Lady Liberty I

Elizabeth Forester

Freedom’s first-ever costumed hero was a mysterious young woman known as Lady Liberty. During the American Revolution, she fought Tory spies and British soldiers wearing a distinctive red, white, and blue costume like the uniform of a Colonial soldier, complete with tri-cornered hat, blue cloak, and a domino mask to conceal her identity. Secretly one Elizabeth Forester, she became a rallying cry for Colonial forces, and stories of her saving doomed rebels spread like wildfire.
It was a far cry from the life Elizabeth intended to lead. She had settled into a happy, comfortable life as the wife of Freedom’s appointed harbor master James Forester, and her natural charm and gregariousness made her a familiar, much beloved presence throughout town. The actions of an angry mob conspired to end this contented life in 1773, as a rowdy band of Kingston rebels showed their solidarity with Boston’s Sons of Liberty by destroying a large shipment of tea. Having no one else to make an example of, Governor Terrance Strype accused James Forester of complicity in the act, and had him publicly hung after a show-trial.
For years after, Elizabeth was heartbroken, but she was also angry, and sought some way for a woman to join the fight against the British and their tyranny. She made herself a uniform patterned after the colors of the new American flag, and with every stitch she drew up her plans against the redcoats. Her greatest asset was knowing virtually everyone in Freedom, Tory or patriot, and being privy to all the comings and goings in Freedom Harbor. By day Elizabeth Forester used these connections to gather intelligence, and by night as Lady Liberty she made sure it was acted upon.
Lady Liberty was seemingly everywhere during the Revolution, but she developed a special relationship with Major Joseph Clark. Many who knew them wondered just how close their relationship really was, but Clark’s commitment to duty and Elizabeth’s still-broken heart made romance impractical. Nonetheless, the two were a formidable team, and their triumphs became legendary. Most famously, she swiftly informed Clark of Governor Strype’s sudden, seemingly accidental demise, allowing the Major to initiate a series of battles while the redcoats were still leaderless, ultimately liberating Freedom from British control.
Lady Liberty was seemingly everywhere during the Revolution, but she developed a special relationship with Major Joseph Clark. Time and again, information she provided made his legendary triumphs possible, and on more than a few occasions, the Major owed his life to a last-minute rescue by his mysterious masked ally. Many who knew them wondered just how close their relationship really was, but Clark’s commitment to duty and Elizabeth’s still-broken heart made romance impractical.
Unfortunately, Elizabeth did not live to see the freedom she wanted for America. While riding to meet her contacts with stolen information on British troop movements, she was ambushed by Hessian mercenaries and gravely injured. Dying alone in the wilderness of western Massachusetts, she prayed for guidance and felt a warm and glowing light enfold her. The Spirit of Liberty heard the pleas of her loyal daughter and carried Elizabeth home with her, reuniting her at last with her beloved husband.