Dame Gower the younger of Laughton breakfasted with us… William Burrage Jr at work for me all day. In the evening my brother came over, but did not stay. Read part of Hervey’s Theron and Aspasio.
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Thursday, August 12 1756
In the morning Mr Jeremiah French and myself signed a certificate for Edward and Mary Gibbs to the Parish of Wittersham in the Isle of Oxney in the County of Kent. It was attested by Thomas Prall and John Streeter. It was dated the 10th of August, and Streeter carried it with him to Lewes to have it signed. In the forenoon posted my day book and wrote out several bills… At home all day. Paid Halland gardener 20d for cucumbers sold for him and for ½ bushel of peas bought of him for my mother, which she has had and paid me for. Read part of Hervey’s Theron and Aspasio. My brother Moses drank tea here.
Friday, August 13 1756
We dined on beans, and pork and batter pudding. Mr French and his wife drank tea with us. In the afternoon sent my servant to Framfield for some thicksets for Mr French… After my maid came back, carried down the thicksets for Mr French to look upon. Came home and read part of Hervey’s Theron and Aspasio.
Saturday, August 14 1756
In the morning took up Mr French’s coat and waistcoat. Fanny Weller being here to help my wife sew an hour or two, she and her mother breakfasted with us. Paid James Fieldcox of Battle 1.2.6 in full for the goods this day received from him as under:
2 doz Women’s pattens | 0.18.0 |
1 doz do. clogs | 0.4.6 |
Fanny Weller dined with us on a piece of bacon, carrots and some cauliflowers, with a fine trout which was given us this day by Thomas Davy. This day received of John Streeter the 10/6 I lent him the 24th of July. About 3 o’clock my brother Moses came over to stand the shop for me whilst my wife and I went to the Wells. Accordingly about 3:05 my wife and I set out for Tunbridge Wells in company with Thomas Davy. We called at my Aunt Ovendean’s at Boarshead and stayed about 30 minutes. We got to the Wells about 6:50. We drank tea at my brother’s and then took a walk about the Wells. Saw Edward Smith. My wife lodged at my brother’s and I and T. Davy at the Angel. We went to bed about 11 o’clock. My brother stayed all night. Rec’d by Streeter the certificate sent by him on Thursday, which is signed by J. Bridger and T. Fuller.
Sunday, August 15 1756
In the morning we got up about 5 o’clock and breakfasted at my brother’s. And then my wife, Sally, T. Davy and myself set out for the [Methodist] camp on Cox Heath where we arrived about 11 o’clock, just as they were all got to their devotions; to wit, 12 congregations and 1000 in each congregation. They seemed to be very attentive at their devotion, and the minister seemed to have a fine delivery. I think the camp as fine a sight as I ever saw. We went from the camp to Maidstone where we dined at the Bird-in-hand, together with many more, on a piece of fine boiled beef, carrots and cabbage and a fore-quarter of lamb roasted and French beans. We stayed till about 3 o’clock, came home by the camp and got to the Wells about 9 o’clock. Supped and spent the evening at my brother’s, as did Edward Smith. My brother Moses went home in the morning…
Monday, August 16 1756
Breakfasted with my brother and spent the forenoon with him, and also dined with him on a hind quarter of lamb roasted and French beans with a bread pudding. We came away about 3 o’clock, and called at my Aunt Ovendean’s, drank tea and came home about 8:35. My brother came again this morning, and stayed until we came home, but then went home immediately. My brother and maid dined on the remains of Saturday’s dinner. Spent in the whole about 12/-. This day the assizes began at East Grinstead before Mr Justice Birch and Mr Baron Legge. Bought at the Wells Locke On Human Understanding, which cost me 4/6, and Mead On Poisons, which cost me 4/-, but did not bring them away because he was to send them me by the news man.
Tuesday, August 17 1756
At home all day. A very wet day continually; there was a storm of thunder and lightning in the night from about 12 o’clock to 3 in the morning. We dined on a piece of pork, carrots and apple pudding. This day balanced accounts with Francis Smith and paid him in cash £4… After we had balanced, I gave him in cash £8, which he is to pay in London for me. This night our maid sat up with Joseph Mepham. Sent Mr Leander Cox a letter wherein I offered him my wool at 21/- per tod delivered in London, or, if he thought it too dear when he saw it, to give but 20/- per tod and pay the carriage–I mean mine and my mother’s wool.
Wednesday, August 18 1756
After breakfast went up to Mr John Vine’s to ask him to balance accounts, but he was not at home. Paid Joseph Fuller 6d for 2 lbs of skirts. My brother dined with us on a beef pudding and some carrots. After dinner Mr John Vine called on me and promised me to balance soon, and I bespoke of him 2 hundreds of faggots. Dame Martin of Whitesmith drank tea with us. In the evening Mr Jordan and Mr Slade called on me. I gave Mr James Jordan a bill on Messrs Margesson and Collison for 6.2.0…in full.
Thursday, August 19 1756
…Afterwards–that is, after breakfast–went to Mr Dicker’s for to receive a small bill (along with Robert Hook), but did not get it. From thence we went to a cricket match played on Cliffe Hill between the Parish of Mayfield and an eleven pretended to have been chosen out of the whole county–but it was only to draw people together. Mayfield went in first and got 78 runs- The pretended county eleven got 55. Then Mayfield went in and got 73. The county men got about 10, and 3 wickets down, when their time expired. Saw Mr Beard, who told me I could not have above 1 or 2 at the most of the 4 pieces of hop-bagging I bought of him the 20th of June. Oh, scandalous! I came home from the Broyle behind Mr John Vine Jr. Spent 7½d. This day received of Mr John Vine 2 hundred house faggots. My family dined on a skirt pudding, and I on nothing. John Watford’s wife drank tea with my wife. I came home about 9:40.
Friday, August 20 1756
This day paid John Cayley in money… and in goods… 4/- in full for 1 year’s rent for Mrs Browne’s stable, due about the 1st instant. I received of John Cayley 1 bill on Weeks, value: 6.4.0…for which I gave him my note of hand… This day we dined on a plum baked batter pudding and some bread sopped.
Oh, how dull is trade, and how very scarce is money! Never did I know so bad a time before. To think how much I have due to me and cannot get in! What shall I do? Work I cannot, and honest I always will be if the Almighty will give me grace. I that used at this time of year to take £15 or £20 a week, and sometimes £25 or £30, now seldom take above £5 or £10. To what can I attribute this loss in trade? I sell my goods as cheap as I ever did and buy them as well, so far as I can judge; and my design is to use my customers with as good manners as I ever did. I do my utmost endeavor, so far as I know to do it, but trade in all places, and more particularly in a country place, is very precarious. For I observe trade has declined ever since I have been married, but why I know not.
At home all day…Charles Diggens drank tea with us. In the evening read the 40th of Tillotson’s sermons; the text, 25th verse, 73rd Psalm: “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” Excellent words and a fine sermon. This day the King’s Plate was run for on Lewes Downs when only Mr Martindale’s horse Adolphus started for the same. Afterwards there were several hacks started for a saddle.