Family

Paul Revere’s father, Apollos Rivoire, was born in France and moved to the British colonies when he was 13. Apollos apprenticed under a silversmith in Boston, and married a local woman named Deborah Hichborn. Paul, their 3rd child, was born on December 21, 1734. Paul was only 19 when his father died, too young to formally take over the family silver business. He officially took over the silver shop in 1756 when he turned 21. The next year he married Sarah Orne, and they began a family, eventually having eight children. Sadly, Sarah died in 1773, leaving Paul with seven surviving children, one a newborn. He married Rachel Walker Revere later in 1773, and they would also have eight children. Paul lived an interesting and long life, and passed away in 1818 at the age of 83. The sources in this set reveal more about Paul’s family and home life.

Paul Revere is often known for one thing – the Midnight Ride. If you were writing his biography now, what other details from his life might you include?

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Paul Revere’s Document Box, 1775-1800

FamilyAbout Item: Paul Revere likely used this leather box that features his initials to hold important personal or household records. It is decorated with brass straps. From the collection of Paul Revere Memorial AssociationClick image to enlargeFunded in part by...

Posnet, 1780-1800

CitizenshipAbout Item: This small three legged sauce pan would be set over hot coals on the hearth to slowly melt sugar or chocolate, or to slow cook other food. It has a history of ownership by Paul Revere. From the collection of Paul Revere Memorial AssociationClick...

Paul Revere’s House, 1770-1800

About Item: Paul Revere bought his first home in 1770 when he was 35 years old. He moved in with his first wife Sarah Orne Revere and their six children. Over the course of his thirty years owning the home, lots of life events would take place. Sarah and Paul had...

Sewing Table, ca. 1810

FamilyAbout Item: Though most items of clothing were purchased or ordered from a professional tailor or seamstress. Sewing was a basic life skill learned by boys and girls as part of their practical education, so that they could mend or maintain clothing and other...

Letter from Paul Revere to his cousin John Rivoire, 1786

FamilyAbout Item: Paul Revere’s father, Apollos, immigrated to Boston as a young boy in 1712. He changed his name from Apollos Rivoire to Paul Revere, then named his first son Paul (the famous Paul we know today). Revere kept in touch with his family in France...

Letter from Maria Revere to Rachel Revere, 1801

FamilyAbout Item: Maria was Paul and Rachel's youngest daughter. Because she was born after Paul had been working for years at progressively more lucrative jobs, the family had more money to spend on things like education than they did when Paul's oldest children were...

Page from the Revere Family Bible, 1813

FamilyAbout Item: We’re all familiar with birthdays and wedding anniversaries. This page from Paul Revere’s Bible is important for another reason though – his birth year. In 1752, England adopted the Gregorian calendar, which was used in most of the rest of the world...

Paul Revere’s Obituary, 1818

FamilyAbout Item: Paul Revere passed away in 1818 from old age. He had a very busy life, with a big family and many businesses. Here, you can see how other people felt he should be remembered, and what should be mentioned about his life. His family, business, and...

Teacher Resources

Historical Overview

Paul’s birth date was not precisely known for many years, until a family bible was discovered and confirmed his birthday in December. For a long time, all we had to go on was his baptismal date in January, 1735. Paul would go on to live a long life, with a large family. His marriage to Sarah Orne presumably was a happy one, but we unfortunately don’t have any documents that detail their life together, nor do we have an image of Sarah. After her death in 1773, Paul remarried Rachel Walker, and we have many more resources telling us about their relationship. We have letters between them during the War, and we have paintings of both of them. Every reference to his children in letters is very affectionate, and he often called them his “little lambs.” While Paul was busy with earning the income for the family, Sarah and later Rachel would have been very busy managing the household and children. To our knowledge, the Reveres never had paid or unpaid outside servants to help around the house.

Click here for a downloadable version of the Family timeline

Close Reading Questions

Obituary

- - This obituary does not mention the Midnight Ride, the one event in Revere’s life for which he is now remembered. Why not?
  - Compare Revere’s death notice to the others that appear above and below it. How is it similar, how is it different?

Suggested Activities

Obituary

- - Based on what you know about Paul Revere, write an obituary for him. What do YOU think was significant about Revere’s life? What do you admire about him, if anything? Feel free to include criticisms as well as praise.
  - What does the author of this obituary think was significant about Revere’s life? In your own words, make a list of personal qualities and actions the writers praised.

Standards

MA HSS 2018 Framework

Standards for Literacy
- Grade 1: Informational Text [RI]
- Grade 2: Informational Text [RI]
- Grade 3: Informational Text [RI]
- Grade 4: Informational Text [RI]
- Grade 5: Informational Text [RI]
- Grades 6-8: Reading for Content Areas [RCA-H]
- Grades 9-10: Reading for Content Areas [RCA-H]
- Grades 11-12: Reading for Content Areas [RCA-H]

Family Timeline

Funded in part by Julia and Mark Casady and the One Step Forward Education Foundation

Special thanks to the National Parks of Boston and Matt Conti

Design and Development by Cardinal Digital Design and Adrienne Turnbull-Reilly