The Diary, 1754–1765
Paid Joseph Fuller 6d for part of a loin of mutton bought of him today for Dame Burrage. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Rec’d of Edward Hope in cash 1.8.0 for ½ year’s land tax due St Michael last.
Paid Joseph Fuller Jr in cash £14, which with the £46 paid him the 15th instant makes together the sum of £60, and is in full for the note of hand I gave him the 15th ult. Accordingly I took up my note of hand.
I dined on part of a sparerib boiled and turnips. Paid Mr George Verral at Lewes by his son George 3.8.10 in full. Master Jenner, coming in the evening, stayed all night.
This being Christmas Day, I was at church in the morning; the text in the latter part 26th verse 9th chapter Hebrews: “…but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” I stayed the communion; gave 6d.
The widow and James Marchant, Elizabeth Mepham and 2 girls: dined with me on part of a buttock of beef boiled, a raisin suet pudding and turnips and potatoes. James Marchant, Elizabeth Mepham and one of the girls drank tea with me. At home all day. Read part of Young’s Estimate of Human Life.
Myself and servant at church in the morning; the text in Isaiah 9:6; “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Sam Jenner dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. After dinner we, together with Thomas Durrant, walked over to Framfield where we drank tea with my brother and stayed and smoked a pipe or two with him and came home about 6:50. After I came home I went into Joseph Durrant’s, where I smoked a pipe or two and came home about 8:10 very sober, having drunk nothing the whole day stronger than water cider.
Sam Jenner, coming to assist me in drawing off some cider, dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Sent Mr Robert Plumer…£23. Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 1.12.0 in full for the first half year’s land tax due at St Michael last…
In the evening went down to John Jones’s, there being a vestry to choose surveyors for the ensuing year. I stayed and drew up the last year’s surveyors’ accounts and then came home. The surveyors chosen for the ensuing year were Thomas Carman and James Fuller; and the electioners John Vine and Edward Hope.
My brother William came to see me and stayed all night. In the evening Thomas Durrant and Sam Jenner, who had been at work for me all the day, and Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe or two with me. In the evening wrote my London letters. At home all day, except as before. Gave the following box money:
| To the Postboy | 0.0.6 |
| Butcher’s boy | 0.0.3 |
| Isaac Turner | 0.0.3 |
| Robert Hook | 0.0.3 |
| 0.1.3 |
…My brother Will dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the evening went down to Mr Porter’s, where I balanced accounts with him and received of him in cash 61.8.6 in full on my account to this day. I also received of him 4.8.0 in full for half a year’s land tax due St Michael last. I stayed and supped there and came home about 11:30, sober. My brother stayed all night.
My brother stayed and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner and then went home. In the afternoon busy a-writing… In the evening Mr Wood and I played a few games of cribbage; I neither won or lost. Sam Jenner, being to go out for me a journey tomorrow, he coming in the evening for his instructions, stayed all night.
Sam Jenner stayed and breakfasted with me and then went home. Paid Thomas Cornwell for 2 rabbits bought of him today 16d. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some onion sauce. At home all day.
In the afternoon posted part of my day book. A most remarkable sharp frost and the wind extremely cold, I think almost as cold as I ever knew it.
Rec’d of Mrs Atkins 1.6.0; ditto of Mr Thomas Carman 1.6.0, both in full for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last.
I dined on a piece of beef boiled, a piece of pork and turnips. At home all day and pretty busy. Finished posting my day book. A very remarkable cold frosty day. Rec’d of John Jones 6/- in full for half a year’s land tax due St Michael last.
…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Rec’d of Francis Turner 12/2 in full and 12/- in full for ½ year’s land tax due at St Michael last.
In the evening my intimate acquaintance and very worthy friend Mr John Breeden of Pevensey came to see me, and he and Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. Mr Breeden stayed all night at my house.