Edward Denny Day

Edward Denny Day (1801 - 6 May 1876) was an Irish-Australian police magistrate famous for arresting the perpetrators of the Myall Creek Massacre and capturing the bushranger Edward Davis.

Early life

He was born in Country Kerry, Ireland in 1801.[1] In 1820 he joined the 46th Regiment.[2] In 1833 he became a lieutenant in the 62nd Regiment.[2] He served some time in India until 1834 when he resigned due to ill health.[2]

Duties of police magistrate

In 1835 he arrived in Sydney to work as clerk to the Executive Council.[2] He worked in the office of the Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay.[3] In January 1836 he became the magistrate for the Vale of Clywdd.[2] In January 1837 he served as magistrate in Maitland.[2] In June 1838 he organised mounted police to arrest the 11 of 12 men responsible for the Myall Creek Massacre[3] In 1840 he organised the capture of bushranger Edward Davis.[2] He arranged the capture of two other bushrangers Davidson and Smith.[1] Between 1841 and 1842 he became the commissioner for the Court of Requests in Maitland mainly working on insolvent estates.[2] In September he announced to the community that he was replacing Captain Inness as superintendent of Sydney Police.[1] On 1 January 1851 he was appointed the provincial inspector of police for the northern district of Sydney.[2] In 1853 he was stipendiary magistrate in Port Macquarie.[2] Between 1858 until his retirement in 1869 he served as magistrate in Maitland.[2]

Personal life

In 1836 he married Margaret the daughter of postmaster-general James Raymond.[2] The couple had eleven children together.[1] After the capture of Davis the residents of Scone presented him with a plate for his services.[2] He was a foundation member of the Australian Immigration Association and was elected chairman of the Maitland branch[2] On 16 February 1844 he laid the foundation stone for the new goal at East Maitland.[2] In January 1846 he laid the foundation of a new hospital at Maitland.[2] He was unsuccessful as a businessman and his estate was sequestrated in 1848.[2] He died on 6 May 1876.[2] He is buried at St Peter's Burial Ground, East Maitland.[1] At St Peters Church, Maitland there is a stained glass window dating back to 1887 with the inscription: "To the Glory of God and in memory of Edward Denny Day of the 62nd Regiment who fell asleep 6 May 1876."[3]

References
  1. "Edward Denny Day". www.freesettlerorfelon.com. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  2. Champion, Ben W. "Day, Edward Denny (1801–1876)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  3. "Edward Denny Day". Maitland City Library. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
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