Daniel Day was born in the parish of St. Mary Overy in 1683. He worked in Wapping as an engine, pump, and blockmaker, and was regarded as a skilled and capable mechanic. Among his inventions was a jigger, a pump designed to transfer beer from the fermenting vessel to barrels.

As the son of a wealthy brewer, he lived comfortably but chose to dress simply and treated everyone with respect. When invited to a society ball, he received a pair of fine lace ruffles with the instruction to wear them. Disliking the idea, Day asked his housekeeper to dye them green, which he wore to that event and similar occasions thereafter.

He treated his servants as friends. When his widowed housekeeper passed away after three decades of service, Day took it upon himself to arrange her funeral. He insisted that her ring remain on her finger, believing that she would return to life if it were removed. The woman was buried in her wedding dress with a pound of tea in each hand, items she had cherished in life. Although Day did not enjoy tea himself, he was accommodating of others who did.

Day was known for his generosity. If a friend faced financial difficulties and borrowed money, he would not charge interest and often forgave the debt. In 1760, he gifted a bell to the newly built St. John’s Church in Wapping, and many charities benefited from his benevolence. He admitted to feeling uncomfortable around lawyers, noting that his face would twitch at the mention of litigation.