Description:

JOHN HANCOCK AND THE LUKE DAY SHAY'S REBELLION FAMILY ARCHIVE
(1737-1793) American Revolutionary politician and first signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of the Continental Congress and two-time Governor of Massachusetts. A fine archive of material related to Shays Rebellion co-leader Luke Day and his direct family. Included in this fine lot is: JOHN HANCOCK war-date D.S. 1p. folio, Boston, July 1, 1781, the appointment of Thomas Day (likely Luke's brother) to serve as "First Lieutenant of the Second Company commanded by Capt. Francis Stebbins in the Third Regiment of Militia in the County of Hampshire whereof Warham Parks Esqr. is Colonel...". Verso bears an A.E.S. of COL. WARHAM PARKS (d. 1801) who attests that Day had appeared and taken the oath. Bears a fine signature of Hancock at bottom, the "J" bisected by a fold, significant paper loss at folds and where paper seal was removed, affecting the text of Parks' endorsement, with chipping at left margin, folds repaired on verso, worthy of restoration. The lot also includes a number of letters and documents including two documents signed by LUKE DAY. The first is a war-date D.S., 1p. legal folio, West Springfield, Jan. 13, 1779, a deed selling a tract of land to Thomas Day. The second D.S. is also a deed transferring land again to Thomas Day, Springfield, Dec. 17, 1787. Also together with THOMAS DAY, a D.S. 1p. legal folio, Sep. 21, 1799, a deed of sale for a tract of land in West Springfield, signed as witness; two unsigned deeds for land transactions undertaken by Thomas and Luke Day; an unsigned IOU given to Luke Day, 1756; an 1808 Commonwealth of Mass. document accepting the resignation of Lt. Noble Day, and nine letters from family members Rev. J. Day, Sophia Hamlin James Day, most dated 1819-1842 and offering family news but one letter setting forth the death of a child; and two farm labor ledgers, 1812 and 1824, about 20pp. each. Overall very good condition, with two documents signed by the excessively rare Luke Day. LUKE DAY (1743-1801) answered the alarm at Lexington and Concord and served in Arnold's expedition to Quebec. On the morning of Aug. 29, 1786, groups of armed men began making their way toward Northampton to protest onerous taxes and the crushing debt which had resulted, and Luke and a body of men from West Springfield joined the hundreds converging on the town. During the fall of 1786, Luke Day and Daniel Shays became the most conspicuous and authoritative leaders of the insurgents. Both spent time on the West Springfield common organizing and drilling militia who referred to themselves as "Regulators." They also met and discussed their plans and opinions in taverns and other public spaces. On Dec. 26th, 1786, Shays appeared in Springfield on a white horse, leading a well-armed, well-drilled company of 300 men, including Luke Day. They took possession of the Courthouse and petitioned the Supreme Judicial Court not to open. The judges did open the court, but complied with the request to adjourn without doing any business. On Jan. 27, General Shepard moved his forces against Shays on the east side of the Connecticut River. Shepard was reinforced by General Benjamin Lincoln who arrived with 2,000 additional government militia to reinforce Shepard. In the early hours of Jan. 28th, he led four regiments and four fieldpieces across the iced-over Connecticut River to "overawe" Day's forces and "frighten him to submission without bloodshed". On Feb. 4, a number of the Shays forces were captured in Petersham, while the remainder fled. By the end of the month armed resistance had been crushed. Luke Day was captured at Westmoreland, N.H., sometime in February, 1787, and imprisoned in Boston. He was released and granted a free pardon on March 22, 1788.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent priority or equivalent by courier, signature required, unless otherwise instructed. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice.

May 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 21.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 + $1,000