250 years ago there were about 700 people living in Shirley. At that time, most of them were farmers. Others who owned a small mill or a small store would probably also have some farmland. In March of 1776, the Massachusetts legislature asked all towns in the colony to officially debate and record their thoughts on the matter of independence. The citizens of Shirley would have gathered in the building we now call the Historic Meeting House in Shirley Center. That is where they met on Sundays for worship services and on other days to discuss town business. (Actually, only the white, property-owning men would be allowed to vote at town meetings.) On June 27, 1776, a meeting was called in Shirley. Exactly 250 years later, on Saturday evening June 27, 2026, Shirley townspeople gathered in those very same pews, in a reenactment of that meeting, to debate whether “It sometimes becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another.” Every Massachusetts town was requested by the Provincial Congress to “Vote on the momentous subject of Independence, asking if they will support with their lives and fortunes the actions of the honorable Continental Congress.” The question was – “Should said Congress, for the safety of the Colonies, declare themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain?” As part of the 2026 evening’s program, some participants argued for independence, being angered by the taxes, rules, and restrictions laid on them by parliament, with no consideration for the needs and wants of the colonists. Other participants explained their opposite views. Families that still had property and relatives in England and were loyal to the monarchy did not want to lose that connection. Shopkeepers and other small business people got much of their merchandise and many of their raw materials from Great Britain. Their finances would suffer greatly if the country were left on its own. Unlike America, Britain had abolished slavery and Africans were welcome to join their army. Other Loyalists believed that any war with Britain would be lost before it even started. As a result, some New Englanders moved to Canada or back to Britain and some even joined the British army. However, in Shirley, the final vote was in the affirmative. Their response was sent to Boston along with 59 other towns. Then, the Massachusetts intentions were sent to their representatives in Philadelphia and on July 4, 1776 the vote was finalized. “We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” In Shirley in June of 2026, Tim Recko read the Declaration in full which many audience members heard for the very first time. 250 years ago, it took several days to get a copy of the signed Declaration to the state capitals. The Massachusetts copy arrived on July 15th, 1776 and Shirley received their copy on July 18th. Those present at the June 17, 2026 program were given the chance to add their names below the famous document. Folks who attend the Shirley Concerts on the Common will be able to come to the 250th table and add their names.
