‘The History and Heritage of Xenia, Ohio: And The Day Family’

In this volume, the history and heritage of the African American community of Xenia, Ohio is highlighted. This is where the ‘Day family grew up during the 1900’s to the present. It is the goal of the ‘Day family to document and preserve this history for future generations. This book is co-edited by brothers Theodore A. Day, and Aaron L. Day. Project Consultants are; brothers William A. Day, Frederick A. Day, Sister Sharon L. Day-Thompson, and their nephews, brothers Mark Day, and James (Wade) Day.

Theodore collected a tremendous amount of information on people in the Sports field. He was a star athlete, and has been inducted three-times into The Athletics Hall of Fame. William collected a tremendous amount of information on people in the Military. He went on to a distinguished Award-Winning Career in the Military. Aaron collected information about the Educators and Writers. He has gone on to become an Award-Winning and Best-selling Author, Historian and Genealogist.

Brother Frederick (Fred), and our sister Sharon, worked to find much of this history about the schools, businesses, and the African Americans in Xenia. This includes: Community Leaders & Activists, people in business, sports, the military, African Americans in education, elected officials, and pioneers are also included. Sharon is a Restorative Nursing Assistant in Physical Therapy. Fred is a – Long-time ‘Banks – Day’ Family Historian. Only two Day’ family members of the oldest living generation are still living in Xenia, Ohio - (Sharon and Fred). There are five properties in Xenia still owned by the Day family.

The Day family is reviewed. Contributing information to this book are two sons of our deceased brother, James George Day. His son Mark Day has gone on to a distinguished career as a Record/Movie Producer, Educator & Photographer. His son James (Wade) has gone on to a distinguished career as a Deputy Sheriff in Law- Enforcement, and also a Pastor.
Part one reviews a brief history of the City of Xenia, Ohio, and focuses on the African American people. Community leaders, activists, organizations, social clubs, and institutions are reviewed. Sports and Military people are also reviewed - with special emphasis on those who served our country during trying times. Of special interest are the people who went into business for themselves, the elected officials, families, and pioneers who paved the way.
The early churches in Xenia, Ohio are reviewed in Part two of this book. Churches have always been at the forefront of the African American communities. The Ministers and congregations of most churches are usually very powerful, and committed leaders within the communities. Churches include: Zion Baptist Church, Third Baptist Church, Middle Run Baptist Church, St. John A.M.E. Church/ United A. M. E. Church, First A.M.E. Church/ United A. M. E. Church, East Main Street Christian Church/First United Christian Church.


Included is a brief history of early East High School. The 1924, 1951, and the 1956-57 East High School Yearbooks are highlighted, and a review of Xenia High School. Brief histories of Wilberforce University and Central State University have also been included in this book. Our mother, Lula Mary Banks-Day was a graduate of Wilberforce University in 1931, and her niece Cordelia Thompson Hill was a 1992 graduate. Our brother, Theodore A. Day, was a graduate of Central State University in 1965, and his son Theodore Day, Jr., graduated in 2011.

Ted and Aaron have traced their ‘Day ancestors back to the 1670’s, and discovered information about relatives, like brothers Thomas and John Day. Although Thomas J. Day, and his brother John J. Day, did not live in Xenia, Ohio, they have been very inspirational to the Day family. Throughout each generation, the sisters, brothers, cousins, and other family members have always been very close, supportive, and worked together. This is still true today. Family members like Thomas J. Day and John J. Day paved the way for future generations. They were known as “free people of color” or “free blacks.” (See Appendix I) - for the ‘Day family Genealogy/History Research.

John J. Day was born February 18, 1797 in Virginia. He worked as a cabinetmaker with John, his father, and with his brother Thomas. He was licensed as a Baptist minister in 1821. He traveled to Liberia as part of the colonization effort by the American Colonization Society. He was appointed by the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions as the head of their mission in Liberia. In addition to preaching, Day served as a farmer and merchant. He served as a delegate from Grand Bassa County to Liberia’s Constitutional convention and signed both its Declaration of Independence and its Constitution. In 1854, he was appointed to the Supreme Court and served as the second Chief Justice of Liberia.

Thomas J. Day was born in 1801 in Virginia. He followed his older brother John to Caswell County, North Carolina in the 1820’s. Thomas opened his business in Milton, North Carolina on the Virginia border near Danville, Virginia. He became one of the South’s most celebrated furniture makers. By the 1850’s he had the largest furniture business in the state. A great deal of his furniture has survived and is in private homes and museums. The furniture of Thomas Day is on display at the Raleigh North Carolina Museum. The building where he made his furniture, the Union Tavern or (Yellow Tavern) is now a Historic Landmark, and a Museum with much of Thomas Days’ furniture on display.

Over the past years, there have been quite a number of articles written about Una Mae Carlisle, the famous singer, pianist, and songwriter. While investigating these articles, Ted and Aaron Day decided that they would do some research themselves to learn more about this extraordinary woman. Imagine their surprise when they discovered that Una Mae Carlisle’s grandmother was also a (Day) and was from North Carolina, the home of their ancestors.