Shays' Rebellion - The Battle of Petersham - Petersham, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 29.369 W 072° 11.154
18T E 731270 N 4707963
A monument on N. Main Street in Petersham, MA marks the site of the routing of Daniel Shays followers and the end to organized resistance during Shays' Rebellion.
Waymark Code: WMFHGB
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 10/21/2012
Views: 4
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. Finally they were completely defeated at the Battle in Petersham on February 4, 1787 and only sporadic, unorganized resistance continued thereafter. The rebellion hastened the ratification of the Constitution by Massachusetts in 1788.
An historical marker near the town common at the Petersham Historical Society building is inscribed:
IN THIS TOWN
ON SUNDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY FOURTH
1787
DANIEL SHAYS
AND ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY OF HIS FOLLOWERS
IN REBELLION AGAINST THE COMMONWEALTH
WEE SURPRISED AND ROUTED BY
GENERAL BENJAMIN LINCOLN
IN COMMAND OF THE ARMY OF MASSACHUSETTS
AFTER A NIGHT MARCH FROM HADLEY
OF THIRTY MILES THROUGH SNOW
IN COLD BELOW ZERO.
THIS VICTORY
FOR THE FORCES OF GOVERNMENT
INFLUENCED THE PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION
WHICH THREE MONTHS LATER
MET AND FORMED
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
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OBEDIENCE TO LAW IS TRUE LIBERTY
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ERECTED BY THE NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY
OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
AS A GIFT TO
THE PETERSHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Name of Battle:
Shays' Rebellion, the Battle of Petersham
Name of War: Shay's Rebellion
Entrance Fee: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Date(s) of Battle (Beginning): 02/04/1787
Date of Battle (End): 02/04/1787
Parking: Not Listed
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