Person:Anthony Day (1)

Birth

No record for Anthony Day’s birth is presently known. Babson^[2] shows Anthony born in 1616, based on his stated age when he died. (Anthony was recorded as being "in his 91st" year when he died on 23 April 1707.^[5]) Babson cautions, however, that Anthony’s age at time of death was “without doubt, much exaggerated” and notes that in Court in 1663 Anthony stated he was 37. The same estimation of Anthony’s birth date based on his stated age at time of death seems to have been made by others.^{[9][10][11][15]}

In contrast, Noyes, Libby and Davis^[12] give Anthony a birth date of between 1624 and 1627, presumably following Babson’s lead with reference to Court Records. Out of four statements of his age between 1660 and 1697,^[6] at least twice, in 1660 and 1664, Anthony gave an age which suggests he was born in 1624. This is very close to the estimated birth date of 1626 suggested by his stated age of 37 in 1663. Noyes, Libby and Davis is most likely the source used by Roberts.^[13] Tingley^[14] is another researcher who have seems to have relied on Court records and given greater credence to Anthony’s earlier self-reported ages, while Torrey^[1] makes no choice among the various dates. Until such time as actual records are found, estimated birth dates taken from Court records in the middle rather than later years of Anthony's life seem more plausible.

As for Anthony’s place of birth and names of his parents, existing documentation is even thinner. Tingley^[17] states that Anthony was born in Ipswich, England, as does Curtis,^[9] but neither provides documentation. The likely impetus for these claims is that an Anthony Day was christened 27 Nov 1603 at St Mary Stoke, Ipswich, Suffolk, England^[28], son of Anthony Day and Marie Longe, married 19 Feb 1600 at St Mary Stoke, Ipswich, Suffolk, England^[29]. This is unlikely to be this Anthony, though, as this early a birthdate would have had him siring a son at age 69 or older, and would have made him at least 104 at death. Wales has also been suggested as a birth place, again without documentation. Similarly, the assertion that Anthony is the son of David Day of Glamorgan, Wales and wife Elizabeth, has so far found no support in actual records.^[16][25][26] Names^[15] notes that accounts of Anthony’s purported ancestry in England seem to be based on speculation. Noyes, Libby and Davis^[12] note that the surnames Day and Dea are common in middle and south England, but offer no suggestions as to where Anthony was born. Until documentation for Anthony's birth is found or provided, it is probably safer to conclude, along with Roberts,^[13] that Anthony's ancestry is unknown.

Immigration

Many accounts report that Anthony left England in 1635. These accounts most likely are based on a List of Passengers bound for Virginia, published in 1850,^[20] and a speculative leap that assumes the Anthony Day going to Virginia somehow made his way to Massachusetts, as if there were only one Anthony Day who came to the American Colonies during this time period. However, there was at least one other Anthony Day, in Virginia, in Anthony's lifetime.^[21] Furthermore, in 1635, Anthony would have been no more than 10 years of age, not the 22 years reported for the Virginia immigrant. Even if Anthony were actually born in 1616, he would have been 19, not 22. If the Anthony who sailed to Virginia did migrate to Massachusetts, then that migration needs to be documented, not assumed.

An alternate (undocumented) version of Anthony Day's arrival in Massachusetts suggests that he arrived in Salem as early as 1630, where he lived as minor, before going to Ipswich and then to Gloucester.^[27] The two stories obviously conflict, although both can sometimes be seen in the same account of his life.

Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts

Whenever and wherever he arrived in North America, Anthony Day was in Gloucester, Massachusetts, before 1645, when he sold property to John Pearce.^[3] On 11 September 1649 he appeared in Court, having charged Mr. Blinman the pastor in Gloucester "for tearing of a warrant he had taken forth against William Vinson and throwing it in the fire. [Blinman] answered that he did it to stop proceedings and have the matter healed privately. He was admonished for his 'rash act.'" The same day, William Vinson of Gloucester, "being accused by Anthony Day of reproaching his servant Susan Matchett, unto whom Day was contracted, saying she was not virtuous, etc., confessed and was discharged."^[4][6]

Anthony and Susannah married, presumably soon after, and appear to have moved to Exeter, New Hampshire, where Anthony worked for Edward Gilman, owner of the first sawmill there.^[6] Exeter is likely where Anthony and Susannah's first two sons were born.

By 1657, Anthony and Susanna were back in Gloucester, where their third son John was born. In 1660, Anthony appears again in Court Records, as a neighbour of John Jackson, William Vinson, Osmond Dutch, and Robert Elwell. He may have worked as a ship's carpenter, as that was his occupation in 1663.^[6] In 1660 he became a Deputy Constable,^[24] a position he held for several years,^[6] and in 1662 he apparently was doing well enough to purchase property.^[22] In a somewhat ironic twist, he also began to testify in court regarding the immoral behaviour of first, on 3 September 1682, a neighbour charged with "uncleanness before marriage"; then, on 30 September 1682, when his own son and daughter-in-law were charged with fornication before marriage.^[6]

Later Years

While Anthony apparently continued to work as a ship's carpenter,^[8] he also seemed to be farming the land he owned,^[23] perhaps with the help of his sons. As he became older, he and Susannah began to distribute some of that land to younger sons.^[7][8] Eventually, in 1705, his son Joseph received the remainder in return for caring for Anthony and Susannah "in their old age".^[17] Anthony lived another two years, dying on 23 April 1707.^[5] Susannah lived a good ten years longer, dying on 10 December 1717.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Torrey, Clarence Almon. New England Marriages Prior to 1700. (1963)
   p. 210.

   DAY, Anthony (1616, 1614?, ?1624/27-1707) & Susannah RING?/[probably MATCHETT?] (1624-1717); b. 1650, aft 11 Sep 1649; Gloucester

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Day, Anthony, in Babson, John J. History of the town of Gloucester, Cape Ann: including the town of Rockport. (Gloucester Mass.: Procter Bros., 1860).

   p.58 - Anthony Day was in Gloucester before the end of 1650
   pp. 79-80 - Anthony Day, bought house and lands near Poles in 1754; wife was Susannah or Susan Matchett, whose good name he vindicated in Quarrterly Court in Salem in in 1649 against aspersions of William Vinson; Anthony died 23 April 1707, wife d. 10 Dec 1717. gives names and accounts of children
   p. 207- - 27 Feb 1688, Town allowed to every householder, and every young man 21 yrs of age or older who had been born in Gloucester, living there and bearing charges, 6 acres of land, by lot; Anthony Day granted land on Cape; Timothy Day granted land on westerly side of the Cut

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} Day, Anthony, in Babson, John J. Notes and Additions to the History of Gloucester: Part First. Early Settlers. (Gloucester, Mass.: M.V.B. Perley, 1876)
   pp.17-18, 1876.

   Anthony Day first appears in Gloucester about 1645 when he sold land to John Pearce. When and Where he married Susan Matchett is unknown. The first of his children born in Gloucester is John (b. 28 April 1657) when Anthony bought house and land from Charles Glover with rocks called the Poles on one side.

4. ↑ Perley, Sidney, ed. Essex Antiquarian. (Salem, Mass.: Essex Antiquarian)
   Vol 6 p 160-161, 1902.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Day, in Gloucester, Essex, Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records of Gloucester, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849. (Salem, Massachusetts.: Essex Institute, 1917)
   Deaths, p. 111.

   "Anthony, Apr. 23, 1707, in his 91st y."

6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8} Massachusetts (Colony). Quarterly Courts (Essex County). Records and files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts. (Salem, Massachusetts: The Essex Institute, 1911-1925, 1975)
   1649-1682.

   For listing of all appearances see Anthony Day - Court Appearances

7. ↑ ^7.0 7.1 Essex County (Massachusetts). Register of Deeds. Deeds, 1639-1866; index to deeds, 1640-1879 (Essex County, Massachusetts). (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971)
   Vol 14, p. 40; FHL #0866021, 1700-1703.

   Vol 14, p. 40
   Anthony Day to Nathanial Day, recorded 15 Oct 1700
   To all Christian people to whom this writing shall come I Anthony Day of Glosster in New England . . . with Susannah Day my wife doe give and bequeath unto our sonne Nathaniel that [ ] six acre Lott down at ye Cape which is ye fifth Lott in Number
   Signed 20 Feb 1692/3
   Anthony A ye mark of Day
   Witnesses Thomas Miller, E the mark of Elizabeth Day

8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3} Essex County (Massachusetts). Register of Deeds. Deeds, 1639-1866; index to deeds, 1640-1879 (Essex County, Massachusetts). (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971)
   Vol. 20, p. 34; FHL #0866023 .

   Anthony Day to John Day recorded 15 Jul 1707
   To all Christian people to whome this writing Shall come Anthony Day of Glosster in the County of Essex in New England Shipwright Sendeth greeting
   Know ye that I Anthony Day and my wife Susannah Day devise and bequeath unto our Son John Day to him & his heirs for Ever that parcel of land on which his house now Standeth & Lyeth within his owne fence as follows that small parcel of ground which lyeth below ye highway over against his house & is also with his own fence both said parcels of land I the said Anthony Day Doe give grant & confirm to my Son John . . .with this provisall or Caution which is that if my son John shall have a mind to sell of above sd Land then he Shall give his brother Either of them ye refusal of said Land which if they will give a sufficient price for his housing & Said ground then he Shall Sell it to one of them & if not then Shall he be free from this Ingagement . . . .
   Signed 5 April 1693 Anthony A [his mark] Day
   Witnesses Thomas Millet Senr, Samuel Day

9. ↑ ^9.0 9.1 Curtis, Ellwood Count. A genealogy of the Day family: the descendants of Anthony Day & Susannah Ring Matchett. (Cedar Falls, Iowa: Galactic Press, c2000)
   p. 1.

   Anthony Day b. 1616 Ipswich, Suffolk, England.

10. ↑ Holmes, Frank R. Directory of the ancestral heads of New England families, 1620-1700. (Baltimore, Maryland, United States: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1964).

    Day, Anthony, b. Eng. 1616; was a minor at Salem, Mass, early as 1630, was afterwards at Ipswich,Mass and 1645 was proprietor at Gloucester,Mass

11. ↑ Descendants of Anthony Day the Immigrant
    Accessed 6 Dec 2010.

    by Mike Walton, Created 13 Mar 2002
    Anthony Day the Immigrant was born between 1613 and 1616 in England. Sailed on the "Paul" from England, July 16, 1635

12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2} Noyes, Sybil; Charles Thornton Libby; and Walter Goodwin Davis. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire. (Portland, Maine: Southworth Press, 1928-1939)
    p. 189.

    Day, Dea, common in Mid. And So. Engl
    1. Anthony, b. ab 1624-27, worked about the mills in Exeter several yrs. Ab. 1653. . . . At Glouc. He had ‘contracted’ to Susan Matchett in 1649, later at Ipsw. (marshal’s deputy in 1660) and back to Glouc. Where he d. 23 Apr. 1707 ‘aged 90,’ and his wid. 10 Dec. 1717 ‘aged 93.’ Besides the 7 ch. Rec. 1657-1672, they had older; Thomas, b. ab 1651, and presum. Timothy, soldier in Philip’s War

13. ↑ ^13.0 13.1 Roberts, Gary Boyd. Ancestors of American Presidents. (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009)
    pp. 37-38.

    Anthony Day, b. ca 1624-27 [presumably based on Maine Dict]; res Gloucester, MA; d. 10 Dec 1717; ancestors unknown

14. ↑ Tingley, Raymon Meyers. Some ancestral lines: being a record of some of the ancestors of Guilford Solon Tingley and his wife Martha Pamelia Meyers. (Rutland, Vermont: Tuttle Publishing Co., 1935)
    p. 85.

    Anthony Day of Gloucester, Mass., born about 1624/27. Ipswich, England; died April 23, 1707, Gloucester, Mass, aged 90. He claimed to be 36 years old in 1660 and 37 in 1663 and 80 in 1695

15. ↑ ^15.0 15.1 Descendants and ancestors of Anthony Day, born about 1616 in England: including the Wadlin, Day, Taylor and Whitehouse families. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1962).

    Gives Anthony Day’s wife as either Susannah Ring or Susannah Matchett, because of different sources (not cited)
    Says Anthony sailed from England on the Paule in 1635, settled in Worcester, all children b. Worcester

16. ↑ Glamorgan baptism index. (Glamorgan Family History Society, 2005).

    Lists many Days and David Days, does not include any Anthony Day son of David Day

17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1 17.2} Essex County (Massachusetts). Register of Deeds. Deeds, 1639-1866; index to deeds, 1640-1879 (Essex County, Massachusetts). (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971)
    Vol. 41, p. 78; FHL #0866032.

    Anthony Day to Joseph Day, recorded 17 April 1723
    To all Christian People to whom this present Deed of gift Shall come Anthony Day Senr of Glocester in ye county of Essex in the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England yeoman Sendeth Greeting &c Know yee That the saide Anthony Day for and in Consideration of that Natural love & Affection which he bears to his son Joseph Day Senr of said Gloucester in the county aforesaid yeoman as also for his Continuing with me & taking Care of me & my wife in our old age and Carrying on of my business and to incourage him Still to goe on in Carrying on of my business & to take care of my self & my wife in our old age all which Consideration I doe account as good & sufficient satisfaction, and have given granted bargained Sold . . . unto the said Joseph Day . . after mine & my wives decease several parcels of land and Marsh Scituate in said Glocester . . . all that my Dwelling house & barne & about Six acres of Upland Lying on ye Westerly side of ye way leading to the Mill on part of which land the said Dwelling house & barne Standeth and which Land is bounded Eastwardly by said highway Southwardly by the Land of John Day Westwardly by the highway leading towards Annasquam River Northwardly by ye Lands of Thomas Millet also about one Acre of Upland & Salt Marsh Lying on the Eastwardly side of the highway leading to ye Mill & bounded Westwardly by said highway Eastwardly by ye River called [Snou?] Mill River & Southwardly by ye Land of John Stanwood & John Day also about one acre of Salt Marshe Lying by an Island of Upland called Anthony Bennetts Island & Lying Between said Island & ye other Upland also an other Small parcel of Salt Marsh Lying by a Creek Commonly Called The Cross Beck & being all the marsh which belongs to Anthony Day . . . .
    Signed 8 February 1704/5 Anthony ∏ Day
    Witnesses John Newman, Ruth Newman, Ruth R the mark of Newman junr

18. ↑ Essex Cases 6000-7999, in Essex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1638-1881
    p. 7397:2.

    Know All men by these presents, That We Ezekiel Day of Glostor as principle and Joseph Hunt and Thos Hodgskins both of Ipswich, sureties
    Bond given 13 May 1708 for 100 pounds current Money,
    for Ezekiel Day Administrator of all and singular goods Chattels Rights and Credits of Anthony Day, late of Gloster, Deced Intestate
    Signed Ezekiel Da, Joseph Hunt, Thomas Hodgkins
    Witness Nathaniel Brown, Danniel Rogers, Register

19. ↑ Savage, James. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England: Showing Three Generations of Those Who Came Before May, 1692, on the Basis of Farmer's Register. (Boston: Little, Brown, and Co, 1860-1862)
    2:25 .
20. ↑ Passengers for Virginia 6 July 1635, in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society)
    Vol. 4, p. 16 (1850).

    In the Paule of London, bound for Virginia
    Anthony Day, age 22
    much further down in the list: Dorothy Day, age 17

21. ↑ Court Orders of The Isle of Wight, in Dorman, John Frederick, ed. The Virginia Genealogist. (Washington, District of Columbia: Dorman, John Frederick)
    Vol 14, p. 29 (1970).

    Court Held for Appointing The Taking of Lists, 31 May 1695
    Those present include Mr. Anthony Day

22. ↑ ^22.0 22.1 Anderson, Robert Charles; George F. Sanborn; and Melinde Lutz Sanborn. The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635. (Boston, Massachusetts: NEHGS, 1999-2011)
    Vol V, p. 37.

    31 Mar 1662
    Edmond Marshall of Ipswich, weaver, & Miliset his wife
    sold to Anthony Day of Gloster, carpenter
    house and land in Gloster, meadow and upland purchased of John Browne,
    also 3 acres of upland sometimes Tucker's, the meadow being about 1 and 1/2 acre of salt marsh
    also three acres of salt Marsh on the northwest side of the Anasquam River

23. ↑ ^23.0 23.1 A List of The heads and Estates of the free holds and other Inhabitants of glocester the 27th of April 1693, in The Essex Genealogist (Massachusetts). (Lynnfield, Massachusetts: Essex Society of Genealogists)
    Vol. 27, p. 180 (2007).

    Anthony Day, 1 head, 1 house, 3 acres upland, 3 acres meadow, no pasture 1 horse, 2 oxen, 2 cows, 12 swine, assessed -0-18-0

24. ↑ ^24.0 24.1 Tilley, Risbrough Hammett, and Eben Putnam. Genealogical quarterly magazine. (Salem, Mass: Eben Putnam)
    Vol. III, p. 88.

    "ELWELL, Samuel and Thomas Jones, Jr., both of Gloucester, their bonds to Anthony Day, of Ipswich, deputy marshal, for appearance Henry Muddell, of Gloucester, at court."

25. ↑ Glamorgan, Wales. Glamorgan Parish Registers, 1558-1900: Index. (http://FamilySearch.org: FamilySearch)
    accessed 15 Jun 2014.

    No Anthony Day for any time period

26. ↑ Glamorganshire, Wales. Parish Registers, 1538-1912: Index. (http://FamilySearch.org: FamilySearch)
    accessed 15 Jun 2014.

    No Anthony Day for any time period

27. ↑ Holmes, Frank R. Directory of the ancestral heads of New England families, 1620-1700. (Baltimore, Maryland, United States: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1964)
    p. lxv.

    Day
    Anthony, b. Eng. 1616, was as a minor at Salem, Mass., as early as 1630. He was afterwards at Ipswhich, Mass., and 1645 was a proprietor at Gloucester, Mass.

28. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JM19-G4Z : accessed 6 March 2015), Anthony Day in entry for Anthony Day, 27 Nov 1603; citing SAINT MARY STOKE,IPSWICH,SUFFOLK,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 919,619.

    Anthony Day, christening 27 Nov 1603. Father Anthony Day, of St Mary Stoke, Ipswich, Suffolk, England.

29. ↑ England. Marriages, 1538-1973. (FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, Findmypast)
    accessed 15 Sep 2015.

    Anthony Day, spouse's name Marie Longe, married 19 Feb 1600 at St Mary Stoke, Ipswich, Suffolk, England.
    Source: FHL microfilm 919,619.

30. ↑ Essex County (Massachusetts). Register of Deeds. Deeds, 1639-1866; index to deeds, 1640-1879 (Essex County, Massachusetts). (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971)
    Vol 39, p. 137.

    A Covenant between the Inhabitants of Gloucester & ye Revd Mr John Emerson recorded 8 May 1722
    Agreement to support a grist mill, n.d., but probably about May 1664, signed by the men of Gloucester, including Anthony Day
    on 20 June 1695 William Sargent, age 71; Samuel Elwell, age 64; and Anthony Day, age 80, appeared in Court to testify that they had signed the above act and Deed, and that it was agreeable to all residents of Gloucester at that time