Against the backdrop of the events leading up to the American Revolution, 12-year-old Matt Howard (Dick Jones (actor)) loses his father, a poor, struggling Virginia farmer, and his uncle Reuben when they are enticed by the prospect of 1000 acres of free fertile Ohio land to join the disastrous 1755 Braddock Expedition and are killed in battle against the French. The youngster is consoled by his schoolmate and friend Thomas Jefferson (Richard Carlson (actor)).