Ep. 4 Phillis Wheatley "The Ink of Freedom"

Before America declared its independence, one young woman dared to ask a different question: What if the promise of liberty truly belonged to everyone?

As revolution stirs the streets of Boston and cries for freedom echo throughout the colonies, Phillis Wheatley watches a nation proclaim ideals it has yet to fully embrace. Kidnapped from West Africa as a child and enslaved in Boston, Phillis discovers an extraordinary gift for poetry that carries her words beyond the walls that seek to define her. Defying every expectation placed upon her, she becomes the first enslaved person to publish a book of poetry, her words reaching the highest levels of society—even into the hands of George Washington. 

Set against the turbulent years leading to the American Revolution, Phillis Wheatley "The Ink of Freedom" is a powerful cinematic audio drama of faith, courage, and the enduring power of words. As America wrestles with the meaning of liberty, Phillis reminds a divided nation that true freedom cannot be reserved for a few. Anchored by her unwavering belief that every person is created equal before God, she discovers that a faithful voice—no matter how unlikely—can awaken consciences, challenge injustice, and help shape the soul of a nation.

Featuring acclaimed voice talent including Rachel Hendrix (October Baby) as Abigail Adams, Chasity Cofield (newcomer & rising star) as Phillis Wheatley, Jonathan Stoddard (Crossroad Springs, Finding Faith) as John Adams, Allison Bailey (Wicked on Broadway) as Agent 355, Alex Kendrick (Lifemark, Overcomer, War Room) as George Washington, Kelsey Cooke (The Christmas Ring) as Susanna Wheatley, and Kellen Boyle (The Family Plan, Juror #2) as John Wheatley. 

Created with immersive Dolby® Atmos sound design, a sweeping original orchestral score, and cinematic storytelling, Defiant Ones transports listeners into the heart of the American Revolution like never before.

Before America was born, women were already fighting for her.

Created by Beautifully Flawed Productions in partnership with The Washington Times, the Tea Party Patriots Foundation, and The Women In My World.

Premiering on The Washington Times.

Transcript

Speaker 1  0:34  
My dearest John, there is talk of a most remarkable young poet, a girl named Phillis Wheatley. They say her verses carry both grace and convictions, and that even the most learned men pause to consider them. She is the first African American and first enslaved person in the colonies to publish a book of poems. Plus, she is a woman.

Speaker 2  1:02  
How does one begin to write a letter to someone like Washington in order to share their poem? A poem to General Washington by Phillis Wheatley. Dare I believe he would ever read the words I pen? Liberty.

Speaker 3  1:26  
She lives in Boston and is now a freed woman. It would please me to have the opportunity to meet her. Her former owner is John Wheatley, a merchant who has worked with John Hancock. I'm most glad that she is free. Slavery is an atrocity. It always appeared a most iniquitous scheme to me to fight ourselves for what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have. You know my mind upon the subject. I do indeed, my dear Abiel. We are of one mind on this matter.

Speaker 4  2:06  
April 1775, and yet Boston knows no spring. The streets whisper with the weight of what is coming. Troops are gathering, and though no declaration has yet been made, war is already upon us. Men who fight for our liberty are marked, watched, hunted. I must get this message into the right hands so they might be protected.

Speaker 5  2:42  
Good evening, ma'am. Are you here for the party? I am, ma'am. May I take your cloak? No, I'll keep it. Thank you. I shall not be long.

Speaker 6  2:53  
As you wish. Yes. Well, I I agree.

Speaker 4  3:00  
Doctor Warren, it is good to see you this evening.

Speaker 6  3:03  
Excuse me for a moment. Good evening. Do I know you?

Speaker 4  3:10  
You do not, but I know you. I have heard that you are a true patriot.

Speaker 6  3:15  
I am. Who may I ask? Do I have the honor of sharing my reputation with

Speaker 4  3:22  
an ally and a messenger. Here, this paper is for you.

Speaker 6  3:30  
This is nothing but a blank page.

Speaker 4  3:33  
Surely you must know, Doctor, that not everything reveals itself at first glance. Some truths require a little heat. Are

Speaker 6  3:44  
you suggesting this is invisible ink? I've heard of such things, but have never. The

Speaker 4  3:50  
British plan to seize key figures for the Patriot cause. You must spread the word, protect

Speaker 6  3:57  
them. And you trust me with this?

Speaker 4  4:00  
I trust you will know what to do when you find yourself reading it by candlelight. That's when the truth will make itself visible.

Speaker 6  4:07  
Truth,

Speaker 7  4:09  
Doctor Warren. So good to see you.

Speaker 6  4:11  
Good evening. She's gone. Let's see. Now that I'm alone in my study, what can this blank page possibly reveal to me by candlelight? British command has issued orders to seize Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Troops are to move under cover of night toward Leg. Sing 10 and concord. I cannot unsee the words I have just read. These men's lives and so many others rest on my shoulders now. I must somehow get word to alert them. I will send Paul Revere and William Dawes. They are excellent messengers and can rouse the Minutemen. Revere can travel the northern route, Dawes Southern. We'll need a signal. What can it be? They can hang one lantern in the steeple of Boston's Old North Church if the British march out of the city by Boston Neck. Two lanterns if they cross the Charles River to Cambridge. Dear God, the British are coming. Lord, bless the journeys of those whose words carry freedom? Our futures depend on it.

Speaker 2  6:28  
Liberty, proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side, thy every action. Let the goddess guide. A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shines with gold unfading. Washington, be thine. How does one begin to write a letter to someone like Washington, in order to share their poem, sir, I have taken the freedom to address your excellency in the enclosed poem and entreat your acceptance. I sincerely admire the work of the patriots for the colonies, but what about the fight to free the enslaved? Are they forgotten? I am most grievously conflicted. It seems ridiculous that a published poet struggles with such simple correspondence. He may be a general, but he is a human being, just like me.

Speaker 8  7:53  
Now then, step forward. Sound stop table. Boom again. Nah, two pounds. Four pounds. Sword. Good day,

Speaker 9  8:09  
mr. and mrs. Wheatley.

Speaker 10  8:11  
Good day, sir.

Speaker 8  8:12  
Our next offering

Speaker 10  8:14  
is this. John Sutanna. Look, she's but a

Speaker 11  8:18  
child. John, she looks like she's seven or so, the same age as our sweet Melody. God rest her soul.

Speaker 9  8:27  
Two pounds.

Speaker 11  8:28  
Whatever the cost, John.

Speaker 10  8:30  
10 pounds of sterling. Food. What shall we call her? The ship she arrived on is the Phyllis.

Speaker 11  8:42  
Phyllis, that's great. It means to flourish and grow strong and healthy. Yes, Phyllis. I can already tell she is special.

Speaker 12  9:00  
It

Speaker 2  9:21  
feels strange that life seems to go on, even as we still mourn our dear Susanna. She always believed in me, even as a young girl, and as I began to write, even more in the power of my poems, she was like a mother to me.

Speaker 13  9:44  
Phyllis.

Speaker 2  9:46  
Yes, mr. Wheatley.

Speaker 10  9:49  
I neglected to mention earlier that John Adams heard of you through your poems. His wife Abigail would like to make your acquaintance.

Speaker 2  9:57  
Really?

Speaker 10  9:58  
I put the invitation on. Your desk. I suppose the Lady Patriots are supporting a kind of tea rebellion.

Speaker 2  10:04  
I see. Thank you.

Speaker 10  10:07  
Good night, Phyllis. I'll be taking my rest now.

Speaker 2  10:10  
Sleep well, mr. Wheatley. God, please comfort his grieving heart as he mourns. Susanna's loss impacts us all. The invitation, mr. Weekly spoke of. mrs. Abigail Adams requests the pleasure of Phyllis Wheatley's company to Liberty Tea at your earliest convenience. Now, why would a woman such as mrs. Adams want a Negro girl at a Liberty Tea Party, unless it is to serve? I suppose she don't know I'm free now. It felt like many lifetimes since I was named Fama, not Phyllis, back in Africa. I do not intend to be in bondage ever again, not even to the likes of Abigail Adams. I am a free woman, and no one can take that away from me now.

Speaker 14  11:45  
Come on, Fama. Can't you write your poems later?

Speaker 2  11:49  
I have to write when thoughts come, or else I forget.

Speaker 14  11:52  
Oh, but the thoughts always seem to come when we're outside playing. You never play with us anymore.

Speaker 2  11:58  
It's plenty of kids out here.

Speaker 14  12:00  
You don't need me, but you're the best Takata player in the whole compound. Okay, just one more.

Speaker 15  12:11  
Yay! Bye. Where are you?

Speaker 2  12:23  
So much blood,

Speaker 16  12:27  
father. Father,

Speaker 15  12:28  
body, I want to go. following

Speaker 16  12:50  
one shall find its mark between your eyes. If you do not want your child's last memories of you to be there for stand down. My heart remains with you, Farmer. Never allow that to leave your

Speaker 15  13:06  
mind. No, no, no, no, please, my buying. Hold

Speaker 16  13:15  
your peace if you want what's good for you, and you're buying.

Speaker 15  13:19  
I don't want to go. Don't let them! No! Don't let them take me, please,

Speaker 16  13:26  
sir. He fought with much fury. Why do we not secure him? He may be a good candidate for the shooter fields. He has a limb. He will just slow down the rest of the slaves and will threat to Phyllis. He will diminish the profits of the venture. You were rather merciful. When I saw the scuffle, I knew he was a dead man. I already expended too much powder and lead. Didn't want to waste it on a triple.

Speaker 2  13:59  
Many lifetimes ago, was so vivid in my memory. By the grace of God, I could write a poem about it. To the right, Honorable William Earl of Dartmouth, I, young in life, by seeming cruel fate, was snatched from Africa's fancy happy seat. What sorrows labored in my parents' breast? Still was that soul, and by no misery moved, that from a father seized his babe beloved. Such. such my case. From such a violent beginning, few believed I, Farmer, now Phyllis, could. Pen such meaningful words, but my dear Susanna, she believed in me.

Speaker 11  15:13  
You will see, gentlemen. You have all the evidence you need to verify that Phyllis wrote these poems.

Speaker 17  15:20  
Miss Wheatley, these lines-they possess a refinement not easily imitated. You claim authorship.

Speaker 2  15:29  
I do, mr. Hancock.

Speaker 6  15:32  
And where did you learn such language,

Speaker 2  15:35  
mr. Hutchinson, sir? In the same place any man might, by study, and by the grace of God.

Speaker 18  15:46  
You understand the mythology you reference here, Aurora, Phoebus.

Speaker 2  15:51  
Yes, I do, mr. Bowden.

Speaker 13  15:54  
Had I the tongue of a seraphim, how would I exalt thy praise? Thy name as incense to the heavens should fly, and the remembrance of thy goodness to the shoreless ocean of beatitude. Then should the earth glow with seraphic ardor. Tell me, what compels such sentiment?

Speaker 2  16:16  
Conviction, mr. Mather, sir.

Speaker 17  16:20  
Men, either we are witnessing something extraordinary with the intellectual and creative mind of this woman, or we

Speaker 6  16:28  
are-or something contrived.

Speaker 17  16:30  
Yes, indeed,

Speaker 2  16:31  
mr. Hutchinson, sir, I have no need to borrow what God has already given me.

Speaker 18  16:38  
Hmm. She answers without hesitation.

Speaker 13  16:40  
You are correct, mr. Bowdoin, and with understanding. What say you, mr. Hancock?

Speaker 17  16:48  
Then, gentlemen, we must answer in kind. Madam, today you have proven your case. We, whose names are underwritten, do assure the world that the poem specified in the following page were, as we verily believe, written by Phyllis, a young Negro girl who was but a few years since brought an uncultivated barbarian from Africa, and has since been and now is under the disadvantage of serving as a slave and a family in this town. She has been examined by some of the best judges, and is thought qualified to write them.

Speaker 11  17:30  
Thank you, gentlemen. I am most grateful that your verdict confirms what we already knew to be true.

Speaker 9  17:42  
Keep your light down, Dawes. We don't want patrols spotting us. You're right, Revere. Already crossed one near Roxbury. They're out in force tonight. Wake up! Wake yourselves! The regulars are coming out. Two armsmen! They're marching inland. You're certain it's Concord. Signs point to it. Powder, arms. If they seize it, we're finished. Turn out your militia. The regulars are on the march. Spread the word, Lexington, Concord. Let's hope we're not too late. We're right on time.

Speaker 2  18:30  
Lord, a few weeks has passed since I've received the letter from mrs. Adams. I believe you've called me to speak with her, and I feel your peace. May you go before me.

Speaker 1  18:49  
My goodness, the Lord has truly shined on me today.

Speaker 2  18:54  
Greetings, mrs. Adams. My name is Phyllis

Speaker 1  18:58  
Wheatley. Of course, come in, come in. You do my house much honor with your presence.

Speaker 2  19:03  
I am honored by your regard.

Speaker 1  19:06  
I can tell by your expression that something displeases you. Is something wrong?

Speaker 2  19:11  
Oh, no. It was just I did not expect you to answer your own door.

Speaker 1  19:19  
Oh, no. No, no, no, Phyllis. John and I do not own slaves. We are morally and politically opposed to the idea of owning another human. Slavery should not exist in this province. Come sit with me and have some liberty tea. I have much I'd like to discuss with you.

Speaker 2  19:41  
You're far. farm is managed by your own hands.

Speaker 1  19:45  
Mine and the workers that we have. I frequent the farms to milk the cows, amongst other labor.

Speaker 2  19:51  
That fills me with admiration.

Speaker 1  19:53  
You and my husband John both. He is away, so the managing of the farm falls on me. Which he appreciates.

Speaker 2  20:04  
I must ask, why have you summoned me, mrs. Adams?

Speaker 1  20:09  
Phyllis, I've been so impressed by your poems on various subjects, religious and moral. You have received notoriety amongst the colonies and in Europe. I hear.

Speaker 2  20:20  
I have been pleased.

Speaker 1  20:22  
We need the power of your words in this fight against the loyalists. I believe you are one who understands the importance of freedom more than anyone, and has the God-given talent to help people understand it.

Speaker 2  20:40  
This infusion is most excellent.

Speaker 1  20:42  
I am gratified that it pleases you. We gathered the leaves from the raspberries in our garden.

Speaker 2  20:48  
Impressive. But mrs. Adams, how would my words make a difference in such a prideful fight?

Speaker 1  20:56  
You are a woman of God, whose words can help people see and hear God's heart, and understand how God sees all of us as His children.

Speaker 2  21:06  
I was first inspired by Reverend George Whitefield when I saw him preach in 1770. He spoke to the crowds with much passion. He said, "Until people experience the new birth, they were spiritually blind, even if their physical eyes weren't.

Speaker 1  21:25  
Analogic poem on the death of that celebrated divine, an eminent servant of Jesus Christ, the Reverend and learned George Whitefield. It is most evident that his ministry left a profound impact on you.

Speaker 19  21:41  
Unplug your ears, open your eyes, you sleepers! Jesus, the King of Heaven, is an impartial God. His love extends to all, regardless of class, race, or gender.

Speaker 2  21:58  
It was His constant theme of Jesus, our most gracious Savior, sits upon a throne of equity, viewing all souls with an impartial affection. If Jesus does, why are there many lacking such character? Africans are stolen from families, forced into abuse in labor, not treated as equals, but as less than human. I agree, Miss Phyllis. Slavery should be abolished hastily.

Speaker 7  22:30  
Evil has encapsulated the hearts of many. It is a great travesty. I will forever believe and continue to write that liberty is due us all.

Speaker 20  22:51  
Whoa! Slow it down, boy. We're almost home.

Speaker 4  22:57  
Halt! Who are you?

Speaker 20  22:59  
Samuel Prescott from Concord. I am carrying out a mission on behalf of the Provincial Congress.

Speaker 4  23:05  
Pray tell, what happened?

Speaker 20  23:07  
I met two riders on the road, Paul Revere and William Dawes. They bore out the alarm from Boston. We rode together, but a short distance. A patrol set upon us. Halt! Seize them! Revere was taken. Dawes escaped, but his horse threw him. I pressed on alone.

Speaker 4  23:28  
And Lexington?

Speaker 20  23:30  
They were warned. Samuel Adams and John Hancock are safe.

Speaker 4  23:33  
Then the mission stands. The

Speaker 20  23:36  
regulars are coming.

Speaker 4  23:39  
Let them come. We shall be ready,

Speaker 10  23:46  
Phyllis. I have a letter for you.

Speaker 2  23:50  
Thank you, mr. Wheatley. Pray, look-it bears the seal of the excellency. My goodness, it's been almost a year since I wrote to General Washington, Cambridge, February 20-817, 70-six.

Speaker 18  24:06  
Miss Phyllis, forgive the delay, as many important matters have demanded my attention. I thank you most sincerely for your elegant lines, though I feel myself worthy of such praise. They are a striking proof of your great poetical talents. I had considered publishing your poem, but feared it might be mistaken for vanity. Should you ever come to Cambridge, I would be pleased to make your acquaintance. With great respect, your obedient humble servant, G. Washington.

Speaker 10  24:45  
That is quite an honor, Phyllis, and your poem is an honor to him. To be seen in such a time as this is no small matter.

Speaker 1  25:01  
History is often remembered by the men who ride into it; their names etched boldly onto the page. But I have come to believe it is just as often shaped by those who never mount a horse, who never fire a shot, but by those who write. I had the great fortune, not long past, to meet such a voice-a young woman of uncommon grace and intellect, Miss Phyllis Wheatley. In a world where so much is held in bondage, she dared to be heard, and her message, by the grace of God, spread throughout this country and the world. Yes, dear John, there are words that must be hidden to survive. Words so powerful they provide inspiration for a generation and beyond. You, my love, are doing the good work where you are. In trust that the women are doing our part through word and deed, to bring liberty to all our hearts and homes. Ever, ever yours, Abigail.

Speaker 21  26:17  
Defiant Ones, a podcast presentation by Beautifully Flawed Productions, in partnership with the Washington Times, Tea Party Patriots Foundation, and the Women in My World, starring Rachel Hendricks, Chasity Coefield, Jonathan Stoddard, Allison Bailey, and Alex Kendrick, featuring Phil Baker, Kelsey Cook, Kellen Boyle, Tobias Kuhn, Shannon Fields Braswell, James Galbraith, Billy Hollowell, Nathan Johnson, Emmanuel Callen, Brooklyn Low, Ryan O'Quinn, Tim Perez Ross, Tyler Russell, Aaron Sen, Todd Terry, Jackson Trent, A G K, U Za E J, Levi Wiedman, Matt Wiedman, Lexi Wisniewski. Inspired by the book Defiant Ones by Heather Blanton, written by Bridget T. Crawford, directed by Sherry Ridley. Producers: Billy Hollowell, Claire Heere Lee, Julie O'Reilly, Katie Kenny Phillips, and Sherry Ridley. Casting by Donna and Lottie Shudi. Immersive audio mix by Kim Farrell and Jade Dickey. Original score composed by Luke Snyder. Production mix by Dan Rivera.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai