Thursday, January 16 1755

This morning about 1 o’clock I had the misfortune to lose my little boy Peter, aged 21 weeks, 3 days.

Paid for flour and other small things 16d. At home all day. In the evening read the 11th and 12th books of Paradise Lost and the 1st and 2nd books of Paradise Regained, which I think is much inferior for the sublimity of style to Paradise Lost.

Friday, January 17 1755

Went to Framfield concerning the burying of little Peter.

Met at Framfield Messrs Grant, Barlow and Wigginton’s man. My mother paid him £30 in full to September last. This day balanced accounts with John Dulake and paid him for the carriage of 2½ tuns salt, 2 bushels sand and 200 Cheser [Cheshire] cheeses — 18/-, which with 6/6 received of him was in full to this day. Paid Francis Paris for 3 tubs brandy 48/6 — but none for myself.

Supped at Mr Porter’s, who informed me that he had paid to Messrs Margesson and Collison on my account £35. Received of Thomas Diplock £27, for which sum I am to give him a draft to send to his landlord.
 

Saturday, January 18 1755

After dinner went to Framfield and buried my little boy.

Mr Collison came there to me and came home with me. Paid him in cash 5.12.0 and by balance of cash account 40.14.0, which is in full of my account except £8. I gave him £27 which I am to draw on him for, payable to Thomas Diplock. Mr Collison spent the evening and lodged at my house.

Paid for meat 2/1.

Sunday, January 19 1755

At home all day. Mr John Collison breakfasted with me and after breakfast went to Framfield. In the afternoon read the 3rd and 4th books of Paradise Regained, and in the evening part of The Whole Duty of Man.

Tuesday, January 21 1755

This day balanced accounts with Edward Barnard and there remains due to me 12 shillings and 7 pence. Paid Francis Smith in cash 0.9.11, which with 1.18.0 paid him before and 0.8.6 due to me for goods is in all 2.16.5, which is in full for carriage to the 15th January last.

This day drew on Messrs Margesson and Collison to Thomas Diplock for £27, which £27 I gave Mr Collison the 18th instant at my house, and agreed to draw for it as before mentioned.

Sent William to Lewes; he spent 2d. I gave Elizabeth Akehurst 6d for Will’s lodging at Jones’s on Saturday night. Wrote to Hartfield. At home all day. After supper read Thomson’s poem on the summer season.

Wednesday, January 22 1755

Paid Francis Smith for a tub of brandy 16/6 for self. Paid Dr Snelling by bill on Margesson and Collison £4 and gave him my note of hand for £4 more. Both, when paid, with £31 paid him before, are in full of all demands to this day.

Wrote out Laughton Place bills, the plasterers amounting to 2.19.10 and the other amounting to 8.10.4½; the whole total is 11.10.2½. Posted my day book. At home all day.

Friday, January 24 1755

Got up early in the morning and went with Mr Vine and his son to Boreham and dined there. I received of Mr Patrick 8.10.4d for nails used at Laughton Place.

Came home in the evening about 9 o’clock, a little in liquor. Spent 12d. Paid Mr Francis Hicks for 6 tod 16 lbs wool 5.12.9.

Saturday, January 25 1755

At home all day. Received of John Akehurst 1.3.0 in full to this day. Paid Francis Smith 3.14.11, which money he paid in London for me (to wit) to Mr Clement Corderoy 3.2.2 in full, and Mr Charles Browne 0.12.9 in full.