History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

irsc] SHAYS REBELLION. 495
company & after being organized were armed at the Public Store."
There is a further endorsement of " 6 doz. Arms sent in a Waggon."
Few if any of the persons named on the roll were from
Northampton, Levi Shepherd being the only one known to
have belonged here. Some were from Southampton, others
were probably residents of Springfield, West Springfield,
Longmeadow and Westfield.
The Mob in Berk- When the court decided not to hold a ses-
^^''^s- sion in Berkshire County, the malcontents
therein professed to believe that it was only
a ruse, and on the day appointed for the meeting, appeared
in great force at Great Barrington. Disappointed at not
finding any court to overawe, the crowd became turbulent
and vented their rage upon such government officials and
supporters of existing laws as they could lay their hands
upon. A number of houses were searched, several persons
fired upon, and much lawlessness perpetrated.
Legislative Action Re- Meanwhile the Legislature came together
sented by the Mob. a^t^ the Govemor in his address strongly
condemned the course of the insurgents.
Immediately the discontented in Worcester, Middlesex and
Suffolk Counties met in conventions and drew up petitions
in which their grievances were recited and legislation agree-
able to their ideas suggested. Other petitions, similar in
character, came from towns in all sections of the Commonwealth.
These documents were taken into consideration
by the General Court, and a number of acts calculated to
bring about a better state of affairs, were passed. The
action of the Governor in calling out the militia was ap-
proved, and i^ayment for their services voted. While the
session was in progress, the time came for holding the Supreme
Court at Taunton, and effectual means were provided
for its protection. Similar preparations were made to pro-
tect the court to be holden at Cambridge the followingweek.
Shays Musters his
On the 23'' of October, Shays issued an order
^°'^'=®^- from his headquarters at Pelham to the
selectmen in the different towns in Hampshire
County, requesting them, inasmuch as the General
Court had determined to punish all who appeared to stop