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People of the Revolutionary War | Patriots of the American Revolution | Samuel Prescott
Samuel Prescott
1751 - c.1777
American Revolutionary figure, born Concord, Mass. On the night of Apr. 18, 1775, he,
Paul Revere, and William Dawes set out to warn the countryside of the
British advance toward Concord. Revere was captured on the way, but Prescott got through with the
news. He was later captured and died in prison.
In 1774 and on into the spring of 1775, Paul Revere acted as an express rider. He was employed by
various committees of the Massachusetts government to carry news, messages, copies of resolutions
and other government documents as far away as New York and Philadelphia.
In addition, he was active in the "Sons of Liberty", an
American Patriot group desiring independence from England.
In the days prior, Paul Revere and others had observed British troops assembling and had suspected
that something was about to happen.
On the evening of April 18, 1775 Dr. Joseph Warren summoned Paul Revere and instructed him to ride
to Lexington, Massachusetts. He was to warn Samuel Adams and
John Hancock that British troops were marching to arrest them.
Several associates rowed him across the Charles River to Charlestown. There he borrowed a horse from
his friend Deacon John Larkin. And, he verified that the local "Sons of Liberty" committee
had seen the pre-arranged signal.
Paul had arranged for these signals because he was afraid he might be prevented from leaving Boston.
There were two possibilities. The British could march "by land" out Boston Neck. Or they
could row "by sea" across the Charles River to Cambridge.
One lantern hung in the steeple tower of the North Church would indicate "by land". Two
lanterns would indicate that the British intended to come "by sea".
Robert Newman, the church sexton, snuck out of his house and went to the church where he was joined
by John Pulling. John locked him in the church. He hung the lanterns for only a minute so that the
British would not become suspicious. After hanging the lanterns, he left through a window. The British
subsequently questioned Newman about the incident but no charges were filed.
On the way to Lexington, he reportedly stopped at each house "alarming" the country-side.
He arrived in Lexington about midnight. Approaching the house where Adams and Hancock were staying,
a sentry reportedly asked that he not make so much noise. Paul Revere is reported to have replied:
"Noise! You'll have more noise than this before long. The regulars are coming out!"
After delivering his message, he was joined by William Dawes, a second
rider sent on the same errand by a different route, who reportedly arrived about 12:30. They decided
on their own to continue to Concord, Massachusetts where weapons and supplies were hidden and left
about 1:00 AM.
On the way, they were joined by a third rider, Dr. Samuel Prescott. It seems that he had been visiting
his girlfriend at a Lexington tavern. The story is that she was the tavern owner's wife and that he
was discovered with her and fled the tavern when he met up with Revere and Dawes.
Shortly after that, British troops stopped and arrested all three. Prescott immediately escaped. Dawes
escaped soon after. Revere, however, was held some time before being released.
As he had no horse, he returned on foot to Lexington in time to witness part of the battle on Lexington
Green on April 19, 1775. It was the first battle in which British troops were killed.
Dawes also did not make it to Concord. He got lost in the dark and unfamiliar surroundings.
The only one who actually made it all the way to Concord was Dr. Samuel Prescott.
Every year Boston celebrates the anniversary of the lanterns that set the Revolutionary War in motion
at a candlelit ceremony featuring typically featuring costumed Colonists, patriotic music and some
famous actor as Paul Revere.
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