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.
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.
Denny Day, as he was known, was born in Tralee, [1] Country Kerry, Ireland in 1801. [2] In 1820 he joined the 46th Regiment. [3] In 1833 he became a lieutenant in the 62nd Regiment. [3] He served some time in India until 1834 when he resigned due to ill health. [3]
In 1835 he arrived in Sydney to work as clerk to the Executive Council. [3] He worked in the office of the Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay. [4] In January 1836 he became the magistrate for the Vale of Clywdd. [3] In January 1837 he served as magistrate in Maitland. [3] In June 1838 he organised mounted police to arrest the 11 of 12 men responsible for the Myall Creek Massacre [4] In 1840 he organised the capture of bushranger Edward Davis. [3] He arranged the capture of two other bushrangers Davidson and Smith. [2] Between 1841 and 1842 he became the commissioner for the Court of Requests in Maitland mainly working on insolvent estates. [3] In September he announced to the community that he was replacing Captain Inness as superintendent of Sydney Police. [2] On 1 January 1851 he was appointed the provincial inspector of police for the northern district of Sydney. [3] In 1853 he was stipendiary magistrate in Port Macquarie. [3] Between 1858 until illness and attacks of paralysis in 1869 forced his retirement as magistrate in Maitland. [5] [3]
In 1836 he married Margaret the daughter of postmaster-general James Raymond. [3] The couple had eleven children together. [2] After the capture of Davis the residents of Scone presented him with a plate for his services. [3] He was a foundation member of the Australian Immigration Association and was elected chairman of the Maitland branch [3] On 16 February 1844 he laid the foundation stone for the new goal at East Maitland. [3] In January 1846 he laid the foundation of a new hospital at Maitland. [3] He was unsuccessful as a businessman and his estate was sequestrated in 1848. [3] He died on 6 May 1876. [3] He is buried at St Peter's Burial Ground, East Maitland. [2] 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." [4]
