Pelham, the town we all live in is the home to a lot of important history. Pelham was named after Lord Pelham. In the 1700s, people were not having a good time Scotland, so they moved to Ireland. In Ireland they were not having a good time ether, because they had no religious rights. Finally in 1718 having had just about enough of the injustice on them, a group of Scotts Irish asked the governor of Massachusetts if they could come to the Massachusetts bay. After gaining permission they sailed from Ireland to Boston Harbor. Once there, many left and descended to Connecticut. However, some did not leave Massachusetts, the remaining settlers moved to Worchester Mass. In Worchester they thought that they had found home and even joined a local church. Though they did not stay with the church for long because they were displeased with the minister. So in 1736 they decided to build their own church but in the night people came and burned down the frame. So again the Scotts Irish decided to move again. Then James Thorten and Robert Peebles bought land from Coronal Standard of Northampton, this was to be the land of the Scotts Irish. The people wanted to name their town Lisburn or New Lisburn after a town in Ireland later in history that name would be changed.

      This town’s west boundary was Hadley, the east boundary was Quabbin, South boundary was Cold Springs, and the north boundary was Wellstown. Then they built a town hall or meeting house. The placement of the hall was on the highest ridge along with a cemetery, militia training ground, and minister’s house. The first meeting was held on May 16, 1743 and the whole town turned out. Then in Boston the government decided that instead of Lisburn that the town was to be called Pelham to honor Lord Pelham, there was no objection to this decision. Now you might be thinking that the meeting house was only used for church services… WRONG! Not only was the meeting used for not only church services but it was used for town meetings also! As of today this is the oldest town hall still in use, for once a year there is at least on meeting there.

      O.k. so far we’ve talked a lot about history of Pelham but we haven’t talked at all about these people really lived like so that what were going to talk about now. If your thinking that these people lived like you, you are sadly mistaken here’s a list of one families possessions to give you a hint to tell you how little they had.

Book: 1

Sheep: 3

Table: 1

Forks: 3

Spoons: 3

Knives: 6

Rake: 1

Hoe: 1

Bales of hay: 3

Bed: 2

Ect.

Got the idea? Good, that was what they had to live with. Now around this time, the early Americans were getting pretty annoyed about high taxes. Every body in Pelham at the meeting house voted for independents from England. The Revolution was coming! Soon the war was fought and America won. The early Pelham residents thought that life would improve they were wrong. Boston continued to raise taxes and make people in debt. Finally the Pelham people decided to revolt. This was to be Shays Rebellion and it would alter Pelham history there after. Pelham lost the Rebellion but they made their point and the government finally lowered taxes.

      Through out this page I have discussed early Pelham history but much history has not been made it is up to you to do that.                 

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