The Diary, 1754–1765
At home all day… Paid James Awcock, Halland gardener…16/8 in full to this day; viz.,
| for 22 bushels apples | 0.14.0 |
| 1 bushel1 do. | 0.1.0 |
| ½ bushel potatoes | 0.1.0 |
This day Mr Porter made me a present of 4 small carp. In the evening read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons which I [think] extremely good. Oh, may the doctrine of them sink deep into my heart! A remarkably cold day, there being a very hard frost.
At home all day. We dined on 2 carp boiled and cold bullock’s heart pie. Paid John Lewer 1.14.1½ for 48¼ lbs of butter received from him today for Mr Isaac Hook at Lewes. A very remarkable cold day and a very hard frost. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons. Thomas Fuller Jr sat about 2 hours with us in the evening.
My wife, self, nephew and maid at church in the morning… We dined on 2 carp boiled, a piece of beef, and bacon boiled with some turnips. Here there was no churching this afternoon on account of Mr Porter’s going to Waldron to officiate for Mr Hamlin; so neither myself nor wife were at church in the afternoon. Our servant went to Chiddingly Church. Thomas Davy supped at our house and stayed with us till near 11 o’clock. Read 5 of Tillotson’s sermons. A very hard frost today, but a fine clear healthy air.
…At home all day. In the evening read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons. This day, thanks be to God, I was very busy. The frost continued.
In the morning sent our servant over to Framfield… Robert Diggens and Will Stone called on us in the afternoon and stayed and smoked 2 pipes with us. In the evening carried down to Mr Porter’s some silver and stayed there about 40 minutes. Came home and read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons. A great deal of snow fell today.
In the morning my brother came over and went and took measure of Charles Vine for a waistcoat and came back and breakfasted with us. This day I paid Francis Smith in cash 1.13.6½ for money he paid in London for me… I also gave him in cash 22.16.0 to pay in London for me this week. This day received of Mr Peter Adams–at last–14.13.10 in full, and I also paid him 6d in full for 1 peck of oats and all demands. Mr Snelling called on us and dined with us on the remains of Sunday’s dinner with the addition of some pea broth. I also paid him 5/- in full for opening one of my temple arteries on Sunday the 10th October. Mr Snelling stayed with us till about 4 o’clock. …In the evening read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons. Thomas Davy sat and chatted with us in the evening about 2 hours. This day Mr John Hall called on us in his way to Berwick, but did not stop. The frost continues very hard.
…At home all day. In the evening read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons. The frost continues very hard.
In the morning walked up to Mr John Vine Jr’s to beg of his wife (he not being at home) to stop 5/11½ of his servant Joseph Fitness for me, which Mrs Vine assured me her husband should secure for me… At home all day except as before mentioned. In the evening read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons. This day there was a thaw of the frost which had continued about 10 days.
Paid Clymson the glover at Jevington in cash 11/8 in full for goods received from him today… In the afternoon my brother came over with a waistcoat for Charles Vine and drank tea with us. I gave him a bill…payable to my mother…value 13.3.9, which…is in full for her wool which I sent to London the 31st August by Smith, which sum was paid to Messrs Margesson and Collison on my account. At home all day; in the day read part of Locke’s Essay on Human Understanding, and in the evening read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons. Received of Will Eldridge 4/1½ on account.
Our whole family at church in the morning… We dined on a piece of boiled beef, bacon, apple pudding and turnips. My wife, self, nephew and maid at church again in the afternoon… After churchtime Robert called on us and smoked a pipe. Thomas Davy drank tea with us and stayed with us till near 11 o’clock. Read 4 of Tillotson’s sermons.