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Birth
Paul Revere was born in late December 1734. Although the actual date of his birth is unknown, his baptismal date is December 22,1734. But this date is in the “Old Style” uncorrected calendar in use in the British Empire until 1752. When translated into the “New Style” or modern calendar, this date becomes January 2, 1735. Since it is unlikely he was baptized on the same day he was born the actual birth date must be late December. Also his place of birth is unknown but likely in North End Boston. -
Silversmith
At the age of 12 Paul Revere leaves school to become a silversmith apprentice. He learned the trade from his father and then started his own silversmith shop. He mad a variety of things from a simple spoons to magnificent tea sets. -
Father's Death
In 1754 Paul Revere's father Apollos Riviore died. Revere was only 19 when his father died. This left Revere with his father's silver shop and a big family to care for. -
French And Indian War
In 1756 Paul Revere was sent to the French and Indian War. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Massachusetts Army, he then fought the French in New York. He would be commissioned to the army multiple times, and he was never injured at war. -
Marriage
Paul Revere married Sarah Orne in August 1757. They had eight children, but only six would reach adulthood. Sarah Orne would die at age 37 on May 3, 1773. -
Sons Of Liberty
In 1773 Paul Revere joined a patriot group called the Sons Of Liberty. They would organize protests against acts enforced by the British. They were responsible for the Boston Tea Party in which 92,000 pounds of tea were dumped into Boston's harbor. -
Second Marriage
Soon after the death of Sarah Orne on May 3, 1773 Paul Revere married Rachel Walker. She cared for all six of Revere's surviving children. Together Revere and Walker would have eight of their own children, only five of them would reach adulthood. -
Culper Spy Ring
In the fall of 1774 Paul Revere joined the Culper Spy Ring. This group would provide George Washington with information on British Troop Movement. Benjamin Tallmadge was appointed the ring's director by Washington and set up in New York City -
Midnight Ride
At 10pm on April 10, 1775 Paul Revere received instructions from Dr. Joseph Warren. The instructions were to ride to Lexington and warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams that the British were coming. Reveres midnight ride was little known by the public until 1860 when Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem about Revere's midnight ride. -
Death
Paul Revere died in Boston at the age of 83 due to natural causes. When he died he only had five remaining children. He is buried in Boston's Granary Burying Ground.
