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Luke Day | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 21, 1743 |
| Died | June 1, 1801 (aged 57) West Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | farmer, military officer |
| Known for | Revolutionary War Captain Shays' Rebellion |
| Spouse | Lydia Kelsey (1762–1801) (his death) |
| Children | 10 (5 survived to adulthood) |
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Luke Day Jr. (July 21, 1743 – June 1, 1801) was an American military officer, revolutionary, and farmer, most familiar 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.[1] 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.[2] 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.
- ^ Clark, Rusty (2004). West Springfield, Massachusetts: Stories Carved in Stone. Dog Pond Press. pp. 56–57. ISBN 978-0975536209.
- ^ Austin, George Lowell (1875). The History of Massachusetts. B.B. Russell. pp. 368.
master spirit luke day.