John Day, Sr., the son of Nathaniel and Susan Wyly Day, was born June 30, 1742 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. After Nathaniel Day died, Susan Wyly Day took her family to Virginia and settled in the Capon Spring area sometime before 1756. In that year, there was a raid by the Shawnee Indians, and Susan and several of her children were taken captive. John Day, then about fourteen, went with a party to rescue the family. They found his mother and younger brother dead, but were able to rescue his sisters.
John Day, Sr. married Polly Susan. It is believed that she died sometime before 1775. John then married Esther Drennin. While living in Botetourt County, Virginia, John fought in the Indian Wars. He was commissioned Ensign by the Committee of Safety for the Colony of Virginia in 1775, and in 1777 he was appointed Indian Spy. John Day, Sr. fought in the Battle of Point Pleasant. John died in Jefferson County, Tennessee on December 4, 1833. His pension request is on file in the National Archives, SF No. 3252.
JOHN DAY SR.
Day John Sr., the first child of Nathaniel and Susan Wylie Day was born in Bucks Co., P A, b June 30, 1742, December 4, 1833 in Jefferson Co., TN
He married twice -his first wife Polly Susan his second Ester Drinnon. There are twelve known children. From incomplete records all were thought to be by Polly Susan. They were John Day Jr, Thomas, Jesse Sr, David, Joseph, Levi, Stephen, Mary, Nehemiah, Hannah, Elizabeth and (Hettie) Ester Mehettibelle.
The Day family were known to be skilled wood workers. John and Polly Susan lived for a time in Carroll and Grayson counties VA. Furniture said to have been made by John Day Sr is still to be found in this area.
John Day Sr. moved to Green Co., North Carolina -later Jefferson Co., TN in 1785. -Recorded in- National Archives File No. 5-3252 is his application for a Revolutionary War Soldier pension. The affidavits by John Sr. and John Jr. document much family history such as the year he and his family came to Tennessee.
His own words tell a graphic account of the Shawnee Indian attack an the rescue of his sisters.
John Day established a fort in the Hawksbill Settlement called John Days Fort;, known in 1766 as Fort Cumberland and in 1772 as Kegleys and Prices Fort.
There is also this interesting account “Virginia Malitia in Revolution from Kentucky, March 4, 1834 John Day Sr. died December 4, 1833 at 92 years, Jefferson Co., Tennessee.”
John Day Sr. moved his family from Virginia to Green County, N.C. later Jefferson Co. TN “about four years after Cornwallis was taken” (1785) “and lived here ever since.” documented in National Archives File# 5-3252
This file also contains John Day Jr affidavit confirming the year his family moved from Botetourt Co., VA to Jefferson Co., TN in 1785.
From: The Preston and Virginia papers of the Draper collection of manuscripts
1833 JULY 9
Day Jr., John. Affidavit relative to Revolutionary service
of his father, John Day Sr. Lived on Greenbrier River until 1785 ; recollections of his father’s service in the militia in 1776-77, and later as a spy under Captain Cook; attack on Donnallys Port; Hugh MeKeever, John and
James Bridger, and Henry Baker killed near Days Fort; Mrs. Thomas Drennon also killed. July 9, 1833 Day Sr., John. Jefferson County, Tenn. Pension statement. Born June 30, 1742 in Buck s County, Pa.; removal to Botetourt County, Va. ; capture of the Day family; volunteer under Captain Paxton in 1776 ; Indian spy in Botetourt County under Captain Cook; ranged about Ellis and Day s forts; John and James Bridger killed by Indians; attack on Donnally’s Fort; received ensign’s commission, Oct. 11, 1775.
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