Paul Revere and the Midnight Ride

In 1774 Revere was employed by the Boston Committee of Correspondence and the Massachusetts Committee of Safety as an express rider to carry news,messages and letters. On April 18,1775 Revere and William Dawes were sent to warn Samuel Adams and John Adams about British plans to go from Boston to Concord to control patriot military stores. If Revere lit two lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church in Boston that meant the British were coming by sea. If he lit one lantern it meant the British were coming by land.

One lantern was lit so the British were coming by land. Revere left Boston at 10PM riding along a road to Lexington warning residents that "The British are coming." He arrived in Lexington at midnight and left for Concord at 1AM with William Dawes and Dr.Samuel Prescott.Revere was captured only Prescott got through to Concord. Revere was released without a horse and returned to Lexington. He joined up with Adams and Hancock and went to Burlington for safety.

During the Revolution

When the war started Revere went to serve as lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts State Train of Artillery and commander of Castle Island in Boston Harbor. Revere's troops saw little action at the port, but they did fight in minor expeditions. Revere's military career ended with the failed Penobscot expedition.

After the Revolution

Paul Revere began importing goods from England and owned a hardware store. In 1788 he opened a foundry that supplied bolts,spike, and nails for shipyards. It also supplied cannons and after 1792, cast bells. One of the largest bells is in Boston's Kings Chapel.

Revere was worried that the United States needed to import sheet copper from England. In 1801 Revere opened the first copper rolling mill in North America. Revere Copper and Brass, Inc. is the descendent of the rolling mill and is known for the "Revereware" Revereware is now manufactured by a different company.

In 1811, at the age of 76, Paul Revere retired and left his money making copper business to his sons and grandsons. Revere died of natural causes at age 83. Revere left five children, several grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He died a well-to-do businessman and a popular local figure. Paul Revere is buried in Boston's Granary Burying Ground.