The story of Paul Riv and Freemasonry in the spring of 1775 tensions between the American colonies and the British government were simmering Paul Rivier a silver smith by trade and an active Patriot found himself in the heart of these turbulent times in Boston Massachusetts born on January 1st 1735 Rivier was a respected
Figure in his community known for his craftsmanship and his fervent support for American independence he was a member of the Sons of Liberty a secret society formed to protect the rights of the colonists and resist British oppression on the evening of April 18th 1775 Riv received critical information
From his fellow Patriot Dr Joseph Warren the British troops were planning to march from Boston to the nearby town of Concord their mission to seize and Destroy military supplies stockpiled by the colonists realizing the urgency of the situation Rivier knew he had to act swiftly he mounted his horse and set out
On his famous midnight ride to warn the countryside his mission was clear alerting the colonial militias giving them time to prepare and potentially for the British Advance riding through the night Rivier skillfully evaded British patrols and made his way towards Lexington and Concord along the Route he alerted families Tavern Keepers and Village
Leaders shouting the famous phrase attributed to him the British are coming Rivier was not alone in this daring Endeavor William Daws and Samuel Prescott fellow Riders also spread the alarm however it was River’s efforts that became immortalized in history as Dawn broke on April 19th the battles of
Lexington and Concord erupted the first skirmishes of the American Revolutionary War the warning provided by River’s ride had allowed the colonial militias to assemble leading to a significant resistance against the British troops though River’s ride was pivotal in alerting the countryside his role often overshadowed the collective efforts of
Many other riters and Patriots who contributed to spreading the message that fateful Knight no fast forward into Freemasonry in 1797 Paul Rivier claimed that serving as Grandmaster was the greatest happiness of his life no one knows exactly what motivated Riv to become a Freemason but he reaped considerable benefits from his
Membership despite periods of turmoil and disappointment Freemasonry is a social organization in Massachusetts officially began in 1733 the year before River’s birth when the Grand Lodge of England 17717 chartered St John’s Grand Lodge in Boston although the Mason’s trade involved cutting and laying Stone this fraternal Society concerned itself
With the cultivation of the mind and the regulation of the manners in 1760 when Rivier was 25 he entered St Andrews Lodge a newer Lodge whose members were mostly Craftsmen St Andrews Lodge was chartered in 1756 by the Grand Lodge of Scotland during a period in which a rift
In England had divided Masons between ancient and modern groups St Andrews Lodge represented ancient masonry for rever Freemason membership provided continuous opportunities for recreation leadership political connections and companionship especially with those who might not normally have been within his Social Circle it also brought customers to his silversmith shop the ideology
Likely held a powerful attraction to rever as it emphasized a respect for tradition in addition to the enlightened belief that men could create a better world through reason Harmony and right conduct most importantly to rever admission was based upon character and advancement entirely upon Merit rather than social status and education when
Other leadership positions eluded him Freemasonry enabled Riv to rise steadily through its ranks Riv quickly attained full membership and began serving as an officer in St Andrews Lodge this pattern continued throughout his active Masonic career between 1762 and 1797 there were only four years when Riv was not holding
One or more Masonic offices according to the minutes of St Andrew’s Lodge he diligently attended meetings missing only 16 of 185 held from 1761 to 1771 he finally became Master of the lodge in December 1770 during this busy period the lodge reviewed and initiated candidates purchased the Green Dragon Tavern as a
Meeting place in 1764 and tried unsuccessfully to establish a brotherly relationship with the older Masonic lodges in Boston to their dismay the ancient Freemasons of St Andrews Lodge were rejected by Boston’s modern Brethren who considered these Scots Masons to be irregular as a result a committee including Riv petitioned the
Scottish Grand Lodge to Charter a Grand Lodge of ancient masons in Boston which would have the authority to Charter additional lodges this was done by 1769 and the Massachusetts Grand Lodge came into existence Dr Joseph Warren a respected physician and Patriot leader served as the first Grand master and
Rever held numerous offices in the Grand Lodge over the years the next decade witnessed the beginning of the American Revolution St Andrews Lodge is often associated with pre-revolutionary activities particularly the Boston Tea Party of December 16th 1773 although postao lists of confirmed tea party participants include only a
Few St Andrews Lodge members their meeting minutes suggest involvement a large gathering at Fel Hall protested the arrival of the tea on November 29th the next day an important lodge meeting for the annual election of officers adjourned on account of the few Brethren present a contemporary sketch of the
Green Dragon Tavern by John Johnson showing Masonic symbols also carries the legend where we met to plan the consignment of few shiploads of T December 16th 1773 the lodge meeting on that evening was closed on account of the few members present Riv was absent while we cannot confirm with certainty that Riv actively
Destroyed te that night night we do know that he left Boston the next morning employed by the select man of the town to carry the account of the destruction of the tea to New York this is his earliest known ride as a messenger the death of Grandmaster Joseph Warren
Killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17th 1775 was a personal loss for Riv who held his friend in such high esteem that he named a son after him in 1777 it also created a crisis for ancient Masons who thought that Warren’s Commission as Grandmaster had died with
Him leaving the lodge without a head and without a single Grand officer as a means of self-preservation the Massachusetts Grand Lodge elected their own Grandmaster in 1777 independent of Scotland a report issued by Rivier and three others in 1782 Justified this election without which lodges must cease to assemble the Brethren be dispersed
The penniless go unassisted the craft languish and ancient masonry be extinct in this part of the world this was clearly un acceptable given the colony’s hard one Independence the 1782 report included resolutions on the authority of the Grand Lodge claiming that it be free and independent in its government and
Official authority of any other Grand Lodge in the universe by adopting this bold resolution the Massachusetts Grand Lodge essentially broke ties with its parent Grand Lodge in Scotland grappling with this serious question of Allegiance St Andrews Lodge disapproved in January 1784 their members met to decide if they would remain under the Scottish
Jurisdiction or a lie with the Massachusetts Grand Lodge Rivier voted for the local Grand Lodge but found himself and 22 fellow masons in the minority they were promptly ejected from St Andrews Lodge given his strong attachment to the lodge Rivier was distraught he went back with a committee representing the aggrieved Brethren who
Looked upon themselves as members of this Lodge but they were turned away and told to make their proposal in writing instead they sued for 48 comprising nearly half of St Andrew’s membership they felt entitled to half of the Lodge’s funds which they eventually received in March 1784 Rivier and his
Brethren founded a new Lodge also named for St Andrew but chartered by the Massachusetts Grand Lodge it soon took the name Rising States Lodge years later following some Discord this Lodge dissolved in 1810 after St Andrew’s Lodge finally decided to surrender its Scottish Charter and join the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Grand
Lodge in 1792 the two grand lodges in Boston representing ancient and modern Freemasonry finally merged a union rever helped facilitate the Pinnacle of his Masonic career came in 1794 when he was elected Grandmaster of this United Massachusetts Grand Lodge during his three-year term Rivier chartered 23 lodges and energetically carried out his
Duties in 1799 after the death of esteemed Freemason and President George Washington revered participated in the tributes and crafted a small gold earn to hold a lock of his hair River’s activity decreased after 1800 possibly due to his new Copper Mill Venture in 1796 Freemason and diarist William
Bentley penned this impression of Riv as Grand Master Colonel Rivier enters into the spirit of it and enjoys it Bentley’s words provide a succinct and insightful summation of a memorable career after the war Rivier continued his work as a silver smith and remained active in civic affairs he Diversified his skills and became
Involved in the burgeoning copper industry eventually contributing to the establishment of the first copper Rolling Mill in the United States Paul Rivier passed away on May 10th 1818 at the age of 83 leaving behind a legacy etched in the annals of American History his Midnight Ride became a symbol of
Bravery and a testament to the spirit of the American Revolution a reminder of the sacrifices made by Patriots in the pursuit of freedom and Independence
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