Riding with Prescott

Listen my children, for I will

not stop,

Till you’ve heard the story

of Dr. Samuel Prescott.

Could it be the fact this little-known Revolutionary figure does not have a poem of his own, like Paul Revere, or a parody poem (Helen F. Moore, in Century Magazine, 1896), like William Dawes, that he so often gets entirely overlooked as in your Patriots Day editorial on April 18?

This should not be the case as, according to my history book and research done online, not only was this young Dr. Prescott an important third member of the famous midnight ride, but he was the only one to actually carry the message, that the British troops were coming, all the way to Concord, Mass.

Reportedly, all three were apprehended by the British, and Paul Revere was captured. Dawes and Prescott escaped, but shortly after Dawes got lost in the dark as he was unfamiliar with his surroundings. Prescott, who knew the area well, finished the journey to Concord where an important supply of weapons and provisions were hidden.

As long as we’re giving credit where credit is due, let’s not forget about Prescott, even though he doesn’t have a poem.

Diana Rhys

Deer Isle