Obscure American history trivia

Both of James Madison's VP's died in office. It's actually pretty amazing how many sitting Veeps have died.

 

Not enough of them

 

Correct on both parts. One of Madison's VPs was the infamous/legendary Elbridge Gerry!

 

While Paul Revere gets the credit, there were probably 40 riders who alerted the Massachusetts countryside just before the British marched on Lexington and Concord. However, at least two are named because they rode with Revere. Who were they? Bonus: what quasi illicit activity had one been doing before being pressed into service by Revere, Adams and Hancock.

 

One was named Dawes, I believe. Probably a black marketeer.

 

Dawes was one. He rode all the way from Boston.

 

Prescott was the other.

 

Correct. He was found leaving a young woman’s house at 1 am....hence the quasi illicit

 

Revere didn't even make it. He was caught by sentries.
Revere was made famous by the poem.

One of Revere's most meaningful contributions - if not to the war effort - was being kind of a CSI. Anyone know how?
(BTW, I'm leaving for the beach in the morning, so if I don't get back to the thread in 4-5 days, that's why.)

 

Another interesting note on William Dawes.
His great-great grandson, Charles Dawes, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1925 and was vice president under Calvin Coolidge.

 

I’m pretty sure Dawes had a descendant that played a big part for the Union at Gettysburg.

 

Not sure if it was a big part, but Rufus Dawes was a Union officer at Gettysburg and later promoted to general. Rufus was the great-grandson of William, and father of Charles.
Rufus also served a term in Congress and his three other sons besides Charles achieved some level of prominence as well.

Rufus Dawes - Wikipedia