Day, John Francis

Gender:
Male
Date and place of birth:
bapt. 22. 10. 1809. St. James, Clerkenwell, London
Date and place of death:
dec. registered April-June 1890, St. Savior, Southwark, London
Worked:
(fl) 1844
Known places of work:
Newington, London
Known techniques:
Presumed painted on card and paper
Known materials:
Presumed card ard paper
Frames:
Unrecorded
Signature:
Recorded

Introduction:

London-born JOHN FRANCIS DAY (1809-1890) mistranscribed in Jackson's SILHOUETTE (1938) as ' T.F.Day' is known solely for a profile housed in the Cuming Museum, Walworth Road, London. Rated by Jackson as 'Good Work', signed and dated '26 Francis Street, Newington Butts [London],1844, it was likely painted on card and embellished.

Though no further profiles have come to light, at best they would have been a secondary income source as Baptismal and Census Records show J.F.Day a 'Silversmith' and 'Gold and Silver pencil case maker '. The birth of his first 3 offspring 1832-1843 show his Kirby Street abode adjacent to Hatton Garden, the centre of the City's jewellery trade. However in 1844 , as evidenced by his addressed silhouette, Day removed to Newington and between 1845-1853 his last 4 children were born in the district.

Regarding his family life, Day married Elisabeth Lanning (1814-1894) at St.James, Clerkenwell 10th April 1831. She bore 3 daughters and 4 sons between 1832-1853. John Francis Day's death was registered at St. Savior, Southwark in the 2nd quarter of 1890. His place of interment is unknown.

Revised 28 June 2025 (Brian Wellings)

Additional research about John Francis Day:

Source: McKechnie (Author of, British Silhouette Artists and their Work 1760-1860)

Day, John Francis (McKechnie Section 2)