Sunday, November 23 1755

In the morning my wife and I went to Horsted to see my uncle Hill; dined there on a roast pig with John Durrant. In the afternoon Samuel Hemsley, T. Parker and J. Foord came in and spent the afternoon. My wife and I came home about 6 o’clock. My wife gave the maid 6d and I gave the boy 6d. I pave Master Durrant’s man 12d for going over to Framfield with me the 9th instant and for fetching Peter Adams’s horse today for me. Paid for milk ½d.

Tuesday, November 24 1755

This night has been a very remarkable windy night and a great quantity of rain. Paid for bread 2d. Sent Francis Smith… 46.1.0, which he is to pay in London for me. At home all day. Molly French, John French and Fanny Weller drank tea with us and we played at brag in the evening. My wife and I lost 1½d. Joseph Fuller smoked 2 pipes here in the evening.

Thursday, November 27 1755

At home all day. This day we brewed and filled both the large barrels. Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 3 stone beef, 5/6; ditto of Mr French 1 gallon of peas and 4½ lbs hops. In the evening posted my day book and wrote out Joseph Fuller’s bill amounting to 5.18.6. In the evening read part of Tournefort’s Voyage into the Levant.

Saturday, November 29 1755

At home all day. Mr Edward Miller sent me a present of a hare. Gave the boy that brought it 12d. Samuel Slater Jr came in a little after dinner for Nanny Slater. Master Piper drank tea with us; I paid him 2.17.0 in part for money paid to Messrs Margesson and Collison on my account by Messrs Swainstone and Hedges. Paid Master Piper 6/8 for the 2 bushels of malt received the 30th of September last, which is in full except 6½ bushels malt and the remainder of the above money. I wrote the banns of marriage for Master Piper to be published in the church tomorrow between himself and his servant Mary Denmall… Gave Henry Vine for going to Framfield in the morning for me 3d. Paid John Watford Sr 3d for a bundle of straw. Paid for milk ½d. Busy all day. Samuel Slater and I spent the evening together at my own house. About 10:15 Master John Mugridge came in and stayed until 12:05. I rec’d of him in cash 2.10.4¾, which 1s in full to this day. Samuel Slater brought me 2 fine rabbits for a present.

Sunday, November 30 1755

In the morning I got up and went to Mrs Day’s to invite her and Miss Suky to dinner with us and breakfasted with her. While they were at church in the forenoon, Samuel and Nanny Slater went home. My brother Moses came to see us while they were at church and he, Mrs Day and Miss Suky dined with us on a hare, a piece of boiled beef and turnips and a bread pudding. After dinner Charles Diggens came in. Mrs Day and Miss Suky and my wife went to church and came back and drank tea. Mrs Day and Miss Suky went home about 5:25. Charles Diggens and my brother Moses stayed till about 7:15 and both went home a little merry. Paid for bread 2d.