Columbian Lodge A.F. & A.M.

Portrait of Paul Revere (1734-1818)
1872, Jane Stuart (1812-1888), Boston
Collection of the Grand Lodge of MA

M.W. Paul Revere, former Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts and beloved patriot, signed our charter on June 16th, 1795 - click here for a list of other Lodges he chartered. Thanks to Longfellow's famous poem, popularly but mistakenly called, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere," nearly every schoolchild has heard of "that famous day and year." But most of the image of the poem, while stirring, is not correct. Revere was not a volunteer. He didn't ride alone. He never finished the ride and he didn't hang any lanterns in the Old North Church.

Revere was a patriot, of course. He was one of the "Indians" at the Boston Tea Party. He had been active in many pre-Revolutionary groups. But that night he was serving as a paid messenger, a role he had often before served. (He actually submitted a bill for his famous ride.)

Historians believe the ride started at a time earlier than midnight. The lanterns signaling "one if by land and two if by sea" were actually set by church sexton, Robert Newman. The signal meant the British regulars were setting out to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams (two higher profile patriots) at Lexington and then to seize a stash of revolutionary arms and gunpowder at Concord.

Revere and a co-rider William Dawes rented horses and set out on their ride. They made it to Lexington, warning Adams and Hancock. They were joined by Dr. Samuel Prescott. On the way to Concord, Dawes and Revere were arrested. Prescott, however got through and so the patriots were ready the next day to fire "the shot heard round the world." And sources say that Revere didn't shout, "The British are coming!" Rather it is believed he called out:

And finally, despite thousands of bar room bets, no one knows the name of the horse. (Not even the Boston Historical Society.)

Click here for an article published in the Trowel Magazine, Summer 2009, prepared by Aimee E. Newell of the Museum of Our National Heritage.

Below is a receipt given to the Lodge from Brother Revere while he served as Grand Master, indicating the regalia of the officers.