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In the forenoon my brother came over… Mary Heath a-washing for me all day and dined with me… Paid my brother 8/8 in full for the same sum he paid the Rev Mr Wharton., vicar of Framfield, for burying my wife. Paid George Verral (by his servant Robert Turley) 8/8 in full only for 2 dozen of cake soap received by him today. Mrs Wakitt, Mrs Fuller Jr and Rebecca Dicker drank tea with me. At home all day and thank God pretty busy; but who can paint my inward anguish.

Mary Heath a-washing for me half the day and dined with me on half a calf’s head boiled, a piece of pork, a plain bread pudding and French beers. (My late servant went away as soon as we breakfasted.) In the afternoon finished posting my day book; in the evening wrote my London letters. My brother came over in the evening and supped with me and stayed with me some time. Mary Heath lodged at my house. Who can describe the anxiety of my mind… [13 words omitted].

After breakfast I rode to Alfriston in order to take a cursory view of Mr Sanders’s stock in trade, which I am shortly to appraise for him. I dined at Mr Snelling’s on a leg of lamb roasted, a pond currant pudding and some carrots and cucumbers… I came home about 6:20. In the evening my late servant Mary Martin came to see me and stayed all night with me. Oh, how simple I was not to be at church [in the?] afternoon, which was the only opportunity I had of being at church all day.

…In the morning my brother Sam Slater came to see me and dined with me on half a calf’s head and a piece of bacon and carrots boiled. Paid a grandson of Thomas Fuller’s 3/4 in full for ½ dozen candles received by him today. In the afternoon rode as far as the Nursery with my brother. Called at Mrs Browne’s and Mr Coates’s. Came home about 7:20.

I am as it were quite distracted with trouble. I hardly know which way to turn or what course of life to take. I have lost the best of wives and companions and I think my relations (for they; can hardly merit the name of friends) seen quite estranged and stand as it were at a distance from my trouble… [20 words omitted].

…I dined on a butter pudding and some lamb chops broiled. Mr Jordan called on me and dined with me on some mutton steaks broiled. Mr Will Francis called on me and drank tea with me, with whom I rode to bring going on his road to Lewes so far as the Broyle Gate; came home about 7:20.

In the forenoon packed up my wool… In the afternoon posted part of my day book; at home all day. A most extreme melancholy time.

I dined on a piece of bacon and French beans. In the afternoon posted part of my day book; at home all day and but very little to do. Paid the miller 4/- for a bushel of flour received of him today.

…Paid Joseph Fuller 8/9 for 15 lbs of wool bought of him today. Mr Tucker came to see me and dined with me on a breast of lamb boiled and broiled. Mrs Atkins, Mrs Hicks and Mrs Brook drank tea with me. At home all day. Posted some accounts. Oh, how severely do I know the loss of one who was the best of wives and a most amiable companion.

…Balanced accounts with Mr Joseph Burgess and received of him 2.5.8 in full. In the afternoon rode down to Halland… In the evening wrote my London letters. How melancholy is my situation.

…Myself and one servant at church in the morning… During churchtime my servant’s brother and sister came to see her and dined with us on a shoulder of lamb roasted and French beans. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton.

I went and called Sam Jenner and we walked to Laughton Church… I came home and drank tea, after which Mr Saunders and his wife went home. This day Mr Crowhurst, overseer of Folkington, promised me he would pay the debt of Francis Rich deceased, at Easter next.

In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man. Oh, how melancholy my situation; how am I depressed with grief.