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.

"[7] In addition to a successful military career, Benjamin served many terms as a representative to the General Court of Massachusetts, and was the first moderator and one of the original selectmen of West Springfield.

[citation needed] Luke's cousin, Josiah, owned a home, which still stands today as the oldest known brick saltbox-style house in the country, and serves as a family museum.

According to John Lockwood: It was more the result of accident than any other cause that Shays had the precedence, and the fortune to make his name infamous by association with the rebellion in which he was engaged.

[10]The Society of the Cincinnati, which he had joined to solidify his legacy, dismissed him as a member on July 13, 1787, due to his involvement in Shays' Rebellion.

[13] Due to his infamy at the time as a leader of Shays' Rebellion, he was buried next to his mother in an unmarked grave at Paucatuck Cemetery to prevent desecration, and only received a headstone almost two centuries later, in 1987, from the Ramapogue Historical Society.