Category: Uncategorised

Sunday, February 15 1756

Got up in the morning. Mr Burgess and I came away about 8 o’clock. Called on Mr Scrase; gave his apprentice 6d for setting 6 razors for me. We went down to Mr Verral’s and there we breakfasted. Mr John Lambert, Thomas Baldy, James Lambert Jr and Mr Verral’s son came with us as far as Ringmer Church. We called at Martin’s at Broyle Gate and had 1 pint beer. Came home just as the people came out of church, it being exactly 12 o’clock, and dined at home. Not at church in the afternoon. After churchtime Mr French, Thomas Fuller, Mr Hutson and Halland gardener came in and sat a while with us, as did Mrs Virgoe. All I spent in a manner on my own account I have mentioned; viz., 12d. The remainder of my expenses, as I went on Mrs Virgoe’s account and have nothing for my trouble, I shall charge to her.

The whole expense of what I spent at Lewes on Mrs Virgoe’s account:

Paid Mr Verral                    0.5.0

Ditto John Fuller                 0.8.6

Spent at the Cats                 0.0.6

At the White Horse after supper on Saturday ev’g       0.0.3

Ditto at dinner on Saturday, and after dinner             0.0.10

Ditto on Sunday morning            0.0.3

Ditto gave the maid                0.0.6

Ditto at Martins                  0.0.2

Ditto 1 oz tobacco                 0.0.1½

Spent 6d more                     0.0.6

                                  0.16.1½

As I came away in the morning before Mrs Stemp was up, there were several expenses not paid, I think as under: My expenses on Friday night; 1 bowl of punch; and 4 quarts of Dorchester on Saturday; with 1 pint of mild beer and supper Saturday night.

Saturday, February 14 1756

In the morning got up, went down to Mr Verral’s and breakfasted there. Paid Mr Roase 0.8.3; to wit, for the 31 lbs, Cheshire cheese I bought and sent to Thomas Scrase and 1 paper pan I bought and brought home with me. Went to the Cats and stayed there for Mr Burgess. I called on Mr Hook and Mr Edward Verral. I paid Mr Edward Tasker 0.19.4 for Mr Porter in full for money due to Mr Robert Saxby for magazines. Dined at the White Horse in company with Mr John Vine Jr, Mr Henry Edwards and Mrs Stemp. After dinner Mrs Virgoe’s house was put up to sale, though I believe the candle was not lighted up until near 4 o’clock.

“White Horse in Lewes, Feb. 14, 1756.Conditions of sale by the candle of a convenient dwelling-house, a good butcher-shop, slaughter-house and stable, situate in the Parish of St Michael near the market-house in Lewes, and now in the occupation of Mr John Fuller, butcher; and also 2 other tenements thereto belonging and adjoining; viz.,

1st: The whole premises to be put up to the best bidder in one lot at £400 and not less than £5 to be advanced upon each bidding.

2ndly: The last bidder at the expiration of the flame of the candle is the buyer.

3rdly: If any dispute arise by 2 or more persons bidding together, such dispute to be ended by the lot being to be put up again at the price last bid.

4thly: The buyer to deposit £30 into the hands of Mr John Burgess of Rotherfield at the time of buying, as a part of the purchase, and the remainder of the purchase to be paid to the said Mr John Burgess at the time of the surrender of the premises; viz., the 25th day of March next, or the deposited £30 to be forfeited.

5thly: The seller to pay all charges of the surrender and the buyer all the charges of the fine and admittance.”

The candle burned till near, or quite, 8 o’clock. There were out and in at times during the burning of the candle the following persons: Joseph and John Fuller, Mr Manning, Edward Verral, Henry Verral, W. Lee, Samuel Piggot, Mr Feron, Mr Saxby, Mr Roper, Mr Joseph Burgess, Mr John Burgess, Mr George Verral (he being auctioneer), Mr John Buckall, Mr Charles Rand and myself and Mr Whapham. There was no one bid anything in reality; so it was not sold. Therefore to prevent its being sold for a trifle at the expiration of the candle, I bid £420 for it. After it was all over and the people gone, Mr Tucker, Mr Burgess and I stayed and spent the remaining, part of the evening together at the White Horse. Mr Burgess and I lay at the White Horse. Paid for butter 2¾d.

Friday, February 13 1756

After I came from school in the forenoon, I went over to Mrs Virgoe’s. I found her brother Mr. Joseph Burgess and her brother Mr John Burgess of Rotherfield there. I stayed there about 2 hours talking over Mrs Virgoe’s affairs concerning the sale of her house tomorrow etc.

About 4 o’clock I went for Lewes on foot. Just as I was a-going, I met with two apprentices of Mrs Taylor of Lewes, who were then a-going to Lewes. We accordingly went together, and on their account, for the sake of company, I went around by Laughton. We called at Mr Robert Turner’s and at Laughton Place, but did not stay. I got to Lewes about 7 o’clock and called on Mr George Verral. He and I went up to Mr John Plumer’s to talk with him and found him abed with the gout. Afterwards I went down to Mr Roase’s and paid him £7 in full to the 30th of January last… Then I went and paid Mr George Lambert 1.10.0 in full to this day. Paid for shaving 6d. Afterwards went to the White Horse and supped and spent the evening in company with Mr Tucker, Piggot, Feron, Griffiths, Roper, Aliot and Aldersey. Bought of Mr Roper 1 watch key, value 6d. Rec’d of William Sinden ½ bushel wheat. Lay at the White Horse.

Wednesday, February 11 1756

…My brother Moses dined with us. I paid Clymson the glover 6/6 for 13 pairs of men’s outseamed tan. At home all day. Rec’d of John Jones the 21/- I lent him the 9th of January last by Philadelphia Goldsmith… In the evening posted my day book and drew on Messrs Margesson and Collison to Mr Ralph Hale …5.14.0, [in] full for 2 pieces of blanketing which I owe Mr Hale for and… for 1 piece more which I have ordered him to send. Mrs Virgoe sat about an hour with us. I sent the above bill by the post.

Tuesday, February 10 1756

In the morning I wrote to Mr Russell of Godstone (for Mr James Hutson) to acquaint him that he has about 100 carp that will meet at 14 inches, and 100 that will meet at 16 inches…

My wife went down to Mrs Atkins’s about 5 o’clock. Oh, what have I here to say– the old story again repeated–more words again between me and my wife! Sure it is a most terrible and unhappy circumstance we cannot live agreeable together. Where the fault is I cannot be a competent judge, for as I am a party concerned, prejudice in my own favor may make me partial. But this I know, that my whole desire and aim is to make my wife, self and progeny happy. I am further assured that I ever had, and now have a boundless respect for her; therefore what can be the occasion of so many words I am at loss to say. I can only say this, she is a woman, but why, if she be, must we be forever unhappy? Oh! could I think of an expedient to prevent it and make us happy! For it is impossible for pen or painter to express or draw so unhappy a representation as it is to live in a continual scene of disquietude with one that is so infinitely dear to me. But oh, let me drop a subject that is too tender for me to touch any longer! But, why, let me recall the resolution of a man and proceed–a man, did I say? Oh, how the sound of that word makes me start! I know not scarce what I am! All that I know is I am happy in having that person, who of all the sex I ever had the greatest respect for–my wife. But again how unhappy to have that only one in whom all my earthly felicity was centered to be of such an unhappy temper as not only to make me, but herself also miserable. How delightful and serene was it once to look forward and to think, “Such a day will all my earthly trouble be at an end and be crowned with a following scene of happiness and pleasure by being made one with the charmer of my soul!” But from that day may I date the era of my trouble.

“For her I’ve lost, alas, what have I not, For her my duty to my friends forgot.”

But why do I accuse her? Maybe it is I am all in fault. It cannot be she; can the wife of my bosom be this person? No! She must be, she is all charms, and I am the ungrateful man.

Dame Vinal a-washing for us today. Paid her 9d for the half-day yesterday and today. Master Piper came in about 7 o’clock and stayed until about 9 o’clock; so on that account I could not go down to Mrs Atkins’s, it being too late at that time of night. My wife came home about 1 o’clock. She gave the maid 12d and won at cards 2d.

Monday, February 9 1756

Dame Vinal at our house a-washing half the day. She and Master Diplock of Sandhill dined with us. At home all day. Marked up Messrs Margesson and Collison’s parcel, which came in today. In the evening I was sent for over to Mrs Virgoe’s to settle accounts between her and her tenant John Fuller. He paid her… in full for 1½ years’ rent due to Mrs Virgoe at St Michael last. I wrote a receipt accordingly, which Mrs Virgoe signed:

In cash paid today                     20.16.3

By cash paid the 19th April last        12.10.0

By land tax to Lady Day, 1755           2.10.0

By Taylor the glazier’s bill            0.5.0

By two bills of Atkins the mason        0.18.8

By money paid to Mr Edward Verral       0.10.1

                                       37.10.0

Came home about 9 o’clock. Read the newspaper. Paid Peter Belton by goods and money 3/- for 3 doz heath brooms.

Sunday, February 8 1756

My wife and I both at church in the morning; the text in Romans 4:3: “Abraham believed god, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” As I by experience find how much more conducive it is to my health, as well as pleasantness and serenity to my mind, to live in a low, moderate rate of diet, and as I know I shall never be able to comply therewith in so strict a manner as I should choose (by the instability and over easiness of my temper), I think it therefore right (as it’s a matter of so great importance to my health etc.) to draw up rules of proper regimen, which I do in manner and form following, and which, at all times when I am in health, I hope I shall always have the strictest regard to follow, as I think they are not inconsistent with either religion or morality:

First, be it either in the summer or winter, to rise as early as I possibly can; that is, always to allow myself between 7 and 8 hours’ sleep, or full 8, unless prevented on any particular or emergent occasion.

2ndly, to go to breakfast between the hours of .7 and 6 from Lady Day to St Michael, and from St Michael to Lady Day between the hours of 8 and 9.

3rdly, my breakfast to be always tea or coffee and never to exceed 4 dishes. If neither of those, half a pint of water or water gruel; and for eatables bread and cheese, bread and butter, light biscuit, buttered toast, or dry bread, and one morning in every week, dry bread only.

4thly, nothing more before dinner, and always to dine between the hours of 12 and 1 o’clock if at home.

5thly, my dinner to be meat, pudding, or any other thing of the like nature, but always to have regard, if there is nothing but salt provision, to eat sparingly; and to eat plenty of any sort of garden stuff there is at table, together with plenty of bread and acids, if any, at table; and always to have the greatest regard to give white or fresh meats and pudding the preference before any sort of highly seasoned, salt, or very strong meat; and always one day in every week to eat no meat.

6thly, my drink at dinner to be always boiled water with a toast in it, or small beer, but water if I can have it, and never to drink anything stronger until after dinner.

7thly, if I drink tea at home or abroad to [let it] be small, green tea and not more than 4 dishes; and if I eat anything, not more than two ounces.

8thly, my supper never to be mat but weak broth, water gruel, milk pottage, bread and cheese, bread and butter, apple-pie or some other sort of fruit pie, or some such light diet; my drink, water or small deer, and one night at the least in every week to go to bed without any supper.

9thly, never to drink any sort of drams or spirituous liquors of what name or kind so ever.

10thly, if I am at home, in company, or abroad, if there is nothing but strong beer, never to drink more than 1 glasses, one to toast the king’s health, the 2nd to the royal family, the 3rd to all friends and the 4th to the pleasure of the company; if there is either wine or punch etc., never, upon any terms or persuasions whatever, to drink more than 8 glasses, nor each glass to hold or contain more than half a quarter of a pint, nor even so much if [it is] possibly to be avoided.

11thly, if I am constrained by extreme drought to drink between meals, that to be toast and water, small beer, or very small wine and water; to wit, ¼ pint of red or white wine to one pint of water.

12thly, never to drink any small or strong beer, winter or summer, without being warmed if possible; and lastly always to go to bed at or before ten o’clock when it can be done.

My wife and I both at church in the afternoon the text in Job. 7:20: “I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men?” We had, both forenoon and afternoon, excellent discourses wherein that necessary and excellent duty of repentance was strongly and pathetically recommended and enjoined to be done if we hope for salvation. After evening service my wife and I went up to Mr John Vine Jr’s and drank tea. I smoked one pipe and came home about 6:45. I was obliged to send Roger Vallow to Lewes for the 2 ½ yds serge denim I sent for by James Fuller yesterday, for which I am to give him 12d.

Friday, February 6 1756

This was a day for a public fast and humiliation to implore the blessing of the Almighty on our fleets and armies and to beseech Him, of His infinite and unbounded goodness to spare our nation from the dreadful calamity of an earthquake which hath been lately in many places of the world. Lisbon and many other places in Africa have been entirely ruined and brought as it were to desolation, and some slight shocks have also been felt in this our happy nation, likewise in some of our northern colonies in America. My wife and I were both at church in the morning where we had an excellent sermon on the occasion (by the Rev Mr Thomas Porter,) from the 3rd verse, 18th Psalm: “And the overflowing of ungodliness made me afraid.” [sic]). He endeavored in a very earnest and pressing manner to show what reason we have to repent of our vicious course and to turn to the Lord, or else, as he says, how can we expect the favor of the Almighty to be more extensive upon this our isle than upon the Portuguese nation and other places which have suffered under this dreadful calamity. We likewise endeavored to prove that it is impossible for a king to govern a nation and keep his subjects in a steady course of virtue without the assistance of every individual. At church in the afternoon; there were only prayers. Lent Master Darby in cash (to wit, in silver) 2.2.0.