Wednesday, November 14 1764

My sister dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some onion sauce. In the afternoon my sister went down to pay Mrs French and Molly a visit, and in the evening Thomas Durrant and myself went to accompany her home. We two together with my sister, Molly and Sam French played at loo two or three hours; I lost 12¼d. We stayed and supped with Mrs French on a cold roast chick, a piece of cold ham, a bread and cheese and apple pie. Came home very sober about 12:15.

Sam Jenner, being come to saw wood for me tomorrow, took part of my bed. This day were married at our church Mr Simonds Blackman and Mary, his wife (alias Mary Margerison). The reason for this was, she being under age, some months ago they went into Flanders and were married at a place called Ypres, but as this marriage was not in all respects agreeable to the laws of England in regard to their issue enjoying the gentleman’s estate without a possibility of a great deal of trouble to prove the fact of their marriage, the young lady’s father in consideration of this has given his consent for this second marriage (she not being now 19 years of age) and they were agreeably [consequently] married this day by a license which styled her “Mary Margerison, otherwise Blackman.”

In my own private opinion I think instead of making laws to restrain marriage it would be more to the advantage of the nation in general to give encouragement to it, for by that means a great deal of debauchery would in all probability be in prevented and a greater increase of people might be the consequence, which I presume would be one real benefit to the nation, and I think it is the first command of the parent and governor of the universe: Increase and multiply. The observation of St Paul is that marriage is honorable in all men.

Thursday, November 15 1764

…Sam Jenner dined with me today in company my with my sister on a beef pudding and potatoes. Sam Jenner and Thomas Durrant, a-making cider for me in the afternoon at Mr William Driver’s, came back in the evening and supped with me on the remains of dinner. Master Jenner took part of my bed.

Paid Thomas Prall 4/- in full for 4 bushels apples bought of him today. Paid Bridger at Sand-hill 2/- for carrying my apples to William Driver’s. At home all day and pretty busy. In the evening marked 5½ dozen hose. A very cold day.

Friday, November 16 1764

Sam Jenner, sawing wood for me all day, dined with me and my sister on a piece of beef boiled, an apple pudding and potatoes. Paid Richard Fuller 23½d for a hind quarter of West Indies mutton weighing 9½ lbs at 2½d per lb received by him today. Paid Ben Shelley by his brother John 7/9 in full for the same sum paid in London for me…

In the afternoon my sister went to pay Mrs Carman a visit, and about 6:30 Thomas Durrant and I went down to accompany her home. We together with my sister and Bett Fuller stayed and supped at Mr Carman’s in company with their own family on a piece of beef boiled, two ducks roasted, gravy sauce, potatoes, turnips and a fine plain bread pudding and some tarts. We played some time at a game called “Laugh and lay down”; I lost 7d at it. Gave Mr Carman’s maid 6d and came home very sober about 1:30. Sam Jenner took part of my bed.
 

Saturday, November 17 1764

Balanced accounts with Mr Sam Gibbs and received of him in cash 4.17.0 in full… Sam Jenner sawing wood for me for me all day, he and my sister dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a loin of West Indies mutton roasted and potatoes. At home all day and very busy. A very cold day. In the evening Sam Jenner and I played a few games of cribbage; I won 4d. My sister stayed with me all day. Rec’d a pig of Joseph Durrant weighing 5¾ lbs at 3d — 17¼d.

Sunday, November 18 1764

Myself and sister at church in the morning. My sister dined with me upon a pig roasted and bread sauce, bullock’s tongue boiled and turnips. Rec’d of Mr Francis Hicks at Chiddingly by the payment of Mr Peter Pellin in cash 1.16.8 on account. My sister, self and servant at church in the afternoon… My brother came for my sister in the afternoon, and he and Mrs Carman and Molly drank tea with me, and then they went all away immediately. Thomas Durrant sat with me some time in the evening, to whom I read several chapters of the Bible.

Monday, November 19 1764

Mr Burgess’s son, at work for me in the morning, dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the evening wrote my London letters and afterwards Sam Jenner, Robert Hook, Peter Pellin and myself played a few games of double cribbage; I lost 8d. At home all day and very little to do in the shop…

Tuesday, Monday 20 1764

Sent Mr Will Margesson…the bank bill value £15 which I exchanged for Mr Porter the 5th instant, as also the two notes from Hankey & Co. to Durrant, value £10 each, which I received of Joseph Fuller the 6th instant. Sent Mr Nicholas Wake at Winton… 6.11.0… Sent Mr Samuel Beaven at the Devizes 1 bill… value £6… Also sent in Mr Samuel Beaven’s letter to Mr Richard Waite at the Devizes 1 bill on Mr Will Margesson… value 4.7.6, which bill when paid is in full on my account with Mr Richard Waite. The letter enclosing the bill to Mr Wake, as also that to Mr Sam Beaven, enclosing his bill and Mr Waite’s, I sent enclosed in a letter to Mr John Crouch in order for him to forward by the post…

I dined on the remains of Sunday’s dinner. My landlord Mr Francis Weller called on me today, but did not stay. I lent Sam Jenner my horse today, who came back in the evening and stayed and took part of my bed… At home all day and very little to do in the shop.

Wednesday, November 21 1764

At home all day and really very little to do in the shop. Sam Jenner dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the evening read part of a volume of the Universal Magazine.

Thursday, November 22 1764

Sam Jenner and Thomas Durrant a-making cider for me, and they assisted in bringing it home. Sam Jenner dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a plain suet pudding and some potatoes. At home all day and very little to do in the shop. This day received a letter from Mr Baley relating to Mr Vine’s affairs. Mr Walls of Halland and Mr Stace the younger and Joseph Fuller Jr, coming into my house accidentally, stayed and spent the evening with me. In the evening read part of the 4th volume of the Universal Magazine.

Friday, November 23 1764

Mrs Carman and Bett, coming in in the forenoon to buy some things in the shop, took part of my dinner; viz., a piece of beef boiled and potatoes; and also stayed and drank tea a with me. Paid Mr Edward Blackwell at Hawkhurst by his son Will in cash 5.2.0 in full for 24 reams of common paper received by him today. He then paid me 7/- for 1 cwt 0 qr 23 lbs of hand a stuff bought of me today. Paid Mr Ben Shelley in cash 3.7.6 in full for the same sum paid for me this week…

At home all day and thank God very busy. In the evening wrote an answer to the letter received from Mr Baley the 22nd instant, Joseph Fuller Sr and Jr staying while I wrote it. Rec’d a letter from Mr William Margesson (by Benjamin Shelley) dated the 21st acquainting me and bill value £12 sent him the 13th instant as also the three notes value together £35 sent him the 20th instant came safe to hand. A very cold day.

Oh, how pleasant was the evening spent after a busy day in my dear Peggy’s time, but nowit’s all unpleasant, nothing to soothe the anxious mind, no pleasing companion, no sincere friend, nor agreeable acquaintance, or at least among the fair sex.