Time Line of Shays' Rebellion

1780

Ratification of Massachusetts Constitution.

1782

Northampton: First attempts to close debtors court.

1782-3

End of Revolutionary war; Army disbanded.

1784

Great Britain bans importation of U.S. goods into West Indies. U.S. looks to the China Trade. New Treasury Board appointed; seeks overdue payments for War debts from states.              

1785

Massachusetts bans export of U.S. products in British ships; passes high tariffs to encourage domestic industry . Declining imports from and exports to Great Britain bring on American crisis ;calls for paper money  and debt relief.

1786

By Summer economic depression reaches its low point. Massachusetts farmers call for county conventions to discuss grievances

August.

Assemblies in major farming  communities of Bristol, Middlesex and  Berkshire  counties .

August 17

Leicester: Worcester County Convention (representatives  from 41  to  50 villages in county no representatives  from  Worcester.

August 29.

Northampton: Court of Common Pleas  closed by an army of 1,500 Regulators.

September 5.

Worcester: Debtor court close by 500-plus Regulators.

Sept.12.

Concord: Debtor Court closed by 300 Regulators.

Sept. 12.

Taunton: Debtor Court closed by 5090 Regulators.

Sept. 12.

Great Barrington :Debtor Court closed by 800 Regulators.

Sept. 19.

Worceste4r: Supreme Judicial court meets and indicts  11 members of the Rebellion.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER

Rebellion spreads north to New Hampshire and south to Connecticut.