Paul Revere ~ Father of Sixteen, Brave Patriot, Craftsman and Express Rider

Wednesday, March 11

Statue of the Midnight Rider behind the Old North Church

Not far from Boston's North End and the harbor, craftsman Paul Revere purchased a 90-year-old, somewhat unfashionable house. The year was 1770. Those who moved into the the home with him included his mother, Deborah, his first wife, Sara, and five of their children. The house had been recently “modernized” by the addition of a third floor, making it much larger than the average house of the period. It also had a basement, providing a total of seven cozy rooms for the family. It has been remodeled by descendants of the Revere family so the outside elevation no longer looks like it did when Paul lived there with his family for 29 years. The inside, however, is 90% original.

Street View of the Home of Paul Revere

We weren't allowed to take photos inside the house so I photographed postcards purchased from the museum. Just inside the entry was the hall, which served as both dining and sitting area. I didn't notice that there were any couches in the house so they probably didn't sit around as much as we do.

Dining and Sitting Room

The remaining room on the street level was the kitchen, found at the back of the house. The black box was an efficient oven and a table served as a place for kneading bread and other chores. The cradle was near the fireplace to keep the baby warm.

Kitchen of Revere Home

A canopied, four-poster bed was the focal point of the combined master bedroom and parlor. Much of the furniture displayed, including the upholstered chair and the two black side chairs was original to the home.

Master Bedroom

Paul remarried only six months after his first wife died of complications while giving birth to her eighth child. He and Rachel went on to have eight more children. Little is known of his first marriage as neither he nor Sara left any written correspondence. Rachel, however, was a prolific letter writer. They often wrote each other during the war.

Bell Cast in 1804 by the Foundry of Paul Revere and Son

Paul's earthly remains were buried in the Granary Burying Grounds but his bravery and contributions to the birth of our nation will live in our hearts forever.