Friday, July 16 1762

After breakfast rode to Lewes concerning Darby’s affair. Came home about 11:10… I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some peas.

In the evening my worthy friend and acquaintance Mr Snelling called on me and stayed with me some time. Very little to do all day and truly a very melancholy time. What, oh, what shall I do, or what will become of me? work I cannot; steal I hope I never shall once think of; therefore let me try and submit with patience to any circumstances it shall be my lot to endure.

Sunday, July 11 1762

Mr Neatby breakfasted with me and then went away… I dined on a shoulder of lamb roasted and French beans. No service at our church the whole day, Mr Porter being at Mayfield. One of my servants at Chiddingly Church in the afternoon. Thomas Durrant and Mr Long drank tea with me in the afternoon, to whom I read one of Tillotson’s sermons. In the evening we took a walk, but went to no one house.

Friday, July 9 1762

After breakfast I rode to Lewes about Darby’s affair, but it still wears a gloomy aspect and I make no doubt I shall lose the whole sum. I dined at the White Hart on a knuckle of veal boiled, a piece of bacon, a breast of veal roasted and French beans and greens. My family at home dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Came home about 9:20, but not quite sober. My sister and niece went home in the evening…

Thursday, July 8 1762

…My sister and niece dined with me on a leg of Mutton roasted, a piece of pork and bacon boiled, a plain rice pudding, some garden beans and carrots. Miss French, Miss Gibbs, Mr Elless and my sister and niece drank tea with me…

This day Charles Cooper entered with my bill of sale upon the premises of Thomas Darby and made a distress (distraint], but I am afraid it will come out that I shall lose the whole debt, which is about 18.18.0.

Wednesday, July 7 1762

Sam Jenner at work for me all the forenoon and dined with me on a piece of pork and bacon boiled and some garden beans. In the afternoon my sister and niece Nanny Turner came to see me. They drank tea with me. In the evening we walked up to Joseph Fuller’s where we spent the evening. At home all day except as follows [as above?]. Pretty busy all day, but I think there never was such a time for scarceness of money as now…