Ives Family History Blog

John Day (1698- 1751)

John Day was the son of John Day (1673 - 1752). He was born on July 5, 1698 in W. Springfield, MA. He married Abigail Bagg (1699-after1738) on Jan. 2, 1724 in Springfield. He died on Mar. 30, 1751 in Springfield at age 52. They had eight children, all born in Springfield.

1. Abigail, born Sept. 2, 1724, married Ebenezer Jones (1719-after 1765) on Aug. 26, 1743. They had 12 children: Ebenezer (1743-1747), Jemina (1745-), Rebecca (1747-), Ebenzer (1749-), Abigail (1751-1754), Sabra (1753-), Abigail (1755-1805), Acsah (1758-), Esther (1760-1842), Sarah (1762-), Ithamer (1763-), Jemina (1765-).

2. Mary, born Aug. 7, 1726*, married Joseph Ely on Feb. 3, 1749.

3. Lt. John, born April 23, 1728*, married Rhoda Chapin on June 1, 1758, died Nov. 21, 1810*. John Day is listed a head of household in W. Springfield in the 1790 US Census with three males over 16, three under 16 and six females.

4. Joel, born April 6, 1730*, died Feb. 17, 1803*, age 73, married Eunice Day (1733*-1815*) (daughter of Joseph Day and Elizabeth Mattoon) on May 17, 1751, had 12 children: Joel (1751-1833), Fredrick (1755-1839), Zervia (1757-), Edward (1759-1777), Eli (1761-1833), Zervia (1763-), Robert (1764-1777), James (1766-1841), Alexander (1769-), Eunice (1771-), Lucy (1774-1842).

5. David, born Jan. 14, 1732, married Silence Day (1736-1807) (daughter of Joseph Day and Elizabeth Mattoon), on Feb. 4, 1758 in Springfield. They had at least one child: Hezekiah (1768-1853).

6. Eunice, born March 4, 1734, married Benjamin Eastman on May 17, 1751, died Dec. 29, 1815.

7. Sarah, born March 25, 1736, died April 15, 1813*.

8. Mercy*, born May 26, 1738, married William Kendall on Sept. 5, 1765.

Robert Day (1604 - 1648)

Robert Day was born in 1604. He immigrated to Boston from England in 1634 at age 30 with his wife Mary, age 28. He sailed on the Elizabeth out of Ipswich, England and first settled in Newtown, now known as Cambridge, MA. He wife died shortly after they arrived. Robert was made a freeman in Cambridge on May 6, 1635. He was granted three acres in Westfield, Cambridge on August 4, 1634 and in the August 20, 1635 division of meadow, he was a proportional share of ½. In the Cambridge land inventory on October 10, 1635, he held two parcels: in Westend one house with backside about two acres and in Westend Field about three acres. In the Feb. 8, 1635/36 list of those “who have houses in town” he was credited with one house in Westend.

By 1639 he had moved to Hartford, CT as one of the first settlers. He may have gone with the original 100 settlers, led by Rev. Hooker into the wilderness in 1636. By 1636 he had married Edith Stebbins, born 1613 in Woodhaven, Essex, England, daughter of Deacon Edward Stebbins. In the Hartford land inventory of February 1639/40, "Rob[ert] Day" held ten parcels: "one parcel on which his dwelling house now standeth with outhouses, yards & gardens ... containing by estimation two acres"; one acre one rood in the Neck of Land; one rood three perches in the Little Meadow; one acre eight perches "on the east side of the Great River"; three roods eighteen perches in the North Meadow, of which two roods twenty-eight perches is meadow and thirty perches is swamp; five acres three roods and eight perches in the North Meadow, of which four acres four perches is meadow and one acre three roods is swamp; three acres three roods and twenty perches in the Cowpasture; seven acres three roods in the Little Oxpasture; one rood thirty-one perches in the Neck of Land; and two acres two roods nineteen perches in the Neck of Land.” Edward Stebbins, Edith’s brother also held land in Hartford. Robert died in 1648, between May 20 and Oct. 14, at age 44, his will, dated, May 20, 1648 is seen on a following page. His estate was valued £142, £71 of this was real estate.

Edith Stebbins Day then married Dr. John Maynard from Hartford and they had no children before he died. In his will of 23 January 1657/8, "John Maynard of Hartford" bequeathed to "my wife Edetha my dwelling house with all my other houses, as also all other land lying and being in Hartford, during her life; and after her decease unto John Day, the youngest son of my wife, unto him and his heirs forever"; "Thomas Day, the eldest son, shall receive £20 sterling out of my estate provided he carry well and dutifully to his mother"; to "Sarah and Mary Day, my wife's daughters, £20 sterling to each of them"; to "the Rev. Mr. Stone, teacher of the Church of Hartford, 40s."; "my wife sole executrix"; "Mr. John Talcott Senior and my brother Mr. Edward Stebbing and Richard Goodman" overseers.”
She then married Elizur Holyoke of Springfield, MA, grandfather of President Edward Holyoke of Harvard University. She moved to Springfield with some of her children. Elizur died there in Feb. 6, 1676. She died in Springfield on Oct. 25, 1688. Her nephews were on the Springfield Board of Selection: Joseph Stebbins (1700, 1705, 1712, 1716, 1717, 1721) and Edward Stebbins (1700, 1703, 1704, 1708, 1710). Robert Day and Edith had four children:

1. Thomas (male ancestor of Springfield branch), born about 1636. He married Sarah Cooper on Oct. 27, 1659. She was the daughter of Thomas Cooper who emigrated in 1635. They had ten children: Thomas (1662- ), Sarah (1664-), Mary (1666), John (1669-1670), Samuel (1671-), John (1673-), Ebenezer (1676), Ebenezer (1677-), Jonathan (1680-), Abigail (1703-1747).

2. Sarah, born about 1638, married Nathaniel Gunn of Hartford on Nov. 17, 1658. After he died, she married Samuel Kellogg of Hartford on Nov. 24, 1664. She was killed along with her son Joseph by the local tribe in Sept. 19, 1677.

3. Mary, born about 1640, married Samuel Ely of Springfield on Oct. 28, 1659. He was the son of Nathaniel Ely of Cambridge and probably neighbor of Robert Day there. Then, she married Thomas Stebbins on April 12, 1694. He was the son of Thomas Stebbins. Next, married Deacon John Coleman of Hatfield on Dec. 11, 1696. She died in Hatfield in 1725.

4. John, born about 1643 (male ancestor of Hartford branch). By 1670 he had married Mary Gaylord. Then by 1690 he married Sarah Butler.

The Day family comes from Wales. George Day writes in 1848:
“In a book of Heraldry, containing the arms of William Day, B.D., Provost of Eton College and dean of Winsor, confirmed by William Flower, Norroy, on the 21st of October, 1582, in the twenty-fourth year of Queen Elizabeth, he is said to be ‘descended from the Dees of Wales, being the younger son of Nicholas Day, the son of John Dee (called by the English Daye) He was son of Morgan Dee, younger brother of Richard Dee, Welshman.’ Dee, signifying, it is said, dark or dingy, is the name of a small river in Wales, and was probably applied to some ancestor of the family, dwelling upon its banks, in order to distinguish him from others… This name still prevails in Wales.”

George adds that there were eight people named Day within the first thirty years of the settlement of New England. Robert 1634, first in Cambridge MA, then Hartford; Robert, Ipswich MA 1635; Nathaniel, Ipswich, MA 1637; Stephen, Cambridge, 1639, first printer in the colonies; Wentworth, Boston, 1640; Ralph, Denham, 1645; Matthew, Cambridge, 1645, Steward of Harvard College; Anthony, Gloucester, 1645.

Thomas Day (1639 - 1711)

Thomas Day was the son of Robert Day (1604 - 1648). He was born in Hartford around 1639 and moved to Springfield, MA with his mother, Edith Stebbins Day, after she married Elizur Holyoke some time after 1659. His first wife had been Mary Pynchon. See Early Springfield, Massachusetts section for more on Elizur. Thomas Day married Sarah Cooper on Oct. 27, 1659. Her father, Lt. Thomas Cooper, was killed when Indians burned down the town. Lt. Thomas Cooper was on the first Springfield Board of Selectmen in 1644 and he was the Springfield Representative to the Massachusetts General Court in 1668. Thomas Day was appointed in 1700, with Luke Hitchcock, as fence viewer on the South side of the Aguam. Sarah died on Nov. 21, 1726. Thomas Day died on Dec. 27, 1711, see will of May 29, 1711 on next page. They had ten children:

1. Thomas was born on March 23, 1662, married Elizabeth Merrick on Jan. 28, 1685. In 1700 they moved to Colchester, CT where he died on Jan. 14, 1729. She died on Dec. 28, 1743. They had 8 children: Elizabeth (1687-), Thomas (1689-), Sarah (1691-), Ebenezer (1694-), Jonathan (1697-1721), Deborah (1699-), Nathan (1701-), Samuel (1704-).

2. Sarah was born on June 14, 1664, married John Burr on Feb. 21, 1683.

3. Mary was born on Dec. 15, 1666, married John Merrick on Feb. 11, 1687. John was on the Springfield Board of Selectmen in 1705, 1707, and 1709.

4. John was born on Feb. 20, 1669 and died on Aug. 6, 1670.

5. Samuel was born on May 20, 1671, married Mary Dumberton on July 22, 1697. He was a Selectman in 1717 and 1719 and Rep. to the Mass General Court in 1726-1729. Samuel died on Oct. 19, 1729 in Springfield and she died on May 17, 1759. They had 8 children: Samuel (1698-), Josiah (1701-), Mary (1703), Lydia (1706-), Thomas (1708-), Mary (1711-), Abigail (1713-), Aaron (1715-).

6. John was born on Sept. 29, 1673, married Mary Smith on Mar. 10, 1697, they had 10 children: John (1698-), Hezekiah (1700-), Joseph (1703-), Mary (1706-), Sarah (1708-) Benjamin (1710-), Rebecca (1713-), William (1715-), Elizabeth (1718-), Thankful (1721-). He later married the widow Hannah Kent.*

7. Ebenezer was born on Feb. 18, 1676 and died on June 12, 1676.

8. Ebenezer was born on Sept. 5, 1677 and died on Sept. 1, 1763 in Springfield. He married Mercy Hitchcock on April 18, 1700 and they had 11 children: Ebenezer (1701-), Mercy (1703-), Luke (1706-), Sarah (1709-), Thankful (1711-), Editha (1715-), Miriam (1718-), Timothy* (1720-), Caleb* (1723-), Eleanor* (1725-).

9. Jonathan was born on Aug. 8, 1680, married Mercy Burt on Dec. 2, 1709 died July 10, 1712. In 1703 he was chosen, with Thomas Bliss and Lamb Colley, to be “Surveiors of the high waves.” His widow married John Moore of Kingstown, MA. Jonathan and Mercy had two children: Mercy (1710-), Jonathan (1712-).

10. Abigail was born in 1683 and married Samuel Warner on Feb. 18, 1703. She then married Thomas Miller in 1726. She died on Oct. 6, 1747.

Captain John Day (1673 - 1752)

Captain John Day was the son of Thomas Day (1639 - 1711). He was born on Sept. 20, 1673 in West Springfield. He married Mary (Marah) Smith of Hadley, MA (Dec. 18, 1677- Feb 28, 1742) on March 10, 1696 in W. Springfield. The town meeting of 1697 appointed John Day and Joseph Ashley to be “fence viewers for the north side of the Aguam” and he was reappointed in 1703-04. In 1700 he was also appointed a Constable. He was chosen as a town assessor in 1708-9. John was on the Springfield Board of Selectmen in 1713, 1719, 1723, 1727, 1728, 1729, 1732, 1736, 1737. He was also the Springfield representative to the Massachusetts General Court in 1732.

John was granted permission by the town meeting of 1710-11 to set up a grist mill, with Ebenezer Parsons and Issac Frost, on the Aguam River. They were given a grant of the stream and ten acres of land on the Northeast side of the river at the end of the great hill with the provision that if they desert the operation, the grant is returned to the town. The town records also indicate that on March 31, 1719 that John Day and the selection (including his uncle Samuel):

“have laid out a high way from the highway that goeth from the Great River to Aggowem River which way is judged highly necessary in order for outlet to the Commons on South side of Aggowam River which way is to begin at the Westerly corner of the great field from hence to the Falls at the cart way across Aggowan River Ten Rods in width and beyond the river side way is to be Twenty Rod Wide by Aggowan River side to extend to the Commons beyond the old sawmill which stands on the southerly side of Aggowan River. Including the Common Cart Way up the hill beyond the flats: and from the top of the side hill there is a highway of Ten Rods wide going from the top of the hill unto the top of the hill beyond Benjamin Leonards to the Commons the side way was laid out in the fore part of the day.
Whereas there hath been complaints made to the Select men for want of convenient high ways on the West side of the great river: We the subscribers having inspected the places proposed to be needful and necessary for high ways to be laid out for use of the town… ”

There was more description of the roads. On November 18, 1719, the town:
“voted and allowed that there be paid to John Day out of the town treasury the sum of 15 shillings and two pence…for rum used in Sarah Stevenson’s sickness last Spring at his expense. And two shillings for mending the pound on the west side of the Great River.”
After Mary passed away, John married Hannah Kent of Hadley, MA on Aug. 27, 1743 at age 70. They did not have any children. He died on Nov. 20, 1752 at age 79. John and Mary had ten children, all born in W. Springfield, MA:

1. John, born on July 5, 1698, died on March 30, 1751, married Abigail Smith on Jan. 2, 1724, had eight children: Abigail (1724-), Mary* (1726-), John* (1728-1810), Joel* (1730-1787), David (1732-1795), Eunice (1734-1815), Sarah (1736-1813), Mercy* (1738-).

2. Hezekiah, born on Oct. 12, 1700, died on Oct. 11, 1777*, in W. Springfield, buried in Old Meadow Cemetery in W. Springfield, married Mary Day (1704-1780) on Dec. 29, 1744. She died on Aug. 7, 1780. They had three children. Mary (1746-1763), Thankful* (1751-), Elijah* (1754-).

3. Joseph, born on July 24, 1703, died Aug. 14, 1758* in Fort Edward, married Elizabeth Mattoon about 1738 in Springfield, MA. They had 11 children, all but Eunice born in Springfield (Eunice born in Northfield, MA): Eunice (1733-1815), Silence (1736-1807), Lucy (1738-), Elozer (1741-), Elizabeth (1743-), Joseph* (1745-), Giles* (1748-1795), Hannah* (1750-), Jacob (1753-), Asa (1755), Zebulon (1757).

4. Mary, born Jan. 20, 1706, died Nov. 5, 1796 in W. Springfield, married Benjamin Stebbins (1702-1783) of Belchertown, MA, had three children, all born on W. Springfield: Benjamin (1727-1803), Elizabeth 1730-), Vashti (1732-).

5. Sarah, born May 14, 1708, died 1763 in Sheffield, MA, married Aaren Ashley (1703-1780) of Sheffield, MA on Sept. 2, 1737 in Westfield, MA. They had six children, all born in Springfield: William (1742-), Ann (1744-), Elizabeth (1746-), Peris (1747-), Hannah (1748-), Sarah (1750-).

6. Col. Benjamin, born Oct. 27, 1710, died May 10, 1808*, age 97, married Eunice Morgan on Oct. 9, 1742. She died on Jan. 25, 1765*, age 49. He then married Lucy Sheldon of Deerfield. They had no children and she died on April 28, 1808* at age 83. Benjamin and Eunice had ten children: (Eunice (1745*-), Benjamin* (1743), Benjamin (1747*-1794*), Daniel (1749*-1825*), Robert (1751*), Mahala (1752*-1754), Heman (1755*-1837*), Mahala (1757*-), Lydia (1759*-), Clarissa (1764*-).

7. Rebecca, born May 12, 1713, married Benjamin Stebbins on Sept. 26, 1733, died Sept. 7, 1769.

8. William, born Oct. 23, 1715, died on May 22, 1776 in New York. He was ran a shipping business
and commanded several vessels. He married three times but the records are confusing as there are a number of William Days in MA at the time. First he married Polly Day in W. Springfield in 1736. She died in 1753. Then he married Lucretia Sackett in W. Springfield on Oct. 25, 1759*. Finally, he married Rhoda Hubell.

9. Elizabeth, born Jan. 19, 1718, married Eliakim Hall (1711-1794) of Wallingford, CT.

10. Thankful, born Feb 5, 1721*, died Aug. 12, 1803, married Eldad Taylor of Westfield, MA on Nov. 21, 1742.

Joseph Day (1703 - 1758)

Joseph Day was the son of Captain John Day (1673 - 1752). He was born on June 24, 1703. He married Elizabeth Matton of Northfield, MA. She was born there on Nov. 1, 1718. They lived in Northfield for several years and their first three children were born there. He died in Fort Edward, during the French and Indian War, on Aug. 14, 1758, age 55. She died on Oct. 13, 1776, age 58. They had 11 children:

1. Eunice was born on 1733* and died on Dec. 29, 1815*. She married on Joel Day* (1730-1787) on May 17, 1751. He died Feb. 17, 1803.* Joel and Eunice had 12 children, all born in W. Springfield: Joel (1751-1833), Fredrick (1755-1839), Zervia (1757-), Edward (1759-1777), Eli (1761-1833), Zervia (1763-), Robert (1764-1777), James (1766-1841), Alexander (1769-), Eunice (1771-1844), Lucy (1774-1842).

2. Silence was born in 1736. She married David Day (1732-1795) on Feb. 4, 1756 in Springfield. They lived for a while Vermont where he died. She died in 1807 in Louisville, NY.

3. Lucy was born in 1738. She married Samuel Ely on Mar. 15, 1759.

4. Eleazer was born on Feb. 22, 1741. He died June 9, 1825.* He married Martha and they at least two children: Hosea (1779*-), Charlotte (1781*-). Eleazar Day is listed in the 1790 US census as a head of household with two males over 16, two under 16, and four females.

5. Elizabeth was born on Sept. 22, 1743. She married John Cooley.

6. Joseph was born on Nov. 20, 1745*.

7. Giles was born on May 29, 1748*. He married* Sarah Day on Sept. 25, 1774 (intention recorded Sept. 3, 1774) and they had at least three children: Sarah* (1778-), Solomon* (1780-), Giles (1784-1872). He died Aug. 31, 1795 in Marlboro, VT and she died Nov. 12, 1825.

8. Hannah was born on Nov. 14, 1750*. She married Oliver Leonard on Oct. 10, 1771. Oliver Leonard is listed in the 1780 US Census as a head of household with four males over 16, one under 16 and three females.

9. Jacob was born on Aug. 4, 1753. He married* Abigail Leonard on Aug. 20, 1778 and they had at least five children: Roland (1779*-), Lucy Ely (1780*-), Hervey (1783*-), Lucy (1786*), Nabby (1793*-), Samuel Ely (1798*-).

10. Asa was born on Dec. 14, 1755 and died young.

11. Zebulon was born on June 17, 1757 and died young.

Joel Day (1730 - 1803)

Joel Day was the son of John Day (1698- 1751). He was born on April 6, 1730* in W. Springfield, MA. He married Eunice Day (Feb, 17, 1733*- Dec. 30, 1815*), daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Mattoon Day, on May 17, 1751. One Joel Day is listed as a head of household in the 1790 US Census for W. Springfield with 3 males over 16, 1 under 16 and 5 females. He died Feb. 17, 1803* at age 73. Joel and Eunice had 12 children, all born in W. Springfield:

1. Joel, born 1751, died June 14, 1827*, married Lucretia Day, from the Attleboro, MA Day family, (1760-1802*) on Aug. 19, 1782*, they had 9 children: Zerviah (1784*-), Edward (1786*-), Lucretia (1787*-), Joel (1789-), Chester (1789-1824), Francis (1791-), Amelia (1792-1793*), Laura (1794-1860), Harriet (1799-). A Joel Day also shows up in the 1790 US Census for Springfield, MA with one male over 16, two under 16 and four females which would fit here.

2. Typhenia, born Feb. 14, 1753, married* Oliver Bragg on Aug. 12, 1783.

3. Jedediah, born March 7, 1755, died Dec. 26, 1839*, married* Hepzibad Chapin Miller (1757-1823*), also of W. Springfield on Aug. 6, 1782.

4. Zervia, born Mar. 19, 1757, died young.

5. Edward, born Jan. 6, 1759, died Oct. 25, 1777, age 18, at Troy while serving in the Revolutionary Army.

6. Eli, born April 12, 1761, died 1839*. Married Lydia and had at least one daughter, Silence (1787*-) and one son, Eli (1789*-). Eli Day is listed as a head of household in the 1790 US Census for W. Springfield with 2 males over 16, I under 16 and 4 females.

7. Zervia, born Jan. 19, 1763, died young.

8. Robert, born 1764, died Aug. 27, 1777*.

9. James, born 1766, died Jan. 5, 1841, married* Asenath Ely, also of W. Springfield (intention on Mar. 19, 1791). They had at least one daughter, Lora (1792*-).

10. Alexander, born Oct. 5, 1769, married* Phebe Adkins, also of W. Springfield, on June 3, 1802. Listed as a farmer, died* of dysentery on Aug. 5, 1849 at age 79.

11. Eunice, born 1771, married Abraham Ives (1769-1855) on Jan. 22, 1795. They had three children: Abraham (1797-after 1840), Sumner (1799-1844), Eunice (1801-1856), Dwight (1805-1875).

12. Lucy, born June 2, 1774, died Nov. 13, 1842, married* Capt. Jube Ely on Dec. 1808.

Day Family History in Massachusetts

This post begins a series on Day family genealogy. The material here is taken partially from A Genealogical Register of the Descendents in the Male Line of Robert Day of Hartford, Conn. Northampton: J. & L. Metcalf, 1848 (see references). There was an earlier edition in 1840 and this one has corrections from the family but does not claim to be completely accurate. The author, George E. Day, thanks several members of the Day family at the time including: Horace Day of New York, James Day of New Orleans, and Thomas Day of St. Louis. Family members could order copies for $1.00, post paid, for which they would receive two copies.

This information is partially validated through the Vital Records of West Springfield to the Year 1850, Boston: New England Genealogical Society, 1944 and supplemented by other sources. Those births, marriages and deaths recorded in the Vital Records are indicated by an * and you can see that the official records are incomplete. Robert Day is also featured in the Great Migrations series which supplements and validates the information on him from other sources.

Eunice Day was born in 1771* in W. Springfield MA, the daughter of Joel and Eunice Day, and she married Abraham Ives on Jan. 22, 1799* in W. Springfield, and died in 1844.* (see Abraham Ives for their life together). Th ext poat will cover her father Joel and the follwing posts will cover tha Day family going back to Robert Day (1604 - 1648) who came to Boston from England in 1634. He died in 1648 in Hartford, Ct.