The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Dawes, William
1745–99, figure in the American Revolution, b. Boston, Mass. On the night of Apr. 18, 1775, Dawes rode from Boston, via Brighton Bridge, to Lexington, warning the countryside of the British advance. At Lexington, he was joined by Paul Revere and Samuel Prescott. On the way to Concord, a British patrol surprised them. Revere was captured; Dawes eluded the English but had to turn back; Prescott reached Concord with the news.
