In Sheffield, Massachusetts, in 1773, revolution was in the air, and Colonel John Ashley was

at the center.

He was a local businessman, and he often hosted other businessmen in his home to discuss

what revolution from the British Empire could look like.

These men were plotting out the ideals of a new nation.

There's a committee of 12 people who are meeting in this little study upstairs.

They're throwing their ideas around, and they're writing it out.

That's Mark Wilson.

He's the associate curator and manager of the Ashley's home, which was turned into a museum.

The Sheffield resolves.

It's basically a statement of grievances against British occupation.

And they're writing things like, you know, we are slaves to the king.

These white individuals are writing we are slaves to the king,

but they are slaveholders themselves.

In fact, while Colonel John Ashley was having these meetings in the attic,

an enslaved woman he owned was attending to the men.

Her name was Elizabeth, and she was listening.

So she's standing in the room in the door, bringing food and drink out.

And so she hears what is being spoken of in that room about this statement against,

I don't want to be British.

You know, I don't want to be part of the British system anymore.

And she hears that, but she also heard that one phrase about

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