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). On December 9, 1786, the Regulators met to ensure that the regiments they were forming were properly organized and had all the officers in place. In reporting this tidbit of news, the Hampshire Gazette included a snide comment about Daniel Shays, and Captain Joel Billings of Amherst, Massachusetts, guarding themselves and their homes against possible intrusion from pro-government forces. William Butler began publication of the Hampshire Gazette on September 6, 1786, in Northampton, Massachusetts. The mission of the newspaper was to inform the public about the issues pertaining to the ongoing conflicts. Butler was decidedly pro-government.
Hampshire Gazette. “Hampshire Gazette newspaper article about organizing regiments.” December 27, 1786. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l04-072/. Accessed on November 23, 2024.
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