Beyond the Midnight Ride: Discovering Paul Revere’s Revolutionary Legacy in Canton, Massachusetts
Most Americans know Paul Revere for his famous Midnight Ride, where he warned the colonists that “the British are coming”. He was likely saying, “Here come the regulars,” since they were all technically British at the time. But Paul Revere’s story stretches far beyond that single legendary night. He played a huge role not only in the American Revolution but also in the Industrial Revolution.
If you’re looking to explore this lesser-known side of Revere, come travel to Canton, Massachusetts, where you can find the Paul Revere Heritage Site, the museum, and the historic copper mill. It’s right near the Northern Spy Restaurant, which serves delicious New England comfort food.
The Son of Liberty and the Betrayal
Before the ride, Revere was deeply involved in the revolutionary cause. He was a Freemason, an experience that gave him the opportunity to practice leadership strategies and techniques. He later employed these skills as a Son of Liberty, the group famous for dumping tea in the harbor.
The Sons of Liberty often gathered at the Green Tavern to plan the Midnight Ride, using signals like the one or two lit lamps in the Old North Church. However, this planning was fraught with danger, as not everything went smoothly. A respected, Harvard-educated man named Dr. Church, who had been with the Sons of Liberty since the beginning, was actually selling information to the British. He was betraying Revere and the other riders, causing many of them to ride into an ambush.
Despite this betrayal, the ride was successful. Paul Revere himself was caught but somehow managed to talk his way out of the predicament, and the British let him go. Crucially, the ride helped the colonists keep much of their guns and gunpowder, allowing them a chance to fight back against British oppression at places like Lexington and Concord. This outcome was essential for the eventual path to independence.
A Voice for the Constitution
After the Revolution and the subsequent struggle to establish a strong, lasting government under the Articles of Confederation, Paul Revere played a crucial political role once again. Although Revere was not considered a “true gentleman”—meaning he wasn’t rich or well educated like much of the upper class—and had been assigned a secondary political role, he stepped up.
The Green Tavern reappeared in his story when Revere delivered a great speech there, rallying for the ratification of the United States Constitution. Thanks in part to his efforts, the Constitution was indeed ratified.
It is worth noting that Revere almost faded from history, but was then made famous by a poem titled “Paul Revere’s Ride,” written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
The Pioneer of American Industry
As Revere grew older, he continually reinvented himself. He started as a silversmith, known for making expensive items like teapots (which could cost about half the price of a house), and later transitioned to making smaller trinkets and silverware. He began working with iron and copper.
At the age of 65, Paul Revere made a massive pivot: he invested his life savings into building the mill located here in Canton, Massachusetts—the yellow building where he would roll sheets of copper. He became the first American to roll sheets of copper.
This copper was vital to the emerging nation. It was used to line warships and boats, including the famous USS Constitution (known as “Old Ironsides”), protecting them from wood rot. This was a lucrative business.
When the War of 1812 arrived, Revere, now an older man with gray hair, didn’t ride out again. Instead, he used the might of his influence, wealth, and copper generated from industrialization to help the U.S. win or at least “outlast” the British. His contributions ensured the American experiment in democracy survived a second major test. He may have even begun the first military-industrial complex.
Revere’s business legacy lives on; there are still Paul Revere businesses in Rome, New York, and New Bedford, Massachusetts, and cities named after him in both Massachusetts (Revere) and Minnesota (Revere).
Leadership Lessons from Paul Revere
The unique life of Paul Revere offers several powerful leadership lessons.
- Leadership is a Team Sport: Paul Revere did not ride alone on that night in 1775. A bunch of other people rode out as well, and as a team, they were able to overcome betrayal by Dr. Church and ambushes to successfully keep their guns and gunpowder for the fight ahead.
- Communication Matters: Great leaders are great communicators, and Revere’s story underscores the importance of this trait when working as part of a team.
If you are traveling in Boston, be sure to check out Paul Revere’s home, the oldest structure in downtown Boston. But also make the trip to Canton, Massachusetts, to see the mill and the Paul Revere Heritage Site and discover this lesser-known history of a unique individual who helped shape America during two revolutions.
Uncovering History. Inspiring Leadership. The Travel in Time Show is where travel, history, and leadership intermingle with history teacher, author, and speaker Dan Blanchard
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*See Dan’s Interview with Paul Revere: (Coming soon)
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