Includes: Nine retained copies of letters and orders from William Shepard relating to his service in quelling the rebellion; one letter from Massachusetts governor James Bowdoin to William Shepard regarding supplies for the troops under Shepard's command; one letter from E. Porter to William Shepard relating the elections of officers to a unit a year after the rebellion; one partially printed summons to Shepard, in the matter of money he owed to John Ashley (apparently not related to Shay's Rebellion, although he did borrow to help pay for his troops' supplies during the fracas, a patriotic action which drove him into debt); and one manuscript muster roll of the officers under his command during the fighting against the rebels. Together, 14 items.

Historically revealing and very significant little archive covering Shepard's notable actions in suppressing the insurgents following Daniel Shays. After serving in the Revolutionary War, Daniel Shays settled in western Massachusetts, and was active in local government. An economic downturn in the mid-1780's caused unrest among the debt-ridden farmers and yeomen in the area, who prevented the sitting of the court of commons, and later the supreme court at Springfield, in an effort to forestall judgements in debt cases until their grievances could be held. The rebellion, and subsequent suppression, was a watershed moment in the early history of our Republic, whether it was to survive as a unified nation, or be swept away in in a wave of anarchy. Major-General William Shepard, commanding the Hampshire Militia, marched into action to defend the Springfield Arsenal, and encountered the rebellious farmers who had fallen behind Shays as their leader. The items offered include: Retained manuscript copy of a letter Shepard wrote to Governor James Bowdoin on Sept. 4, 1786: "Agreeable to your orders... I shall with some degree of attention, consider the state of the fourth division of the Militia of this Commonwealth...," with a detailed description of the forces available following. 3 pages on 4-page lettersheet. 12½x7¾. (Split along folds & in 2 pieces.) * Retained manuscript copy, apparently not in Shepard's hand, of a letter he wrote to Governor James Bowdoin on Sept. 27, 1786: "...there is a design formed to seize the Artillery and other military stores which now are deposited in the Arsenal at Springfield, by those persons who have impeded the operations of law, and are endeavoring to subvert the Constitution, I thought it a duty of office, as well as a duty incumbent on me as a citizen to inform your excellency..." 32 lines on single sheet. 13x8¼. (Several holes in letter, affecting a bit of opening and closing.) * "General Orders" by Shepard, handwritten (in another hand?), Sept. 26, 1786: "The guard this night is to consist of two Field officers, three Captains, six Subalterns... the officers will take care that the men are stationed within hearing the drum. The Bell will ring and drums beat in case of alarm..." 14 lines on half sheet. 6x7½. (Bottom portion torn off, but apparently complete; two small holes in center.). * Retained copy (secretarial?) of a letter from Shepard to Col. Gideon Burt, explaining and expanding on orders he had sent with the letter, Dec. 5th, 1786: "...Capt. Shays we are informed took possession of the ground about the Court House in Worcester last Saturday night. This being the case, after all the pacific measures which have been adopted by the General Court, it now appears to have only to choose whether we are to be honored with Constitutional government, or have these invaluable blessings wrested from us... General Lincoln, it is said, is at the head of a large body and marching for Worcester..." 32 lines, on single sheet folded to form an envelope. 12½x8. (Stained with some bleeding of the ink, several small holes affecting a few words.) * Retained copy of a letter from William Shepard to Major General Henry Knox (serving as secretary of war), Dec. 17, 1796: "...Governor Bowdoin... wished me to write to you for permission to take one thousand or fifteen hundred stands of arms from the Arsenal at Springfield, as well as ammunition adequate to the purpose, if they should be wanted in the decision of the question whether we are to have the satisfaction of living under a Constitution and fixed, permanent and know laws, or under the misrule of Anarchy..." 16 lines, on half sheet of plain paper. 6¾x8½. * Retained copy of a letter from William Shepard to General Benjamin Lincoln, Jan. 12, 1787: "...I hope, if I am wanted, to be able to march to Worcester to join you, and to afford you any assistance of which I am capable... As to the Rendezvous, I see no reason why this whole division should not be collected at Springfield... I can apprehend no danger of so desperate and senseless a measure as burning towns, or an attack on unembodied inhabitants..." 2 pages on 4-page lettersheet. 12½x8. (Wear and some splitting along folds.) * Retained copy of a letter from William Shepard to Major General Henry Knox, Jan. 12, 1787: "...I enclose to you a Copy of his Excellency's General order, and one of a letter from General Lincoln to me, both of which at present remain secret... If this letter, with its enclosures, should unfortunately miscarry, and by that means fall into the hands of the disaffected, I should never forgive myself for the risque... Half of the Militia which will be in the field, for the defence of the public stores, will not have arms to good as clubs, and there is not a single piece of Artillery in this division..." 34 lines, on both sides of single sheet. 9x7½. (Some bleed-through, a little edge wear.) * Retained copy of a letter from Shepard to Governor James Bowdoin, dated Springfield, Jan. 19, 1787: "I Yesterday took possession of the Arsenal & the Public Buildings in this Town with I suppose about twelve hundred men... I must not omit mentioning my not being so well equipped with Arms and Ammunition as I could wish therefore shall be obliged to use some of those in the Arsenal..." 2¼ pages on 4-page lettersheet. 13x8¼. * Autograph letter, signed by James Bowdoin, to William Shepard, Jan. 21, 1787: "...I am glad to hear you have taken possession of the Arsenal, and that you have so respectable a force with you. As to their supplies of Beef, Bread, Rum, Forage & Fuel I must refer you to General Lincoln... The Friends of Government in this and the neighboring towns, hearing of this difficulty, offered...the articles wanted of money for the purpose... but had not the idea that any part of the money shall be appropriated to pay the Militia..." 45 lines on both sides of single sheet. 12¾7¾. (Beginning to split at one fold.) * Manuscript "Pay-roll of the General and Staff Officers of the 4th Division of the Militia of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...under the command of William Shepard Esq. Major-General..." April 23, 1787. Lists 10 officers, their length of service, and pay due. On single sheet of paper. 8x12¾. (Splitting at folds; worn along bottom edge with loss of a few words.) * Retained copy of a letter from Shepard to Governor John Hancock, July 2, 1787: "...Your Excellency is no doubt informed that plundering and the most insolent menaces are still practiced. At Egremont a gang of robbers plundered two or three houses...and threatened the lives of several persons, who possessed a well known attachment to the Constitution of their Country..." 22 lines, on one side of single sheet. 12¼x7½. (1x3" portion cut out where signature should be.) * Retained copy of a petition or complaint by Shepard to the government of Massachusetts, regarding expenses and economic suffering he had endured as a result of leading forces against the insurgents, and reprising to some extent his services, c.1790: "...a Service whish was tedious and hazardous to me as well as highly injurious to my domestick Businesses, which called for all the money I could personally furnish..." 2½ pages on 4-page lettersheet, with yearly expenses listed on the 4th page. 12¾x7¾. (Minor staining and wear). * Plus the other items listed above.