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"An Old Custom" -The Liberty Pole of Deerfield 1774

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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The booklet, published in 1946 at the close of World War II when patriotism was high, recounts the history of the 18th century Liberty Poles erected in many towns in the colonies prior to the Revolutionary War. A pole was brought to Deerfield on July 28, 1774, with the intent of erecting it the following day, but the pole was sawn in half during the night. Another pole replaced it and was hoisted without incident. Many small New England towns in the 18th century were populated by citizens with divided political opinions; Sons of Liberty coexisted with those who continued their allegiance to King George. Deerfield's present Liberty Pole, erected in 1946, reminds us of the political turmoil in the 18th century town.

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