John Day and Ellenor Hannah Wilton

View from Market Square in Hitchin, with St Mary's Church in the background

cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Lucas - geograph.org.uk/p/989830

John Day (b. 27 Dec 1820, bap. 25 Mar 1821 in Hitchin) son of Squire Day and Sarah Hobbs, married Ellenor Hannah (Ellen) Wilton (b. 5 Aug 1812, bap. 11 Jan 1829 in Royston, Hertfordshire), daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, in Royston, Hertfordshire, in 1842. 

John and Ellen Day had six children: 

1. Henry Wilton Day b. 1843 D Quarter in ROYSTON BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 563
2. Martha Hobbs Day b. 24 May 1845 (1845 J Quarter in CAMBRIDGE Vol 14 Page 12), bap. 17 Apr 1872 at St Mary The Great, Cambridge
3. Ellen Day b.  1847 S Quarter in THE HITCHIN UNION Vol 06 Page 487 (Died, aged 9, in 1857 M Quarter in HITCHIN Vol 03A Page 160)
4. Sarah Ann Day b. 1850 M Quarter in THE HITCHIN UNION Volume 06 Page 575. (Died 1850 D Quarter in HITCHIN Volume 06 Page 373)
5. John Alfred Day b. 4 Jan 1852 (1852 M Quarter in BIGGLESWADE Volume 03B Page 336)
6. Arthur Stephen Day b. 1855 J Quarter in HITCHIN Vol 03A Page 216

In 1851, John Day (30) Cabinet Maker Journeyman, Ellen Day (32ish) Dressmaker, Henry W (7), Martha H (5), Ellen (3), George Day (29) Master Tailor (John's brother) and Caleb Burrows (15), Lodger, lived in Dead Street, Hitchin - later renamed Queen Street, but that didn't improve it much. Dead Street was compared to the worst slums of London. Even in 1919: “Some houses had earth floors. The windows and doors were small and in a few cases the only window downstairs opened to a passage where there was no light and very little air. The only bedroom was like a stable loft, reached by a decrepit stairs or a ladder. Tea chests served as tables and 5 or 6 children in one bed was not unusual. It was very much survival of the fittest.”

In 1861, living in Church Yard, in the same squalid, underworld area, of which was said, "Although the area was central, the whole district was taboo for the rest of Hitchin’s inhabitants." ... were John Day (41) Cabinet Maker Journeyman; Ellen Day (46), Henry Day (17) Butcher Journeyman; Alfred Day (9) and Arthur Day (6). Martha Day (14) was a House Maid in the household of Frederick Gillum (27), Cabinet Maker, in Sun Street, Hitchin. 

In 1871, listed as Helen Day (sic) (57) Dressmaker, Married; and Martha Day (24) Dressmaker, were living in Melbourne Street, Royston, Hertfordshire, while Alfred J Day (19) Reporter and Arthur S Day (15) Photographic Artist, were living with their grandfather, Squire Day (74) Upholsterer and Lodging House Keeper, in Back Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

In 1881, Ellen Day (64) Widow, Dressmaker, Mother was living with Daniel Reeve (married to daughter Martha) in Water Lane, Kneesworth. (John Day had clearly died by 1881. It's possible he'd already died by 1871. Perhaps his death was the motivation for Martha's baptism in 1872, however, it hasn't been possible to isolate a suitable death in the relevant period.)

Subject to confirmation, it appears that Ellen Day died, with age estimated to 71, in 1889 M Quarter in HERTFORD UNION Volume 03A Page 278.

St John the Evangelist Church, London SE1
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Christine Matthews - geograph.org.uk/p/4377468

Henry Wilton Day (b. 1843 in Buntingford, Hertfordshire), eldest son of John Day and Ellen Wilton, married Emmeline Emma Sell (bap. 2 Jul 1840 in Barkway, Hertfordshire), daughter of John Sell and Mary Drage, in the 4th quarter of 1867, St John the Evangelist, in Lambeth (Waterloo). 

1. Frank Henry Sell b. 1866 J Quarter in HITCHIN Volume 03A Page 276. Mother's maiden name blank, as illegitimate birth. Thereafter used Day.
2. Emma Day b. 1868 S Qtr in SAINT SAVIOUR SURREY Vol 01D 23
3. Ellen Day b. 1872 M Qtr in SAINT SAVIOUR SURREY Vol 01D 18
4. William Day b. 1874 S Qtr in SAINT SAVIOUR SURREY Vol 01D 23
5. Mary Day b. 1877 D Qtr in SAINT SAVIOUR SURREY Vol 01D 22
6. Alice Day b. 1881 M Qtr in ST SAVIOUR SURREY Vol 01D 20
7. Harry Day b. 1884 M Qtr in ST SAVIOUR SURREY Vol 01D 25

In 1871, in Farnham Place, St Saviour Southwark, where Henry W Day (27) Railway Porter from Royston, Herts; Emmeline Day (30) from Barkway; Frank Henry Day (5) birthplace Hitchin and Emma Day (2) born in Southwark.

In 1881, still at 2, Farnham Place, St Saviour, Southwark were Henry Day (37), Railway Porter, Emma Day (40), Frank Day (15), Ticket Writer, Ellen (9), William (6), Mary (3) and Alice (0), as well as two boarders: Henry Garrett (26), General Labourer, and George Griffin (17), General Porter. 

Likewise, in 1891, they were still living in Farnham Place, Southwark. Henry Day (48) Sorters Clerk, with Emma (50), daughter Emma (22), Box Maker, William (16), Alice (10) and John Clifford (51), lodger. 

[Emmeline] Emma Day died, aged 56, in 1897, in Southwark. 

In 1901, at 70, Linnell Road, Camberwell, were Henry Day (58), Widower, Railway Porter, Mary Day (23), Alice Day (20), Lady Clerk, daughter Emma Pocock (32), widow; granddaughters: Elsie Pocock (4) and Lily Pocock (2).

In 1911, Harry W Day (67), Pensioner and Former Booking Clerk, Widower, was living at 17 Rignold Road, Camberwell, with his widowed daughter, Emma Pocock (40) Elsie Pocock (14) and Lilian Pocock (12). 

Henry Wilton Day died, at 71, in 1915 M Quarter in CAMBERWELL. 

Walkern : Parish Church
of St Mary the Virgin
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jim Osley - 
geograph.org.uk/p/6869182

Daniel Soames Reeve (b. Daniel Soames, 1852 D Qtr in DAVENTRY Volume 03B Page 85, as his parents didn't marry until 1857), son of William Reeve and Maria Soames, married Martha Hobbs Day (b. 24 May 1845 in Cambridge), daughter of John Day and Ellenor Hannah Wilton, in the 4th quarter of 1880, in Royston, Hertfordshire.

Daniel and Martha had one daughter:

1. Ellen Maria Reeve b. 2 Jan 1884 (1884 M Quarter in HERTFORD UNION Vol 03A Page 474), bap. 27 Apr 1884 in Walkern, Hertfordshire. Birth record confirms mother's maiden name DAY and the baptism record lists Daniel's occupation as Groom.

In 1881, Daniel S Reeve (29) Groom was living in Water Lane, Kneesworth (Bassingbourn cum Kneesworth), with Martha Reeve (33) Dressmaker and Ellen Day (64) Mother (Martha's mother), Widow, Dressmaker.

In 1891, Daniel S Reeve (38) Groom, Martha Reeve (41) and Ellen Reeve (7) were living in Odsey, Ashwell Road, Guilden Morden.

In 1901, Daniel Reeve (49) Groom, Martha Reeve (52) and Ellen Reeve (17) were at The Lodge Farm, Burlington Lane, Chiswick.

In 1911, Daniel Soames Reeve (60) Tram Washer, living at 20 Duke Road, Chiswick, with Martha Reeve (66). This record confirms that they had been married 31 years and had one child, who was still living. (Ellen Maria Reeve had married Walter Ernest Oliver in Brentford, Middlesex, in 1902)

In 1921, Daniel Reeve (68) Tram Washer for London United Tram Co Ltd, and Martha Reeve (76) were living at 64, Duke Road, Chiswick.

Martha Reeve died, at 76, in 1921 S Qtr in BRENTFORD Vol 03A Page 61.

Daniel Soames Reeve died, aged 86, in 1938 J Quarter in BRIXWORTH Volume 03B Page 112. (In 1939, his son-in-law and daughter were living in Nether Heyford, so one assumes Daniel had been living with them.)

Southwark Bridge Rd
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/3400009

Alfred John Day (b. 4 Jan 1852 John Alfred Day in Henlow, Bedfordshire), son of John Day and Ellen Wilton, married Alice Louisa Gaunt (b. 1861 in Lambeth, Surrey), daughter of Henry Gaunt and Mary Ann Holt, in Southwark, in 1881. Alfred and Alice Day had thirteen children:

1. William Alfred Gaunt b. 1879 J Quarter in ST SAVIOUR SURREY Volume 01D Page 79. (Thereafter listed as William Alfred Day.)
2. Alfred James Day b. 1880 S Qtr in SAINT SAVIOUR SURREY Vol 01D. Died 1880 S Qtr in SAINT SAVIOUR SURREY Vol 01D Page 55
3. Arthur Henry Day b. 24 Apr 1882 in ST SAVIOUR SURREY Vol 01D 75
4. Alfred Wilton Day b. 1884 M Qtr in ST SAVIOUR SURREY Vol 01D 57
5. Alice Florence Day b. 14 Sep 1885 in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 870
6. Herbert Day b. 11 Jun 1887 in CAMBERWELL Volume 01D Page 864
7. Frank Edwin Day b. 2 Oct 1888 in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 878
8. Walter Daniel Day b. 25 Mar 1890 in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 830
9. Sydney Frederick Day b. 2 Aug 1892 in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 915
10. Fred Day b. 10 May 1894 in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 886
11. Ethel Mary Day b. 17 Jun 1896 in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 890
12. Lillian Grace Day b. 31 Dec 1898 (1899 M Qtr CROYDON Vol 02A 260)
13. Elsie Eleanor Day b. 1902 M Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A Page 288. Died 1902 S Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A Page 125

In 1881, Alfred Day (30) Compositor, Alice Day (21) and son, William Alfred Day (2), were living at 174 Southwark Bridge Rd, Southwark. 

In 1891, Alfred John Day (39) Traveller For Printing Machinery; Alice Day (33), William (11), Arthur (8), Alfred (7), Florence (5), Herbert (3), Frank (2) and Walter (1) were living in Evelina Road, Camberwell.

In 1901, at 10 Rosebery Ave, Thornton Heath, Croydon, we find Alfred (49) Journalist, Alice (41), William (21), Herbert (13), Frank (12), Walter (11), Sidney (8), Frederick (6), Ethel (4), Lily (2).

In 1911, Alfred Day (59), Journalist, was living at 116 Birchanger Road, South Norwood, with  William (29), General Warehouseman, Arthur (27), Printer's Machinist, Florence (25), Walter (21), General Clerk, Fred Day (16), Motor Mechanic's Assistant, Ethel (14) and Lily (12). Wife, Alice Day (51) born in Lambeth, married for 32 years, was listed at 89 Crowther Road, South Norwood. That record confirms they had 13 children, with 11 then living.

In 1921, Alfred John Day (69) Journalist, it appears, writing for Baker and Confectioner, an “independent newspaper and trades journal”, was living at 12, Torridge Road, Thornton Heath, Croydon with Alice Day (61), Arthur Day (39), Sydney Day (28), Ethel Day (25) and Lillian Day (22).

Alice Day died aged 64, in 1924 J Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A Page 377.

In 1939 Alfred J Day (b. 4 Jan 1852) Bakery Trade Journalist, was still living at 12 Torridge Road, Croydon, with Horace L and Ethel M Langridge. (Horace Leonard Langridge had married Ethel Mary Day, daughter of Alfred John Day, Journalist, at Croydon, Holy Saviour, on 23 Jul 1921.)

Alfred John Day died, aged 93, in 1945 M Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A 938.