Luke Day
| Luke Day, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born |
July 21, 1743 Springfield, Massachusetts |
| Died | June 1, 1801 (aged 57) West Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | farmer, military officer |
| Known for |
Revolutionary War Captain Shays' Rebellion |
| Spouse(s) | Lydia Kelsey (1762–1801) (his death) |
| Children | 10 (5 survived to adulthood) |
| Signature | |
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Luke Day Jr. (July 21, 1743 – June 1, 1801) was an American military officer, revolutionary, and farmer, most well known for his leadership role in Shays' Rebellion, for which he was convicted of high treason and sentenced to death, before being pardoned by Governor John Hancock. He was referred to as the "Master Spirit" of the insurrection, and was only passed over as overall leader in favor of Daniel Shays due to the perception of overzealousness on his part, by his men. As a lieutenant, and then a captain, he served for eight years and participated in many key battles of the American Revolutionary War, including the Siege of Boston, Quebec Expedition, Battles of Saratoga, Cherry Valley massacre, Sullivan Expedition and Siege of Yorktown. After the war, he joined the prestigious Society of the Cincinnati, which included the likes of George Washington and Alexander Hamilton.
Luke Day Sr. was born July 21, 1743, in what is now West Springfield, Massachusetts, the son of Luke Day, Sr. and Jerusha (Skinner) Day. Luke was the eighth of seven siblings, and the oldest son. He was christened 10 days later at the First Congregational Church.
On August 20, 1762, he announced his intention of marriage to Lydia Kelsey, originally of Killingworth Township, Connecticut, then of Westfield, Massachusetts, daughter of Stephen Kelsey, Jr. and Lydia (Noble) Kelsey, and they married soon after. The Days and Kelseys had ties going back at least to the founding of Hartford, CT, where Robert Day and William Kelsey were neighbors. Luke and Lydia had ten children, although only five, four sons and a daughter, survived to adulthood.
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