Copy of an original letter found at Col. Hydes' door two days after the date, supposed to have been written by one of the insurgents, who had fled to New-York state after Hamlin's defeat, with this superscription on the outside.
"To Colonel Hide High Sheriff of the County of Berkshire&; With Care.
New Lebanon, April 15, 1787.

Sir,
Please to take this for a Complement. I understand that there is a number of my countrymen condemned to die because they fought for Justice I pray have a care that you assist not at the Execution of so horrid a crime for by all that is above, he that condemns and he that executes shall share alike. So no more at present but prepare for death with speed; for your life or mine is short, when the woods are well cover'd with leaves, I shall return and pay you a short visit.

So no more at present but I remain your most inviterate ENEMY."
(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.

label levels:

This note, reprinted in the Hampshire Gazette, is a death threat against the Sheriff of Berkshire County. The anonymous author is a Regulator who fled to New Lebanon, New York, following the defeat of the Regulators by government militia on February 27, 1787 at Sheffield. He warns the Sheriff not to execute any "countrymen condemned to die because they fought for Justice." Otherwise, the Sheriff should "prepare for death with speed" and that "when the woods are well cover'd with leaves, I shall return and pay you a short visit."

top of page