OLD NORTH CHURCH, BOSTON, MASS.—Associated with the Ride of Paul Revere

THE CRADLE OF LIBERTY
Paul Revere

TWO

Though Paul Revere performed bravely and well numerous patriotic duties assigned to him, most early historians of the Revolution forgot even to mention his name in recounting the crucial events of April, 1775. He lives in our memory today chiefly because one valorous deed of his, in that month of valorous deeds, was made the subject of a popular poem. Nearly ninety years after the Ride, Longfellow rescued the Midnight Messenger from oblivion, and gave him a place among Revolutionary heroes.

Apollos Rivoire, father of Paul, was a native of the Island of Guernsey, and came of Huguenot stock. A fugitive in search of freedom, he found a home in Boston, where on January 1, 1735 (new style), the son was born who was to establish in the annals of his country the Anglicized name of liberty-loving French ancestors. Father and son were metal craftsmen and wrought fine tableware, many examples of which are still in existence. Paul was a skilful designer, and a cartoonist of wit and imagination. But of far greater importance to his associates, he was an up-and-ready sort of person, keen for any task that gave vent to an ardent nature—always in the thick of everything. He was a moving spirit in various secret organizations, had an active part in the Tea Party, and because he was bold and dependable was chosen to carry the news of Boston’s successful exploit to sympathizers in New York, and speed it on to Philadelphia. Following a ride of Revere’s in December, 1774, to Durham and Portsmouth, the provincials secured powder and ammunition from Fort William and Mary that actually saved the day at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Early in 1775 Revere engaged with other patriots to patrol the Boston streets and keep advised as to the movements of the redcoats. On April 15th they reported the British camp unwontedly astir. The next day, Sunday, Revere took a message from Dr. Warren to Lexington, where Hancock and Adams, on whose heads a price had been set by the king, were lodging. Upon receiving the messenger’s news of British activities the adjourned Provincial Congress re-assembled in Concord and began immediate preparation against attack on the colony’s stores. Here let us read the account of “the express” himself, an account at variance with the familiar rhymed version, especially in respect to the lantern signals, and his arrival at the journey’s end.

“On Tuesday evening, the 18th, it was observed that a number of soldiers were marching towards the bottom of the Common (thus indicating to Revere and his fellow-watchers that the troops were about to leave Boston by water). About ten o’clock Dr. Warren sent in great haste for me, and begged that I would immediately set off for Lexington, where Messrs. Hancock and Adams were.… When I got to Dr. Warren’s house, I found he had sent an express by land to Lexington, a Mr. William Dawes.… The Sunday before.… I agreed with a Colonel Conant (at Charlestown, across the river from Boston) that if the British went out by water we would shew two lanthorns in the North Church steeple: and if by land, one, as a signal.… I left Dr. Warren, called upon a friend, and desired him to make the signals.… Two friends rowed me across Charles River, a little to the eastward where the Somerset man-of-war lay.… I met Colonel Conant, and several others; they said they had seen our signals.… I set off upon a very good horse; it was then about eleven o’clock, and very pleasant.” It is plain that the signals were not for the messenger, as related by Longfellow, but were intended to flash the intelligence to the people and militia that the British were advancing.

Revere was in constant danger of being overtaken by the entire force, which had embarked at Boston almost at the moment he was reaching the Charlestown shore. Riding at top speed he reached Medford. “I awaked the captain of the Minute Men; and after that I alarmed almost every house, till I got to Lexington. I found Messrs. Hancock and Adams at the Rev. Mr. Clarke’s; I told them my errand, and inquired for Mr. Dawes.”

When the latter arrived, the two set out for Concord, six miles distant. On the road they were overtaken by a young Dr. Prescott, and all three proceeded to wake the sleeping households along the highway. Suddenly, Revere, riding ahead, was surrounded by four armed redcoats. With William Dawes he was forced into a pasture and detained, while Dr. Prescott, “jumped his horse over a low stone wall, and got to Concord.” Revere was led back toward Lexington, but at the sound of guns his captors seized his mount and let him continue alone on foot. In Lexington he saved important papers of Hancock’s, and witnessed the first exchange of shots between the provincials and the British.