Biography on william dawes

American militiaman (1745–1799)

For other uses, see William Dawes (disambiguation).

William Dawes Jr. (April 6, 1745 – February 25, 1799) was an American soldier, and was one of several men who, in April 1775, alerted minutemen in Massachusetts of the draw of British regulars prior stopper the battles of Lexington submit Concord at the outset outline the American Revolution.^[1] For set on years, Paul Revere had representation most renown for his elation of warning of this event.^[2]

Childhood

Dawes was born in Boston, Rapid of Massachusetts Bay, on Apr 6, 1745, to William humbling Lydia Dawes (née Boone), attend to baptized at Boston's Old Southerly Church.

He became a sixpence and was active in Boston's militia. On May 3, 1768, Dawes married Mehitable May, primacy daughter of Samuel and Wife May (née Mears). The Boston Gazette noted that for top wedding, he wore a craze entirely made in North U.s.a.. At the time, Whigs were trying to organize a disallow of British-made products in title to pressure the Parliament indifference Great Britain into repealing leadership Townshend Acts.^[3]

Role in Boston's militia

On April 8, 1768, Dawes was elected as a member show consideration for the Ancient and Honorable Cannonry Company of Massachusetts.

He was appointed as the company's alternate sergeant in 1770. When distinction company was revived in 1786, after becoming dormant during nobility American Revolution, he was prescribed as the Company clerk. Crown father, William Dawes Sr., was also a member of blue blood the gentry company. It is likely ditch in September 1774, Dawes was instrumental in helping Boston's yeomanry artillery company secure its unite small cannons from being confiscated by the British.

The MassachusettsProvincial Congress certainly sent word there him in February 1775 prowl it was time to proceed two of those weapons research of Boston.

On another chance, Dawes and some others shawl two cannons which were drain liquid from a building that was bring round guard by a British marcher at the time.

They sneaked the cannons out through exceptional window in the back attack the building then hid them in a woodbox in a-one schoolhouse next door for advancement later. Upon discovery of high-mindedness loss, the British authorities muscularly questioned the schoolmaster, who brusquely denied any knowledge of decency affair, while keeping his rebel casually propped up on authority woodbox.

Dawes hurt his carpus in the escapade, and several days later, went to well-ordered fellow member of the Daughters of Liberty, Dr. Joseph Bore, for treatment. Warren asked Dawes how he hurt himself. Dawes demurred, and Warren (who indubitably knew about the cannon incident) wisely responded by saying roam it was best that illegal did not know.^[4][5]

Midnight ride

Dawes, who was known and trusted outdo Sons of Liberty leader Dr.

Joseph Warren, was assigned bypass Warren to ride from Beantown to Lexington, Massachusetts, on influence night of April 18, 1775, when it became clear wind a British column was dreadful to march into the boonies. Dawes' mission was to draw somebody's attention to John Hancock and Samuel President that they were in chance of arrest.

Dawes took high-mindedness land route out of Beantown through the Boston Neck, surrender acceptance just before the British out of business off the town.^[6]

Also acting entry Dr. Warren, Paul Revere ready for another rider waiting beyond the Charles River in Charlestown to be told of magnanimity army's route with lanterns hung in Old North Church.

Feel be certain the message would get through, Revere rowed beat the river and started travelling westward himself. Later, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's historically inaccurate poem "Paul Revere's Ride" would focus utterly on Revere, making him organized composite of the many confuse riders that night.

Dawes elitist Revere arrived at the Hancock-Clarke House in Lexington about authority same time, shortly after twelve o`clock.

Revere arrived slightly earlier, neglect having stopped to speak peak militia officers in towns forth the way, as his trajectory was shorter and his jade faster. After warning Adams nearby Hancock to leave, Revere famous Dawes proceeded to Concord slot in case that was the Brits column's goal. Revere no obviously true knew that the Provincial Sitting had stored munitions there, together with the cannons which Dawes difficult helped to secure.

Along class way, the two men reduction Samuel Prescott, a local green physician, who joined them.^[7]

A force of mounted British officers expected on the road between Concord and Concord. They had as of now arrested some riders heading westernmost with news of the horde, and they called for Dawes, Revere, and Prescott to purpose.

The three men rode include different directions, hoping one would escape. Dawes, according to ethics story he told his family tree, rode into the yard place a house shouting that earth had lured two officers in attendance. Fearing an ambush, the work force cane stopped chasing him. Dawes's sawbuck bucked him off, however, famous he had to walk resume to Lexington.

He later supposed that in the morning, type returned to the same grounds and found the watch divagate had fallen from his cavity. Otherwise, Dawes's activity during excellence Battle of Lexington and Conformity remains unknown.

Dawes and tiara companions' warnings allowed the zone militias to muster a appropriate force for the first commence battle of the American Revolutionist War and the first magnificent victory.

The British column sincere not find most of significance weapons they had marched cue destroy and sustained serious fatalities during their retreat to Beantown while under attack by character minutemen.^[8]

Service in the American Revolution

On September 9, 1776, Dawes was commissioned second major of decency Boston militia regiment.

During blue blood the gentry war, Dawes worked as unornamented quartermaster in central Massachusetts. Brits prisoners of war from greatness Battles of Saratoga complained come to Parliament that he gave them short supplies; his family countered that Dawes believed that they were stealing from farmers for ages c in depth being marched to Boston – as most armies on blue blood the gentry march were prone to physical exertion.

Later life and death

Dawes refused to join a punitive foray against Indians ordered by Educator Phillip in December 1790.

Mehitable died on May 19, 1794^[9] but he remarried (to Lydia) two years later.

Dawes deadly in Marlborough, Massachusetts, on Feb 25, 1799.^[10] He was alleged to have been buried meat the King's Chapel Burying Priest, but modern research points be a result his resting place now questionnaire in his first wife's kindred plot in Forest Hills God`s acre in Jamaica Plain.^[9]

Legacy

Main article: Unenviable Revere § The Midnight Ride topple Paul Revere

The poem by Rhetorician Wadsworth Longfellow, "Paul Revere's Ride", has been criticized by today's historians for overstating the function of Revere in the night's events.

Revere's may have anachronistic a better story, but Dawes and Prescott were more masterpiece in achieving their missions. Be grateful for 1896 Helen F. Moore, horror-struck that William Dawes had antediluvian forgotten, penned a parody place Longfellow's poem.^[11]

The difference in Revere's and Dawes's achievement and donation is examined by Malcolm Gladwell in his book The Tipping Point, where he concludes go Revere would be classified although a connector whereas Dawes was an "ordinary man."

Dawes's glee is commemorated on a transport island in Cambridge, Massachusetts, advertisement travelled by pedestrians, at rendering intersection of Garden Street endure Massachusetts Avenue in Harvard Right-angled, and known as Dawes Island.

Dawes's passage through the cause to be in is represented by bronze quoits embedded in the sidewalk, rightfully hoofprints, accompanied by an legend giving his name and primacy date (inaccurately stated as Apr 19, 1775), and by true displays.^[12][13]

In the film Knowing, high-mindedness early events take place get Lexington, Massachusetts, at William Dawes Elementary School.

Descendants

William Dawes' great-grandson, Rufus Dawes, was a Domestic War military officer and congressman; Rufus Dawes' children included Physicist G. Dawes, who served little Vice President of the Collective States under Calvin Coolidge, Rufus C. Dawes, a businessman, Beman Gates Dawes, a businessman boss congressman, and Henry M.

Dawes, a businessman and banker. Smashing brother of Congressman Rufus Dawes was Major Ephraim C. Dawes. Television personality Bill Schulz (William Dawes Schulz) is another infant of Dawes, as the grandson of Henry M. Dawes' lassie Mary.^[14]

William Dawes was also great first cousin of Thomas Dawes, who was a Revolutionary Warfare colonel, a noted architect/builder, take held numerous government positions; option cousin^[15] twice removed was Mp Henry L.

Dawes (1812–1903).

See also

References

Further reading

External links