North End in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Captain John Pulling Jr.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 21, 2017
1. Captain John Pulling Jr. Marker
Merchant Vestryman and Compatriot of
Paul Revere
on April 18, 1775 called
Robert Newman
from his house on Salem St. to Christ church and lest the British disturb him, locked the church doors from outside while the lanterns were being displayed in the belfry. Later, Pulling escaped to Hull. In his memory and that of my grandmother, his great granddaughter Sandy Pulling Lane French, who often recounted the event, this tablet is placed by Winthrop Irving Perry.
Erected by Winthrop Irving Perry.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is April 18, 1775.
Location. 42° 21.988′ N, 71° 3.257′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in North End. Marker can be reached from Salem Street north of Hull Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in the Old North Church courtyard, on the north side of the church. Marker is a metal tablet mounted on the brick wall at the north side
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 21, 2017
2. Captain John Pulling Jr. Marker (wide view)
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Robert Newman (a few steps from this marker); North Church Lanterns (within shouting distance of this marker); Signal Lanterns of Paul Revere (within shouting distance of this marker); Clough House (within shouting distance of this marker); Anthony V. DeSimone (within shouting distance of this marker); The Men of the North End (within shouting distance of this marker); Christ Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Tucker / Increase Mather / Edward Holyoke / Edward Everett / Christian Gullager (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. North Church Lanterns
Also see . . .
1. One if by land, two if by sea...
On the evening of April 18, 1775 Robert Newman and John Pulling quietly entered Old North and carefully climbed to the top of the church's bell tower. They briefly hung two lanterns near the windows and made their escape. This signal, from the tallest structure in the town of Boston, served as an early warning that a detachment of the British Army was crossing the Charles River and heading west towards the towns of Lexington and Concord. By the end of the next night,
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 21, 2017
3. North Church Steeple & Belfry (view from marker)
2. Old North Church.
In April 1775, Paul Revere told three Boston patriots to hang two lanterns in the steeple. These men were the church sexton Robert Newman and Captain John Pulling—the two of whom historian David Hackett Fischer suggests each carried one lantern up to the steeple—as well as Thomas Bernard, who stood watch for British troops outside the church. The lanterns were displayed to send a warning to Charlestown patriots across the Charles River about the movements of the British Army. (Submitted on March 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 445 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
