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James Hiller
Fg char james
Vital statistics
Title Journalist
Gender Male
Race Caucasian (American)
Faction American Patriots, Benjamin Franklin
Health Good
Level Newspaper Apprentice
Age 14
Status Alive
Location New York City

James Hiller is a 14-year-old teenage apprentice journalist working for Benjamin Franklin. He is a patriot and writes about the War for American Independence to "tell the people what is really happening."

Backstory[]

James was orphaned at a very young age due to a fire caused by a lightning strike on his childhood home. He was pulled out of the fire by a neighbor just as the building collapsed. James lived on the streets for most of his early childhood, a part of his life he rarely discusses. James comes to learn of Benjamin Franklin's invention of the lightning rod and searches for this impressive, skillful man. Admiring Franklin immediately, James desires to replicate Ben, becoming an apprentice at The Pennsylvania Gazette.

Bts char james

James Hiller, an American teenage journalist and patriot

Appearance[]

James has a light Caucasian complexion, blue eyes, and blond hair that he wears pulled back in a short ponytail tied in a black ribbon. He wears a white blouse, a light green vest with gold buttons and pocket flats, dark green breeches, white stockings, and dark brown buckled shoes. He also often wears a brown coat and previously wore a gold ring (which Moses helped him turn into the necklace Sarah Phillips often wears) belonging to his deceased mother.

Personality[]

James is headstrong, steadfast in his beliefs, and sometimes stubborn. He is not afraid to risk his life for a cause he is passionate about, speak his mind, volunteer for a dangerous mission, or to help someone in need (as shown in Midnight Ride and The Turtle). Despite his reckless tendencies, James tries hard to be responsible, is brave and selfless, and cares very deeply for his friends.

Relationships[]

Sarah Phillips: James first met Sarah aboard the Dartmouth during her arrival to Philadelphia from England, encountering the girl writing a letter in the ship cellar while the Boston Tea Party waged above. On orders to find and retrieve her, James gets of on the wrong foot, coming across confrontational and demanding despite wanting to get her to safety. The two initially didn't get along, as she immediately disagreed with James about the colonies' desire for independence and the colonists' rioting, citing their joint duty to remain loyal as British citizens and common Englishmen. However, over time the two became very close friends, learning to put aside their differences and work to understand where the other is coming from. Of note, after reaching Philadelphia, James decides to give his late mother's ring — the single possession that he had of his parents —to Moses to make Sarah a replacement pendant for her precious locket belonging to her father, which had been lost in the skirmish aboard the Dartmouth with a Redcoat in their haste to flee the ship.

Growing from anger and mistrust to a blossoming friendship involving playful banter, cooperation, and shy smiles, its hinted that James and Sarah might harbor romantic feelings for each other, though this is never explicitly stated. On one occasion (set up by Henri), they had to pretend to be an engaged couple so that James would not be kidnapped by the British Navy, with the sailors even wishing the happy young couple fond wishes for finding love.

Sarah_and_James_are_Engaged-James_and_Sarah_Pretend_to_be_Engaged

Sarah and James are Engaged-James and Sarah Pretend to be Engaged

Even though he tries to hide it, James really has a soft spot for Sarah, wanting to cheer her up when she is upset, and feeling the need to protect her from harm. For instance, in the episode "Captain Molly," James worried about Sarah's safety during the battle. Extremely saddened when he thought that she didn't survive, James instantaneously celebrated her return when he realized she was unharmed, expressing how relieved he was that she was safe.

Char hp james

When Sarah returned from England in "In Praise of Ben," she gave James a heartfelt hug, startling him while she herself became embarrassed from the unexpected display of her affection. Even though he does not admit his feelings directly to Sarah, on more than one occasion James has been shown to become jealous of any man that takes a romantic interest in her. A clear example is the soldier Udney Wolf-Hutchinson, with James rolling his eyes during Sarah's conversations with Udney whom he nicknamed "Ugly." While they often hide their mutual feelings from one another and are not quite fully aware of their infatuation themselves, the two share a level of physical closeness, such as walking and working selectively in close proximity and James' frequently consoling or encouraging touch of her shoulders, uncommon between other characters.

Henri Lefebvre: Henri was unofficially adopted by James and Moses when they rescued him from being a cabin boy on an Atlantic cargo ship, entrapped in indentured servitude as payment for his deceased parents voyage from France. Ever since then, James has treated Henri like a younger brother. They often enjoy each other's company, sense of humor and pride as colonists, love for food and games, and yet tend to butt heads, either when Henri is pulling a prank at the older teen's expense or when James is attempting to behave maturely or professionally, especially in front of Ben, Moses, or Sarah. Henri also takes the side of Sarah in many arguments, exasperating James who believes Henri should be on his side - an area of growth for James throughout the series to acknowledge differing points of view or a more neutral stance that sees the merits of both arguments. Henri's free spirit also leads him into danger, causing James and Sarah to save him or encourage him to be more careful. While James tries his best to keep an eye out for Henri's safety and to prevent him from getting into trouble, Henri often finds a way regardless. 

When they are traveling, Henri acts as James' and Sarah's little mouse that listens to secret conversations to gather information undetected, using his youth and charm to his advantage. Henri is also James's assistant, helping him get what he needs for the publishing of a story or in caring for the printing press and Franklin's print shop alongside Moses.

Benjamin Franklin: James' mentor and employer. After his parents died when he was a baby when their house burnt down from a lightning strike, James heard about Dr. Franklin, who was famous for having invented the lightning rod - one of Franklin's many inventions but one exceptionally meaningful to James, preventing others from suffering a similar fate as his family. Joining The Pennsylvania Gazette as an apprentice journalist, James has remained and grown in his profession under the watchful eye of Ben whom James sees as a role model, valuing his words of wisdom, life advice, and balanced perspective. Because of this, James decided that he would one day open his own newspaper and follow in his mentor's footsteps as a great journalist. He sees a lot of great things in Ben: a leader, a brave man, and a father to all of America. James is ever grateful to Ben for his kindness, generosity, and acceptance and training as his apprentice.

Moses: James respects Moses as his friend and guardian. Moses makes sure that James and the other kids don't get into trouble and stay out of danger at the request of Dr. Franklin, especially while Ben is away (as he is throughout the majority of the series). The two are very close and have a father-son type bond. James often goes to Moses for advice and guidance. James sees Moses as a free and equal man, while others see him as a second-class citizen or mistake him for a slave. James learns from his relationship with Moses and journey across the colonies during the struggle for Independence to fight for the voice and rights of all Americans.

Gallery[]

For more images, see James Hiller/Gallery

Trivia[]

  • James is voiced by Chris Lundquist.
  • The name James is derived from the Biblical name of Jacob, meaning "usurper" or "supplanter" - quite fitting for a revolutionary American helping to supplant the British empire with a constitutionally-based republic!
  • At the end of the series, it is implied that he moved to upstate New York to start his own newspaper, presumably alongside Sarah and Henri.
  • James has a soft spot for Sarah, a subtle affection observed through his acts of kindness, generosity, protection, and selflessness towards her.
  • James is as headstrong as he is passionate, an outspoken patriot committed to getting to the truth. 
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