After vigilantes murder his predecessor, Captain Townsend arrives to takeover as the English landlord's agent of Lord Hawksborough's estate. He is immediately besieged by a angry mob of tenants and escapes only through the intervention of Sean and Conor Phelan. AS he struggles to take control, Townsend recognizes the plight of the tenants and defers rents until after the harvest.
Already desperate, the tenants' fate only worsens with the harvest, which is almost completely lost to blight. Townsend informs Lord Hawksborough of the situation and suggests that he forego rents until the blight subsides.
Led by the schoolmaster, Daniel Phelan, the United Sons of Freedom condemn Townsend. Daniel follows through on his plan with disastrous consequences for the Phelans.
Because it is cheaper than keeping them in the poor house, Lord Hawksborough offers his homeless tenants free passage to America. Mary discovers the dark side of Daniel and the humanity of the enemy.
