Choosing Revolution (1999)

"Choosing Revolution" is the story of the Randolph household of Williamsburg. The Randolphs were prominent Virginians. Peyton Randolph was president of the First Continental Congress. His younger brother John was attorney general of Virginia. But as revolution approached, the two brothers found themselves on opposite sides of the political fence. "Choosing Revolution" tells the personal story of how the difficult decision to become a patriot or remain a loyalist affected the entire Randolph household, pitting brother against brother, father against son. The Randolph wives and daughters, constrained by the 18th century role of women, were expected to follow their men no matter how much it harmed their family. Even the Randolph slaves were thrown into confusion as they learned that they might be offered a choice that could lead to freedom.