Patriot's Reward by Stephen Clarkson is about an African American that has come to Portsmouth, Massachusetts on a slave trading boat called the Exeter. Bought by James Clarkson, James needed his help at the tanyard. James renamed his slave Will Clarkson. Soon Will learned how to read and write in English. After that he joined the Negro court. Then he got married to one of the slaves that came in on the same boat. Her name was Abi. As the conflict of the Revolutionary War began, Will wanted to join the American Army as part of a plan to win his freedom. Once his master granted permission to go into the Army, he fought in the battles of Quebec, Valcour Island, Bennington, and Saratoga. After his military service, he was sold to Pierse Long and was elected king of Negro court, and as the years passed he grew old and stepped down from Negro court. Will died on April 17, 1809.