Thursday, September 22 1763

…Sent by Thomas Davy 3/9 in full for my club arrears due this night as a member of the Mayfield [Friendly] Society.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some boiled mutton and cucumbers. After dinner walked down to Whyly for the gloves I left there yesterday, but did not stay. At home all day except as above; but very little to do in the shop. In the evening Joseph Fuller chatted with me some time.

Wednesday, September 21 1763

My brother came over in the forenoon and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of pork boiled and some carrots.

My brother stayed and waited in the shop while I went to serve Mr French’s funeral. I served the funeral and came home about 7:20. My brother went away immediately. A very remarkable wet forenoon, it raining almost incessantly all the forenoon. Mr French was aged 55 years. An account of the gloves given away today:

Men’s black ribbon-bound gloves:
1. Mr John French3. John Baker
2. Mr John Thatcher4. Thomas Tester
5. Thomas Davy
Women’s black ribbon-bound gloves:
1. Mrs French6. Mrs Durrant
2. Molly French7. Dame Cornwell
3. Mrs Thatcher8. Dame Prall
4. Mrs Virgoe9. Dame Trill
5. Mrs Davy10. Elizabeth Henly
11. Mrs French’s maid
Boy’s black ribbon-bound gloves:
1. Samuel French
Men’s looped gloves:
1. Mr Porter
Total of Gloves:
5 pairs men’s 2d chamois
11 pairs women’s do.
1 pair men’s looped
1 pair boys’ 2d chamois or black ribbon-bound.

Tuesday, September 20 1763

Sent Mr Paul Hornsby… 14.11.0… I dined on a piece of bacon boiled and carrots. Rec’d of John Nutley the half guinea I lent him the 10th instant.

Drew up the minutes of agreement between Mr Francis Weller and Mr George Bannister wherein Mr Weller agrees to let Mr Bannister that end of his house [i.e., the other end from Turner’s half of the house], late his mother’s, and all the furniture as it stands, an inventory of which was taken and annexed to the agreement. Mr Bannister is to give 2/3 each week. I witnessed the said agreement and a stayed and drank tea with Mr Weller and his sister.

But little to do all day. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe or two with me.

Monday, September 19 1763

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some cucumbers. At home all day. In the evening Mr Francis Weller sat with me some time. Posted my day book today and in the evening wrote my London letters.

Sunday, September 18 1763

Myself and servant at church in the morning… I dined on a piece of beef boiled and French beans., Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… After churchtime I went to Joseph Fuller’s, where I drank tea, and from thence I went down to Whyly to speak to Mrs French about the funeral of her husband. Came home about 8 o’clock and, calling in at Thomas Davy’s, I stayed and supped there and came home about 9:30 very sober, having drunk nothing this day stronger than tea and water.

Saturday, September 17 1763

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day and very little to do. In the afternoon about 5:30 died Mr French of this parish after a long and lingering illness, which, it’s to be doubted, was first brought on by the too frequent use of spirituous liquors and particularly gin.

If it was possible to make any estimate of the quantity he drank for several years past, I should think he could not drink less on a moderate computation than 20 gallons a year. Let me, from such instances, fly the habit of drinking and think upon the final consequence.

Friday, September 16 1763

Rec’d of Edward Foord in cash 3.7.0 in full for land and window tax due Lady Day last. Rec’d of Joseph Fuller l lb of beef 3d. I dined on a hot beef pie. At home all day and very little to do, very little indeed. In the evening read The Humourist Lieutenant, which I think a very good comedy.

Thursday, September 15 1763

In the forenoon walked down to Halland, but did not stay. I dined on part of a leg of lamb boiled and carrots. Dame Marchant and her daughter Sally drank tea with me. Very little to do all day, very little indeed.