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My wife and I both at church in the morning; the text, Proverbs 3:17: “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Our maid came home in churchtime. We dined on the remains of Friday’s dinner with the addition of 4 eggs. My wife, maid and self at church in the afternoon. As soon as prayers were ended, Mr Jeremiah French and I went out and searched the public-houses; to wit, John Jones’s, where we found no one person but John Jones, from whence we went to Francis Turner’s, where we found a man and his wife who came in overnight. They seemed to be very sober sort of people and not a-drinking; so we did not meddle with them. We came back just as the people came out of church. Mr French went to Jones’s and had a dram, and I a pint of beer. At home all the remainder of the day. Thomas Davy spent about one hour with us in the evening.

At home all day and busy… We dined on the remains of Thursday’s and Friday’s dinners… Rec’d of Mary Carpenter, Mr John Vine Jr’s maid, 1.7.2 in full. She and 2 of the little Vines drank tea with us. Rec’d of Francis Smith 3 receipts for money which he paid in London for me…

At home all day. My brother breakfasted with us and dined with us on a piece of pork, batter pudding and greens. Dame Barnard drank tea with us. This day I had a fire-grate set up. Our maid went in the morning to see her friends. In the evening my wife (I being busy) went up to Mr John Vine’s to tell him that I thought of leaving this place; so I would have him let the schoolhouse. After my wife came back, I went down to Mr Porter’s to tell him the same. I stayed and supped there and came home about 10 o’clock…

In the morning got up and went down to Mr Porter’s, where I borrowed a bushel and ½ of sea coal. I went forward to Framfield, but called on Mr Peckham as I went along to consult him about going to live at Framfield; he advises me so to do. I called at Mr French’s and paid Sam Virgoe 50/- in full for 1 year’s rent for his house, due at Lady Day last; N.S. I dined with my mother (my family dining on a piece of pork and greens). After dinner my brother and I went to Uckfield, and there I paid Mr Percival Hart 38/4 in full for:

3 pairs breeches	1.10.0
10 chamois skins	0.8.4
	1.18.4

I bought [these] of him today and left [them] to be sent by Francis Smith’s wagon. I also paid 2/- for 2 pair of hedging gloves, which I bought my brother, and I came home by Mr Savage the miller’s to agree with him about Thomas Tester’s debt. They both told me they would have all or none. We came back and drank tea at my mother’s with Mr Thomas Awcock and Mary Gason. My mother paid Mr Awcock her rent in full to the 5th instant, which was 1 year, value 6.15.0. My brother came home with me about 9 o’clock… Mrs Atkins, Mrs Hicks and Mrs Brook drank tea with my wife. My brother stayed all night. N.B.: When I paid Mr Virgoe his rent, there was in presence Mr Calverley, Mrs French and Mr Virgoe’s maid Elizabeth Paris. I paid him 1 36/- piece, 1 piece of 6/9, in half-pence 3d and in silver 7/-.

…Very busy all day. About 6 o’clock I went to the audit where I received of Mr Vine 2.12.8 in full for my audit bill and also 2/5½ for a bill for nails. Gave the maid 12d according to custom and came home drunk, but I think never to exceed the bounds of moderation more… Master Hook, his wife and children drank tea here. William Bristow and Mary Hope married today.

Gave Francis Smith in cash 21.10.O… which he is to pay in London for me… A remarkable wet day. Thomas Davy dined with us on the remains of Sunday’s dinner.

…Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 3.11.1½ in full on account of the parish, he being overseer. Very busy, there being a public vestry at Jones’s to choose new officers, I dined there on a buttock of beef and ham, a plum pudding and greens (my family dining at home on the remains of yesterday’s dinner). The company that dined at Jones’s were Mr Coates, Mr Piper, Mr Jeremiah French, Joseph Fuller, Thomas Fuller, Robert Hook, John Browne and myself, though after dinner there came in several more of the parishioners. We paid 12d apiece for dinner. After dinner I was sent for home but after I had done my business, I went down again and stayed till near 8 o’clock. The officers chosen for the year 1756 were: Joseph Fuller, church-warden; John Vine Sr, electioner; [alternate]; myself, overseer; Edward Hope, electioner.

My wife, myself and maid were at church in the morning; the text, Philippians 3:10: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made comfortable unto his death.” We all stayed the communion; gave all 18d, we paying for our maid. We dined on the piece of beef baked yesterday and a suet pudding. All at church in the afternoon; the text the same as in the forenoon. After churchtime my brother and Charles Diggens came over and stayed and smoked a pipe or 2 with us.

We came home about 1 o’clock. I dined on a meat pie and a batter pudding baked under some beef for tomorrow’s dinner. My wife and I drank tea at Joseph Fuller’s. Came home about 7 o’clock a little in liquor.

My wife and I at church in the morning…After dinner Master Hook and I went to Lewes. I received of Mr John Day 1.0.7½ in full for the parish of South Malling and for goods delivered to Philadelphia Goldsmith. The weather being very bad, we were obliged to stay all night; we stayed at the Cats. Paid Mrs Stemp 11/1, which was left when I was there at the time Mr Virgoe’s house was put up to auction.