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Because it was the first fort built by the Colony in that region, and
especially because Fort Massachusetts was captured and burnt by the
French and Indians in August, 1746, Shirley became very prominent in
that war, and was the headquarters of the successive commanders of the
line of forts. Massachusetts was rebuilt early in 1747, and thereafter
became the chief work; for both before and after the Peace of Aix la
Chapelle in 1748, it was perceived that the sites of Shirley and Pelham
had been ill-chosen, and that the route by the Hoosac was the one to be
kept open for hostile demonstration towards Crown Point, and the one to
be defended against hostile demonstration from all that quarter. Forts
Shirley and Pelham, accordingly, which were very differently
constructed, ceased to be of much military significance after the Peace,
though both were slightly garrisoned for several years after. In 1749
and a part certainly of the next year, there were five men only in Fort
Shirley, namely, Lieutenant William Lyman, Gershom Hawks, John Powell,
Samuel Stebbins, and Peter Bove.
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