DAY, Francis (1800-1836) — London
Optician; optical & mathematical instrument maker. A miniature terrestrial globe dated to about 1810 (but evidently somewhat later) is recorded by Webster, as well as microscopes, sextants, etc.
Born 4 Aug 1800 and baptised 21 Sep 1803 at St. John Hackney, the son of Francis and Martha Day. Free (Spectaclemakers) by redemption 1826. Attended the London Mechanics’ Institute 1827-1830. In Sep 1826, Day testified against the notorious fraudster Captain John Campbell, also known as James Patterson Stewart and Simon Peter Stewart; Day was commended for not having been taken in by the Captain. It emerged that Day had family in Hamburg. In Jul 1828, Day was granted a patent jointly with Auguste Munch, mechanic, “in consequence of a communication made them by a certain foreigner residing abroad, and inventions by themselves, for improvements on musical instruments”. The following year, there was a press announcement that “The patent Æolophon, the new musical instrument lately exhibited and played upon before their Majesties, is the invention of Francis Day and Company, of the Poultry, and is manufactured by Mr. Chappell, of Bond-street, who has entered into an arrangement with the patentees, to be supplied with their springs for that purpose” (Morning Herald, 1 Dec 1830). In 1832, Day was advertising “Paty’s Hydraulic Injector, or Stomach-Warmer, with the latest improvements of the inventor, manufactured and sold by Francis Day, philosophical instrument-maker, 37, Poultry” (The Ballot, 1 Jan 1832) — a device apparently favourably noticed in The Lancet. An announcement in the London Gazette, 3 Feb 1835, noted that “by deed of assignment, bearing date the 10th day of December last, the firm of Day and Company, viz. Francis Day and James Patty, patentees of the Æoloption [sic], No. 37, Poultry, London, became dissolved and the partnership ceased”. Day died suddenly at his home in Amwell Street, Pentonville, 12 Dec 1836 and was buried at Pentonville Chapel 18 Dec 1836.
37 Poultry — 1826-1836
BNA. Clifton. LG. Webster.