Following the Revolutionary War, new taxes and the rapid devaluation of money left Western Massachusetts farmers destitute, with many losing their farms. One farmer and war veteran, Daniel Shays, led an attack known as Shays’ Rebellion (1786-1787) against the state government. The Disqualification Act was passed by the House and Senate of Massachusetts on February 16, 1787. It set forth conditions for granting pardons to the Regulators (Shays supporters.) The men were required to turn in their guns and take an oath of allegiance delivered by a Justice of the Peace, who was then required to relay the men’s names to the clerks of their towns. The men were barred from serving as jurors, members of town or state government, and certain professions for three years. They also lost their right to vote in town elections and would forfeit their pardons if they did not follow these rules. However, if they could prove their unfailing allegiance to the state on or after May 1, 1788, they would no longer be barred from being a juror, voting, or being members of government or certain professions.
Bowdoin, James. “Disqualification Act broadside issued by Gov. James Bowdoin during Shays’ Rebellion.” Commonwealth of Massachusetts, February 16, 1787. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l07-050/. Accessed on November 23, 2024.
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