Willard McNaul's book chronicles from original sources the agreement made between Thomas Jefferson and James Lemen Sr. whereby Lemen agreed to go to the Northwest Territory and pursue an anti-slavery cause. After ten years of hard work, Lemen Sr. established his Baptist Church and was active with the Baptist Association. Their organization was active in the campaign during the Illinois Constitutional Convention to ensure the establishment of a free state. President Lincoln wrote a thankful letter to Lemen Jr. and noted that the hard work and dedication of his father 'set in motion the forces which finally made Illinois a free state.' - Summary by fried1259