History of Fitchburg Part 38 Rufus Torrey 1st printed 1836

(Remember the placard in Pelham at the right hand corner off 202 going
toward Amherst?  It commemorates Shay's Rebellion.)

A large majority of the people of this, as well as the
neighboring towns, were "Shaysites."  In extenuation, though
not in justification of their conduct, it may be remarked
that their straight-forward method of thinking did not lead
them to comprehend the actual state of public affairs, and
the necessity of sacrificing present convenience to future
good.  After a war of eight years' duration to avoid the
evils of excessive and illegal taxation, they could not see
what they had gained, if they were now to be subjected to
severer taxation than ever.  Gov. Bowdoin did not possess
the conficence of the people, but was looked upon, as I have
been told, rather as a "Britainer."

They did not break out into open rebellion here, though they
stood ready, and undoubtedly would have done so, had they
been goaded much further by the acts of the government.
Their valor was fortunately well tempered with discretion.
They knew that taking up arms against government was
treason, and they knew that treason was a "hanging matter."
However, they put no restraint upon their tongues, and their
language savored strongly of rebellion.  Some, it must be
confessed, "swore terribly;" and the taxes ordered by the
General Court were not all collected.

In June, 1786, Robert Burnham, Daniel Putnam, Thomas
Stearns, Elijah Willard, and Phinehas Hartwell, were chosen
a committee to take into consideration the circumstances of
the town, its burdens, and to petition to the General Court
for a redress of grievances.  At the same meeting Elijah
Willard was appointed a delegate to a Convention of the
people of the County of Worcester, to take into
consideration the public affairs of the Commonwealth.

Open rebellion having broken out in several places, and
threats and demonstrations of warlike movements beginning to
appear in others, the State Authorities were compelled to
take notice of them, and resolved to put them down by an
armed force.  They had under their control the militia of
the Commonwealth, and on their side all those who preferred
good order, and an observance of the Laws -- though somewhat
objectionable -- to open rebellion and civil war.  Companies
of the military were stationed in the infected districts,
with orders to seize upon suspected persons, that they might
be confined, or take an oath of alligiance and fidelity to
the Commonwealth.

The town voted that Mr. Willard should attend the Convention
at Worcester, and that they would defend his property if he
should be taken in person by government for his attendance
-- provided he behaved in an orderly and peaceable manner --
otherwise they prudently resolved that he should take all
the risks upon his own shoulders.

In January, 1787, the town voted to petition the Legislature
to have the Courts of Common Pleas, and of the Session,
suspended till the choice of a new Representative house in
the following May -- also, to petition the government to
liberate Capt. Shattuck and others, (who had been
apprehended and imprisoned by the state authorities) on
their promising to behave as peacable and faithful subjects
of the Commonwealth, -- also to petition the government that
the people might have tghe privilege of the Writ of Habeas
Corpus.  PHinehas Hartwell, Elijah Willard, and Dea. Ephraim
Kimball were appointed to draft the above mentioned
petitions.

[Footnote -- Capt Shattuck was a distinguished Shaysite of
Pepperell, and was apprehended for his treasonable designs.
He was most shamefully abused, and his life was threatened
by those into whose hands he had fallen.  His condition
consequently excited the sympathy of all those who were
disaffected towards the government.]

Thomas Cowdin, Esq, who firmly adhered to the government,
was appointed in this town to administer the oath of
allegiance and fidelity to those suspected persons who were
compelled unwillingly to appear before him.  A large company
of soldiers, commanded by Capt. Johnson, was sent up from
Lancaster to examine into the soundness of the loyalty here.
They had their quarters at the house of Capt Thomas Cowdin
for a few days, and then were removed to where J.L Haynes
now lives.  Their business was to sally out by night, and
sieze persons who happened to be suspected of entertaining
dangerous opinions, and bring them by force before
Capt. Cowdin, where they were compelled to take the oath, or
be carried to jail.

It will readily be imagined that the people of the town were
exceedingly indignant at such a state of things, when the
Writ of Habeas Corpus was suspended, and martial law
enforced.  On more than one occasion were the citizens and
soldiers on the point of engaging in deadly strife, which
was prevented only by the latter yielding the point to the
former.  Some were quite ready, even with the halter
dangling before their eyes, to oppose force to force, when
they were awakened at dead of night by patroles of armed
soldiers, who, strong in the protection of government,
sometimes were guilty of shameful excesses.

Joshua Pierce, (who lived where Alonzo P. Goodridge now
does) a warm Shaysite, was siezed and brought before Esquire
Cowdin, and, proving contumacious about the oath, he was
held "in durance vile" for several days.  Harsh measures
were threatened to reduce him to subjection, but the
soldiers feared the people, whose demonstrations were not to
be mistaken, and they let him go.

The Gibsons of Pearl Hill were threatened with a nocturnal
visit from the military.  The wrath of these stout yeomen,
who prided themselves not a little on their courage and
strength, was kindled at this intimation.  They ("Reuben and
Jake" -- as I have been told) stationed themselves on the
common, and dared the soldiers to lay hands on them.  The
latter declined the contest, or a "battle royal" would
probably have ensued.

Dr. Jonas Marshll was eagerly sought for, but he eluded
their search by secreting himself in the cellar of "Upton's
Tavern."  He was not further troubled with unwelcome visits,
in consequence of threats which he made, of furnishing the
entry to his house with a trap door, so that if the soldiers
desired to search his house, they might commence opertions
by examining the cellar first.

During this winter, (1786-87) the military company was moved
to Townsend.  They gave the finishing touch to their
impudence by pressing into their service, for conveyance,
both men and horses, for which no recompense was offered.
On this occasion, Asa Perry, who hated teh soldiers most
cordially, did them the favor of turning them several times
into snow-drifts -- all by accident of course.

(to be continued)

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