About 8:20 Mr Porter, Mr French, Thomas Fuller, Mr Elless and myself, together with near 30 boys, set out in order to walk the bounds of this parish against that of Chiddingly. We went down to Whitesmith where, after staying some time, we were met according to appointment by the Rev Mr Herring, vicar of Chiddingly, Mr Thomas Funnel, Will Jenner and Mr Thomas Hicks the butcher.
We began our walk where our parish, Laughton and Chiddingly join. We proceeded on our walk until we came to what is called the Etchingly wood where each parish took a separate way, and neither of them had any further evidence than that of hearsay (there being no person in either parish that ever walked in it till about 4 years since); so of consequence it must remain upon dispute though the whole quantity of land which is disputed for does not appear to me to be above 10 or 12 acres (part of the Moat Farm, by Sinden’s mill). I think the arguments I heard of both parties make it plain that it must belong to this parish and that at this time (and I believe for 30 years past) it is not taxed to Chiddingly, nor to this parish till about 4 years ago. We came home about 12:20…
We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some eggs. Mrs Gibbs and her daughter drank tea at our house. Very busy all day. In the evening wrote my London letters. Thomas Davy sat with us a while… Trade I hope is at present somewhat brisker than it has been, but oh, money comes in but dull! I have now I think retrenched my expenses as much as it is possible for me to do; so with the blessing of the Almighty I hope I shall once again get the better of my misfortunes.