personal finances of these patriots here, but trust me, there is a good body of researched material in this book, well worth your time to read. We get to learn about the personalities and characters of these men, not just the usual sketches we were given in grade school of brave young idealists who put their life on the line for liberty.
Both were very fond of the young Hull, who brought an unfailing good cheer and humor to his job. The tale of Mr. Hull is remarkable as an example of what free blacks could have accomplished for themselves if slavery had been dealt with and outlawed early in the life of the colonies and the young United States.
But the virus of slavery was not outlawed, even though there were regular petitions to do so. The virus festered until it finally boiled over into the main issue behind the Civil War -- I mourn the at least 618,000 who died in the Civil War who would not have been killed if this matter had been wrestled with early.
Mr. Kosciuszko at one point in his life had some funds invested in the young nation, and expressed a wish that this part of his estate be used to buy the freedom of some slaves upon his demise. This was not done, and the story behind that is a long and twisting one involving multiple wills and multiple claimants to the estate, but the bottom line is that the American funds still could have been used for their intended purpose if the existing laws of Virginia had not gotten in the way.
And as for the otherwise well-documented life of Mr. Jefferson, I probably do not need to detail any of it except for the fact that he did not follow in the footsteps of Mr. Washington in freeing his slaves upon his demise. No, he did not. He was possibly too far in debt in have the luxury of letting any of his property (that includes slaves) go without being sold. Mr. Jefferson owed about $17,000 in about the year 1815, and at the time of his death it had ballooned to around $100,000 -- an unbelievable total when translated into modern dollars.
At the same time, Mr. Hull through a disciplined program of investing the profit of his farming operation back into buying more land, died as the wealthiest black villager in Stockbridge. His widow received the house and lot, plus 28 acres of land, and $167.50 in the bank account. This was accomplished after spending six years in the revolutionary army and being discharged with absolutely nothing to his name.
The Kosciuszko funds invested in the young nation eventually accrued to about $20,000 through his wise management of the funds. If only Mr. Jefferson had taken a leaf from Mr. Kosciuszko's book on investing, he would have been able to afford to free his slaves upon his death.
I am probably spending too much verbiage on the personal finances of these patriots here, but trust me, there is a good body of researched material in this book, well worth your time to read. We get to learn about the personalities and characters of these men, not just the usual sketches we were given in grade school of brave young idealists who put their life on the line for liberty.
February 2, 2023
Here is yet another example of a book that opens up enormous opportunities to keep reading more books, in this case, to learn more about all three of these Revolutionary-era figures. The best aspect of this history, by far, is its treatment of Agrippa Hull. I had learned quite a bit about his actions during the Revolution, while reading the Kosciuszko biography (Peasant Prince); this book gives wonderful detail about his life, work, and thought (where possible -- he did not write his own memoirs). As a result, I hope to visit Stockbridge, MA one day soon to see his portrait in the town library and walk the streets that this highly respected Black man walked with such dignity and purpose so long ago. Though there is less of a full picture about Kosciuszko than in Peasant Prince, the authors do an excellent job of tracing the painful story of how the great Pole's will, intended to free and educate slaves (particularly Jefferson's own slaves) and light the way for a more complete abolition of slavery in America, was fought, delayed by Jefferson himself, and ultimately completely ignored as the country moved closer to the tragedy of the Civil War. Clearly, the authors had little interest in allowing Jefferson to maintain his traditional position on a pedestal. Their consistently negative diction: "A man [Jefferson] with no stomach for the battlefield," "Jefferson [and others] scurried for their lives [when Arnold stormed Richmond in 1781]," "Jefferson turn[ed] tail for Charlottesville," makes it clear that this book does not intend to show this Founding Father in the highest esteem. Are the authors fair to him? I don't know. One gets a very full picture of the way in which this towering Enlightenment figure let the side down about universal freedom as he moved through the years, away from the Revolution and, sadly, away from his early beliefs in the evils of slavery. I have never read a full biography of Jefferson; it's time to look at the full picture of this man.
May 17, 2026
My Score: 3.7
This book reminds one that the gap between the myth of Jefferson and the life of Jefferson is vast, and somehow, unbridgeable. Jefferson's failure to take a meaningful and personal stand against slavery makes hollow every public pronouncement of equality and inalienable rights. Yet, Jefferson is revered.
This book does an excellent job of revealing how much Jefferson failed those closest to him: Sally Hemings - the enslaved mother of his children (whom he first impregnated when she was 15 and he was 51), his children, his friends, the Marquis de Lafayette (who wondered why Jefferson abandoned the principles of the Revolution and doubled down on slavery 40 years later), and the people he enslaved and their descendants.
While Jefferson was hiding information from his enslaved mistress and children whom he had the power, money, and promise to free, another Virginia planter turned abolitionist wrote this about attitudes towards slavery: "To whine over it is cowardly; to aggravate it, criminal; and to forebear to alleviate it, because it cannot be wholly cured, foolish."
Book.
This book reminds one that the gap between the myth of Jefferson and the life of Jefferson is vast, and somehow, unbridgeable. Jefferson's failure to take a meaningful and personal stand against slavery makes hollow every public pronouncement of equality and inalienable rights. Yet, Jefferson is revered.
This book does an excellent job of revealing how much Jefferson failed those closest to him: Sally Hemings - the enslaved mother of his children (whom he first impregnated when she was 15 and he was 51), his children, his friends, the Marquis de Lafayette (who wondered why Jefferson abandoned the principles of the Revolution and doubled down on slavery 40 years later), and the people he enslaved and their descendants.
While Jefferson was hiding information from his enslaved mistress and children whom he had the power, money, and promise to free, another Virginia planter turned abolitionist wrote this about attitudes towards slavery: "To whine over it is cowardly; to aggravate it, criminal; and to forebear to alleviate it, because it cannot be wholly cured, foolish."
Book.
August 22, 2018
I learned a lot about Tadeusz Kościuszko that I did not know - and was introduced to Agrippa Hull, who I unfortunately had not heard of before reading this book. There is so much information already available about Thomas Jefferson that I felt a little disappointed whenever the narrative turned to him and wanted it to go back to Kościuszko and Hull. This book is worth a read just for the information on those two men alone.
Rated 4 stars instead of 5 because there was a lot of conjecture when it came to Hull's information (not surprising, considering that there is not nearly as much information available for him) and the narrative wasn't as organized as I would have liked.
Rated 4 stars instead of 5 because there was a lot of conjecture when it came to Hull's information (not surprising, considering that there is not nearly as much information available for him) and the narrative wasn't as organized as I would have liked.
January 8, 2021
Novam Historiae.
The author takes 2 well known Revolutionary War figures: Jefferson & Kosciuszko and then tries to interwind Kosciuszko valet: Agrippa Hull, into the mix. I learned a lot about Kosciuszko in this book as now I want to read more about him and also the others who came over: DeKalb, Pulaski, etc. (already read up on von Steuben and Lafayette). The book is ok as it is not deep but skims the surface on the 2 but goes a little too much into Hull as how much is known of him. When in Stockbridge MA I will go over to the library and see his portrait and also request what material they have on the man for private reading. I am about 1 1/2 hours from Stockbridge.
The author takes 2 well known Revolutionary War figures: Jefferson & Kosciuszko and then tries to interwind Kosciuszko valet: Agrippa Hull, into the mix. I learned a lot about Kosciuszko in this book as now I want to read more about him and also the others who came over: DeKalb, Pulaski, etc. (already read up on von Steuben and Lafayette). The book is ok as it is not deep but skims the surface on the 2 but goes a little too much into Hull as how much is known of him. When in Stockbridge MA I will go over to the library and see his portrait and also request what material they have on the man for private reading. I am about 1 1/2 hours from Stockbridge.
January 11, 2018
An easily-read book sketching some points about three different characters of the American Revolution. A few interesting facts but the connecting theme is a bit weak. There is not a whole lot of substance to this book.
December 10, 2011
A decent book that follows the lives of three Revolutionary War Era historical figures. The famous author and President Thomas Jefferson, the Polish revolutionary and adopted American hero Tadeusz Koscuszko, and the free black Massachusetts man Agrippa Hull. The main chronological story is solid and takes us through the war and history of slavery. I learned a lot about Koscuszko that I did not know, and the biggest positive I take from this book is my desire to read more about him. The Jefferson information was not new for me outside of his relationship to Koscuszko, but I thought it was presented well. However, the parts about Hull left a lot to be desired. There is very little primary source information available from Hull, so the authors repeat the phrase "Hull probably..." throughout the book dozens of times. While I understand that he was in some ways a placeholder for the slave issue being written about, but it got to be too much to assume that he felt a certain way about anything.
The book was for a book club and it did raise many interesting facts and discussions. I would recommend it in that capacity but not necessarily as a book to read on your own.
The book was for a book club and it did raise many interesting facts and discussions. I would recommend it in that capacity but not necessarily as a book to read on your own.
January 1, 2012
I found this book only okay. Agrippa Hull seemed like an afterthought. The authors' speculation about why Hull did the things he did, like buying a farm, expanding his freehold, etc. being tied to his exposure Lafayette's abolitionism rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sure Hull was capable of accomplishing what he did without getting the okay from others. There was far too much speculation about the interactions of the 3 men both among themselves and others in the entire book actually. It wasn't just limited to Hull's life, which admittedly lacks documents, but to the lives and ideas of Jefferson and Kosciusko as well, where there is plentiful documentation. All this book really did for me was make me realize that Jefferson wasn't such an awesome guy after all. I know why the authors were so limited in their description of Hull's life, but I would've liked more, especially since they weren't shy about guessing when it fit their purpose. All in all, an okay book for people into American history, especially the slavery issue.
February 16, 2008
(I copyedited this book.) A well-written historical account of three lives that influenced and were influenced by the Revolutionary War and the course of slavery in the United States. Fascinating stories you didn't hear in high school U.S. history classes. The portrait of Thomas Jefferson is particularly fascinating. His bizarre internal contradictions of deeply held racist beliefs and equally deeply held beliefs in freedom and equality are carefully brought to light and examined in the context of his friendship with a Polish man who helped the U.S. side in the war and who believed in the equality of black people with whites. Kosciuszko strived for years to get his friend Jefferson to work to end slavery in the U.S., even leaving him money in his will to free Jefferson's slaves (which Jefferson basically never did, not even his own children).
August 6, 2014
This book has some interesting details about two relatively unknown historical figures. (One of them gets hauled around in a wheelbarrow.) The authors had an interesting take on contrasting three very different patriots. However, I did not find the writing inspiring, and I felt that the authors came down really hard on Jefferson (in typical politically correct fashion) without giving adequate consideration of the times and economic circumstances that he lived in.
April 29, 2008
An interesting attempt to interweave the lives and attitudes of Thomas Jefferson, Polish Revolutionary war hero Tadeusz Kociussko, and Agrippa Hull, his African American orderly during the way. It's ultimately an examination of slavery, and the tension between the quest for liberty and the reality of race-based bondage.
September 10, 2015
This is the story of three men who fought for freedom during the American Revolution. Vastly different their paths crossed to have an impact on all three. You have Thomas Jefferson, the aristocratic Virginian; Tadeusz Kosciuszko, the professional soldier from minor Polish nobility; and Agrippa, a free black from New England. This is a good historical read of men's views of what freedom is.
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September 23, 2010"Friends of Liberty: A Tale of Three Patriots, Two Revolutions, and the Betrayal that Divided a Nation: Thomas Jefferson, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, and Agrippa Hull by Gary Nash (2008)"
August 2, 2011
Excellent book!
February 13, 2013
Great subjects, fluffy writing.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews