The name Paul Revere echoes through American history, primarily associated with his legendary midnight ride. This iconic figure of the American Revolution was far more than just a courier; he was a master silversmith, an astute businessman, and a dedicated patriot whose contributions spanned intelligence gathering, industrial innovation, and unwavering support for colonial independence. His dramatic horseback ride on the night of April 18, 1775, famously warned Boston-area residents of approaching British troops, a pivotal moment immortalized in American lore.
Early Life, Apprenticeship, and Military Service
Paul Revere was born on December 21, 1734, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Paul Revere, Sr., a Huguenot silversmith, and Deborah Hitchbourn Revere. The third of their children and the eldest surviving son, Paul received a foundational education at the North Writing School, which equipped him to later comprehend complex metallurgical texts. At the age of 13, he left school to apprentice under his father, learning the intricate craft of silversmithing.
His father’s untimely death when Paul was 19 left him as the primary provider for his family, thrusting him into early adulthood and the responsibility of the family business. Two years later, in February 1756, Revere temporarily set aside his craft to serve his colony, commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Massachusetts Artillery during the French and Indian War. He saw action in upstate New York, returning to Boston in the fall of 1756 to fully take the reins of the family silver business.
Family Life and Diversified Ventures
In August 1757, Paul Revere married Sarah Orne, and together they had eight children. Tragically, Sarah passed away in 1773 due to complications from childbirth. Soon after, Revere married Rachel Walker, with whom he also had eight children. Reflecting the harsh realities of colonial life, only six of Sarah’s children and five of Rachel’s children survived into adulthood, a common experience given the high mortality rates of the era.
To support his growing family, Revere demonstrated remarkable entrepreneurial spirit and versatility. Beyond crafting exquisite silver articles, from simple spoons to elaborate tea sets, he expanded his skills to include creating surgical instruments, spectacles, and even practicing dentistry between 1768 and 1775, often replacing missing teeth. His artistic talents also extended to engraving copper plates, producing illustrations for books and magazines, business cards, and political cartoons, further diversifying his income streams.
A Staunch Patriot and Messenger of Liberty
As tensions escalated between the American colonies and Great Britain, Paul Revere enthusiastically embraced the patriot cause. In 1773, he joined 50 other patriots, disguised in Native American garb, in the infamous Boston Tea Party protest, a bold act of defiance against British taxation. His commitment to the cause extended to becoming a principal rider for Boston’s Committee of Safety, undertaking vital journeys to New York and Philadelphia to relay crucial intelligence. He was also instrumental in establishing an effective intelligence and alarm system to monitor British military movements in and around Boston.
By the eve of his legendary ride, Revere, then 41 years old, was a respected and prosperous member of the Boston community. He owned his own home on North Square and his silversmith business, located near the North End waterfront, was thriving.
The Famous Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
The night of April 18, 1775, etched Paul Revere’s name into the annals of American history. At approximately 10:00 p.m., Dr. Joseph Warren, a leading activist, entrusted Revere with a critical mission: to ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of their potential arrest by British forces, and to alert the colonial militia to relocate their military stores. Concurrently, another rider, William Dawes, was dispatched on a separate route.
Both Revere and Dawes successfully reached Lexington, delivering their urgent warnings. Afterward, they were joined by Dr. Samuel Prescott, and the trio proceeded towards Concord to further spread the alarm. However, a British patrol intercepted them. While Prescott managed to escape and complete the warning to Concord, Revere was apprehended, interrogated, and eventually released, returning to Lexington on foot. Thanks to the warnings delivered by Revere, Dawes, and Prescott, the Minutemen in Lexington were prepared the following morning, ready to confront the British troops in what would become the first shots fired in the American Revolution.
Post-War Industrialist and Public Servant
Following the pivotal Battles of Lexington and Concord, Revere continued to serve the fledgling nation in various capacities. He printed paper currency for the Massachusetts government and established a much-needed powder mill, vital for supplying colonial arms during the war effort. In 1776, he was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts State Train of Artillery, commanding Castle Island in Boston Harbor. Though his troops saw little direct combat, his military service concluded with the ill-fated Penobscot Expedition in 1779.
After the war, Paul Revere returned to his silversmith trade, but his vision expanded far beyond traditional craftsmanship. He ventured into industrial works, mastering iron casting, bronze bell and cannon casting, and the forging of copper bolts and spikes. His most significant industrial undertaking came in 1800 with the establishment of a rolling mill in Canton, Massachusetts, which manufactured sheet copper. This copper was crucial for sheathing naval vessels, protecting them from barnacles and rot, and was famously used for the dome of the Massachusetts State House, solidifying his legacy as an industrial pioneer.
Retirement, Death, and Enduring Legacy
In 1811, at the age of 76, Paul Revere retired, entrusting his thriving copper business to his son, Joseph Warren Revere, and two of his grandsons. He passed away peacefully from natural causes on May 10, 1818, at the age of 83, leaving behind a profound legacy that included five children, numerous grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. He was laid to rest at Boston’s historic Granary Burying Ground, among other prominent figures of the Revolution.
Today, the home Revere owned at the time of his famous ride, located at 19 North Square in Boston, stands as a preserved museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the life of this pivotal figure. More than four decades after his death, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1860 poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” immortalized him, transforming him into a national folk hero and securing his place in the collective memory of the United States, even though many other riders that night also spread the alarm.
Conclusion
Paul Revere stands as a towering figure of the American Revolution, celebrated not only for his daring midnight ride but also for his multifaceted contributions to colonial society and the burgeoning nation. From his early days as a skilled silversmith to his later ventures as an industrial entrepreneur, and his unwavering dedication to the patriot cause, Revere embodied the spirit of American ingenuity and resistance. His legacy is a testament to the courage and resourcefulness of ordinary individuals who, through their extraordinary actions, helped forge the United States.
