Last Battle of Shays' Rebellion - Sheffield, MA - Battlefields on Waymarking.com

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 surprized 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 piece of marble from the Goodale Quarry marks the site of this last encounter. It was inscribed by the superintendent of the quarry James Tully: LAST BATTLE
OF
SHAYS
REBELLION
WAS HERE
FEB. 27
1787

Name of Battle: Battle of Sheffield Name of War: Shays' Rebellion Entrance Fee: 0.00 (listed in local currency) Date(s) of Battle (Beginning): 02/27/1787 Date of Battle (End): 02/27/1787 Parking: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
Post a photo of you in front of a sign or marker posted at the site of the battle (or some other way to indicate you have personally visited the site.

In addition it is encouraged to take a few photos of the surrounding area and interesting features at the site.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   12/29/2021 dminimax visited it