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In the morning James Marchant took up a coat and pair of breeches for himself. I also sent my maid to Framfield to let my mother and my brother know I could not conveniently come over to-weigh their wool as I appointed my brother yesterday… Rec’d of Thomas Fuller 78 lbs of wool at 7d, and 6½ lbs of lambs’ wool at 5d, which together amounts to the sum of 2.8.1¼… About 4:30 my brothers Moses and Richard called at my house. My brother Moses did not stay, but went away soon for the Wells. Richard stayed and drank tea with us and stayed till near 7 o’clock. This day paid John Streeter 4/- for Gibbs’s certificate; viz., 3/- for the certificate and signing, 12d for his trouble etc.

In the morning Mr French brought in his wool, 108 fleeces weighing 7 tod 2 lbs at 7d per 1b, which amounts to 6.11.10. After breakfast my brother and I packed my wool; viz., 1 cloth marked “A” containing 127 fleeces, weighing 8 tod 18 lbs…

This day received the books I bought of Mr Baker the 16th instant. After dinner I went up to Mr Burgess’s to know if Thomas Tester had left any money in his hands to go towards paying Savage, who this day called on me and insisted either on our paying the money or that they would stop no longer without arresting him. In the evening Mr French, Joseph Fuller and myself went up again to consult with Mr Burgess which would be the best way to proceed in the affair, but we came to no resolution. Came home at 8:45. This day lent John Jones by Elizabeth Akehurst in cash 1 guinea. Paid my brother 2/10 for 6 brushes, 1 m 2 1b clouts he bought for me at Lewes on Saturday.

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on a shoulder of lamb roasted and French beans (my family at home dining on a heart pudding with the lamb’s head bought yesterday and the lights etc. minced). After dinner my brother and I went up to Master Diggens’s to take leave of Samuel, who was tomorrow to set out again for his residence at Newport Pagnell in Bucks. Mr Diggens bought this day of Mr William Stone the house where Edward Wood now lives and was accordingly admitted to it by a private court held at their house this day. There was Mr Stone (alias ”romancing Stone”), Mr Peckham, Mr Durrant, Mr Rowles, the steward and beadle of the court. We came back to my mother’s about 7 o’clock, and my brother and I came riding home about 9 o’clock. My brother stayed all night. My mother made me a present of a fine parcel of French beans, which my brother and I brought home with us.

Paid Thomas Fuller, butcher, 6d for a lamb’s bell. We dined on some lamb’s liver and pork fried and cucumbers. At home all day and made two wool cloths. Paid Halland gardener 12d in full for cucumbers I have sold for him, and also 3d for 12 he brought me tonight for my own use. He also made me a present of a fine melon. In reading Martin’s Magazine I find

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This day sent Francis Smith by his servant Joseph Page in cash 12.5.0…which he is to pay in London for me. I also sent Messrs Margesson and Collison the bill on Weeks which I received of John Cayley the 20th instant, value: 6.4.0… Samuel and Charles Diggens dined with us… they both went away about 2:10. My brother came over about the same time, but did not stop. Dame Trill drank tea with us… This day drew out a barrel of beer. At home all day and busy. Paid Dame Trill 3/- in full for keeping of Ann Braizer, due yesterday.

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.