Daniel Shays


Shays, Daniel

 

Born circa 1747 in Hopkinton, Mass, (now in New Hampshire); died Sept. 29, 1825, in Sparta, N.Y. Leader of a rebellion of poor farmers in the USA in 1786 and 1787.

From 1775 to 1780, Shays fought in the American Revolution. In 1777 he received the rank of captain for distinction in battle. After the war, Shays engaged in farming. In 1786 he headed a rebellion in Massachusetts (seeSHAYS’ REBELLION). After it was defeated, Shays was sentenced to death in 1787 but was pardoned in 1788.