Study Guide
My Brother Sam is Dead
by
James & Christopher Collier
Story Map
Timeline of Events
Setting:
Setting Outline
Southwestern Connecticut Map
My Brother Sam Is Dead opens in April 1775 with the first battle of the American Revolution, the
Minutemen's defeat of the British in Lexington, Massachusetts. The story ends a year and a half
later, when Sam is executed by his British captors. The reader learns in the last chapter that Tim
is telling the story in 1826, when he is sixty-four years old, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence. Most of the novel's action occurs in Redding Ridge, a once
peaceful Tory town in southwestern Connecticut. The town becomes embroiled in bitter turmoil,
and the war's effects on the Meeker family make for a gripping story. Christopher Collier has
lived in southern Connecticut almost all his life, and his knowledge of the region's history adds
depth to the characters, setting, and events of the story.
Characters:
Character Outline
Character Comparison Graphic Organizer
Timothy Meeker
The novel follows Timothy Meeker as he grows from a young boy to an adult faced with the
brutal realities of war. In the beginning, Tim has a fairly easy life. He respects his parents and
follows their moral teachings, and he loves and admires his older brother Sam. As soon as the war
enters their lives, and Sam leaves to join the Rebels, Tim must begin the journey to adulthood.
The conflict between his father and brother leaves Tim questioning his own sense of loyalty and
confused about the morality of the war. While he admires his brother's courage and conviction, he
knows that his father is wise and wants what is best for the family. Through Tim's eyes, the
reader sees the changes that war brings to the community. As the situation changes over the
course of the war, Tim must learn how to cope with the challenges he faces. When his father
disappears, when there is not enough food to eat and when he must make decisions about the
family business, Tim is forced to be a grown up and think about his family and their needs more
than himself. While Tim is uncertain about things as a child, as a grown-up he knows what he
must do, and he takes his responsibilities seriously. At the same time, his ideas about the war and
morality become more uncertain. Tim stands between the two sides, and his growth ultimately
shows that there can be no true winners in a war, since everyone pays a price.
Sam Meeker
Sam Meeker is the bold and clever older son in the Meeker family. Before the war, his brother
looks up to him as a daring person, skilled at debate and filled with exciting stories. Sam is
stubborn and sometimes brash. He does not think before he speaks, and he is sometimes
disrespectful to his parents. When he runs off to join the Rebel army, he takes the family's gun
with him, regardless of their needs or his brother's pleading. Sam strongly believes in the
principles behind the war, and he is very loyal to the Rebel cause. Although his father tells him
differently, Sam believes that there are causes worth dying for, and he leaves his family to fight
the war. As the war progresses, Sam stays much the same. The glory of war and the principles
behind it are the most important things to him. Even when his family begs him to come home, he
still chooses to fight, determined to see things through to the end. He is still slightly disobedient,
sneaking away from his duties as a soldier to see his friends and family. Ultimately, Sam does not
die for freedom, but because others were willing to lie to save themselves.
Father (Life Meeker)
Father is a man guided by religious morality. He believes that loyalty to the king is part of
obedience to God and that the price of war is too high for the principles behind it. Like his son
Sam, he does not like being told what to do, and he can be stubborn when others argue with him.
Unlike Sam, Father is an adult, who takes his responsibilities to his family seriously and tries his
best to protect them from harm. He is against the war, and he tries to stay out of it. He ends up
being drawn into the war anyway. When Father and Tim are attacked by cow-boys, Father ties to
reason with them, telling them that he is not part of the war and that he does not have an opinion
about where is cattle go. Unfortunately, Father is lost to the war and ends up on a British prison
ship, even though he was loyal to the king. His last words of love for his family and forgiveness
for his rebellious son illustrate the loyalties and principles he lived by.
Mother (Susannah Meeker)
Susannah Meeker is a strong, moral woman at the beginning of the novel, but gradually she is
worn down by the cost of war. She maintains a relationship with Sam, in spite of her husband's
protest, and she continues to work in the tavern during difficult times. Over the course of the war,
the hardships change her. At first she is hopeful for the survival of her husband, but gradually she
becomes bitter about the war and what it costs her. Although she seems to be a gentle woman, she
is willing to resort to violence to protect Tim. Later, when Sam is tried and executed, she seems
to give up hope that her family will survive. After the war, she reverts to her strong self, but she
never forgets what the war has cost her.
Betsy Read
Betsy is Sam's sweetheart, and she is equally passionate about the war. She is one of the main
forces driving Tim's uncertainty about the war, badgering him with questions and forcing him to
choose sides. She is the one who asks him if he wants his brother killed when he wants to take the
Brown Bess back to Father. Betsy is protective of Sam, and she fights with Tim to get a letter
when she feels Sam is in danger. Gradually, even Betsy begins to realize that Sam is not entirely
right. When Mr. Meeker and Jerry Sanford die, she says that the war should end soon and that
Sam should come home to be with his family. In spite of these later statements, her loyalty to
Sam and willingness to fight on his behalf are constant.
General Putnam
General Putnam is the commander of Sam's encampment in Redding. He is known for being
heroic, honorable and tough. He is determined to win the war, but he knows that he must keep the
people on his side in order to do so. The harsh winter and rough conditions at camp have made
his men rebellious, and he is willing to lose a few lives to set an example the men will live by.
This attitude results in the death of Sam Meeker. Even though Sam is innocent, showing the other
soldiers that stealing cattle will not be tolerated is more important to the general. Because he
wants to set an example for the people, General Putnam refuses to change Sam's sentence, and his
harsh rules cause Sam's execution.
The cow-boys
The cow-boys are a group of men who steal cattle from farmers and travelers in the name of the
Continental army. Although they say that they are working to prevent the cattle from going to the
British, in reality they are simply cattle thieves, willing to resort to violence to get their way.
These cow-boys attack Tim and Father twice. The first time, on the way to Verplancks Point, they
are driven off by a group of local men. The second time, on the return trip, they ambush Father
and take him away. When they see Tim, they are willing to harm him too in order to take his
wagon, but he tricks them into believing there is an escort coming. They finally leave him alone.
Jerry Sanford
Jerry is Tim's childhood friend and neighbor. The British capture him, simply for being in
Captain Betts house, and they take him away, even though he is only ten years old. Jerry later
dies of illness on a prison ship, and the Redding community regards his death as a brutal mistake.
Mr. Heron
Mr. Heron is a rich neighbor of the Meekers. He is a local surveyor, and he serves on the
Assembly before the war. During the war, Tim and others notice that although he is known as a
Tory, both the British and the Rebels seem to regard him as a friend. His mysterious behavior
demonstrates how the war can set neighbors against each other, since it appears that he is the one
who sends the British to Captain Betts' house. After the war, he kindly gives Tim free lessons on
calculating and surveying, which allows Tim to set out on a new life in Pennsylvania.
General Parsons
General Parsons is the other general who comes to Redding during the winter of 1778. Although
he seems to be fond of Sam and allows him to leave his post and visit his family, he is unwilling
to be involved with Sam's trial. He refuses to intervene in Sam's case, saying that General Putnam
is in charge of the encampment and must do as he believes.
Mr. Beach
Mr. Beach is the Anglican minister in Redding. He tries to keep things calm between Father and
Sam when they argue. In the early days of the war, he preaches about loyalty to the king and
obedience to one's parents. Later, when things are more heated, he continues to pray for the king
and Parliament, even after such prayers have been banned by the Rebels.
Captain Betts
Captain Betts is a neighbor of the Meekers and a member of the Rebel trainband. The British
briefly capture him, and he and Mother argue over the war when he wants Tim to help raise the
Rebels.
Tom Warrups
Tom is an Indian who lives in a hut behind the Reads' house. He is a friend of Sam's, yet his
actions during the war are mysterious. Even though he lives on land belonging to Patriots, he
delivers messages for Mr. Heron, a Tory.
Ned
Ned is a black man who belongs to the Starrs. He is killed by the British during the fight at Dan
Starr's house.
Vocabulary: Dictionary and Thesaurus
ciphering
telling point
loft
cholera
prison ship
Papist
leggings
sloth
thatch
hundredweight
taproom
trainband
Chapters 1-4
Essential and Abstract Questions:

The younger Meeker son, Tim, wishes Sam would not go against their father but
Sam is not to be swayed from his purpose of fighting.
- Why do you think Sam is so set in his thinking?

There is a heated discussion about Loyalists and Rebels and Tim cannot answer
which side he believes in.
- Why does Tim have such a difficult time taking sides?


Sam has taken Father's gun and even though Tim feels it is wrong for Sam to
have taken it, he also does not want Sam to go to war with no weapon.
- Does Sam have good reason to take his father’s gun without his
consent even though this leaves his family with no protection?
The Meekers do not talk about Sam and go about the business of running their
tavern.
- Because the Meekers do not talk about Sam does this mean that
they not longer care about him? Why or Why not?
Conflict: Give an example of each from the selected chapters
Man vs. Man - __________________________________________________
Man vs. Self - __________________________________________________
Man vs. Society - _______________________________________________
Conflict Outline
Group Discussion:
Lesson 1:
* Objective: Chapter 1- Sam announces to his parents that he has joined the
Continental Army even though they are Loyalists to the King. Sam believes in fighting for
independence in spite of the rift it will create in his own family and the casualties and
devastation that will occur. The objective of this lesson is to explore the concept of
doing what you think is right in spite of the possibility of adverse repercussions.
1) The class will discuss taking risks to help someone in need. The class will offer
examples of personal experiences they have had or know about in which someone
risked personal harm in order to help someone who needed assistance. What would
make someone risk his/her own personal comfort to tend to the needs of people he/she
doesn't even know? What qualities would such a person have to embody to do this? Is
this form of risk-taking wise, especially if the person taking the risk has a family which
may also be negatively impacted? Why or why not?
The class will work in small groups and you will discuss taking risks to help someone
else, especially when the decision could have serious negative repercussions such as
bodily harm or death. Research one person who embodies these noble qualities and
either find or write a poem or song about such nobility.
For homework, Research community social centers and volunteer groups that help
people who need it, for example, working in a food bank or volunteering at a homeless
shelter. Write a one page paper describing these centers and volunteer groups. Make
sure to include some of the services they provide, area of location, and how their
organization has helped the people in their area.
Community Groups and Volunteer Organizations
* Objective: Chapter 3- Tim struggles with his parents' refusal to discuss Sam as well as
his own belief that Sam was wrong to take Father's gun without permission. The
objective of this lesson is to understand the foibles of human nature regardless of time or
setting.
1) The class will discuss human condition. What can you add to validate your
understanding of the topic? What do you feel is a human condition from your
perspective? Do you think that all humans are capable of all emotions, motivations,
behaviors, etc.? Or are there people who are all good and people who are all bad? Can
you offer up any examples of people, either real or fictional, you know about in either of
these categories?
The class will work in small groups and research the human psyche (behaviors). What
are the variables that can affect a person's personality and behavior? Are there any
constants? Also look at motivations. What are the differences between external and
internal motivators? Which are more powerful? Why?
For homework, write a journal entry about their current frame of mind, what influences
they're currently under and how they make decisions based on mood, environment, etc
Activity:
Character Charades
Play a game of charades using the characters' names. Be sure to use what you know
about the characters from the novel to act out clues for your turn.
Chapters 5-9
Vocabulary: Dictionary and Thesaurus
shilling
breeches
seining
hardtack
drover
Johnny cake
cow-boys
forage
woodlots
hogshead
pallet
jerked beef
Essential and Abstract Questions:


The soldiers threaten Father and Mother and hit Father on the face with a sword
when he does not relinquish the family gun.
- If you were Tim and witnessed this happening to your family how
would you react and what would you do?
Sam takes the risk of being seen at the tavern and accompanies Tim home
where Sam cannot face his father and runs away.
-

Why did Sam even take the risk of being seen if he were not strong
enough to face his father? Would you have run away as Sam did or
would you react differently?
Tim goes behind Father's back to talk to Mr. Heron and tells Mr. Heron that
Father has changed his mind about Tim's carrying letters for him.
- Time shows great respect for his father and his fathers beliefs, why
would he deliberately go behind his back to carry the letter for Mr.
Heron? Do you think he made the right decision?
Conflict: Give an example from selected chapter readings
Man vs. Man - ____________________________________________
Man vs. Self - _____________________________________________
Man vs. Society - __________________________________________
Conflict Outline
Group Discussion:
* Objective: Chapter 5- Because this story is told from Tim's perspective, it is told in the
first person point of view. The objective of this lesson is to understand point of view.
1) The class will discuss point of view in literature. Use the link provided to look up the
definition and a clarification of the different perspectives. What can you observe about
the point of view in this novel? Can you distinguish why this point of view is so obvious?
How does the author use the point of view through the eyes and thoughts of one
character, Tim? Here are some examples, see if you can pick out some examples of the
first person perspective and share with the class.
You will work in a small group and explore the book from a different perspective. As a
group take pages 61 to the top of page 64 and rewrite the story from Sam's or Mother's
point of view. How would the story change? How would it stay the same? Would it be
confusing for an author to switch perspectives in a novel? Or would it help provide more
clarity for the reader? Explain.
For homework, write a short story told from the first person perspective (Two or three
paragraphs are sufficient)
Point of View Description
* Objective: Chapter 6- Tim is tired of Sam having all the perceived glory of war and
decides to go against Father's objections and carry letters for Mr. Heron. The objective
of this lesson is to explore the concept of jealousy.
1) The class will have a discussion about jealousy. Use the link provided to look up a
description and jot down what your perspective is on jealousy. Why do you think Tim is
jealous of Sam? Does he have valid reasons for his jealousy? What other reasons could
be the basis of his jealousy? Discuss.
In small groups you will research jealousy. Your group should be sure to include the
psychological motivations for it as well as all forms of jealousy including personal,
professional, etc. Your group will present their findings to the class.
For homework, you will write letter to someone of whom they have been jealous at one
time. You should explain the source of the jealousy and how it has resolved, if at all.
Activity:
Glog: Website
The events leading up to and including the Revolutionary War were fairly well
documented in newspaper accounts and pamphlets. Do some research on both of these
media and create a Glog to represent the unfolding of events that occurred; you will
share these with the class.
Chapters 10-14
Vocabulary: Dictionary and Thesaurus
Commissary notes
adjutant
standard bearer
scrip
Plowshare
powder horn
poulace
vanguard
fusillade
Essential and Abstract Questions:





Mother receives two letters from Sam but Father will not allow Mother to respond
to him.
- How do you think Mother felt about Father’s decision to not let her
respond to Sam’s letters? Why did she follow Father’s wishes?
Tim runs to a field as instructed by his father as Father stands to confront the
cow-boys.
- How would you react if you were in Tim’s position? Why did Father
want Tim to go to the field instead of staying with him to confront
the cow-boys?
Father is conflicted about which way to return home because one way there is
definite threat of cow-boy attacks and heavy snow threatens the other direction.
- Would you have taken the same route as Sam and his Father did?
Why or Why not?
As they travel, Father rides ahead to scout for cow-boys and Tim waits with the
wagon of goods.
- What thoughts do you think were running through Tim’s mind while
his father was gone? What do you think you would be thinking if you
were in Tim’s position?
Tim does not know his father's fate and must decide what to do.
- What thoughts would be going through your mind at this point in the
story? What actions do you think would be the best thing to do?
Conflict: Give an example of the conflicts in this reading section of the
novel
Man vs. Man - _____________________________________________
Man vs. Self - _____________________________________________
Man vs. Nature - ___________________________________________
Man vs. Society - __________________________________________
Conflict Outline
Group Discussion:
* Objective: Chapter 13- Colonel Read delivers the difficult news about Sam's execution
sentence despite the efforts of those who tried to tell the truth of the situation to the
Generals in charge. The objective of this lesson is to understand disillusionment when
faced with ugly truth.
1) The class will discuss what the word truth means. What does truth mean to the
students? Is the absolute truth always necessary in all cases? Or are there times when
the stark truth can be softened? Have you ever experienced the stark truth either as the
giver or the recipient? How did they feel in either case? How did this impact their
relationships and interactions today?
In small groups you will discuss truth. When is truth absolutely necessary? When can
truth slide a little bit? Fill in the graphic organizer provided, with the link, to explain when
you think telling the truth is important and when it is not.
For homework, write a well constructed short story on truth and include a hard lesson
you learned about giving or receiving truth. What were the circumstances surrounding
the lesson? How would you avoid it again? What advice would they give to someone
else in similar circumstances?
* Objective: Chapter 14- Sam has given up his youth and his family to be a part of the
Continental Army only to be executed by the army in a gross miscarriage of justice. The
objective of this lesson is to understand irony
1) What is irony? Look up the definition with the provided link and explain why this
situation employs irony. How can the situation of Sam's death be considered an irony?
Discuss.
We will take turns reading this chapter to fully understand the impact of Sam's sacrifice,
especially in light of his fervor for the cause of independence.
For homework, write a modern day eulogy for Sam making note of the injustice and
irony of his situation so that everyone can understand the inequities he endured
Irony Outline
Activity:
Syllabub, Anyone?
Do some research on colonial American recipes and choose one to make and share with
the class.