Uncrowned Community Builders

Moses S. Day was born in Buffalo, New York in December 1844. His father and mother, Jonathan and Louise Diske Day were born in Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. Moses married Mary Smith in 1869 and remained married until her death on July 21, 1914. Mary was born on July 11, 1847. The couple had one child, Vanithia, who was born about 1862. Little is known about her; however, she is a member of her parent's household in 1910 and is identified as a widow.

Moses had several jobs during his life but it appears that he was a musician for 20 to 30 years, as listed in the Buffalo City Directories beginning in the 1890s. He also worked as a cook, a whitewasher and a janitor. It's likely that he held more than one job at the same time. The last position was reported in the 1910 census and his place of employment was listed as a newspaper office. This job is significant as during the Centennial Celebration of the War of 1812's Battle of Lake Erie, a newspaper article identified Moses as a descendant of Anthony Williams, one of the few Blacks who fought in this battle with Commodore Perry. During the program, Edward Butler, owner and publisher of the Buffalo Evening News specifically lauded Moses in his remarks. He stated:

"I am proud that I have in my employ one of your race, one of our best known and most esteemed colored citizens, Moses Day. I scarcely need say that I hold Mr. Day in high regard, that I expected him to make good and that be has made good because be
comes of the stock which made good with Commodore Perry, being a descendant
of that hero of the Battle of Lake Erie, Anthony Williams."


Mrs. Day pre-deceased her husband dying on July 21, 1914. Mr. Day died on March 18, 1919. Both are buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York.