Paul Revere was a patriot and silversmith in 18th century America who helped set up a system to warn colonists about incoming British troops. On the night of April 18, 1775, Revere and William Dawes set out on horseback from Boston to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that British soldiers were marching. One lantern in the Old North Church signaled they were coming by land and two by sea. Revere was captured by British patrols but released when they heard gunshots, allowing him to continue warning others. In addition to Revere and Dawes, many other riders helped spread the alarm through the countryside that night.