Drury, Luke, 1737-1811

In 1781, Luke Drury (1737-1811) of Grafton, Mass. commanded a regiment of Massachusetts militia posted on garrison duty at West Point.

From the description of Orderly book of Colonel Drury's regiment of Massachusetts militia, 1781, Oct. 1 - Nov. 27, West Point (N. Y.). (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122288786

Soldier in Revolutionary War and Shays Rebellion, later a state legislator and local politician in Grafton, Mass.

From the description of Luke Drury papers, 1741-1831. (University of Massachusetts Amherst). WorldCat record id: 48383396

Col. Luke Drury lived in Marlborough, MA until his death in 1811. His occupation is unknown.

From the description of Papers, 1785-1811. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 82467484

The Grafton, Massachusetts Drurys traced their family back to Hugh Drury, born in England in 1616. By 1659 Hugh had emigrated to Boston, where he established himself in business. His great-grandson Thomas (b.1690) moved from Framingham to Grafton sometime in the 1720s. Thomas was not one of the original proprietors of Grafton, but he acquired land and began farming. He and his wife Sarah had ten children by 1743, including Thomas Jr. (b.1721) and Luke (b.1734). When Sarah died in 1745, Thomas married again. He and his second wife Mary produced three children, including Manoah (b.1746).

From an early date Thomas Sr. was active in Grafton affairs, an example his sons would follow. He served in the militia, as a selectman, and as a member of at least three church committees.

His third son Luke, who farmed in addition to operating a grist mill, took an even more active role in Grafton. In 1757 he joined the militia in protecting Grafton during the French and Indian Wars. In the tense years before the Revolutionary War, Luke moderated at least one grievance meeting of concerned citizens in Grafton. When the alarm of British invasion spread on April 18, 1775, he was serving as a captain of militia. He marched his company to Concord and Lexington to repulse the British. Nine days later he raised a company and joined Colonel Artemus Ward's regiment to fight at Bunker Hill. Luke served in different areas during the war, from West Point to Grafton, where his company guided military stores. In addition, Luke also supported the Continentals financially, at one point giving fifty pounds to enlist soldiers in Grafton (see Folder 8).

In the years after the Revolution, Luke was deeply involved in the growing conflict between agrarian and commercial interests which came to a head in Shays' Rebellion. As a farmer and a miller, he shared the resentment of other western Massachusetts farmers who felt taxes were too heavy. They also objected to merchants squeezing debtors for hard money payments with which to pay their own debts to British merchants. Farmers demanded paper money and laws allowing payment in kind to ease the economic situation.

The farmers' first response was to organize town and county conventions, and to appeal to the state legislature for relief. Grafton voters chose Luke Drury to represent them at the Worcester County convention on August 17, 1786. A committee notified him of specific issues to address, such as the reduction of taxes and amnesty for all "rebels." The convention petition clearly stated the grievances most farmers felt (see Folder 44).

In Massachusetts, the governor and legislature opposed any concessions to the farmers, unwilling to upset the market status quo. When peaceful means failed, the farmers, led by Daniel Shays, turned to action. Their major tactic was to close down debtor courts, which had prosecuted so many debt-ridden farmers. By this the "Shaysites" hoped to prod the government to economic reforms. On September 5 and November 21, Shaysites closed county courts in Worcester. Given Luke Drury's militia and Continental Army service, he probably took part. This experience also explains his position on the Worcester "committee of the people," one of the groups set up to organize and govern each county. Luke may also have joined the Worcester rebels in a failed attempt to seize the state arsenal at Springfield on January 25, 1787.

The military defeat at Springfield and a similar one at Petersham on February 2 ended the Massachusetts Shaysites' concerted action. Some fled the state, while others scattered to continue hit-and-run actions. But the feelings behind the rebellion remained strong on both sides. Luke was imprisoned as "a person dangerous to the state." In March he petitioned the governor for release on bond of good behavior, and he was eventually released (see Folder 1). In state elections in June three Shaysites, including Luke Drury, were elected to the House. The General Court refused to seat the "rebels," however.

Economic improvements over the next few months helped ease tensions in the state, and Luke returned to his farm and family. He had married Lydia Sherman in 1759, and the couple had nine children. Besides farming, he continued to take an active role in state and local politics. He served terms in the state House of Representatives and the General Court. In Grafton over the years he was chosen constable, deputy sheriff, tax collector, assessor, and selectman. He also acted as legal guardian to at least four minors, who apparently were allowed to choose him as their guardian.

Lydia Drury died in 1793. Two years later Luke married Mary Howland. He continued farming in Grafton until 1803, when he and Mary moved to Marlboro. His sons Ephraim and Alden remained in Grafton to farm the Drury lands. Luke died in Marlboro in 1811, leaving his widow Mary and seven children.

From the guide to the Luke Drury Papers MS 258., 1746-1831, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries)