The ride of Paul Revere is originally attributed to April 18th; however, the majority of the events surrounding it took place overnight, into the wee hours of the morning, then ultimately into mid-day of April 19, 1775, when the Battle of Lexington took place. I hope y’all enjoy this. I revisit this moment in history each year because it shows how ONE ORDINARY MAN can make a huge difference.
Patriots’ Day…
A friend once asked: “How do you celebrate Patriots’ Day?” Which, perhaps, should spur me to share my own thoughts on this day of consequence.
Many are familiar with the poem Paul Revere’s Ride, however, far fewer know that Paul Revere actually memorialized the events of the April 18 and 19, 1775, in an eight-page letter written several years later.
Each Patriots’ Day I remind myself to read his letter from a copy handed down, and I think about how Paul Revere was really just a common man of otherwise undue significance…. yet, capable to the task at hand.
To me everything about the heart of Revere, which you can identify within his own writing, is what defines an American ‘patriot’.
There is no grand prose, there is no outlook of being a person of historical significance, there is just a simple recollection of his involvement, an ordinary man in extraordinary times.
Unsure if anyone else would enjoy I have tracked down an on-line source for sharing and provide a transcript below (all misspelling is with the original).
Paul Revere personally recounts his famous ride. – In this undated letter, Paul Revere summarizes the activities surrounding his famous ride on 18 April 1775. He recounts how Dr. Joseph Warren urged him to ride to Lexington to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams of British troop movements. He arranged to signal the direction of the troops with lanterns from Old North Church, and then had friends row him across the Charles River borrowing a horse for his ride.
Revere wrote this letter at the request of Jeremy Belknap, corresponding secretary of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Revere signed his name to the letter but then wrote above it, “A Son of Liberty of the year 1775”, and beside it, “do not print my name.” Nonetheless, the MHS included Revere’s name when it printed the letter in 1798.
EXPLORE THE DOCUMENT – Or Read the incredible transcript below:
Dear Sir,
Having a little leisure, I wish to fullfill my promise, of giving you some facts, and Anecdotes, prior to the Battle of Lexington, which I do not remember to have seen in any history of the American Revolution.
In the year 1773 I was imployed by the Select men of the Town of Boston to carry the Account of the Destruction of the Tea to New-York; and afterwards, 1774, to Carry their dispatches to New-York and Philadelphia for Calling a Congress; and afterwards to Congress, several times.* [This asterisk points to a note in the left margin written by Jeremy Belknap: “Let the narrative begin here.” ]
In the Fall of 1774 & Winter of 1775 I was one of upwards of thirty, cheifly mechanics, who formed our selves in to a Committee for the purpose of watching the Movements of the British Soldiers, and gaining every intelegence of the movements of the Tories.
We held our meetings at the Green-Dragon Tavern. We were so carefull that our meetings should be kept Secret; that every time we met, every person swore upon the Bible, that they would not discover any of our transactions, But to Messrs. Hancock, Adams, Doctors Warren, Church, & one or two more.
About November, when things began to grow Serious, a Gentleman who had Conections with the Tory party, but was a Whig at heart, aquainted me, that our meetings were discovered, & mentioned the identical words that were spoken among us the Night before. We did not then distrust Dr. Church, but supposed it must be some one among us.
We removed to another place, which we thought was more secure: but here we found that all our transactions were communicated to Governor Gage. (This came to me through the then Secretary Flucker; He told it to the Gentleman mentioned above).
It was then a common opinion, that there was a Traytor in the provincial Congress, & that Gage was posessed of all their Secrets. (Church was a member of that Congress for Boston.) In the Winter, towards the Spring, we frequently took Turns, two and two, to Watch the Soldiers, By patroling the Streets all night.
The Saturday Night preceding the 19th of April, about 12 oClock at Night, the Boats belonging to the Transports were all launched, & carried under the Sterns of the Men of War. (They had been previously hauld up & repaired). We likewise found that the Grenadiers and light Infantry were all taken off duty.
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From these movements, we expected something serious was [to] be transacted. On Tuesday evening, the 18th, it was observed, that a number of Soldiers were marching towards the bottom of the Common.
About 10 o’Clock, Dr. Warren Sent in great haste for me, and beged that I would imediately Set off for Lexington, where Messrs. Hancock & Adams were, and acquaint them of the Movement, and that it was thought they were the objets. When I got to Dr. Warren’s house, I found he had sent an express by land to Lexington – a Mr. Wm. Daws.
The Sunday before, by desire of Dr. Warren, I had been to Lexington, to Mess. Hancock and Adams, who were at the Rev. Mr. Clark’s. I returned at Night thro Charlestown; there I agreed with a Col. Conant, & some other Gentlemen, in Charleston, that if the British went out by Water, we would shew two Lanthorns in the North Church Steeple; if by Land, one, as a Signal; for we were aprehensive it would be dificult to Cross the Charles River, or git over Boston neck.
I left Dr. Warrens, called upon a friend, and desired him to make the Signals. I then went Home, took my Boots and Surtout, and went to the North part of the Town, where I had kept a Boat; two friends rowed me across Charles River, a little to the eastward where the Somerset Man of War lay.
It was then young flood, the Ship was winding, & the moon was Rising. They landed me on Charlestown side. When I got into Town, I met Col. Conant, several others; they said they had seen our signals. I told them what was Acting, & went to git me a Horse; I got a Horse of Deacon Larkin.
While the Horse was preparing, Richard Devens, Esq. who was one of the Committee of Safty, came to me, & told me, that he came down the Road from Lexington, after Sundown, that evening; that He met ten British Officers, all well mounted, & armed, going up the Road. I set off upon a very good Horse; it was then about 11 o’Clock, very pleasant. After I had passed Charlestown Neck, got nearly opposite where Mark was hung in chains, I saw two men on Horse back, under a Tree.
When I got near them, I discovered they were British officer. One tryed to git a head of Me, & the other to take me. I turned my Horse very quick, & Galloped towards Charlestown neck, and then pushed for the Medford Road. The one who chased me, endeavoring to Cut me off, got into a Clay pond, near where the new Tavern is now built. I got clear of him,
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and went thro Medford, over the Bridge, & up to Menotomy. In Medford, I awaked the Captain of the Minute men; & after that, I alarmed almost every House, till I got to Lexington.
I found Mrs. Messrs. Hancock & Adams at the Rev. Mr. Clark’s; I told them my errand, and inquired for Mr. Daws; they said he had not been there; I related the story of the two officers, & supposed that He must have been stopped, as he ought to have been there before me.
After I had been there about half an Hour, Mr. Daws came; after we refreshid our selves, we and set off for Concord, to secure the Stores, & there. We were overtaken by a young Docter Prescot, whom we found to be a high Son of Liberty. I told them of the ten officers that Mr. Devens mett, and that it was probable we might be stoped before we got to Concord; for I supposed that after Night, they divided them selves, and that two of them had fixed themselves in such passages as were most likely to stop any intelegence going to Concord.
I likewise mentioned, that we had better allarm all the Inhabitents till we got to Concord; the young Doctor much approved of it, and said, he would stop with either of us, for the people between that & Concord knew him, & would give the more credit to what we said.
We had got nearly half way. Mr Daws & the Doctor stoped to allarm the people of a House: I was about one hundred Rod a head, when I saw two men, in nearly the same situation as those officer were, near Charlestown. I called for the Doctor & Daws to come up; were two & we would have them in an Instant I was surrounded by four; – they had placed themselves in a Straight Road, that inclined each way; they had taken down a pair of Barrs on the North side of the Road, & two of them were under a tree in the pasture. The Docter being foremost, he came up; and we tryed to git past them; but they being armed with pistols & swords, they forced us in to the pasture; -the Docter jumped his Horse over a low Stone wall, and got to Concord.
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I observed a Wood at a Small distance, & made for that. When I got there, out Started Six officers, on Horse back, and orderd me to dismount;-one of them, who appeared to have the command, examined me, where I came from, & what my Name Was? I told him. it was Revere, he asked if it was Paul? I told him yes He asked me if I was an express? I answered in the afirmative. He demanded what time I left Boston? I told him; and added, that their troops had catched aground in passing the River, and that There would be five hundred Americans there in a short time, for I had alarmed the Country all the way up.
He imediately rode towards those who stoppd us, when all five of them came down upon a full gallop; one of them, whom I afterwards found to be Major Mitchel, of the 5th Regiment, Clapped his pistol to my head, called me by name, & told me he was going to ask me some questions, & if I did not give him true answers, he would blow my brains out.
He then asked me similar questions to those above. He then orderd me to mount my Horse, after searching me for arms. He then orderd them to advance, & to lead me in front. When we got to the Road, they turned down towards Lexington. When we had got about one Mile, the Major Rode up to the officer that was leading me, & told him to give me to the Sergeant. As soon as he took me, the Major orderd him, if I attempted to run, or any body insulted them, to blow my brains out.
We rode till we got near Lexington Meeting-house, when the Militia fired a Voley of Guns, which appeared to alarm them very much. The Major inquired of me how far it was to Cambridge, and if there were any other Road? After some consultation, the Major
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Major Rode up to the Sargent, & asked if his Horse was tired? He told answered him, he was – (He was a Sargent of Grenadiers, and had a small Horse) – then, said He, take that man’s Horse. I dismounted, & the Sargent mounted my Horse, when they all rode towards Lexington Meeting-House.
I went across the Burying-ground, & some pastures, & came to the Revd. Mr. Clark’s House, where I found Messrs. Hancok & Adams. I told them of my treatment, & they concluded to go from that House to wards Woburn. I went with them, & a Mr. Lowell, who was a Clerk to Mr. Hancock.
When we got to the House where they intended to stop, Mr. Lowell & I my self returned to Mr. Clark’s, to find what was going on. When we got there, an elderly man came in; he said he had just come from the Tavern, that a Man had come from Boston, who said there were no British troops coming. Mr. Lowell & myself went towards the Tavern, when we met a Man on a full gallop, who told us the Troops were coming up the Rocks.
We afterwards met another, who said they were close by. Mr. Lowell asked me to go to the Tavern with him, to a git a Trunk of papers belonging to Mr. Hancock. We went up Chamber; & while we were giting the Trunk, we saw the British very near, upon a full March.
We hurried to wards Mr. Clark’s House. In our way, we passed through the Militia. There were about 50. When we had got about 100 Yards from the meeting-House the British Troops appeard on both Sides of the Meeting-House. In their
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In their Front was an Officer on Horse back. They made a Short Halt; when I saw, & heard, a Gun fired, which appeared to be a Pistol. Then I could distinguish two Guns, & then a Continual roar of Musquetry; When we made off with the Trunk.
As I have mentioned Dr. Church, perhaps it might not be disagreeable to mention some Matters of my own knowledge, respecting Him. He appeared to be a high son of Liberty. He frequented all the places where they met, Was incouraged by all the leaders of the Sons of Liberty, & it appeared he was respected by them, though I knew that Dr. Warren had not the greatest affection for him. He was esteemed a very capable writer, especially in verese; and as the Whig party needed every Strenght, they feared, as well as courted Him.
Though it was known, that some of the Liberty Songs, which We composed, were parodized by him, in favor of the British, yet none dare charge him with it. I was a constant & critical observer of him, and I must say, that I never thought Him a man of Principle; and I doubted much in my own mind, wether He was a real Whig. I knew that He kept company with a Capt. Price, a half-pay British officer, & that He frequently dined with him, & Robinson, one of the Commissioners. I know that one of his intimate aquaintances asked him why he was so often with Robinson and Price? His answer was, that He kept Company with them on purpose to find out their plans.
The day after the Battle of Lexington, I came across met him in Cambridge, when He shew me some blood on his stocking, which he said spirted on him from a Man who was killed near him, as he was urging the Militia on. I well remember, that I argued with my self, if a Man will risque his life in a Cause, he must be a Friend to that cause; & I never suspected him after, till He was charged with being a Traytor.
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The same day I met Dr. Warren. He was President of the Committee of Safety. He engaged me as a Messinger, to do the out of doors business for that committee; which gave me an opportunity of being frequently with them.
The Friday evening after, about sun set, I was sitting with some, or near all that Committee, in their room, which was at Mr. Hastings’s House at Cambridge. Dr. Church, all at once, started up – Dr. Warren, said He, I am determined to go into Boston tomorrow – (it set them all a stairing) – Dr. Warren replyed, Are you serious, Dr. Church? they will Hang you if they catch you in Boston. He replyed, I am serious, and am determined to go at all adventures.
After a considerable conversation, Dr. Warren said, If you are determined, let us make some business for you. They agreed that he should go to git medicine for their & our Wounded officers. He went the next morning; & I think he came back on Sunday
evening.
After He had told the Committee how things were, I took him a side, & inquired particularly how they treated him? he said, that as soon as he got to their lines on the Boston Neck, they made him a prisoner, & carried him to General Gage, where He
was examined, & then He was sent to Gould’s Barracks, & was not suffered to go home but once.
After He was taken up, for holding a Correspondence with the Brittish, I came a Cross Deacon Caleb Davis;-we entred into Conversation about Him;-He told me, that the morning Church went into Boston, He (Davis) received a Bilet for General Gage-(he then did not know that Church was in Town)-When he got to the General’s House, he was told, the General could not be spoke with, that He was in private with a Gentleman; that He waited near half an Hour,-When General Gage & Dr. Church came out of a Room, discoursing together, like
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like persons who had been long aquainted. He appeared to be quite surprized at seeing Deacon Davis there; that he (Church) went where he pleased, while in Boston, only a Major Caine, one of Gage’s Aids, went with him.
I was told by another person whom I could depend upon, that he saw Church go in to General Gage’s House, at the above time; that He got out of the Chaise and went up the steps more like a Man that was aquainted, than a prisoner.
Sometime after, perhaps a Year or two, I fell in company with a Gentleman who studied with Church -in discoursing about him, I related what I have mentioned above; He said, He did not doubt that He was in the Interest of the Brittish; & that it was He who informed Gen. Gage That he knew for Certain, that a Short time before the Battle of Lexington, (for He then lived with Him, & took Care of his Business & Books) He had no money by him, and was much drove for money; that all at once, He had several Hundred New Brittish Guineas; and that He thought at the time, where they came from.
Thus, Sir, I have endeavoured to give you a Short detail of some matters, of which perhaps no person but my self have have documents, or knowledge. I have mentioned some names which you are aquainted with: I wish you would Ask them, if they can remember the Circumstances I alude to.
I am, Sir, with every Sentment of esteem,
Your Humble Servant,
Paul Revere
Courtesy of the Massachusetts Historical Society
“The Battle of Lexington, 19 April 1775,” Oil on canvas by William Barns Wollen, 1910.
Learn to love American history, if you already don’t. The more you read, the greater appreciation for your citizenship.
An excellent FREE online course is “Biblical Citizenship” by PatriotAcademy.com. It is fun, filled chock full of remarkable historical reference and it changed my life as an American citizen and strong military family. To learn what our Forefathers went through and their original intent – every single American, Christian or not, should absolutely see it.
After taking the time for “Biblical Citizenship”, I also highly recommend the series “Adams” with Paul Giamatti playing John Adams and Laura Linney his wife, Abigail.
You can buy both of these series and share them with your family and friends. It is worth the time, I promise. Life changing. These can help people who may not enjoy learning history – to develop that fire within to pursue more and more of our country’s rich and beautiful history.
JWoo: “Adams,” with Paul Giamatti, was excellent. I watched it some years ago and was fascinated and engrossed throughout.
I don’t randomly refer things. I have to be a true believer to offer up advice.
Try out “Biblical Citizenship” too… it is excellent and I was astonished at the amount of history hidden from us.
If we don’t extract ourselves from the current mess we are in American history will eventually be re-written and future generations will never know about those brave heroes.
As of the present, only the victors get to write the history. Now we can see why the Left is destroying our history! They want to re-write it as THEY define it!
Would bet that very few current politicians ever read that history! In my time in the military, my AIT (Advanced Individual Training) was started on Patriots Day in 1971, at Ft. Devens. That was a holiday in Massachusetts. I had never heard of that before I served there.
Thanks Sundance!
It’s been a while since l last read this.
Patriots Day should be an honored National Holliday in the same vein as Independence Day!!
Where would we be without the Patriots who gave us this country and spirit of Freedom??
A toast to you, Sundance, on this auspicious day. ☕️
One man can indeed make a difference.
Now the tyranny the USA faces is from within.
Thank you for posting our History. Reading this went to my bones to realize the
shoulders we the people stand upon. How tenuous the birthing of a nation and its
people were born. Amen
Wow, thank you for sharing this hidden gem!!
I am proud to report from the field that We The People are waking up and when someone says “when” our American spirit will be again be stirred to action. It’s like Sundance’s brilliant article about; “Men who just wanted to be left alone”.
Just like Paul Revere, we are getting to the point of no return.
We’ll see.
I have a powder horn that was given to me by my grandfather on my mothers side some 44 years ago when he passed. Even then it was well over 200 years old. Our people Scottish landed at Cape Fear North Carolina in 1770. They had been banished by the British for their support on Bonnie Prince Charlie.
That powder horn will give you goosebumps. Supposedly it went through the Revolution and the War of 1812. The scrimshaw on the horn, has an eagle holding a lion by the tail in one claw in the other a quiver of arrows and E Pluribus Unum etched into it also deer and other game that reminds you not only had it been t war but was a tool of day to day existence.
These were hard people who survived by grit and their wits, nothing was easy. We are going to have to find this to push back against this pervasive evil, like the British at the time.
God Bless America!
What a treasure! Thank you for sharing it with us.
When you hold it and look at it and wonder what our forefathers endured to give us this great land, it’s humbling.I doubt many of us could endure such hardships these people endured.
I agree. Don’t think many could. I wonder about myself in that regard. But unfortunately, I guess we will find out in the not too distant future.
I have a mug bearing the name of a tavern in eastern Pennsylvania which George Washington and his troops visited, now a B & B which my great grandparents owned and ran in the early twentieth century. Yes, it still looks like it did in the 18th century.
what’s the name? I may have grown up nearby
The Jean Bennet Tavern, in Bedford. You must say it with a French accent.
thx, cheering
not my vicinity
I live in eastern PA. What was the name of the tavern?
I prefer to celebrate the Battle of Concord which we won.
it matters not we won the war and our freedom …for a short while
Didn’t both battles take place on the same day? Lexington and Concord are always mentioned together.
‘mid-day of April 19, 1775, when the Battle of Lexington took place’ – Sundance
Yesterday – to observe the anniversary of not the noble battle of Lexington, but rather the FBI-supervised bombings of Waco and Oklahoma City, the Senate passed the RISAA warrantless surveillance act. Senator Wyden’s amendment to strike Section 25, which would make anybody who owns a router an ‘electronic communication service provider,’ failed on a 34-58 vote.
https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1182/vote_118_2_00146.htm
Today, presumably to celebrate Hitler’s birthday, the House of Ill Repute is expected to whoop through $60 billion for the Ukro-nazis, $26 billion for muh Isra-uhl, and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific. Savor this quote from the New York Slimes:
‘In the end, [Speaker Mitt Johnson], himself an ultraconservative [sic] who had previously voted against funding Ukraine’s war effort, circumvented his right flank and was relying on Democrats to push the measure through.’
Paul Revere would weep at the brazen sellout and hijacking of our country, that’s playing out literally as we speak. And so do I.
Thank you Sundance!
Recommended Reading:
How The Nation Was Won: America’s Untold Story, Volume One, 1630-1754
By H. Graham Lowry
(Sadly, Lowry died before publishing Vol. Two)
https://a.co/d/fRIrU3C
Who We Are: America’s Fight for Universal Progress, from Franklin to Kennedy: Volume I – 1750s to 1850s
By Anton Chaitkin
https://a.co/d/20Dh1H1
American Patriot History Project, By Anton Chaitkin
http://patriot-project.weebly.com/anton-chaitkin.html#.Y5ZZjeROklR
The American Almanac:
http://american_almanac.tripod.com/contents.htm
William Pritting Substack:
https://william3n4z2.substack.com/?utm_medium=web
Richard Poe Substack:
https://richardpoe.substack.com/
It would appear that the current GOP is heavily populated with Dr. Church-type collaborators….
Amen!
It’s a great day for Speaker Jeffries, as his hard-charging deputy speaker Mitt Johnson rounds up the Democratic votes to add another $0.1 trillion to our $34.5 trillion debt at one go.
Well done, Deputy Mitt! /sarc
My thought exactly, GB, as I started to post when I saw your own. Can there be any doubt about it?
I think not.
We could call the Uniparty “the CHURCH Party” were it not for the probability that unless people were familiar with this astounding letter (written most likely by candle or lantern light with a pint of ale nearby) the name would be horribly misinterpreted.
Cheers, dear friend.
You are correct as usual!
Top of the day to you , Ma’am!
Thank you, dear sir 👍🏻 😘
FREEDOM!
American Patriots ……… one for all and all for one!
MAGA isn’t just our motto, it is our duty!
Clapped his pistol to my head, called me by name, & told me he was going to ask me some questions, & if I did not give him true answers, he would blow my brains out.
A sobering reminder of the bravery that
wasis needed to secure liberty.This is the age we have come back to. This is an incredible time because the powers that be are doing everything to stop the reelection of PDJT. He will only be reelected with innumerable “committees of 30” blunting the efforts of the $5 Billion spent on stealing elections and Lawfare. They intend to remake America. We “committees” are all that stand in their way.
I have a “committee of 30 men(and women)” I trust in Colorado. But having just moved to NW Arkansas I’m sussing out new resources. New non-gmail account
And I’m guessing my “committee of 30” in Colorado is different from yours, meaning we should all be encouraged that these have formed and are forming organically in many places.
I think Sundance is our Revere, Menagerie our Molly Pitcher, Ad Rem our Sam Adams…..they are putting it all on the line, please be safe, I am praying for you
Don’t forget the Sybil Luddingtons and Emily Geigers….
Sybil, 16, saddled up to inform the patriots in the local area…that their munitions would come under attack….
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sybil-Ludington
While on a mission to deliver a message, she, Emily, was captured in SC, 1781….and while waiting for the Brits to get a woman to search her, she read the message, memorized it and ate it. They released her and she delivered the message….
Real women at work!
Sybil Luddington’s US Postage stamp with a history snippet
{ http://usstampgallery.com/view.php?id=f19483c6a9fbacfebff05eb372439d8c0403745f&Sybil_Ludington&st=sybil%20luddington }
Been some time since I read that.
Thanks for the reminder.
While being held captive by the charms of Wadsworth, I had forgotten about this…yes, big thank you!
Highly recommended to this Kommentariat:
“Paul Revere’s Ride” – 1994. Author: David Hackett Fisher 464 pages
Available on Amazon.
Will cover, authoratively, with a fine story telling style, the preceding mechanisms in place that linked various towns & hamlets; Revere’s and Dawes’ rides & who they encountered (no Revere didn’t do it alone). Also deals with what actually took place at the Old North Church, who facilitated the boat crossing, and very detailed tellings of both engagements.
Thank you for this discourse
Minute Man Visitor Center – Minute Man National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
If traveling to the Boston area, I recommend a trip out to the Minute Man Visitor Center in Lincoln, MA. It’s right down the road from the Paul Revere capture sight.
The name of the road just happens to be Route 2A. A fitting name.
Just before the dawn of morn with the with the beating of the drum the British came a marching upon old Lexington.
The town was like a graveyard with the silence of a mouse but the minute men were waiting to defend Each tiny house.
Yes A battle was beginning and a war was soon to come where the soldiers of our freedom await at Lexington.
Then from the stillness came a shout ‘twas the shout of Paul Revere. He was there to warm the Minutemen that the British were drawing near.
Each man was his own defender but they fought for a common cause. They all fought for their freedom and for just and equal laws.
Yes a battle was beginning and a war was soon to come where the soldiers of our freedom await at Lexington.
Some muskets roar gave way to swords that clashed with sparks of lighting, but it was for their land and loved ones close at hand for which the rebs were fighting.
Yes a battle was beginning and a war was soon to come, and with it came a nation built on liberty and freedom.
Circa1972 8th grade:)
Hmmm…
Spies/eavesdroppers, false flags, and traitors.
Even back then…
Oh wait,
‘There’s nothing new under the sun.’
Trust God. Fear not.
“…And so many of the blessings and advantages we have, so many of the reasons why our civilization, our culture, has flourished aren’t understood; they’re not appreciated. And if you don’t have any appreciation of what people went through to get, to achieve, to build what you are benefiting from, then these things don’t mean very much to you. You just think, well, that’s the way it is. That’s our birthright. That just happened. [But] it didn’t just happen. And at what price? What grief? What disappointment? What suffering went on? I mean this. I think that to be ignorant or indifferent to history isn’t just to be uneducated or stupid. It’s to be rude, ungrateful. And ingratitude is an ugly failing in human beings.”–Historian David McCullough
Dr. Joseph Warren, Old South Meeting House Boston, March 6, 1775:
“…You will not now expect the elegance, the learning, the fire, the enrapturing strains of eloquence which charmed you when a LOVELL, a CHURCH, or a HANCOCK spake; but you will permit me to say that with sincerity, equal to theirs, I mourn over my bleeding country: with them I weep at her distress, and with them deeply resent the many injuries she has received from the hands of cruel and unreasonable men.
That personal freedom is the natural right of every man; and that property, or an exclusive right to dispose of what he has honestly acquired by his own labour, necessarily arises therefrom, are truths which common sense has placed beyond the reach of contradiction. And no man, or body of man, can without being guilty of flagrant injustice, claim a right to dispose of the persons or acquisitions of any other man, or body of men, unless it can be proved that such a right has arisen from some compact between the parties in which it has been explicitly and freely granted. …
It was a maxim of the Roman people, which eminently conduced to the greatness of that state, never to despair of the commonwealth. The maxim may prove as salutary to us now, as it did to them. Short sighted mortals see not the numerous links of small and great events, which form the chain on which the fate of kings and nations is suspended. Ease and prosperity (though pleasing for a day) have often sunk a people into effeminacy and sloth. Hardships and dangers (though we for ever strive to shun them) have frequently called forth such virtues, as have commanded the applause and reverence of an admiring world. Our country loudly calls you to be circumspect, vigilant, active, and brave.”
“Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of. Our enemies are numerous and powerful; but we have many friends, determining to be free, and heaven and earth will aid the resolution. On you depend the fortunes of America. You are to decide the important question, on which rest the happiness and liberty of millions yet unborn. Act worthy of yourselves. The faltering tongue of hoary age calls on you to support your country. The lisping infant raises its suppliant hands, imploring defence against the monster slavery. Your fathers look from their celestial seats with smiling approbation on their sons, who boldly stand forth in the cause of virtue; but sternly frown upon the inhuman miscreant, who, to secure the loaves and fishes to himself, would breed a serpent to destroy his children.
You then, who nobly have espoused your country’s cause, who generously have sacrificed wealth and ease; who had despised the pomp and shew of tinseled greatness; refused the summons to the festive board; been deaf to the alluring calls of luxury and mirth; who have forsaken the downy pillow to keep your vigils by the midnight lamp, for the salvation of your invaded county, that you might break the fowler’s snare, and disappoint the vulture of his prey, you then will reap that harvest of renown which you so justly have deserved. Your country shall pay her grateful tribute of applause. Even the children of your most inveterate enemies, ashamed to tell from whom they sprang, while they in secret, curse their stupid, cruel parents, shall join the general voice of gratitude to those who broke the fetters which their fathers forged.
Having redeemed your country, and secured the blessing to future generations, who, fired by your example, shall emulate your virtues, and learn from you the heavenly art of making millions happy; with heart felt joy, which transports all your own, you cry, the glorious work is done. Then drop the mantle to some young Elisha, and take your seats with kindred spirits in your native skies.”…….
Illustration by Paul Revere
Rest in the Vine: “Our Country Is In Danger but Not To Be Despaired Of”:
Boston Massacre Oration by Dr. Joseph Warren
So moving, Gipper. Where are such men now? Thank you for this💕
Dr. Warren was slain during the last part of the Battle of Bunker Hill. His clothes were torn from him and he was mutilated with bayonets and tossed in a ditch.
Anyone else wonder if such a sequence of events could transpire today?
Thank you for sharing this again. The visuals in mind that accompany reading this narrative, are spine tingling and inspiring.
You are a modern day Revere. You, and your assistants here, bring us the message of what is coming, at the risk of great cost to yourselves.
What a blessing to have duscovered this site and the people therein. You have my (and I’m sure countless others’) undying gratitude for the work you do.
The most informative part to me is the story about Dr Church selling out his country for money, especially when I see the weird flip flopping of supposed conservatives betraying our country now.
The strength of conviction in Revere but also the good instincts that he didn’t trust the traitor Dr. Church.
Truth will out.
I just finished listening to this book. It included Revere’s letter. Lots of history on the Founding Fathers and Sons of Liberty, their family’s and their lives after America’s independence. Highly recommend it.
The Sons of Liberty: The Lives and Legacies of John Adams, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and John Hancock https://a.co/d/fCo82L9
I never imaged that I would have to label myself as a Patriot. As a post-WWII baby boomer, I grew up and everyone was a patriot by nature. We didn’t have to announce it. We just were proud of our country.
I’m glad I did grow up then as at least I could experience it, but it’s a sad day today where many have no idea of where this country had been and what it is now.
^^^^^
This!
Thank you for posting, Sundance. While I imagine there are some Patriots in the Boston-Concord-Lexington area, at present there are now plenty of infiltrators.
We’ve all heard of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere but do you know where he was going?
While a minister to a small Christian congregation, Pastor Jonas Clark worked a farm of 60 acres in order to supply his family with food. On the night of April 18, 1775, as Paul Revere was making his famous ride through the Lexington, Massachusetts countryside yelling, “The British are coming! The British are coming!” he was headed for a particular house; the house of Pastor Jonas Clark.
The Rev. Mr. Jonas Clark was a Pastor in Lexington MA and on Sunday afternoons after church, he and Deacon John Parker (a captain from the French Indian War) had been organizing the Lexington men into a citizen army to fight the British if they invaded.
On the night of April 18, Pastor Clark had two special guests staying in his home, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. The British had marched out of Boston to confiscate the colonists guns and ammunition informers said we’re stored at Concord and Lexington. They also heard of Adams’ and Hancock’s whereabouts and were hopeful to capture them too.
As Revere rode up to the front yard of Pastor Clark’s farm house, Clark, Adams, and Hancock ran out to meet him. When they heard the British were marching toward Lexington, Adams and Hancock asked Pastor Clark if the men of Lexington would fight. Clark responded, “I trained them for this very hour; they would fight, and, if need be, die, too, under the shadow of the House of God.”
The next morning, April 19, 1775, Pastor Jonas Clark and Deacon John Parker led the Lexington men out to face the invaders. At dawn as the British approached the assembled and armed men of Lexington, they cried out “in the name of the King of England throw down your arms.” The patriots’ reply, “We recognize no Sovereign but God and no King but Jesus!” Then Captain Parker said to his men, “Stand your ground, don’t fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.” From somewhere a shot rang out! The shot heard around the world… The American Revolution began that day at Lexington led by a Pastor and a small group of Christians.
Will you let the government today get away with taking your rights to privacy AND disarming you? Our Founding Fathers didn’t. Be a part of making yours county a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary. Empower your sheriff to arrest state and federal agents like Newton County, MO. Get details from the Sanctuary County website by Noah Davis.
I remember a cartoon I think by a young John Updike when he was president of the Harvard Lampoon in the early 1950s; a picture of 2 mandarin chinese men in robes and sporting ponytails walking from the viewer with one with his head turned to his companion saying “Was that a shot?!” with a caption underneath “(April 19, 1775)”
If Revere were to see what has become of America today, what would his thoughts be about what he did back then?
How many Doctor Churches do we have among us today?
Patriot Tribute:
Why you mad Fake News?
Fulton County should literally Thank God they have someone like Bridgett Thorne doing her damndest to clean up Fulton County!
If you’re a FC resident, you should be embarrassed to live in such filth. Atlanta reeks of urine and the homeless on the streets look just like Sacramento!
Bad democratic policy has destroyed the beautiful city.
The least anyone could do is rally behind the one person who truly cares!
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/18/fulton-county-telegram-election-conspiracy-bridget-thorne
Here they come…
That read was better than any movie script. Couldn’t stop reading to the end. What an exciting and stressful time in our History. The Lord was definitely with them.
Such a great story about what can be accomplished by ordinary people…
Also a sad reminder that traitors will always exist….
What I’m struck by the last few weeks, months, years, as I read again about the incipient experiences which led to each cataclysmic moment in our history, is how minute and unexpected the spark which engulfs us in tragic devastation. The world is pregnant with threat, but you don’t see the beginning of the conflagration because it’s almost microscopically tiny.
Heartfelt thanks for this astounding letter, Sundance. Reading it I felt I was travelling every inch of his perilous journey.
“Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.”
That’s what popped into my head.
It seems we have arrived yet again.
Happy Patriot’s Day everyone!!
I pray the spirit of our courageous ancestors remains manifest in us 🙏🏻
“Stand your ground. Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.” Capt John Parker at Lexington Green…History beginning to rhyme yet again….
I lived in Boston’s Italian North End from 1978-84. I had a little two-room studio apartment at the corner of North and Clark Street, and would walk past Paul Revere’s house (just a few blocks away) en route to the subway. I went to Sunday Services at Old North Church my first year or two living there, walking just a few blocks in the other direction past a big Paul Revere statue, and enjoyed reading all the old dedications to famous parishioners from the 1700s. And most of the places I walked to work or shop were on the Freedom Trail.
I never took it for granted. It was a great time to live in the northeast, and I was always awed and intrigued by all the history and legacy that surrounded me. But reading this gives me an even greater appreciation for those six wonderful years I spent there, and the bravery of the folks in that neighborhood who helped build America.
We were in Boston from 1971-76, the time of the country’s Bicentennial. There was still lots of anti-Vietnam War protesting going on, but the Bicentennial of the USA overcame that bad feeling for the most part, at least it did in my memory.
Thank you so much for posting this. I love all things history and this is a gem and a keeper.
I look forward to this post every year🇺🇸
I miss curious cat 🐱
This all went on in my neck of the woods.
If you read all that, then let me tell you more:
Now read about the Raid on Fort William And Mary which went on four months before Lexington and Concord:
https://www.seacoastnh.com/Places-and-Events/NH-History/Raid-on-Fort-William-and-Mary/
1 if by land, 2 if by sea. How many if by government?
6 ways to Sunday…
The lantern to be used in that case cost 9000 Pounds.
“Apri Moning” (1988) with Tommy Lee Jone, Robert Ulrich, Chad Lowe, and Rip Torn was pretty well done without CGI. Hate to face a slow marching grenadiers with fixed bayonets walking towards you……
there was a show on AMC called TURN which was about this very thing…