USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Pelham > History of Pelham, Mass. : from 1738 to 1898, including the early history of Prescott > Part 32
USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Prescott > History of Pelham, Mass. : from 1738 to 1898, including the early history of Prescott > Part 32
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
358
HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
nation and were accepted. Two of the seven went to the front and the other five paid $300 commutation money and remained at home. In 1864 the draft was resorted to again, when ten of the enrolled men were drawn; five were declared fit for military duty and each paid $300 commutation money, and the other five were exempted, or failed to appear for reasons unknown or not fully shown by the town record.
The enlistments and service of Pelham men in the war of the rebellion are given in the order of enlistment as gathered from the rebellion record kept by the town and from regimental histories, the Adjutant General's report, and other reliable sources.
The first enlistment from the town was that of Joseph Freeland Bartlett, born in Ware, July 25, 1843. He enlisted in the 10th Massachusetts regiment June 21, 1861, and served with that regi- ment three years, when, having re-enlisted, he was transferred to the 37th Massachusetts regiment, and in June, 1865, was transferred to the 20th regiment, from which he was discharged July 28, 1865, having served continuously at the front during the entire war, with the exception of three months when he was in the hospital with wounds. He was promoted 2d lieutenant, 37th Massachusetts regi- ment, May 24, 1865 ; Ist lieutenant, 20th Massachusetts regiment, June 1, 1865. He participated in 33 of the great battles of the war. including all the battles around Richmond in 1862, Antietam, Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Sheridan's bat- tles in the Shenandoah valley,' Petersburg, Sailor creek, and Appo- mattox at the surrender of Lee. He was also with the 6th army corps in North Carolina when Johnson surrendered to Sherman. He was slightly wounded in the battle of Fair Oaks and severely at battle of the Wilderness.
Manley Jillson, 45, born in Pelham, enlisted as a private June 21, 1861, mustered into 10th Mass. regiment, Company C, for three years June 21, 1861 ; discharged for disability Nov. 29, 1862.
Henry E. Wheeler, 26, born in Pelham, enlisted as a private Sept. 21, 1861, mustered into the 27th Mass. regiment Sept. 30, 1861 for three years, Company G ; discharged July 29, 1862.
Solomon Rhoads, 18, born in Pelham, enlisted September 1861 as a private, was mustered into the 27th Mass. regiment, Sept. 20, 1861 for three years, Company I; discharged Dec. 24, 1863 to
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PELHAM IN THE WARS.
re-enlist ; mustered in the second time Dec. 24, 1863, discharged June 26, 1865, at expiration of service.
George A. Griffin, 20, born in Pelham, enlisted Sept. 29, 1861,. mustered into 27th Mass. regiment, Company G, Sept. 29, 1861 for three years ; term of service expired Sept. 27, 1864.
Charles Griffin, 35, born in Pelham, enlisted Sept. 30, 1861, mus- tered into 27th Mass. regiment, Company C, for three years ; dis- charged Sept. 4, 1862. Enlisted again July 11, 1864 in the Third Heavy Artillery. Received $175 bounty from the town, discharged July 27, 1864, at Gallops Island on surgeon's certificate of disability ..
Otis B. Griffin, 23, born in Pelham, enlisted Oct. 11, 1861, was mustered into 27th Mass. regiment, Company G, for three years, Oct .. II, 1861 ; discharged Aug. 29, 1862.
Erastus S. Southwick, 40, born in Pelham, enlisted Oct. 8, 1861, mustered into 27th Mass. regiment Oct. 15, 1861, Company G, for three years ; discharged July 29, 1862.
Stephen Rhoads, 28, born in Pelham, enlisted Oct. 21, 1861, mus- tered into 31st Mass. regiment, Company C, for three years, Oct .. 21, 1861 ; discharged on surgeon's certificate of disability at New Orleans, April 18, 1864. No bounty.
Francis A. Blodgett, 22, was mustered into the 31st Mass. regi- ment, Company C, Nov. 20, 1861 ; he was discharged that he might re-enlist Feb. 14, 1864. He was a sergeant, discharged Sept. 9, 1865 at expiration of service. Bounty $423.33. Record says New Salem was place of residence.
Charles R. Cleveland, 41, born in Pelham, enlisted Oct. 21, 1861, mustered into 31st Mass. regiment, Company F, for three years, Oct .. 21, 1861 ; transferred to Veterans' Relief Corps April 20, 1864.
William S. Pratt, 43, enlisted from Pelham in 31st Mass. regi- ment, Company C, or was credited to the town, was mustered in Oct. 21, 1861 ; deserted Dec. 7, 1861. No bounty.
Sanford M. Lovett, 55, born in Cumberland, R. I., enlisted Nov .. I, 1861, mustered into 31st Mass. regiment, Company F, for three years as a private Nov. 1, 1861 ; discharged Nov. 18, 1862 for dis- ability. The Adjutant Generals' report says he was 44 when he enlisted, but 55 is believed to be his right age at that time.
Harrison L. Horr, 19, born in Pelham, enlisted Nov. 4, 1861, mus- tered into 31st Mass. regiment, Company F, as a private, for three years, Nov. 4, 1861 ; discharged Dec. 20, 1864, at New Orleans, his- term of service having expired. He held the rank of sergeant.
360
HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS. .
Charles H. Horr, 26, born in Pelham, enlisted Nov. 22, 1861, mustered into the 31st Mass. regiment, Company F, as a private for three years , died at New Orleans Dec. 7, 1864 from wounds received in the service. He was first sergeant of his company. The town record says that Horr enlisted Nov. 22, 1861, and the Adjutant Generals' report states that he was mustered in Oct. 22.
John Shaw, 40, born in Granby, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862, as a private in 27th Mass. regiment, was not sent to the front; dis- ·charged in a few days. Received $100 bounty from town, lived in town until his death.
Otis B. Hill, born in -, enlisted Aug. 9, 1862 as a private in the 27th Mass. regiment, was not sent to the front ; discharged in a few days. Received $100 bounty from the town.
Patrick Bailey, born in Ballybane, County of Cork, Ireland, enlist- ·ed Aug. 9, 1862, as a private for three years, mustered into the 27th Mass. regiment Dec. 21, 1863 ; discharged June 15, 1865, by order War department. Received $Ico bounty from the town.
Henry Barrows, 22, born in Pelham, enlisted for three years, Aug. 9, 1862, as a private in the 27th Mass. regiment, did not go to the front ; discharged Aug. 29, 1862. Received $100 bounty from the town.
Otis Kimball, 21, born in -, enlisted as a private Aug. 9, 1862, for three years, mustered into the 27th Mass. regiment, Com- pany H, Aug. 26, 1862 ; discharged July 2, 1863, for disability. Re- "ceived $ 100 bounty from the town.
Franklin Bramble, 35, born in - enlisted Aug. 9, 1862, for three years as a private, mustered into the 27th Mass, regiment, Company K, Aug. 29, 1862 ; discharged to re-enlist Jan. 1, 1864, mustered second time Jan. 2, 1864; term expired June 26, 1865. Received $ 100 bounty from the town.
John F. Nichols, 22, born in - enlisted as a private for three years, Aug. 8, 1862, mustered into the 27th Mass. regiment, Com- pany D, Aug. 11, 1862 ; discharged Dec. 31, 1863, at Norfolk, Va. Re-enlisted, discharged Dec. 31, 1863, at Annapolis Md. June 15, 1865 ; was in Libby prison 18 days. Received $100 bounty from the town.
Joseph D. Whitney, 25, born in East Boylston, enlisted as a pri- vate, for three years, Aug. 25, 1862, mustered into the 27th Mass. regiment Company I, Aug. 25, 1862 ; discharged June 23, 1863, at
36 F
PELHAM IN THE WARS.
New Berne, N. C. for physical disability. Received $100 bounty from the town. .
Joseph E. Boynton, 18, born in Pelham, enlisted as a private, for three years, Aug. 25, 1862, mustered in Aug, 25, 1862, died at Baltimore, Md. Dec. 4, 1864. Received $100 bounty from the town.
Frederick Dane, 24, born in Pelham, enlisted for three years as a private, unassigned, mustered in Aug. 25, 1862, and was discharged Sept. 10, 1862, at Camp Day for disability. Received $100 from the town.
Stillman Abercrombie, 32, born in Pelham, enlisted as a musician Aug 27, 1862, for nine months in Company G, 52d Mass. regiment, mustered in Oct. 11, 1862, regiment started for Louisiana in Nov- ember 1862, returned to Massachusetts Aug. 3, 1863 ; discharged Aug. 14, 1863. Received $100 bounty from the town.
Joseph D. Allen, 18, born in Pelham, enlisted as a private, Sept. I, 1862, for nine months, was mustered into the 52d Mass. regiment, Company G, Oct. 11, 1862, left Massachusetts for Louisiana Nov. 20, 1862, regiment returned to the state Aug. 3, 1863 ; discharged Aug. 14, 1863. Received $100 bounty from the town.
Dexter R. Barnes, 19, born in Pelham, enlisted as a private Aug. 27, 1862, for nine months service, was mustered into the 52d regi- ment, Company G, Oct. 11, 1862, the regiment marched for Louis- iana, Nov. 20, 1862, did not return until Aug. 3, 1863 ; discharged Aug. 14, 1863. Received $100 bounty from the town.
William P. Montgomery, 30, born in Enfield, enlisted Aug. 22, 1862, as a private for nine months, was mustered into the 52d Mass. regiment, Company G, Oct. 11, 1862, regiment marched for Louisiana Nov. 20, 1862, returned Aug. 3, 1863 ; discharged Aug. 14, 1864. Received a bounty of $100 from the town. Re-enlisted Sept. 3, 1864, in the First regiment Heavy Artillery, mustered in Sept. 3, 1864, mustered out June 4, 1865, at expiration of service. Received $450 bounty.
Charles H. Sanger, 18, born in Pelham, enlisted as a private for nine months, mustered into the 52d Mass. regiment, Company G, Aug. 11, 1862, marched south with the regiment Nov. 20, 1863, re- turned Aug. 3, 1862 ; mustered out Aug. 16, 1863. Received $100 bounty from the town.
Amos D. Leonard, 28, born in Minerva, N. Y., enlisted as a priv- ate for nine months, Sept. 3, 1862, mustered into the 52d Mass. regi-
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HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
ment, Company G, Oct. 11, 1862, went with the regiment to Louis- iana, Nov. 20, 1862, returned Aug. 14, 1863; mustered out Aug. 14, 1863. Received $100 bounty from the town. His last known residence was in Minnesota.
Daniel Cook, 32, born in Pelham, enlisted as a private for nine months, Aug. 27, 1862, mustered into the 52d Mass. regiment, Com- pany G, Oct. 11, 1862, was made corporal, went south with the regi- ment, Nov. 20, 1862 returned Aug. 3, 1863 ; mustered out Aug. 14, 1863. Received $100 bounty from the town.
Edmund S. Ellsbree, 19, born in Pelham, enlisted Sept. 1, 1862, as a private for nine months, mustered into the 52d Mass. regiment, Company G, Oct. 11, 1862, sailed for Louisiana, Nov. 20, 1862, returned Aug. 3, 1863 ; mustered out Aug. 20, 1863. Received $100 bounty from the town.
Amaziah Robinson, 38, born in Jamaica, Vt., enlisted as a private for nine months Aug. 24, 1862, mustered into the 52d Mass. regiment, Company G, Oct. 11, 1862, went with the regiment to Louisiana, returned Aug. 3, 1863 ; mustered out Aug. 11, 1863. Received $100 bounty from the town. Has resided in Pelham since the war.
Nelson Witt, 29, born in North Dana, enlisted as a private for nine months, Aug. 30, 1862, mustered into the 52d Mass. regiment, Company G, Oct. 11, 1862, went with the regiment to Louisiana, Nov. 20, 1862, was wounded at Irish Bend, lived to come back Aug. 3, 1863. Died at Belchertown. Received $100 bounty from the town.
Thomas Linds, 40, born at - enlisted June 2, 1863, for three years, mustered into the Second Heavy Artillery, Company A, July 28, 1863 ; discharged Sept 3, 1865, at expiration of service.
James D. Mower, 20, born at Brattleboro Vt. was drafted in 1863, Examined and excepted, mustered into the 22d Mass. regiment, July, 20, 1863, Company I, transferred to 32d Mass. regiment, Oct. 6, 1864, Company M ; company was mustered out when Mower was at home on a furlough in the spring of 1865.
Joel Cutting, 31, born at East Boylston, drafted in 1863, exam- ined and accepted, mustered into the 32nd Mass. regiment, Company B, Sept. 14, 1863 ; mustered out June 1, 1865, by order of War department.
John O. Rhoads, 22, born in Pelham, enlisted as a private Dec. I, 1863, for three years, in First Regiment Heavy Artillery, Company I, mustered in Dec. 1, 1863, discharged Aug. 5 1865.
PELHAM IN THE WARS. 363
George A. Gardner, 24, born in - enlisted Dec. 1, 1863, for three years as a private, mustered into the 4th Mass. cavalry, Jan, 27, 1864, Company E ; mustered out Nov. 14, 1865, at expiration of service. Bounty $325.
George W. Allen, 44, born in - enlisted Dec. 7, 1863 as a private for three years, mustered into the Ist Mass. Heavy Artillery, Company I, Dec. 7, 1863. Died of wounds Oct. 29, 1864 at Peters- burg, Va.
Truman Squares, 18, born in Shutesbury, enlisted Dec. 21, 1863, as a private for three years, in 57th Mass. Infantry, Company B, mustered in Jan. 24, 1864. Killed at Spottsylvania, May 7, 1864. Bounty $325.
Thomas Fergerson, 32, born in - enlisted as a private for three years, Dec. 26, 1863, mustered into the 4th Mass. Cavalry regi- ment, Company E, Jan. 27, 1864 ; mustered out Nov. 14, 1865 at expiration of service. Bounty $325.
Garrett O'Neal, 22, born in Northampton, enlisted for three years as a private, Dec. 28, 1863, mustered into the 27th Mass. regiment, Company G.
Philander Pike, 38, born in Petersham, enlisted as a private for three years, mustered into the 27th Mass. regiment, Company I, Jan. 5, 1864 ; discharged Dec. 7, 1864. Bounty $325.
Simeon Gilbert, 42, born in - enlisted for three years as a private, mustered into the 2d Mass. Heavy Artillery, Company G, Dec. 7, 1863. Died July 29, 1864, at Andersonville, Ga. Bounty, $325.
William O. Kimball, 23, born in Amherst, enlisted in Ist Mass. regiment Heavy Artillery for three years, July 11, 1864, mustered into Company I, July 11, 1864. Discharged April 2, 1865. Bounty $325.
Charles A. Abbott, 18, born in Wilbraham, enlisted in Ist regi- ment Heavy Artillery, Company C, mustered in Aug. 1, 1864; dis- charged Aug. 16, 1865, at expiration of service, in Company M. Bounty $325.
George E. Witherell, 22, born in enlisted in Ist regi- ment Heavy Artillery, Company I, mustered in Sept. 3, 1864 ; dis- charged June 4, 1865 at expiration of service. Bounty $181.32.
Henry Wood, 31, born in - enlisted in Ist regiment Heavy Artillery, Company H; discharged March 13, 1864, to re-enlist,
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HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
mustered in March 14, 1864 ; discharged April 1, 1865 for disability. Bounty $421.99.
Madison L. Fales, 18, born in Pelham, enlisted for three years in Company C, Ist regiment Heavy Artillery, mustered in Sept. 7, 1864. Died March 31, 1865. Bounty $234.
Norman S. Fales, 19, born in Pelham, enlisted in First regiment Heavy Artillery, Company C, for three years, mustered in Sept. 7 1864, died Dec. 18, 1864, in the 2d Corps hospital. Bounty $181.
Frederick Grover, 18, born in -- enlisted in First regiment Heavy Artillery, Company C, for three years, mustered in Sept. 7, 1864 ; discharged June 4, 1865, at expiration of service. $125 town bounty.
Dennis V. Champlin, 23, born in Amherst, enlisted for three years in the 54th Mass. regiment, transferred to the 55th regiment, Com- pany B, mustered in Dec. 28, 1864 ; discharged Aug. 26, 1865, at expiration of service.
Joseph R. Hunt, 23, musician, mustered into 46th regiment, Company H, October, 1862 ; discharged for disability, Jan. 14, 1863.
Levi G. Osborn, 38, mustered into 52d Mass. regiment Oct. II, 1862 ; discharged Aug. 14, 1863.
William B. Fales, 30, born in Pelham, mustered into 52d Mass. regiment, Aug. 27, 1862 ; was in the battles of Oak Ridge, Irish Bend and the siege of Port Hudson ; discharged Aug. 14, 1863.
Lauriston Barnes, enlisted as a private Aug. 29, 1862, mustered into the 52d regiment, Company G, Oct. 11, 1862 ; discharged Aug. 14, 1863.
Murray B. Lovett, 22, born in Pelham, mustered into 10th regi- ment, Company K, June 21, 1861 ; died June 4, 1862, at Fair Oaks, Virginia.
William Jones, 19, mustered into the Ist Infantry, March 8, 1865. Bounty $325.
The number credited to the town by the re-enlistments of Joseph F. Bartlett, John T. Nichols, Wm. P. Montgomery, Franklin Bramble, Francis A. Blodgett, Solomon Rhoads, Charles Griffin and Henry Wood carries the number up to 69. After the draft in June, 1864 there were five or six enlistments made in Boston, near the close of the war, of men who probably did not go to the front and whose names are not known, making 75 men that the town should have credit for, or five men above all calls made upon the town.
FALLS ON PERGY BROOK.
AMHERST AS SEEN FROM PELHAM BEFORE 1850,
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PELHAM IN THE WARS.
The men were distributed among various military organizations. Mass. 27th regiment, 16; 52d regiment, 13; Ist Heavy Artillery 10; 3Ist regiment, 7 ; 10th regiment, 3 ; 2d Heavy Artillery, 3 ; 3d Heavy Artillery, 2 ; 4th Calvary, 2 ; 37th regiment, 1 ; 20th regiment, 1 ; 46th regiment, I ; 55th regiment, 1 ; 57th regiment, I ; besides those who were unassigned. We are indebted to Rev. John Jones, who was chairman of the recruiting committee during the war, for valuable aid in perfecting the roll of Pelham men who served in the army; many of whom he enlisted and took to the recruiting officers, and personally attended to the collection of bounty money for them.
25
The Shays Rebellion of 1786-87.
The rebellion against the government of the state of Massachusetts in 1786-87, whose acknowledged leader was Capt. Daniel Shays, a citizen of Pelham, makes it necessary to give a more extended notice of this insurgent outbreak than would be necessary in writing the local history of almost any other town in the state, as it was here the leading spirit, that gave the rebellion its name resided as a respected citizen, who was honored by election to positions of trust and responsibility. It was at the old Conkey tavern in the "Hollow" that he met the dissatisfied turbulent spirits who were weighed down with debts and numerous other real or imagined grievances, and discussed the situation before the wide open fire places of the hostelry, and when protracted argument and excitement caused thirst, they quenched it by sampling the well assorted liquors which Land- lord Conkey was noted for keeping in his cellar.
Shays doubtless enjoyed the good cheer as well as any who gath- ered there with him to talk over their mutual troubles ; he joined with them in charging the State with oppression ; was as ready as they to declare for the removal of the General Court from the City of Bos- ton ;- to shout down with the lawyers ; to demand the abolition of the courts ; to cry for a revision of the constitution and to clamor for paper money and other things which they may have honestly believed were necessary for the relief of the people. And as the excite- ment increased and the mutterings of the people turned to open threats of opposition by force of arms, the experience of Capt. Shays as a soldier became of value in organizing and drilling the men in the manual of arms.
It must be conceded that the people were in much distress from the pressure of hard times and honestly believed they were oppressed with grievances unbearable ; but it is by no means certain that they had any intention at the beginning of the agitation to take up arms against the state. They must have believed it perfectly proper to gather in conventions for consultation, for the nineteenth article of
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THE SHAYS REBELLION.
the Constitution of Massachusetts declares : " The people have a right, in an orderly and peaceable manner, to assemble to consult for the common good ; give instructions to their representatives, and to request of the legislative body, by way of addresses, petitions or remonstrances, redress for the wrongs done them, and the grievances they suffer ;" Certainly the earlier conventions were not to be con- sidered disorderly, but seem to have been conducted " in an orderly and peaceable manner ". These conventions for the consideration of " grievances " began to be held in Western Massachusetts as early as 1781 or before the close of the war of the Revolution, but these gatherings did not attract much attention until the summer of 1786. This course would seem to have been a proper one for the people to bring the attention of the General Court to whatever real grievances the people were suffering under. Doubtless these con- ventions became less peaceable and orderly as the unrest and discon- tent increased under the leadership of rash and unscrupulous men who joined the movement, until the people found themselves with arms in their hands in rebellion against the constituted government of the state.
One of the most important conventions held, as the people believed under a constitutional right, for the redress of grievances, was held at Hatfield August 22, 1786. Fifty towns of Hampshire county were represented and the convention was continued for three days, Caleb Keith and Mathew Clark being delegates from Pelham.
They first " Voted, that this Meeting is Constitutional. " The further action of the convention is given with list of grievances.
" The Convention from a thorough conviction of great uneasiness, subsisting among the people of this county and Commonwealth, then went into an inquiry for the cause ; and upon mature consider- ation, deliberation and debate, were of the opinion that many griev- ances and unnecessary burdens now lying upon the people, are the sources of that discontent so evidently discoverable throughout this Commonwealth. Among which the following articles were voted as such :
" Ist. The existence of the Senate.
2nd. The present mode of representation.
3rd. The officers of Government not being annually dependant on the representatives of the people, in General Court assembled, for their saleries.
4th. All the Civil Officers of Government, not being annually elected by the people in General Court assembled.
0 f
1 S
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HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
5th. The existence of the Court of Common Pleas, and General Sessions of the Peace.
6th. The Fee Table as it now stands.
7th. The present mode of Appropriating the import and excise.
8th. The unreasonable grants made to some of the officers of the Gov- ernment.
9th. The Supplementary Aid.
roth. The present mode of paying government securities.
IIth. The present mode adopted for the payment and speedy collection of the last state tax.
12th. The present mode of taxation as it operates unequally between the polls and estates and between landed and mercantile interests.
13th. The present method of the practice of attorneys at law.
14th. The want of a sufficient medium of trade to remedy the mischiefs arising from the scarcity of Money.
15th. The General Court sitting in the town of Boston.
16th. The present embarassments on the press.
17th. The neglect of the settlements of important Matters depending between the Commonwealth and Congress, relating to Monies and Averages.
18th. Voted, This convention recomends to the several towns in this County, that they instruct their Representatives, to use their influence in the next General Court, to have emitted a bank of paper Money, subject to a depreciation : making it a tender in all payments, equal to silver and gold to be issued in order to call in the Commonwealth secureties.
19th. Voted, That Whereas several of the above articles of greivances, arise from defects in the constitution, therefore a revision of the same ought to take place.
20th. Voted, that it be recommended by this convention to the several towns in this county that they petition the Governor to call the General Court immediately together in order that the other grievances complained of may by the legislature be redressed.
2Ist. Voted, That this convention recommend it to the inhabitants of this country, that they abstain from all Mobs and unlawful assemblies, until a constitutional method of redress can be obtained.
22nd. Voted, That Mr. Caleb West be desired to transmit a copy of the proceedings of this convention to the Convention of the County of Worcester.
23rd. Voted, That the Chairman of this Convention be desired to trans- mit a copy of the proceeding of this Convention to the County of Berkshire.
24th. Voted, That the Chairman of this convention be directed to notify a County Convention upon any motion made to him for that purpose if he judge the reasons offered be sufficient, giving such notice, together with the reasons thereof in the public papers of this county.
25th. Voted, that a copy of the proceedings of this convention be sent to the press in Springfield for publication."
Daniel Gray of Pelham was chairman of a committee chosen to issue an address to the people for their better understanding of the
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THE SHAYS REBELLION.
causes or reasons for their being under arms; they discharged the obligation laid upon them with zeal and earnestness, and though mistaken as to the means chosen to correct the evils complained of, we believe there was a large measure of honesty in the mass of the insurgent forces under arms, and that Daniel Gray believed he was serving in a righteous cause.
" An address to the people of the several Towns in the County of Hampshire, now at arms. Gentlemen We have thought proper to inform you of some of the principel causes of the late risings of the people, Also of their present movements Viz :
Ist. The present expensive mode of collecting debts, which, by reason of the great scarcity of cash, will of necessity fill our goals with unhappy debtors, and thereby a reputable body of people rendered incapable of being serviceable either to themselves or to the community.
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