A severe recession followed the American Revolution, leaving many in Massachusetts in deep debt. The value of paper money became almost worthless and coinage was scarce, making payments nearly impossible. A number of Massachusetts towns petitioned the state government for relief funds and as they were not forthcoming and the number of lawsuits mounted, faith in the judicial system failed and thousands marched to close courthouses. In August of 1786, Daniel Shays successfully led a group of insurgents to Northampton to prevent the court there from sitting. In September, a company of militia was called out from the Connecticut River Valley towns to defend the Supreme Court in Springfield from the mob. This excerpt from “Our Busy Town” by Kelsey Flower, contains Deerfield resident Justin Hitchcock’s description of the militia’s experiences.
Flower, Kelsey. [Excerpt from “Our Busy Town”.] ca. 1950. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l04-129/. Accessed on November 13, 2024.
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