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A very great tempest of thunder, lightning and rain, but in particular of lightning. It began about 12 o’clock in the morning and continued until near 2. This morning about 7:30 Mrs Porter was safely delivered of a girl. This day Francis Smith and I balanced accounts, and I paid him in cash 1.12.1, being in full to this day, carriage excepted…[including] 4 gals. brandy and 2 gals. of gin, which I got for Will Eldridge, 1.1.4. Upon examining the fore-going account, I find a mistake made of 11d which is there is due to him…the credit account being larger than the debit by 11d.

We having fixed on this day for my wife and I to go to Hartfield, my wife endeavored to borrow a horse (being doth disappointed of having one as we expected from Hartfield or Francis Smith) or Joseph Fuller, Thomas Fuller, William: Piper, Joseph Burgess and Richard Bridgman I believe they had no other reason for not doing it but want of good nature and a little gratitude, but I make no doubt they will, some one or other of them, be so good-natured as in a little time to come [to ask me] to write this land tax or window tax book for us [them]. And then I always find good nature enough to write them and at the same time to find them in beer, gin, pipes and tobacco while I am a-writing them. And then, poor ignorant wretches, they sneak away and omit to pay for paper. But God bless them. I’ll think it proceeds more from ignorance than ill nature.

After Francis Smith and I had balanced accounts today, I gave him £2, which he is to pay in London for me. I sent our maid to hire a horse of William Sinden, who replied he had never horse able to carry us (though I should not have sent, had not his man told me he had a very good double horse I could have which daily carries a man almost as heavy as us both, beside a sack of wheat). My wife then applied to John Watford, who hired us his horse. My brother came over to stand the shop for us in my absence (about 3 o’clock). And about 4 o’clock we set out on our journey for Hartfield where we arrived about 8:10. As we were a-riding along near to Hastingford, no more than a foot-pace, the horse stood still and continued kicking up until we were both off. Our fall happened to be in a very dirty hole, but thanks be given to God, we received no hurt. My wife was obliged to go into Hastingford House to clean herself. Gave the woman of the house 6d.

Called at Mr Browne’s at Withyham to know about hop-bagging, but he was not at home. His man told me he had not as yet bought any. This day received of Joseph Fuller 1 neck of veal, at 3d per lb. My wife and I spent the evening at my father Slater’s. We dined off some rashers of pork and green salad.

At work in my garden in the forenoon. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a batter pudding. After dinner my brother John from Tunbridge Wells came in to see us, he having [been] down at the Moat a-fishing of a pond, or at least a-seeing one fished. He stayed and drank tea, and afterwards I went almost as far as Eason’s Green with him to bring him going on his way to Framfield. Otherwise at home all day. In the evening read the 30th of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the forenoon I went down to see Peter Adams; found him in bed and determined to prosecute the men that abused him. Stayed and smoked one pipe and came home about 1 o’clock. We dined on the remains of Tuesday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of pork, butter pudding, and spinach. Lent Peter Adams in cash £1, which…makes £2, and for which I have his note of hand. After the post came back, sent our maid over to Framfield with a dozen of buttons. My brother brought over a pair of breeches for little Darby and drank tea with us this day. Our parish played at cricket with Chiddingly parish on Broad Oak and had not time to play it out, but to all appearance it was in the favor of this parish. At home all day except for going to Peter Adams’s. In the evening read the 29th of Tillotson’s sermons. Dr Snelling called on us in his way to Ticehurst, but did not get off.

At home all day… In the evening read the 28th of Tillotson’s sermons. In the afternoon very busy a-altering and cleaning the feathers in a bolster.

At home all day. We dined on the best end of the neck of veal bought on Saturday roasted. Rec’d of my mother by my brother 1.6.5, being for goods got from Mr Madgwick’s for her, but charged to my account. My brother drank tea with us. Nothing more of moment. In the evening read the 27th of Tillotson’s sermons. Lent Peter Adams by his daughter Hannah in cash £1, for which I received his note of hand.

At home all the morning… Sent Francis Smith by his servant Thomas Hemsley 8.11.0… Very busy all the afternoon. Charles Diggens came over and took up a coat for Mr Porter and a frock for Mr Burgess’s son. Mr Burgess and Mrs Burgess here, but did not stay, smoking only one pipe. Charles Diggens stayed till near 11 o’clock…

My wife at church in the forenoon, but I was not, and only our maid in the afternoon. I was not out of doors all the day. We dined on the scrag end of the neck of veal (bought yesterday) boiled, a piece of pork, bread pudding and spinach. Mr French called in the morning to beg some lettuces and informed me there would be a brief read; so I gave him 2d to it. Read the 24th and 25th of Tillotson’s sermons.

At home all day. In the morning put up our raisin wine. We dined on a piece of pork, pudding and spinach. Master Bridgman, his wife and grandchildren drank tea with us…Oh, how uneasy a troubled conscience who can bear?