John Daniel was brought to Uley by Miss Edna Cunningham who had a summer residence at the Green in Uley. He had been captured in Africa and and nursed by natives before being brought to England.

In Uley John Daniel was brought up just like any other child. He lived in the house, ate at the table and played on the Green. He would often visit other houses and accompany the children to school.

When John became too big Miss Cunningham sold him to an American with the expectation that he would be settled in a Zoo. However he fell into the hands of Barnum & Baileys circus and was taken to the USA. Soon after arriving he fell sick and died.

Photograph of John Daniel leaving Uley

The travails of John Daniel became quite a media event of the day. Concerns about his health and circumstances were reported in both the Times and New York times. (see PDF files below). Despite a late attempt by Miss Cunningham to go to the States to console John he died before she could get there.

On his death John Daniel was stuffed and exhibited in the Natural History Museum in New York, where he can still be seen, which is probably testimony to his celebrity for the short time he was there.

PDF Article 1 about John Daniel in USA

PDF Article2 about John Daniel in the USA

Story of John Daniel in pictures - Montage of Archive film, the BBC production & Interviews