Lincoln in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
The Midnight Riders
Minute Man National Historical Park, Mass
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009
1. The Midnight Riders Marker
In September of 1774, Patriot leaders initiated a system of alarms and express riders to warn all towns whenever British troops marched out of Boston.
On April 18th, at about 10:00 in the evening, two riders set out from Boston ahead of 700 British troops. William Dawes took the land route south of Boston. Paul Revere crossed the Charles River, obtained a horse, and began his ride. They stopped in Lexington to warn Patriot leaders John Hancock and Samuel Adams, then headed on to Concord, where military supplies for the colony were stored.
As he two men alerted the countryside, other towns sent more riders out into the night. About 4,000 Massachusetts Militia and Minute Men took up arms and arrived in time to fight on April 19th. By days end, about 20,000 were on the march.
One if by land, and two, if by sea; And I on the opposite shore will be, Ready to ride and spread the alarm Through every Middlesex village and farm, For the country folk to be up and to arm.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellows poem Paul Reveres Ride (1861) has helped make the alarm rider an American icon.
Erected by National Park Service,
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1800.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 42° 26.936′ N, 71° 16.786′ W. Marker was in Lincoln, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It was on N Great Road (Massachusetts Route 2A), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in Minute Man National Historic Park, along the Battle Road. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Lincoln MA 01773, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Greater Boston. It was also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location:
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009
2. Marker in Minute Man National Historic Park
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Capture of Paul Revere (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The right side of the marker contains a picture of Paul Revere on horseback, with the caption Paul Revere stops to warn Hancock and Adams. Paintings of Paul Revere and William Dawes appear on the left portion of the marker.
Also see . . .
1. Minute Man National Historical Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on April 18, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Paul Reveres Ride.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellows “Paul
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009
3. Paul Revere Markers
There are several markers at the Paul Revere Capture Site in Minute Man National Historic Park. This marker is the leftmost of the three.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2009
4. The Midnight Riders
1:30 a.m.
April 19, 1775
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,907 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on July 6, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 18, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
