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In the morning paid the gardener at Halland 8d for 1 gallon of currants for myself and 1 hundred of walnuts for my mother. We dined on a piece of pork and beans.

Yesterday I saw Peter Adams and asked him again for the money which is due from him to me and Ann Cain for her keeping the child which she had by him, but could not get it. In the evening I went down to Mr Porter’s to consult him about it. He is altogether for my serving the summons upon him, but I must think that is a wrong way of proceeding. For as he gave the parish a bond, we can have nothing to do with a justice in the affair because the bond must I think make their order (if we really had a whole one) invalid. So proceeding in this manner will subject us to his ridicule and be expending the parish’s money to no purpose. Now I think the only way to act would be to empower an attorney to give him a letter, and if he did not pay it on receiving that, for him then to execute the bond against him and to sue him until such time as he should either pay it, or we could carry him to gaol, unless he could give bail…

In the evening about 7 o’clock went down to Mr French’s as agreed, from whence we went to Halland in order to have Mr Coates’s opinion on this affair. He says our best way will be to serve the summons, and then the justices will oblige him either to pay it or, he thinks, commit him to the house of correction. But, oh, those are all vain and chimerical notions formed in the brain by ignorance! For by an act of the 6th of George II it says if a bond is made subsequent to an order, it invalidates the same, and we must sue him at common law for the same. But however Mr French and I agreed at their request to serve the summons upon him tomorrow.

Came home about 9 o’clock. Mr Coates informed us that Admiral Byng was arrived at Spithead where he was under an arrest for cowardice and misbehavior in the Mediterranean relating to the losing of the Isle of Minorca.

In the morning my brother came over and went down to Peter Adams’s to try on his clothes. Came back and breakfasted with us. After breakfast I went over to Framfield with my brother to borrow some 6d sugar. Came back again about 11:10 and brought my brother John’s little boy home with me. We dined on pork and peas. After dinner I and the little boy went down to Mr French’s. I agreed to take his wool at last year’s price, though I am certain I must lost money by it. But as I did in a manner bid that money for it at the first part of the year, I would not be defective of my word. This day paid Halland gardener 2½ in full for cucumbers sold for him. Also paid him 8d for 1 hundred walnuts and 1 gallon currants. Carried the currants to Framfield and received of my mother 4d for them. Rec’d of Master Piper the 30 bottles lent him the 3rd of Sept. last. Rec’d also 6 fleeces wool, 16½ lbs. See tomorrow something relating to this day.

At home all the morning. Dined on beans and pork… After dinner sent Joseph Mepham 1 quart of sago with wine in it. Sold Mr John Vine Jr a dimity frock. In the evening read part of Theron and Aspasio.

Paid Joseph Fuller for 1 loin of lamb…8½d. My brother came over in the forenoon. I also went down to Mr French’s to take the measure of Samuel for a hat. Paid Dame Trill 3/- in full for keeping Ann Braizer, due this day. We dined on a roasted loin of lamb and cauliflower… My Dame Trill complained that the 4/- a month allowed them was not enough; so I made her an offer to give her 5/- for this month, and for it to be continued. But she would not accept of it and said she would have more or none.

In the afternoon wrote out Mr John Vine’s bills. This day received of Mr Francis Elless 12/- for the dictionary I bought for him at the Wells the 11th instant. Also received of him 15/9½ in full on account except the forms, tables etc. This night our servant sat up with Joseph Mepham. Read part of Hervey’s Theron and Aspasio. This day gave Dame Dan a pair of stock and hand cards on the parish account.

Sunday, July 25: In the morning my wife and I got up and took a walk as far as Halland and back again. My wife, self and maid at church in the forenoon; the text in Luke 16:25: “And Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” We dined on a piece of pork and peas. After dinner we had a very heavy shower of rain. My wife, self and maid at church in the afternoon; the text in Luke l4:l4: “For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”

After churchtime my wife and I walked up to Joseph Fuller’s and drank tea there. Came home about 8 o’clock. This day I had a sailor at the door who asked charity (whom I relieved), who could speak 7 tongues. In the morning Mr Porter sent me by his servant 2 fine cauliflowers. Read part of the first volume of Hervey’s Theron and Aspasio.

In the morning Master Elphick and his son John brought over my hay. Thomas Davy assisted us in getting of it into the hay-loft. Master Elphick, his son and the postman breakfasted with us. I gave Master Elphick 4/- for bringing over the hay… After dinner Mr Thawyer came in, who ate some cold peas… About 4 o’clock I went down to Joseph Fuller’s and balanced accounts with him and received of him 8/- in full… I stayed and drank tea at Mr Fuller’s, but was sent for home to Mr John Bulcock, Messrs Thomas and Joseph Masfen’s rider, to whom I paid 4.17.0 in full on account of Messrs T. and J. Masfen to this day.

After Mr Bulcock went away, Mr F. Elless and I walked down to the Nursery. My business was to get some money of Edmund Elphick, but could not. Never, never was money so scarce as now. We came home about 8 o’clock. As we went along, we laid 1 lb of gingerbread concerning the length of the church field footway. I laid it was 38 rods, and he that it was not. So accordingly as we came home, we measured it and found it to be 39 rods and 3 feet; so I won this great but innocent wager, a far more prudent one than had it been £100. This day Mr Porter’s daughter was baptized, by the name of Elizabeth

At home all the morning. Dined at home on a piece of pork and peas. After dinner went over to Framfield to haying where we got in all our hay, which was 3 little jobs, or about 2 loads besides hat I ordered to come to my house. Our hayers were Ed Wood, Moses Turner, Mary Elphick and myself. John Elphick carried it. But at the last we had plenty of help come; viz., William Stone, Robert Tyler, David Brooker and Ed Rowles. What I designed to have brought over I had loaded and carried into Master Elphick’s barn. Gave my mother’s maid 6d. Came home about 10 o’clock.

At home all the forenoon. Dined on the remains of the venison pie with some beans and pork. Gave all Roger Vallow’s children a dinner, there being four of them. After dinner I went over to Framfield where we got up in cock the remains of the grass that was in swath. Our hayers were Ed Wood, Moses Turner, Mr Elphick and myself. Drank tea at my mother’s. Came home about 9 o’clock but was wet through a-coming home.