John DAY was a sealer, and according to http://boundforsouthaustralia.net.au/journey-content/kangaroo-island-before-1836.html was one of the 10 people still on the Island in 1836.
He was Governor Wallan's off-kick http://boundforsouthaustralia.net.au/journey-content/henry-wallan.html
He was also known as William Day and was known to frequent the Hogan Group of islands in the Bass Strait around 1829. https://bassstraitto1850.wordpress.com/biographies-of-people-living-in-or-visiting-bass-strait-to-1850/
John Day Alias Wm Day 5 Ft 9 in- fair complexion Sandy Hair Light whiskers Pimple on the left cheek age 40- place of resort Kents Group-Sealer 7 years had resided 3 years on Kents Hogans group has an no Abgn female -
Correspondence And Related Papers, Both Official And Private, 1829-1850 1. Van Diemen's Land, 1829-ca.1865 (Locn No.: A 7059)
Papers Of George Augustus Robinson - Miscellanea - 1829-1833
I made a traverse of Cygnet River for some miles inland, and in one of my walks came across a small cultivated patch of ground occupied by a sealer whose name, I think, was John Day. He was very civil and gave me all the information he could respecting the nature of the country inland and the habits of his companions located there. It seems there were six men on the Island who had arrived their previously in a boat on a sealing venture. The names of some were Wally, Thompson and John Day. I cannot recollect the names of the others. Day told me that they sometimes made a voyage to the main land and had in this way provided themselves with women – whether by purchase or violence he did not say. -
‘Some early recollections’ by B.T. Finniss Transcript of original manuscript in The Borrow Collection, Flinders University Library Archived in Flinders Academic Commons
In January 1837 there was an enquiry into the riots at Kingscote on 26 September 1836. The minutes of the proceedings are in GRG 24/90/342 It should be noted that the Commissioners found against Stephens. Also of interest is the fact that Thomas Gilbert makes the point that Wallen and Day were considered respectable and in subsequent dealings he (Gilbert) had this view confirmed particularly in relation to Day. - Chris Ward
As William he arrived in Sydney a free man on the Marquis of Wellington on 27 January 1815. - Chris Ward.
He died in 1860.
DAY.— On the 13th June, at South Richmond, Mr.John Day, one of the earliest settlers of Kangaroo Island, aged 70 years.
Family Notices. (1860, June 15). South Australian Register(Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49891450
and was buried West Terrace Cemetery (site unknown*) 15 June 1860 age 70.
* It is surprising that Day’s death was recorded in the press but his death does not appear to have been registered and the location of his grave is not known to the West Terrace Cemetery authorities.
My understanding is that in 1849 an area of the cemetery was granted to the Church of England which is roughly the area between todays Roads 4 and 5. They relinquished control in 1862. The cemetery authorities claim that the Church did not record his location in their burial register which is a statement I find difficult to believe. The actual death is a secular matter but the funeral and burial was very much a religious matter. - Chris Ward