The Reveres at Work and Home

Where did members of the Revere family work and live?

Paul Revere (1734-1818)

Paul Revere’s gold and silversmith shop was originally located in the North End of Boston at the head of Clark’s Wharf. This is where Paul’s father had a shop. That business was continued by Paul’s mother Deborah Revere, Paul, and his brother Thomas after the father’s death in 1754.

Paul Revere returned to this location to run the business after a year of service in the French and Indian War in 1757.

Regarding Revere’s homes, there are a number. The only remaining building where Paul Revere lived is located at 19 North Square in the North End of Boston. Revere owned this home from 1770 to 1800, although he and his family may not have lived here for most, if not all, of the 1780s. Revere rented this home to others and eventually moved back in the 1790s.

In 1799 Paul Revere purchased a three-story brick home on Charter Street that he had been renting and sold his North Square house. In 1801, Paul Revere purchased property on the banks of the Neponset River in Canton, Massachusetts where he had a home called Canton Dale and operated the first copper rolling mill in North America.

The following information is taken from issues of the Massachusetts Centinel from 1785-1790, issues of the Columbian Centinel (as noted), and Boston directories.

1785 – In the December 10, 14, and 17, 1785 issues of the Massachusetts Centinel, Paul Revere placed an ad for his hardware store located directly opposite Liberty Pole. The ad also notes “The gold and silversmith’s business carried on in all its branches” but does not say that business is run from this location.

1786 – in the January 25 and 28, 1786 issue of the Massachusetts Centinel, Paul Revere placed an ad for his hardware store noting that he has “Removed, from the south part of the town, opposite Liberty Pole, to Dock Square, in the store adjoining Mr. Joseph Bush, near the Market.” The ad also notes “The goldsmith’s business, is there carried on in all its Branches; all kinds of plate made in the newest taste, and finished in the neatest manner.”

1787 – In the June 6, and 13, 1787 issues of the Massachusetts Centinel, Paul Revere advertised that he has removed from Dock Square to No. 50, Cornhill. The ad promotes his hardware store and notes that “At which place the gold and silversmith’s business is carried on in all their branches by Revere and Son.”

1789 – Revere, Paul, goldsmith, No. 50 Cornhill

1789 – in the May 30 and June 13, 1789 issue of the Massachusetts Centinel, Paul Revere advertised that he has “Removed from No. 50, Cornhill, to No. 8, Union Street, where the Gold and Silversmith’s business is carried on in all its branches.”

1790 – In the March 3, 10, and 13, 1790 issue of the Massachusetts Centinel, Paul Revere advertised that he has “Removed from No. 8, Union Street, to No. 16 Ann Street, four doors south of the Draw-bridge: Where the Gold and Silversmith’s business is carried on in all its branches—Plated Ware mended, plated, shoe, harness, and bridle Buckles made in the neatest and newest fashion.”

1796 – Revere and Sons, goldsmiths, Ann St.

1796 – Revere, Paul bell and cannon foundry, Lynn St., house, North Sq.

1798 – Revere, Paul, bell and cannon founder, Lynn St., house North Sq.

1798 – Revere, Paul and J.W., silversmiths, Ann St.

1800 – Revere, Paul, bell and cannon founder, Lynn St., house, Charter St.

1801 – In the February 21, 1801 issue of the Columbian Centinel, Paul Revere placed an ad for “Paul Revere & Sons at their Bell and Cannon Foundry, at the North-part of Boston, N.E. Cast and finish Bells and brass Cannon, of any size or weight, equal to any imported.”

1803 – Revere and Sons, bell and cannon founders, Lynn St.

1803 – Revere, Paul, bell founder, house, Charter St.

1806 – Revere, Paul and Son, bell founders, 13 Lynn St.

1806 – Revere, Paul, House, Charter St.

1807 – Revere, Paul and Son, bell founders, 13 Lynn St. In the July 8, 1807 issue of the Columbian Centinel, Paul Revere placed an ad noting “Paul Revere & Son, No. 13, Lynn Street, North End, Boston, Have constantly for sale, Church and Academy Bells, of all sizes, which they will warrant equal to any made in Europe, or this country.”

1807 – Revere, Paul, house, Charter St.

1809 – Revere, Paul and Son, bell founders, Charter St.

1809 – Revere, Paul, house, Charter St.

1810 – Revere, Paul, house, Charter St.

1813 – Revere, Paul, house, Charter St.

1813 – Revere, Paul and Son (Joseph), bell and cannon founders, 10 Kilby St.

1816 – Revere, Paul, house, Charter St.

1816 – Revere, Paul and Son (Joseph), bell and cannon founders, 14 Water St.

1818 – Revere, Paul and Son (Joseph), bell and cannon founders, 11 Kilby St.

Paul Revere Jr. (1760-1813) and Sally Edwards (1761-1808) were married on August 22, 1782. They had 12 children over the 20-year period from 1783 to 1803. Three died young. Records in the Boston directories tell us some of the locations where Paul Jr. and Sally lived.

1796 – Revere, Paul Jr., Fleet St.

1796 – Revere and Sons, goldsmith’s, Ann St.

1798 – Revere, Paul Jr., Fleet St.

1800 – Revere, Paul Jr., goldsmith Ann St., house, Fleet St.

1803 – Revere, Paul Jr., goldsmith Ann St., house, Sun Court St.

1803 – Revere and Sons, bell and cannon founders, Lynn St.

1805 – Revere, Paul Jr., goldsmith Fish St., house, Sun Court St.

1806 – Revere, Paul Jr., goldsmith, Fish St.

1807 – Revere, Paul Jr., goldsmith Fish St., house Henchman’s Lane

1809 – Revere, Paul Jr., house, Charter St.

1810 – Revere, Paul Jr., house, Charter St.