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I dined on a hot bullock’s kidney pie. In the afternoon my brother went to Uckfield for me to meet the carrier. Bett Carman, buying a pretty many things in the shop, drank tea with me. Paid Mr Joseph Fuller 3d for the kidneys bought of him yesterday… At home all day and not but little to do in the shop.

I received a letter by today’s post from Mr Will Margesson acquainting me the bill value 37.7.6 sent him the 19th instant on Baldwin was refused acceptance. Paid John Shelley on account of his brother Ben Shelley in cash 1.13.7 in full. …He then paid me 19/3 in full for the same sum he received of Mr Ben Treacher in full for money due to me for rabbit skins. Mr John Robinson, servant to Mr Will Margesson, called on me, but did not stay.

About 11:20 I set out for Lewes in order to see Mr Stone about the bill on Baldwin; he repaid the money (a good job). Paid Mr Edward Denman in cash 2.14.10 in full on my brother Richard’s account.

I stayed with my brother Moses, who was also in town, till I was really quite in liquor and to up my lodging at the Cats. I abominate and loathe myself for not having a more firm resolution, as a very trifle makes me drunk. Therefore I am determined once for all to refrain from drinking.

I came home in the forenoon, but barely sober. Spent upon myself, horse, ostler, servants, turnpike etc. 3/ll½. My brother at home at church in the morning. My family dined on some boiled tripe. My brother and servant both at church in the afternoon.

This was not spending a Sunday as it used to be spent in my dear Peggy’s lifetime. Oh, the difference–one a life serene and would bear a retrospect view, the other all tempest and unpleasantness.

Sent Sir Sam Fludyer & Co. enclosed in a letter by the post (sent to Prall’s) 1 bill on Mr Will Margesson dated today, 30 days’ date, value 6.2.0, No. 640, which bill when paid is in full on my account with Sir Samuel Fludyer & Co. Paid Mr Shackleton, servant and rider to Mr Stephen Heath, tobacconist, who called on me today, in cash 7.12.0 in full on my account with Mr Heath. Paid Mr John Piper in cash 4.0.6 in full for money Mr George Tomlin, hop factor, sold some clover-seed for… Paid John Piper 5/- for half a cord wood and all other demands.

Master Piper coming to my house in the forenoon, he bought a coat of me and dined with me on a leg of mutton boiled and potatoes. He and Mr Carman smoked several pipes with me in the afternoon and evening. Rec’d of Mr Thomas Walls 1.6.0 in full for half a year’s land tax due for part of Halland farm at St Michael last. At home all day. In the evening, wrote my London letters. A great deal of rain fell in the day, but a smart frost in the evenings.

Sent Mr Thomas Dyke & Son at Sarum enclosed in a letter, which letter was enclosed in another to Mr John Crouch, grocer, in order for him to put in the post in London (by Ben Shelley delivered to his servant) 1 bill… value 12.3.0… Sent Mrs Elizabeth Middleton & Son enclosed in a letter by Shelley delivered to his servant one bill value 3.15.0… Paid Mr Charles Cooper, a sheriff’s bailiff, in cash 25/- in full on my account. Paid Mr John Potter 9/2 in full for thatching a house in this parish [probably Jones’s] for Mr Thomas Neatby.

At home all day and very little to do. In the evening; my brother and I played a few games of cribbage; I won 8d of him. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some boiled tripe.

In the forenoon at church. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day and but very little to do. Sam Jenner, coming into my house in the evening, and it being very wet the whole evening, took part of my bed.

Sam Jenner, at work for me all the forenoon dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some boiled potatoes. At home all day and but very little to do. Posted the parish accounts. In the day we had a great deal of snow fall, and had there been any frost for it to have lain on, it would have been an extreme deep snow, it continuing snowing almost the whole day.

Rec’d by the post today enclosed in a letter from Mr William Margesson the bill value 37.7.6 sent him the 19th instant, which has returned for non-payment.

…My brother William came to see me in the forenoon and dined with me on [a] bullock’s cheek boiled and some potatoes. My brother stayed with me all day and also stayed all night. Very busy all the day a-posting the parish accounts. At home all day.

My brother stayed and dined with me on a piece of pork boiled, an apple pudding and some potatoes. My brother went away after dinner. Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 1 leg of mutton and some mutton chops weighing together 10½ lbs at 3½d a pound.

In the evening Mr John Robinson, servant and rider to Mr Will Margesson, called on me, and I paid him in cash 51.17.0 on account of his master Mr William Margesson. Mr Robinson stayed and supped with me on some bread and cheese and also lodged at my house. At home all day and but very little to do in the shop.

Mr Robinson stayed and breakfasted with me and then went away. Myself and brother at church in the morning… Bett Carman dined with me on some boiled salt fish and egg sauce, parsnips and potatoes. Myself and brother at church in the afternoon… Sam Jenner drank tea with me, and in the evening I read him one of Yorick’s sermons.