Category: Uncategorised

In the morning, marked up Messrs Margesson and Collison’s parcel… My brother came over in the forenoon and stayed and dined with us on a leg of mutton roasted (in Marchant’s oven), a plum batter pudding and carrots. My brother also stayed and drank tea with us. Mr Holroide, Mr Leander Cox’s partner, called to see my wool, but I not having it all in, he could not see it.

In the afternoon very bad with the tooth-ache. Read the newspaper wherein I find the nation is all in a ferment upon the account of losing dear Minorca. A remarkably wet day. In the evening put up about 60 papers of tobacco.

My wife, maid, nephew and self at church in the morning… We dined on a piece of pork, apple pudding and carrots. All at church in the afternoon; the text in Matthew 26:24: “It had been good for that man if he had not been born.” From which words we had an excellent sermon. After churchtime went down to Mr Samuel Gibbs’s (I being sent for), they having this day lost their youngest child. They wanted to know if I had any shrouds small enough. I drank tea there in company with Mrs Fuller, Mrs Gibbs and Mrs Thunder. In the day read the 42nd, 43rd and 44th of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning about 8 o’clock I was sent for down to Mr Porter’s to be a witness to something, but what I do not know. (I conjecture it to be articles of agreement between Mr Porter and some other for the sale of a farm of Mr Porter’s lying in Essex, and now in the occupation of Thomas Wright). Mr Porter signed one paper, and the gentleman’s name that signed the other was, I think, John Benison. He was dressed in a band and had a gown or cassock on and seemed as if he belonged to some college or hospital. Miss Dinah Benge and myself witnessed both the papers. Paid

Thomas Fuller, butcher, 18½d for 1 leg of lamb weighing 6¼ lbs… I extracted the following list of our navy out of Martin’s Magazine, No. 20: A list of the royal navy in commission June 1, 1756… [List omitted]… As my brother went to the races, he stayed and dined with us. At home all day. Read part of Hervey’s Theron and Aspasio wherein I find he mentions Bishop Beveridge, Bishop Hopkins, Bishop Reynolds and Bishop Davenant as men distinguished for piety and religion… This day thank God I had a pretty deal of business.

In the evening our maid went to sit up with Elizabeth Hutson. In the evening read the 41st.of Tillotson’s sermons. It was a thanksgiving sermon; the text, 23rd and 24th verses, 9th chapter of Jeremiah: “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord to which exercise loving-kindness, judgement and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” This day the subscription purse of £50 was run for on Lewes Downs when there were only 2 started for the same; viz., Lord Craven’s bay mare Princess Mary, and Mr Howe’s chestnut horse. It was won by the mare with ease, there being only two heats, though the odds at starting were 12 to 10 on the horse.

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.

…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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.