John and Elizabeth Day - Moor Farm, Holyport Berkshire

Monument to John and Elizabeth Day, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.

"In loving memory of John Day died January 13th 1906 aged 56 years - at rest- 'Thy will be done'.

And of Elizabeth Day died December 21st 1938 aged 85 years."

John Day was born in 1849 in Shottesbrooke, Berkshire to John Day, a Farmer of 133 acres, employing 12 labourers, and his wife Mary Ann Ashton.  John can first be found on the 1851 Census, aged 2, living with his parents and baby sister Harriet, at their farm in Shottesbrook, Berkshire. Living with the family is John's maternal grandmother Frances Ashton, and visiting is Mary Aston, John's cousin. The family are still living in Shottesbrooke, Berkshire in 1861 and 1871. However, I have been unable to locate John on the 1871 Census.

John's mother Mary Ann passed away in 1874. John and the family. along with widower John Snr can be found on the 1881 census living at Pond Wood Farm in Shottesbrooke Berkshire.  Visiting the family is Elizabeth Newport.

Elizabeth Day was born Elizabeth Newport in 1853 at 28 Bush Lane, Middlesex, London, to Philip Newport, a general dealer, and his wife Sarah Osbourne.  Elizabeth first appears on the 1861 Census, aged 8, living with her parents and siblings at 28 Bush Lane, Middlesex, London. Elizabeth's father Philip was to pass away just a year later in 1862. Again, I am unable to locate Elizabeth or her family on the 1871.

John married Elizabeth Newport on 13th July 1883 at St Barnabas Church in Islington Middlesex.  Together they had six children, four sons and two daughters.  

John's father John Snr was to pass away on 2nd February 1888. The Reading Mercury carried the following announcement on 11th February 1888:

"Day-On 1st inst., [sic] at Pond Wood Farm. Shottesbrook. John Day, aged years." 

On the 1891 Census John, Elizabeth and their family can be found living in Holyport

Sadly, John and Elizabeth were to experience the loss of their son Robert in 1901.

John passed away on 13th January 1906 leaving Elizabeth to take over their farm in Holyport.  Her sons John and Arthur Newport Day returned to the family home at Moor Farm in Holyport to help their mother run the family business.  The Slough, Eton Observer reports at the time;

"Holyport.  Death of well-known local farmer.-  We regret to have to record the death on Saturday afternoon of a well-known and highly respected local farmer-Mr. John Day, of Moor farm, Holyport- after a short illness. Mr day, who formally lived at white Waltham, had farmed at Holyport for a number of years.  He was of a genial disposition, and had many friends.  He took a keen interest in local affairs, and at the time of his death he was a member of the Bray Parish Council.  Much sympathy is felt with Mrs. Day and her family in the great loss in which they have sustained."

Moor Farm is a 13th Century farm house that was first owned by John Atte More in 1270.  It is now a bed and breakfast with holiday cottages attached.

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