The page
of
Shays
By: Kyle S.
and Colin H.
Shays Rebellion was a very important event in Pelham history and it had a huge impact on farmers around the nation. It all started when the Scotts Irish came over from England (get more from early Pelham history group) to get their religion the way they deserved it. They first went to Boston but moved out quickly to Worcester. They tried to build a church but residents came in the night and burnt it down because they didn't approve of the Scotts Irish Presbyterian religion . So most of the group moved down to Pelham.
After the Revolutionary war Boston raised the taxes to a very high amount and the poor farmers were not satisfied .some of these farmers met and discussed these problems in tavern's around the town. Daniel Shays organized a small army of about 90 men mostly farmers they then decided to Rebel against the Boston Government. In 1786 800 men did not let courts sit in concord, Northampton, Worcester and Great Barrington so the courts could not take away farmers land if they didn’t pay their taxes. Also in September of 1786 Shays and 600 armed farmers broke in the court in Springfield and broke up a Supreme Court session (which is probably one of the most unruly things you can do). Governor Bowidin came back with 4400 of his troops an unfair fight. 1 year later Daniel Shays went to the government Weapons fort in Springfield to get arms for his forces. They went to Boston wearing hats with hemlock sprigs in there hats to represent Pelham these hemlock sprigs are still on the Pelham flag today. The Boston militia kept firing cannons over there heads but Shays army did not fire a shot eventually 4 men were were struck by cannons and killed. Shays retreated back to Pelham and then to Hadley, General Lincoln (from the opposing side) had his army march 30 miles through a snowstorm and surprised Shays with a powerful attack. Most of the leaders including Daniel shays stowed away to Vermont. The Boston Government let most of the lower rank soldiers’ go if they signed a legion not to turn back on the government some of the farmers found it hard to go back to there regular lives as a farmer but some wanted to get back to there family.
Most of the leaders
remained in hiding in Vermont but one came back Henry Mucullogh. He was found
and put on trial for treason. He was then put in the gallows and right when he
was about to be executed he was pardoned thanks to the Pelham Residents. Some
years later the constitution was written and shays rebellion had a big effect on
the section about how all people should have equal rights. The Town of Pelham
eventually constructed a highway in honor of Daniel shays for his hard work and
patriotism to his town it is still standing to this day. There are also 2
statues in the historical society of Pelham one is just a soldier in shays army
and the other is one of a soldier from the opposing army. This is our report on
Shays rebellion and we hope you liked it