caused a wide-spread feeling of discontent. The State Constitution was
found fault with from the start, and a clamor arose for the abolition of
the Senate, a change in the basis of representation, and an annual grant
of salaries to all officers. This agitation, in 1786, culminated in an
appeal to force of arms, known from its leader, as Shay's Rebellion. It
is unnecessary to repeat the story of its suppression. The leaders of
the former opposition held aloof. There was a desire felt by the
steadier portion of the community to make a fair trial of the State
Constitution, which afforded a legal means, however slow, for redressing
the heavier grievances. Pittsfield in particular was now advancing in
material prosperity, and looked with disfavor upon any radical changes.

[Illustration: BERKSHIRE ATHENÆUM.]

Rev. Thomas Allen, one of the early ministers, was the man most actively
engaged in town affairs at this period of its history. He was of medium
height, slender, of a mild, pleasant countenance. Courteous, sincere and
just, he set his parishioners an example of Christian morals. An
application of doctrines to the practical questions of life was a
favorite subject of his sermons and private conversation. He held small
respect for any religious faith which did not manifest itself in
outward acts, and especially those done for the public good. Endowed
with a keen sense of right and wrong he took his position and maintained
it with zeal. His personal participation in several battles of the
Revolution gained for him the title of "The Fighting Parson." Once, when
asked whether he actually killed any man at Bennington, he replied "that
he did not know; but, that observing a flash often repeated from a
certain bush, and that it was generally followed by the fall of one of
Stark's men, he fired that way and put the flash out."