Paul Revere

Just finished reading Esther Forbe's Paul Revere and the World He Lived In, originally published in 1942. What a fantastic read ! Prior to reading this book, I had the view of Paul Revere most Americans have- the "midnight ride", Son of Liberty, silversmith... All those associations just barely scrape the surface of what a noble and enterprising man he was.

Where there was a need, Paul was the man. When our patriot army needed gunpowder, he figured out how to make it and then produced it. When his friends needed dentures, he creatively figured out how to wire some up ! That is how they were able to identify the patriot John Warren's body at the battle of Bunker Hill. He was in the thick of it, organizing and motivating his fellow mechanics and craftsmen into action from the famous Tea Party (which he swore an oath never to reveal, nor did he) to his famous midnight ride. He manned Castle Hill to protect Boston from attack during the Revolution. After independence, the country needed its own bell maker. He figured out how to do that and he and his son produced almost 400 bells, one weighing over 1,000 pounds. Some are still in existence today (one in Boston) and are rung.  Our navy was not created until 1795. One of the biggest issues in manufacturing ships was the copper sheets that lined the boats. He figured out how to do this and is responsible for not only many of the bolts and hardware on our early ships but the all important copper sheathing.

Paul was also a generous and open hearted soul. He loaned money to many, including the famous Deborah Sampson who fought in the Revolution disguised as a man (over a hundred different loans). In the very puritanial town of Boston, he gave shelter to needy lady who had come into town pregnant with another man's baby. In a time where care for the mentally ill was very scant, he financially paid for his son in law's upkeep with a private physician, when his own family would not contribute, until Paul passed away.

His passion never died. He was 80 when his signature was the first on a list of local townsmen stepping up to the plate to provide for Boston's needs and protections in the War of 1812.

A huge family man, Paul had 16 children. He cared for his mother, offering her a place in his home, until she died. When he passed, he had amassed a respectable fortune and passed it to his family as well as his silversmith business which went on to later employ 10, 000 workers. To this day, Reverware still exists. Many of his fine pieces are displayed as art in museums across the country, a testament to his craftsmanship.

What Paul Revere teaches us is that it does not take money or a well bred lineage to succeed but rather hard work, an entereprising spirit, a kind heart towards others and passion. He is truly the epitome of a "good citizen".  Hats off to Paul Revere. It wasn't the ride that made the man, it was the man who made the ride and then some. Thank you Paul for being the classic hero American schoolchildren will also look up to and idolize.