The Diary, 1754–1765
Paid Joseph Fuller Jr 11d for half a calf’s head and 1¼ lbs of veal bought of him today. Dame Akehurst, a-ironing for me today, dined with me, as did James Emery who was a-gardening for me, on a beef pudding, a piece of veal boiled and some greens.
At home all day. In the evening Mr Read paid me a visit and dressed my leg, which continues very bad. Sam Jenner sat with me some time in the evening.
Paid Richard Fuller 4d for 1 pound of veal bought of him today. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of veal boiled. Paid Mr Ben Shelley in cash 1.9.6 in full for the same sum he paid Mr John Levy in full on my account the 15th instant. Paid Joseph Fuller Jr in cash 0.5.5 in full on account of his father. At home all day and very little to do. My leg very indifferent. In the evening Joseph Fuller and T. Durrant sat with me some time.
Dame Akehurst, a-washing for me all-day, dined with me on a beef pudding and greens. Mr Read came to see me again and paid me another visit and dressed my leg. He stayed and drank tea with me and he, Mr Elless and Monsieur La Shue spent an hour or two with me in the evening. Rec’d of Mr Elless in cash 20/- on account.
Dame Akehurst a-washing for me all day. At home all day and very busy in the evening. Sam Jenner going a journey for me today spent part of the evening with me.
Mr Salmon called on me and stopped some time. Dame Akehurst, a-washing for me all day, dined with me on a bullock’s kidney boiled, a piece of pork and greens. At home all day and very little to do in the shop. Dame Akehurst took part of my servant’s bed. Rec’d today of Joseph Fuller 1 bullock’s kidney, value 1½d.
James Emery, a-gardening for me, dined with me on part of a shoulder of veal roasted. In the afternoon walked up to Mr Coates’s, being sent for, and stayed some time. Rec’d of Mr Bannister in cash 17/-, which with the cash received the 19th ult. and 1st instant is in full for a receipt I gave him the 11th for his land tax and for which he received the money of the collector.
Rec’d of John Cayley by the payment of his wife in cash £2 in full for half a year’s land tax and l year’s window tax, both due at Lady Day last. I dined on a veal pudding. At home all day. Sam Jenner sat with me some time. In the evening wrote my London letters.
Took some salts today. My brother and servant at church in the morning. There was a brief read for rebuilding the church of Kirk Andrews upon Esk in the county of Cumberland, the expense of which amounted to the sum of £1539 and upwards. Mr Carman gathered the brief for me, and collected 13¼d which he brought me.
Sam Jenner dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner and the addition part of the knuckle of veal boiled. My brother and servant at church in the afternoon. Sam Jenner stayed and kept me company, to whom I read two of Tillotson’s sermons. Mrs Carman and Sam Jenner drank tea with me. Sam Jenner spent the evening with me, to whom I read another of Tillotson’s sermons.
A very fine pleasant day. My leg continues very bad, though I hope somewhat better.
…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner minced. Mr Blackman’s two maid servants drank tea with me. At home all day; my leg very painful. In the evening my intended wife and her sister called to see me and sat with me some time. This may possibly be imputed to the girl as fondness, but I must do her the justice to say I esteem it only friendship and good manners. For I have never met with more civil and friendly usage from any one of the fair sex than I have from this girl.
Rec’d of Richard Page the guinea lent him the 8th instant. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some green salad. Paid Ben Shelley in cash by his brother John Shelley 2.18.0 in full… At home all day. Completed making my bed. My leg very painful.
I dined on a fillet of veal roasted and stuffed and green salad. At home all day; busy a-making a bed. In the evening Mr Pellin and I played a few games of cribbage; I won 6d. My leg continues very bad.