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…Rec’d of Thomas Braizer £4 for interest due on a freehold mortgage due to the trustees of Will Piper deceased. At home all day. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. Trade very ill and contrary, but what is that to my loss?

…At home all day; in the evening posted my day book, and read part of Russell’s OEconomy of Human Nature, which I think a very good thing, but only a little pedantic. Oh, how dismal is my present situation; the thoughts of my wife run so often in my mind, and may they ever be in my thoughts, and produce a virtue equal to that possessed by that dear creature… [33 words omitted].

…Samuel Jenner dined with me on a piece of beef boiled, a light pudding, turnips and potatoes. Sent Mr Will Margesson enclosed in a letter by Shelley, delivered to his servant, 1 bank bill value £25. Sent Mr John Crouch enclosed in a letter by Shelley (delivered to his servant) 1 bill on Mr Will Margesson, dated tomorrow, 30 days’ date, No. 493, value £10. Paid Thomas Freeman by the post 0.5.10 in full for clogs and creepers received by him today. In the evening smoked a pipe with Thomas Durrant.

Myself and both my servants at church in the morning… We all stayed the communion; I gave 6d. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with some mutton chops fried and a raisin suet pudding. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter being indisposed (and I am thoroughly persuaded quite ill); notwithstanding he performed duty in the morning.

In the evening smoked a pipe with Joseph Fuller and after I came home and in the afternoon read three of Tillotson’s sermons. Oh, what can equal the disquietude of my mind; melancholy days and restless nights, oftentimes conversing (in my dreams) with that most dearest creature my [wife?] at other times waking as it were bathed in tears, with some idea I have had in my dreams of that most valuable creature, that is, from the pleasure I have had in her company.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some French beans. Rec’d of John Painter 1.0.5½ in full. At home all day and pretty busy.

…Mr Dungate, attorney-at-law at Mayfield, dined with me on some mutton chops fried. In the afternoon packed up my rags in order to send to Maidstone Fair. At home all day and pretty busy. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. Oh, how gloomy does the aspect of things appear. My brother called on me in the afternoon, but did not stay.

In the forenoon Mr John Robinson, rider to Mr Will Margesson, called on me and I gave him one bill… value 53.16.0, which leaves £30 on my account. My father Slater also came to see me, and they both dined with me… My father Slater and I balanced accounts… They both went away soon after dinner.

In the evening went down to Mr French’s, where I received of him in cash £2 in full for a coffin for his son on account of Mrs Browne [whose workmen made it], and also 4.3.4 in full for the funeral of his son on my own account. I came home about 9:30.

Today my servant came home… The reason of my father Slater’s visit today proceeded from the rumor that now prevails at Hartfield of Mr Snelling’s castrating my wife by force at my request. What would the credulous mob (for so I can justly call them) have with me? If I do injury to any one I would not I am sure, did I know it, and as to this affair I am sure I not only know my own innocence, but at the same time, it is a thing unprecedented in the practice of surgery, a thing I believe never done, so that it must betray the height of ignorance, which undoubtedly is the mother of credulity, and shame, which generally are twin sisters and oftentimes are linked together. But however, it is the rumor it seems finds people simple enough to give credit to it, and even so let them — I no ways envy their happiness and [??] am if I know my own heart I sincerely forgive them (and at[???] all mankind) and were it in my power to confer a favor upon any of them I would do it, and that without upbraiding them, and I think no man ever loved a woman better than I did my wife, for which I want not the mob for witnesses. No! I do not. I have a better, even that of my own heart… [105 words omitted].

…James Bull dined with me off some mutton chops fried and a piece of pork and potatoes. In the evening paid Joseph Fuller Jr 12d for a bullock’s cheek received by him today, and he and Robert Hook smoked a pipe with me.

At home all day. But surely a melancholy time. Oh, that dear! dear creature, how do I feel the loss of the best of wives.

In the forenoon Mr Porter, John Piper and myself rode to Heathfield etc. to look at the lands on which Mr Piper deceased had mortgages. We also received a note of hand from John and Thomas Cayley (in lieu of one which we delivered up to them). This note was made to us all and for £50, equal to that we delivered up. This note is to bear interest at £4 percent per annum, to commence from the 8th of August last, and payable on demand…

In the afternoon one of my servants went to see her friends. About 4 o’clock Joseph Fuller Jr prevailed on me to accompany him to Blackboys Fair. We spent 16d. I came home about 10:20, but not quite as sober as I went out, but we drank very little…

…In the evening down at Jones’s, there being a public vestry; spent 1d, but did not drink anything…