History of Western Massachusetts: Volume 1 "It is common fault that in time of pecuniary distress, the people attribute to the government the evils from which they suffer, and it is not a subject of marvel that when a proportion of the people felt themselves helplessly within the power of their creditors, they should grow restive and seek in untried channels the relief which common means failed to command; nor is it new that at such times demagogues should be found ready to take advantage of popular discontent, to win notoriety to themselves, and advance their own interests." -Chapter 16: The Shays Rebellion (See below)
Rob McDonald, Professor of History at West Point, Details Shays' Rebellion
In this http://motorhomediaries.com video, Ron McDonald, Professor of History at the United States Military Academy at West Point gives an informative overview of Shays' Rebellion - an armed conflict between farmers in central and western Massachusetts and militia raised at the governor's behest to prevent the closure of courthouses, which were seizing the farmers land for unpaid debts.
http://youtu.be/cZ0B3lvhuj0
Focusing his second half more on the geology, agriculture, railroads, newspapers and educational institutions of Western Massachusetts Holland states that the newspaper, "is the daily intellectual food of millions," and further that, "the newspaper press is always the center as a star is the center... of light and influence." Outlining many facts about the four of the counties in Western Massachusetts: Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire Counties; Josiah Gilbert Holland states his desire to account for the area's scientific aspects and leading interests while highlighting the 100 towns of Western Massachusetts.
Whether you are a Bay Stater or just a Mass-phile, this glimpse into the past can satisfy even the keenest historical scholar. First published in 1855 by publisher Samual Bowles and Co. Springfield, Massachusetts.
History of Western Massachusetts: Volume 2 Did you know?
- The area of Granville was sold by a Native American chief to James Cornish in 1686.
- The inhabitants of Chicopee fled to Springfield every time the native Americans attacked.
- The present town of Ludlow was originally an area called "Stony Hill" that the author refers to as a "rude country" due to its wild environs.
- Southwick's collection of records were partially misplaced and then used for a journal instead of their original purposes.
- In the 1720s Catherine Noble was the first teacher of Westfield and was paid 25 shillings a month.
- Northampton was the home of Caleb Strong who served the people for years as a Senator under the new Constitution and then Governor of Northampton for seven years. He retired vowing never to leave home again, until the people cried for him to serve.
- Holland takes particular pains to cite the facts around the area's houses of worship to the minutest detail, even citing the assigned seating in the pews.
- When the town of Lee was first incorporated their first vote was to send soldiers off to war to fight for the Revolution.
- The first settlers in the town of Pittsfield were almost all Congregationalists.
- The famous Jonathan Edwards was sent to Stockbridge to be a missionary to the Housatonic Native Americans.
