MASTERS OF METAL: Paul Revere
I’m enjoying how working with silver and making silver jewelry has led me to interesting places. In this “Masters of Metal” blog post, I’m exploring the rich history of metal smithing in the North East, U.S.. Looking at Suffolk County, N.Y. smiths (E. Pelletreau, the Sayer Family, B Doleman and Col. D Hedges) has led me to put a lens on Paul Revere.
Paul Revere worked as a silversmith in Boston, Massachutes, during the late 1700 through the 1800’s, a similar time as Suffolk N.Y. smiths. Revere’s name is probably more well know than his colleagues. The diverse contributions he made to our country’s history include being a patriot, innovator, dentist and more.
Revere is considered by many to be an American folk hero for his role in alerting the colonial citizens of oncoming British forces. The story of Revere’s midnight ride, which took place on April 18, 1775, is commemorated in a poem, written in 1861, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The poem, ”Paul Revere’s Ride” though not factually accurate, helped shape the memory of this famous event. (I remember reading it in grade school.) Revere acted with his peers to alert the colonial citizens before the battle of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. (a map to the right or link below to track the ride path.)
In modern times “Revere Ware” was a company that literally traced its roots back to Paul Revere, who founded Paul Revere & Sons in the 1790’s. At one point, the Revere Ware brand was considered to be America’s most reliable manufactures of cookware. In modern times, a popular gift to newly married couples often included Revere Ware pots and pans.. Cooper clad pots and pans bottoms defined this brand and were a testament to the rolled copper cladding Paul Revere developed and used on war ships in 1801. (copper resists a challenging problem; the growth marine life that can attach to a boat bottom)
Below are a few clickable links of interest.
PORTRAIT OF PAUL REVERE By John Singleton Copley c. 1768-1770 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Mass.
20th century image of Paul Revere’s midnight ride.
Paul Revers ride is indicated by the blue line on this map
Ccomparison of style: Revere’s above to pieces by Joel Saye of Southampton NY. Saye worked as a silver smith in a similar time period as Revere.
A Revere Ware pot may be familiar in mid century kitchens.
A detail of the copper clad bottom of a Revere Ware pot included the 1801 stamp, the date Revere & Sons was founded.