On This Day in 1775...

Two hundred and fifty years ago, on the evening of April 18th, two sons of Boston set off on a ride to Lexington to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the approach of British troops. Paul Revere, born in Boston in 1734, and William Dawes, born in Boston in 1745, were those riders.

Paul Revere, born Paul Rivoire, was the son of Apollos (Paul) and Deborah Rivoire. A silversmith like his father, Paul Revere was active politically in the years preceding the Revolution and was friends with activists like Dr. Joseph Warren. He was a courier for the Boston Committee of Correspondence and the Massachusetts Committee of Safety; a communication network and governing body created by the Patriots in opposition to the British authority. At 10 o’clock on the night of April 18, 1775, Revere received instructions from Dr. Warren to ride to Lexington to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the approach of British troops because Dr. Warren believed the British planned to arrest them and seize munitions stored in Concord. Revere set off from his house on North Street and headed to the North End waterfront. From there, he rowed across the river to Charlestown, where he borrowed a horse and rode out through Medford and Arlington. He alarmed most of the houses and arrived in Lexington shortly after midnight, where he delivered the message to Adams and Hancock. He met up with two other riders, William Dawes of Boston and Samuel Prescott, a young physician from Concord, and the trio continued on to Concord. A short time later, they were intercepted by a British patrol. Dawes and Prescott escaped but Revere was captured. He was held for some time, questioned, and released. He made his way back to Lexington on foot, as his horse had been confiscated by the British soldiers.

William Dawes was the son of William and Lydia Dawes. He became a tanner and was active in Boston’s militia. He was elected a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts in 1768. He was instrumental in securing cannons from being confiscated by the British in 1774. He was also instructed by Dr. Joseph Warren to ride out to Lexington on the night of April the 18th. Dawes took the land route out of Boston. He rode over Boston Neck and managed to get out before the British sealed off the city. He arrived in Lexington shortly after Revere, as his route was longer. After Revere was captured by a British patrol, Dawes continued on to Concord with Samuel Prescott. However, Dawes’s horse bucked him off and he was forced to walk back to Lexington. Prescott arrived safely in Concord to deliver the alarm.

The warnings of Revere, Dawes and Prescott allowed the towns’ militias to muster a sufficient force to prevent the British from finding most of the munitions they were seeking to destroy. And, they were able to mount an attack on the British as they retreated to Boston, ensuring the first colonial victory.

In 1875, the City of Boston marked the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the midnight ride by placing two lights in the steeple of the Old North Church. In 1975, the 200th anniversary of the midnight ride served as the opening weekend to the grand Boston 200 celebration for the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976.

 

On Friday, April 18, 2025, the City of Boston officially kicks off the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution—a moment that forever changed the course of our nation’s history. This milestone is more than a commemoration; it’s a citywide celebration of Boston’s enduring revolutionary spirit, past and present.

Visit the City’s official website to learn all about the Boston250 updates, events and resources. Boston250 is more than an event. It’s a chance to honor the past, uplift all voices, and build a vision for Boston’s future. The City is thrilled to have you on this journey and looks forward to celebrating together.

Sources: 

https://www.paulreverehouse.org/biography/

https://www.masshist.org/revolution/resources/display_bio.php?ID=10&name=William-Dawes

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/william-dawes

https://www.boston.gov/boston-250