Copy of a letter from Capt. Thomas Grover, and Lieut. Elisha Pondell-to Capt. Harvey, a member of the General Court, from Montague.
Shrewsbury, Dec. 2, 1786.
To Capt. Harvey,
SIR,

THE seeds of war are now sown; two of our men are now bleeding, who were wounded by the lighthorse that came from Boston and Roxbury. I request you to let this letter be read, and for you and every man to supply men and provisions, and relieve us with a reinforcement. We are determined here to carry our point. Our case is yours; don't give yourselves rest and let us die here, for we are all brethren. Four of our men are taken prisoners and carried to Boston. We must be relieved or you know the event. Take my meaning for I am in haste.
Sir, I remain your humble servant,
Thomas Grover,
Elisha Pondell,
Per order.
Daniel Shays, Captain.

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.

label levels:

Moses Harvey was Montague's representative to the Massachusetts General Court, but because of his pro-Regulator sympathies, was removed in October of 1786. This letter from Thomas Grover and Elisha Pondell asks Mr. Harvey for men and provisions saying that "The seeds of war are now sown." On November 30, 300 light horsemen were sent by Governor Bowdoin to Groton, to arrest Job Shattuck, Oliver Parker and Benjamin Page. Shattuck and John Hapgood were injured. There was a rumor that the horsemen had also injured innocent bystanders. This letter is dated December 2, 1786, but it did not appear in the Hampshire Gazette until February 21, 1787 - a month after the action at the Springfield Armory.

top of page