Capt Stephen Day
Birth: 1733
Newark
Essex County
New Jersey, USA
Death: Apr. 10, 1815
Chatham
Morris County
New Jersey, USA
Stephen Day commanded a company under Colonel Ford, Eastern Battalion, Morris County, New Jersey Militia, at the Battle of Springfield, Union Co., New Jersey, June 23, 1780. This was one of the last major engagement of the Revolutionary War in the North and it effectively put an end to the British "ambitions" in New Jersey. General Washington praised the New Jersey Militia in this battle, writing later, "They flew to arms universally and acted with a spirit equal to anything I have seen in the course of the war."
From A Brief history of Chatham Morris County, New Jersey by Charles A. Philhower - pg. 21.
After the battle of Springfield, General Washington on his return to Morristown sent word ahead to Mrs. Stephen Day that he would stop off to see her on his way through Chatham. Accordingly Mrs. Day dressed herself in a fine black silk gown with a large white scarf about her neck and awaited the coming of her distinguished visitor. A small mahogany table was placed on the lawn in front of the house, and a pleasing repast was prepared for the General. The call was made and heartfelt words of sympathy were extended to Mrs. Day in behalf of the horrible murder of her sister [Hannah (Ogden) Caldwell] at Connecticut Farms. Much appreciation was shown by the General for her hospitality and often afterword's it is said the Washington called at the Day Mansion. Captain Stephen Day, the husband of Mrs. Jeremiah Ogden Day was on of the staunchest patriots. He was justice of the peace under both the British and Continental rule, served in the army, and was on of the first to aid the Continentals when requisitions for supplies were made. It is said the he gave a whole beef when the first call was issued.
This is a copy of a letter that was in the possession of a Mrs. James B. Bowman, who was a descendant of Stephen Day.
"Morristown, November 6th, 1780.
"Sir-
"The great demands of the Army for Forage from this country, and the method in which it has been taken proves very distressing. I have therefore at the request of a number of the Magistrates appointed a meeting tomorrow at my office to consult on this important affair and endeavor to alleviate the distress of individuals by a general demand from the whole county. I request your personal attendance at ten o'clock in the forenoon.
"Am respectfully your obedient servant,
"JOS. LEWIS, Com.
"[to] Justice Day."
Joseph Lewis was the Deputy-Quartermaster-General of New Jersey and the "Justice Day" to whom the letter was written was Justice Stephen Day, of Chatham, New Jersey"
Family links:
Spouses:
Damaris Foster Day (1726 - 1774)*
Jemima Ogden Day (1738 - ____)*
Children:
William Day (1759 - 1815)*
Stephen Day (1769 - 1865)*
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=61577938
