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A person buying some things in the shop dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some garden beans. Finished posting my day book today. At home all day and I think never less to do. My brother Moses called on me today in his road to and from Hailsham…

…I dined on a cold beef pie and some garden beans. At home all day and pretty busy. Paid John Thomson in cash 1.1.0 on account of work done on Mr Vine’s farm. Paid John Tamkin in cash and goods 8/- on the same account.

An extreme fine day. Thomas Durrant took part of my bed, there being company at his own house.

Myself and servant at church in the morning… I dined on some cold beef pie and cucumbers. After dinner my late servant Mary Martin came to see me, as did my brother, and they, together with myself and servant, were at church in the afternoon…

After churchtime my brother and I rode to Lewes where I called and talked with Mr Baley some time about Mr Vine’s affairs, and also called on Mr Michell, who was at home. We stayed with my brother Richard some time, and then came home about 9:30. My brother went away immediately. My late servant stayed and drank tea at my house.

In my absence today Mr Simonds Blackman [the new tenant of Whyly Farm] and his bride made their first appearance at church. Spent today upon myself, horse and turnpike 9d…

…About 2:30 we had a tempest of thunder and lightning, and a great deal of rain. The thunder had been heard all the morning from about 5:20. The storm here was not very severe, neither the thunder nor lightning so sharp as I have heard, but it was excessive dark, and I dare say was very severe both to the southwest and southeast of this place. But it passed over here pretty light. I do not remember ever to have seen the heavens in so seeming a tempestuous situation as they were today, the whole element seeming in a commotion. It did not last a great while here.

Sam Jenner drank some coffee with me, it being a wager I lost. At home all day and thank God very busy. In the evening wrote my London letters. Robert Hook a-gardening for me part of the day. In the afternoon Sam Jenner and I played a few games of cribbage.

…Due excessive wet forenoon. I dined on a plain suet pudding and some greens, as did Robert Hook, who was at work for me today, on the remains of what I left. At home all day and pretty busy. Sam Jenner sat some time with me in the evening.

In the morning Mr Baley called on me and we walked up to Mr Vine’s, where we examined his books of accounts. We dined there on a piece of pork, an apple pudding and some cabbage (my servant at home dining on a plain suet pudding and some greens). Came home about 5:30. A very wet evening. Sam Jenner, coming in and the rain continuing, took part of my bed. But very little to do in the shop all day. In the evening instructed Samuel Jenner on the Branan Rules [Brenan’s Rule].

In the forenoon Mr Meadows Neatby and Mr Sterry called on me. I balanced accounts with Mr Neatby and paid him in cash 0.1.6, as also 1 bill on Mr William Margesson …value 8.19.0 …Rec’d of Mr Porter 1 bill on Mr Mayer in Gray’s Inn Court, Holborn, drawn by Mr Isaac Baley, payable to Mr Abraham Baley…value £20, for which I gave Mr Porter my note to pay the same as soon as the said bill is paid. I balanced accounts with Mr Richard Sterry and gave him the above bill, as also 1.2.0 in cash, which is in full of all demands as to this day. Mr Neatby and Mr Sterry stayed and dined with me on a hind-quarter of lamb roasted and carrots, and as soon as a dinner was over they went away immediately.

Paid Mr Ben Shelley in cash 2.7.3 in full for the same sum he has paid in London for me [including a Breman’s 3-foot rule in full, 0.3.9, and four lemons, 0.0.4]… Rec’d of George Alcorne by the payment of his wife 7/- on account. At home all day and pretty busy.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some cucumber. At home all day and pretty busy. In the evening read part of the London Magazine for July, in which I find a great many excellent pieces, more than I ever remember to have seen in any one magazine. Perhaps I may be partial in my opinion, and only think them excellent as they agree with my own sentiments, for we are apt to be partial in our judgment of men and books as they agree and are similar to our own thoughts. Few have so sound a judgment as to think and act impartial when their interests or sentiments are the topic.

Paid Joseph Fuller Jr 11½d for a pound of veal and half a calf’s head bought of him today. I dined on a veal pudding. Rec’d of Sam Gibbs by Will Goad 20 fleeces of sheep’s wool weighing 1 tod 10 lbs, for which I am to give 8d a pound. Also received of Master Goad 12 fleeces weighing 20½ lbs, for which I gave him 8d a pound, and paid him for the same 13/4.

Paid Will Martin, blacksmith at Laughton, 9/- in full for 2m of 6d nails bought of him today. Paid John Thomson in cash and goods 3/- on account of works done at Mr Vine’s. Paid Mr John Tamkin in cash and goods 7/6 for work done at Mr Vine’s.

At home all day and thank God very busy. My servant very ill today. In the evening Page’s team brought me a load of salt. Sam Jenner sat with me some time in the evening.

My servant very ill. I breakfasted with Thomas Durrant. Myself at church in the morning… I dined at Master Durrant’s on a piece of pork boiled, some cabbage, a shoulder of mutton roasted, French beans and an apple pudding. Mr Snelling called on me in the afternoon and stayed some time. Myself at church in the afternoon…

After churchtime Thomas Durrant and myself walked down to Sam Jenner’s, where we drank tea and stayed and smoked a pipe or two. Came home about 9:20. After that I walked into Dame Durrant’s, where I sat about half an hour. Mr James Fuller and Ann Newington, both of this parish, were asked in the forenoon for the first time.