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At home all day. My brother Moses was here in the forenoon. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Mrs Rice drank tea with us. I sent Frank Smith by his boy John Westgate in cash £13, which he is to pay for me in London; see the next time we balance. I sent Mr John Crouch…£10. Paid the post for bringing a parcel from Lewes 6d. Returned to Mr Richard Sterry 2 lbs best smelts, 0.2.8, and also to Messrs Margesson and Collison:

3 lbs 3 oz worsted 2/8        0.8.6

4 Culgee hand. [?] 2/7        0.10.4

In the evening Mrs Virgoe sat with us about 1 hour.

Paid John Streeter the postman 0.6.11, which with 9d that I paid Mr Beal the postmaster the 22nd January last (which was for 1 pair of creepers I received the 13th December, and which I did pay the postboy for the day he brought them), makes together 0.7.8 and is in full for pattens and clogs that I received by him today from Thomas Freeman, and likewise of all demands due to the said Thomas Freeman.

After dinner I went down to Halland with a pack of salt and received of Mr Coates 2.10.0… After dinner sent my maid to several places to collect in some small debts, but could get none. This day my father Slater sent us a sparerib for a present, and also the volume of plays I lent him the 24th of January. Rec’d a letter from Mr George Verral concerning buying some tallow of Thomas Fuller for him… In the evening, my wife finished reading of Clarissa Harlowe, which I look upon as a very well-written thing though it must be allowed it is too prolix. I think the author keeps up the character of every person in all places, and as to the manner of its ending, I like it better than if it had terminated in more happy consequences.

At home all day. After dinner sent my maid to Framfield to acquaint my mother with Mr Fletcher’s coming to Lewes the 2nd of March and also [sent her] to Uckfield to put a letter in the post to acquaint my father Slater with the same. Paid 3d for the same. Rec’d of William Sinden ½ bushel wheat. Paid Peter Belton 3/- for 3 dozen of brooms. Ann Smith drank tea with us. In the evening my wife read part of Clarissa Harlowe… In the evening Mrs Virgoe sat with us about 45 minutes.

About 11 o’clock Mr John Withington, Messrs Bancroft and Nixon’s man, called on me. I gave him a small order; he stayed and dined with me. After dinner Master Hook and I walked to Uckfield. We got to Framfield before Mr Withington. I gave him a bill at Framfield, which I drew on Messrs Margesson and Collison…for payments as under:

In full for Thomas Fuller, chandler     5.1.0

On my mother’s account                 1.3.6

Rec’d of Mr John Withington             0.0.6

6.5.0, equal to the draft as above.

My mother paid me the 1.3.6 and also paid me for some Manchester goods which she had on the 27th of July last, 2.3.5. Master Hook, my brother Moses and myself went to Uckfield and accidentally met with Mr William Rushton there, who treated us with a bottle of wine. I gave him orders for a piece of white calamanco and 1 black anterloon [woolen clothing material?], I spent 6d. We came back and called at Framfield and came home about 8:10.

My business at Uckfield was to look on some leather breeches, but Mr Hart was not at home; so my journey was all void. I left the gun, my late father’s, at Fowle the clocksmith’s to be new-stocked. I came home a little merry. This day Mr John Clinch’s daughter was baptized. The sponsors: T. Fuller, F. Gibbs, Mrs Vine Jr, Dame Durrant. I received a letter from Mr Fletcher to advise me he shall be at Lewes on Tuesday the 2nd of March next (and open on the next morning) with Mr Samuel Ridings’s horses.

At home all day. Paid James Fuller 4d for a comb he bought for me at Lewes on Saturday last, which I gave to Samuel French. This day I bought of Dame Mott the younger of Laughton 1 gold ring, for which I gave her 8/-, and 1 silver bosom buckle, for which I gave her 6d. Paid for ½ gallon of flour 3½d. In the evening I posted my day book whilst my wife read that moving scene of the funeral of Miss Clarissa Harlowe to me. Oh, may the Supreme Being give me grace to lead my life in such a manner as my exit may in some respect be like that divine creature’s! Oh, how happy must that life be which is spent in virtue!

Rec’d of the wife of John Jones of Waldron 3/- on account. Paid Mrs Virgoe £7 on account. She stayed with us about 1 hour in the evening. I wrote for her to Mr John Dicker and Mr Henry Tapsfield Jr for the balance of their accounts due to her late husband.

At home all day. My brother drank tea with us. This day I paid Francis Smith in cash 2.3.0, which is in full to the 12th of Feb. 1756… In the evening posted part of my day book. Sent the skins and hair I sold yesterday by Smith as agreed.

At home all day. In the morning Master Durrant’s man, buying a great many things, came in and breakfasted with us. After dinner a man called at the door, who says his name is Matthews, with a horse loaded with horse-hair hats, corks and glovetops. I sold him 20 ½ lbs short horse-hair at 4½d per lb and 1½ lbs long ditto at 10d, and 17 skins for 4/4, all which he paid me for in ready money except 9 pairs of glovetops which I took of him at 5d per pair. What he bought of me I am to pay the carriage of to London. In the evening I wrote my London letters and sent a bill, value 15.12.0, to Mr Matthew Blake in full to this day… Also read the newspaper. I received a letter from Mr John Collison wherein he says he has paid Bristow the 2.0.5 I mentioned the 21st instant (see the others on Saturday next). As I was a-writing all the evening, my wife read Clarissa Harlowe to me.

At church in the morning; the text in Matthew 7:14: “Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” An excellent sermon. Halland gardener came home with me and dined with us. I gave John Cayley a susi handkerchief, value 2/-, as a present for his sister for a twelve-month’s use of Mrs Browne’s seat in the church for my wife and me, they refusing to receive the rent (as I may call it) that I agreed with them for.

After dinner the gardener and I set out for to see Buxted Place and gardens [property of George Medley Esq]. We called at my mother’s as we went and stayed there about 25 minutes. I found there Miss Fanny Smith (which, I think, seems to be the lady my brother Moses’ affections are settled on, or settling upon). Whether just or imaginary I cannot, no, I will not say, but I think I was received very coldly, not only by my mother but all the family, Miss Smith only excepted. After a stay of about 25 minutes as before mentioned, we set out for Buxted. My brother and Ed Rowles went with us.

We saw the gardens and the out-side of the place, neither of which is any ways near completed, but I think when they are both finished they will both be very curious in their kind. Gave Ed Rowles 6d for going with us and showing us the gardens. We came back to Framfield about 4 o’clock. Found Miss Smith there, and she and we drank tea there. After tea Mr Edward Rowles sent for us over to his house, and the gardener and I went; we stayed and drank 1 mug of beer and smoked 1 pipe, then went again to my mother’s; Miss Smith and my brother not there. My mother and I had a great many words, or at least my mother had with me. What my friends would have with me I know not; I have always done to the utmost of my power to serve them. I can with justice to myself and all mankind say I have their interest entirely at heart and never think myself more happy than in serving them. Were I assured I was to blame, I should even despise myself, and even think myself not worthy to be ranked among the rest of mankind were I to be cruel and undutiful to a mother, and one who is a widow, though doubtless I am not exempt from faults. No, I am mortal, but still how happy I could be, would my friends let but a free and sincere communication of friendship once more be opened between us, which has of late been shut up, but upon what account I cannot tell. I am, I think, quite uneasy, driven almost to distress for want of money, and my mother has at this time £40 of mine on book debts which I never did ask for, no, nor hope I ever shall. Only do I sincerely wish I could spare them £500 were it to serve them, but still why should they estrange themselves from me? But oh, let me stop my pen and say, “May they all be ever happy, and may the Supreme Being crown them all with his blessings in this transitory state and forever make them happy in the divine regions of eternal bliss.” We came home about 8 o’clock.

No frost tonight; a great deal of the snow melted. In reading The Odyssey last night, among many curious passages these two lines I think applicable to the present times; viz.,

“Why cease ye then the wrath of Heaven to stay;

Be humbled all, and lead ye great the way.”

All that I have read of it yet

I think is one entire lesson of morality. Then I think the speech of Jupiter extremely good:

“Perverse mankind, whose will’s created free,

Charge all their woes on absolute decree.

All to the dooming gods their guilt translate

And follies are miscalled the crimes of fate.”

Paid for 6 brooms 6d. Mr James Jordan drank tea with us. I paid him 16.14.0…in full to the 28th January, 1756. Paid Master Hope for a sparerib, 8 lbs, 2/-. Paid for baking of a piece of beef for Sunday’s dinner 1d. Paid Clymson the glover 12/2 for goods I received from him this day: that 1s, he brought the goods himself… Afterward I took of him 20d for a bridle and 21d for a susi handkerchief. In the evening Robert Hook brought me home 1 pair boots, value 18/-, and my wife 1 pair pumps, value 3/9, both to be entered to account. Thomas Davy and he both came together; they stayed till near 11 o’clock. Paid for butter 2¾d. See Monday for something relating to this day.