Following the Revolutionary War, the devaluation of money and newly instituted state taxes caused bankruptcy and loss of land for many Western Massachusetts farmers. War veteran and farmer, Daniel Shays, organized a revolt against the state government with his fellow “Regulators” in what became known as Shays’ Rebellion (1786-1787).
Sarah Howe of Petersham, Massachusetts, kept a journal with her reminiscences of the American Revolution and the years following which included her brother fighting on the side of the government in Springfield during Shays’ Rebellion, and some of his friends siding with the Regulators. She and her family had heard that Daniel Shays and some of his followers had come to Petersham and had taken pro-government men prisoners, and that her father was to be taken prisoner as well. Then General Lincoln’s men showed up at their house one morning after marching all night and Sarah provided a meal for them. Once the government soldiers attempted to round up the Regulators, Shays and his followers scattered and left town. Sarah also commented on speculators trying to buy government notes from her father for a few shillings a pound. Her father had apparently accepted these notes as payment; something many men would not do at the end of the Revolution. He held on to the notes, and redeemed them when the government decided they would honor the notes at face value. He died a wealthy man, but Sarah wrote that he was quite honest and did not take advantage of anyone.
