Thursday, September 3 1761

Paid to the postboy for Mr Thomas Freeman 5/3 in full for pattens etc. received from him today. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a bread pudding and French beans. Mrs Browne drank tea with me and brought up her books, part of which I posted… In the evening read part of Russell’s OEconomy of Human Nature. The thoughts of my mind are so full of melancholy apprehension from the dullness of trade in general that I am even alarmed at what may prove the consequence, and the severe loss I sustain in that of an affectionate wife.

Tuesday, September 1 1761

…In the afternoon my brother came over and drank tea with me and I received of him in cash 15.6.4 in full for my wool money which he received yesterday of Mr Thomas Friend for me… I afterwards paid him in cash 12/- for money he paid for me; viz.,

For 6 yds white linsey which he bought for me0.8.0
to Mr Joseph Attersall in full0.4.0

This day I signed a bond wherein I and Joseph Durrant are jointly bound as securities for Mr John Long as a hop-assistant. I also signed a bond wherein we were jointly bound as securities for Thomas Durrant as a hop-assistant. I also signed a bond wherein I and Joseph Burgess are jointly bound as securities for Thomas Davy as a hop-assistant; I also signed a bond wherein I and John Smith of Cross-in-Hand are jointly bound as securities for Samuel Diggens, gauger in a footwalk at [??] in Berkshire. The obligation of each of the bonds was £200 [???] were all witnessed by John Purdue and Laurence Thornton.

At home all day and pretty busy. But not very well; oh, how unhappy is my present situation. In losing my beloved wife I have lost all that can give only true pleasure… [22 words omitted].

Monday, August 31 1761

In the morning as soon as I had breakfasted rode to Dapp’s, where I weighed up his hops, which was 1 pocket weighing 1 cwt O qr 2 lbs, and for which I paid him 2.19.0… In the morning sent my wool to Lewes by John Divol. In the afternoon my brother called on me in his road to Lewes in order to receive both his and my wool money… In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. At home all day; thank God very busy. Oh, how pleasant is trade when it runs in its proper channels, and flows with a plentiful stream. It does, as it were, give life and spirit to one’s actions; I think the most phlegmatic constitution must feel its pleasing and enlivening charms.

Sunday, August 30 1761

Myself and both servants at church in the morning, the text in the latter part of Matthew 26:24: “It had been good for that man if he had not been born,” from which words we had o fine sermon. During churchtime we had a storm of thunder, lightning and rain, though the two first were not severe here, but we had a very heavy rain for some time.

I dined on a piece of beef and pork boiled, and a plain suet pudding, carrots and spinach. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. My servant’s brother and uncle came to see her and they drank tea with me and stayed till near 6 o’clock. In the day read part of The Whole Duty of Man. Oh, grief, how heavy is thy burden! In the evening wrote a letter to my friend Thomas Davy, and read part of The Acts.

Saturday, August 29 1761

My friend Mr Breeden and one Mr Samson called on me in the morning, but did not stay… In the morning I rode to John Dapp’s of Framfield with some hopbagging and bought of him 1 pocket of hops to be delivered on Monday next at the Nursery, at 59/- per hundred weight, to weigh and pay.

At home all day and pretty busy. Oh, may I live to imitate and copy the virtues of my beloved wife…[20 words omitted].