CHASING AMERICAN LEGENDS

Ep10 Teaser

Episode 10 – Midnight Riders

Ep10 Behind the Scenes Bonus Specials

Extended Scene about Sybil Ludington

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Midnight Riders

We start off this episode at the Patterson’s ranch, the founders of Boss Your Heart Orphan Ministry. Kamryn and I got to ride horses and we had such a great time. That night, as we were sitting around the campfire back at home, a question was raised: “Who was the better midnight Rider, Paul Revere or Sybil Ludington?” CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. And that’s what started the crazy adventure of Kamryn and me learning as much as we could about Paul Revere and Sybil Ludington. I took a team to Boston, where Paul Revere lived, and we learned of the courage and sacrifice Paul Revere had to make during that midnight ride. Kamryn and my dad drove over to Carmel, New York to discover the bravery and commitment of Sybil Ludington. It felt like a Red Sox & Yankees rivalry already! After a lot of research (and some fun with Uncle Brad), it was time to write a speech and give it at Dad’s Comedy & Constitution event. Now you get to come along for the ride. (see what I did there?)

—Rhett Green

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The Question:
Who made the greater Midnight Ride? Sybil Ludington or Paul Revere?

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As a family, we strongly believe that competition has the ability to bring out the best in everyone, and that it gives each person the chance to grow in their abilities and knowledge. For this trip, Kamryn and Rhett got to experience a little competition while learning some really cool things about Paul Revere and Sybil Ludington.

We started off in Boston, a city filled with great history and great baseball. Normally, our family would always fit in time for a game at Fenway Park to see the Red Sox, but on this trip there was so much to cover that we actually had to split up and go different directions. Rick took Kamryn to follow up on her research of the little known Sybil Ludington, while Rhett had mapped out several Paul Revere landmarks and took Mom and Reagan along for the ride. Trey was off studying for law school exams and had to pick up Brad from the airport for the Comedy & Constitution event.

Paul Revere House
Rhett led his group down the streets of Boston at a fast pace. They started at The Paul Revere House, where instead of

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going inside, Rhett quickly snapped a photo and moved on! What he missed in the moment was finding out that the Paul Revere House is actually the oldest building in downtown, and one of the few Revolutionary Era buildings still standing! After Paul Revere sold it, it was used for various commercial
purposes. In 1902, Paul Revere’s great-grandson, John P. Reynolds Jr. purchased the building to ensure that it would not be demolished. Over the next few years, the Paul Revere Memorial Association was created and money was raised to renovate the building. Once the renovations were complete, it was officially opened to the public in order to showcase its former owner’s story.

Paul Revere Monument
While Rick and Kamryn were still driving, Rhett’s crew kept making their way to locations. Although Rhett might have gotten them lost a couple of times along the way… They finally found the Paul Revere Monument, sculpted by Cyrus Edwin Dallin.

The Mechanics
Rhett’s group also found a plaque close to the monument that details the “Mechanics,” America’s first intelligence

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gathering network. This group of thirty men (according to Revere’s writings) would take turns in pairs patrolling the streets at night in order to gather intelligence on the British troops movements. They would also sabotage and steal British equipment in Boston.

Sybil’s Midnight Ride
While Rhett was learning about the Mechanics, Kamryn and Rick had arrived at Carmel, New York, to learn about Sybil from an expert. Vincent Dacquino explained that Sybil had accomplished far more than just one night of riding. She had grown up around greatness, with her father (A Colonel in the local militia) being actively involved in the events of that era. Vincent also explained Sybil’s situation so that we clearly understood what incredible challenges she overcame. The British had burned Danbury, Connecticut, 25 miles away from where Sybil’s father was stationed. He needed to organize his men, but they were spread out over a large area and he had no one to retrieve them. Sybil volunteered, and that night she rode 40 miles to warn all 400 of her father’s men to muster up, prepare to fight the British, and march to where her father was waiting. She rode through the rain, mud, and dangerous back trails. She not only warned all of her father’s

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men in the surrounding area, but she made it back to her father’s home so that she could be ready to continue helping him if needed! As Vincent explained, at only sixteen years old, she rode three times as far as Revere in far worse conditions and unlike Revere, she did not get caught!

Old North Church
While Kamryn and Rick finished up their interview with Vincent, Rhett’s crew came to the church where Revere’s men hung the famous lanterns, warning of the British arrival. Although they were only up for a minute or two, that was plenty of time for the militia of Charleston to see the lights and prepare themselves.

Sharing Our Findings
What started out as a competition turned into a terrific group effort as Kamryn and Rhett joined Dad on stage to present their research.

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Rhett’s Final Thoughts:

I guess I started off rooting for Paul Revere to be the best rider, but it turns out Sybil did some really amazing things as well. I also learned that while great sacrifice is needed in times of war, there are still plenty of ways for us to sacrifice and serve others in ordinary ways. You and I may not be able to ride and rope like the Pattersons or the Midnight Riders, but there are plenty of ways we can help and serve those around us. I also found out that “research” with Brad is fun even when he wins most of the games at Laser Craze!

—Rhett Green

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Discussion Questions

Essay Questions

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Guest Profile: The Patterson Family
Boss Your Heart Ministries: In Memory of Christyn Joy Patterson

In 2009 the Patterson Family adopted their precious little 4 year old, Chrissie, from Serbia. Chrissie celebrated her fourth birthday in the arms of her new forever mommy and daddy. Chrissie was born with several congenital heart defects. She was registered for international adoption when she turned 3, then a total of four different families committed to adopting her, only to back out when they found out more about her medical needs. God called the Patterson family to adopt Chrissie, and when they asked God why all of the other families backed out, He said, “Because she is yours.” The Pattersons joyfully obeyed His call, and Chrissie was able to spend 6 loving months with them at their ranch in Texas and another

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month fighting for her life after open-heart surgery. Chrissie was full of joy with an infectious smile and contagious laugh. During her six months with the Pattersons, she was loved and cherished. She was the life of the party everywhere she went, and she loved being their “princess”. Boss Your Heart Orphan Ministries was created as a way of carrying out Chrissie’s legacy, helping orphans around the world in memory of Chrissie. The Pattersons have adopted 10 children, most of them with special needs. Please consider supporting Boss Your Heart Ministries with a tax-deductible donation at bossyourheart.org.