The Exeter Rebellion was an early post-Revolution armed uprising that contributed to the convening of the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
Key Facts
- Date
- September 20, 1786
- Militia assembled
- approximately 2,000 men
- Organizers' name
- The Regulators
- New Hampshire President
- John Sullivan
- Rebel leaders' fate
- Captured, then later pardoned
- County of origin
- Rockingham County, New Hampshire
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After the American Revolution, widespread debt and a severe shortage of specie and paper currency made it nearly impossible for poor farmers to repay loans. Rockingham County Regulators petitioned the New Hampshire legislature for paper money issuance, but their appeals were repeatedly ignored, fueling growing frustration and occasional violent protest.
On September 20, 1786, armed Regulators marched on Exeter to compel the New Hampshire General Court to issue paper currency immediately. President John Sullivan persuaded the crowd to disperse for the night, then summoned surrounding town militias. The following morning roughly 2,000 militiamen ambushed the rebels' camp, scattering them into the woods and capturing most of the leaders.
New Hampshire's government suppressed the uprising quickly and without prolonged conflict. The captured rebel leaders were eventually pardoned. The rebellion, occurring alongside Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts, reinforced concerns about the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and is counted among the events that prompted the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Political Outcome
The armed uprising was suppressed by New Hampshire militia; rebel leaders were captured and later pardoned. The event contributed to calls for a stronger federal government.
Regulators demanded paper currency from the New Hampshire General Court under the weak Articles of Confederation framework
State authority reaffirmed; rebellion helped motivate the Constitutional Convention of 1787