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 paper and card
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 'good work' by Jackson and 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)