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Paul Revere's Midnight Ride!

  • Writer: Shayna
    Shayna
  • Jul 2, 2024
  • 5 min read

There are so many stories! What is so great about history is that each story added to the next tells the entire tale. They all fit together and explain why one thing led to another, to another and so on.


We know about the Sons of Liberty and they wanted their rights and freedom. However, there were many people in the colonies who were called "Loyalists." They believed that the King had the right to rule over his colonies. They did not want to rebel against the king in order to gain liberty. Those who agreed with the Sons of Liberty were known as Patriots.


What would you do?

I have to admit, I'm not sure I would have supported the Boston Tea Party--I don't like destroying property! It doesn't feel right. I wonder what I would have thought of believed? BUT I believe these men were inspired by God to create a free nation and therefore to act as they did. I hope I would have known with clarity that the Spirit was directing me to rebel against the king! This is kind of like Nephi--he didn't want to kill Laban but knew it was from the Lord. We need to know the Spirit's voice and act on impressions from him.


Now, Paul Revere was one of the Sons of Liberty. In fact, he was one of I believe only two leaders who was identified at the Boston Tea Party. He played a pivotal role in the start of the American Revolution.


Paul Revere is most famous for what has become known as his midnight ride. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem and that poem has immortalized Paul Revere and his patriotic ride.


Ok some background

Paul Revere was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He was born on New Years day in 1735. Paul's father was a silversmith and after learning to read, write and do basic arithmetic, Paul left school to work in his father's shop and. learn the trade.


At 15 years old Paul and six other boys formed a society to ring the eight large bells in teh steeple of Christ Church. New England cities were centered around their churches and these bells were said to have the sweetest sound of any in the American Colonies.


Paul served for a brief time in the military during the French and Indian war. When he was sent home he continued working six days a week making silver teapots, punch bowls, earrings, shoe buckles and lots of other things!


Paul met Sara Orne in church one day and after courting her for a time they married in 1757. Paul was 22 years old. They had eight children! Two of the children died when they were young and sadly, so did his wife Sarah. Later Paul met Rachel Walker and they married in 1773. They also had eight children! Sadly three of these children died. So sixteen children all together and eleven survived to adults.


Boston Massacre

Paul was very skilled in silver and learned other skills as well. In 1770 there was a conflict in the town square at Boston that would come to be known as. the Boston Massacre. In short, the king had sent redcoats (British soldiers) to Boston and the colonists didn't like it. This particular March day some of the townspeople had gathered on King Street in front of the House of Commons and were taunting the soldiers--throwing snow and chunks of ice at them, calling them names, etc. The colonists dared the soldiers to shoot and unfortunately, they did shoot. Five colonists were left dead.


The soldiers were later tried according to the law--John Adams was part of their defense--and it was determined that the soldiers shot in self defense. Read a more detailed version here and take the 10 question quiz!


Paul Revere used his talent in silver to create an engraving with the massacre depicted.


The soldiers being found guilty for manslaughter (unintentional and unplanned murder) did not stop the uproar from Boston and her patriots. Over the next three years Boston was a center of Liberty and rebellion agaist the crown.


The Famous Ride

It was April 18th 1775 when Paul learned that the British planned to march inland to capture Patriot leaders (Samuel Adams and John Hancock who were known to be hiding at Lexington). they also wanted to confiscate weapons and supplies from the colonists.


Paul and his cohorts in the Sons of Liberty sprang into action! Late in the evening he agreed with Robert Newman (and perhaps others) to put lantern signals in Boston's Old North Church (the same church he used to ring bells in!) The direction was that the British were coming and the signal became

One if by land, Two if by sea

Two lanterns lit the high steeple window signaling to other patriots that the British were crossing the Charles River.


Paul and another man, William Dawes left around 11pm and rode swiftly to Lexington and Concord (the latter was 19 miles to the northwest). The men cried out to the colonists, "The british are coming! The British are coming!"


This was a call to arms. The Minutemen, as they were called because they could be ready, were men (farmers, artisans, blacksmiths, teachers, and any other type of Patriot) who would be ready at a minutes notice! They gathered their guns, ammunition and prepared to defend their towns, their land and their liberty.

These men, old and young, were not well-trained soldiers. They did not have uniforms or even the same guns or weapons--they did their best and used what they had. Later as the war progressed, General Washington did his best to outfit his men with uniforms and weapons that were befitting of the Continental Army.


Though Paul Revere has been made famous, it was he and William Dawes who rode that night covering different routes and rousing these patriots to come to the aid of the cause of liberty! The war for American Independence began the next morning at Lexington and Concord.




ACTIVITIES AND IDEAS





  • This is a historical drama about 10:26. It kind of gives you a feel for how they would be riding through the towns yelling that the British were coming. Up to about 5:36 it is pretty good--then there is a confrontation with a British officer (who takes Revere's horse). Unfortunately he swears twice (H and D). So you could just watch the first half. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1El-guPeEo

 
 
 

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