Letter from Paul to Rachel Revere, April 1775

Midnight Ride

About Item:

This is a letter Paul wrote in 1775 to his wife Rachel. At the time, he was outside of Boston after his famous Midnight Ride and it was too dangerous to return home. He and Rachel were coordinating via letters and messengers about how to get her and the rest of the family out of Boston to meet up with Paul before conditions became more dangerous.

Read full transcription here

Glossary Terms:

  • Reciv’d—recieved
  • Pass—in this context, a “pass” is referring to permission to leave the Boston peninsula, even though it was technically under siege. Rachel wanted to escape with her children to a safer location
  • Betty, My Mother, Mrs Metcalf—Paul’s sister Elizabeth, his mother Deborah, and his sister Deborah
  • Notomy—another term for the town of Monotomy, which is now the town of Arlington, MA

From the collection of Paul Revere Memorial Assocation

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Special thanks to the National Parks of Boston and Matt Conti

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