LAST - Battle of Shays' Rebellion - Sheffield, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 08.812 W 073° 23.149
18T E 633376 N 4667343
A stone marker on Egremont Road in Sheffield, MA marks the site of the last battle of Shays' Rebellion
Waymark Code: WMH921
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 06/09/2013
Views: 3
Soon after the Revolutionary War debt-laden farmers petitioned the Massachusetts State Senate to issue paper money and to halt foreclosure of mortgages on their property and their imprisonment for debts incurred as a result of high land taxes. When the state senate failed to pass reforms an armed insurgents under the leadership of Daniel Shays attacked the Federal Arsenal at Springfield on January 25, 1787. The assault was repelled by General William Shepard.
The farmers dispersed and took refuge in hills to the north. Shays' insurgents were surprised and defeated at the Battle in Petersham on February 4, 1787. The defeated forces scattered and about 120 rebels regrouped in New Lebanon, NY. On February 27, 1787 they crossed into Massachusetts and raided the town of Stockbridge. The raid alerted Brigadier General John Ashley. He gathered a force of about 80 men and confronted and captured most of he insurgents in what was to be the last battle of Shays' Rebellion in Sheffield, MA.
The rebellion was an important factor in hastening the ratification of the Constitution by Massachusetts in 1788.
A 5' high triangular quarried stone marks the site of this last encounter. The stone is inscribed:
LAST BATTLE
OF
SHAYS
REBELLION
WAS HERE
FEB. 27
1787