Category: Uncategorised

…We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the afternoon my niece went away to Framfield in her road to Tunbridge Wells. My wife, poor creature, most extremely ill, nay even so ill that I think a few hours will be her last in this world.

My father Slater went home in the forenoon… At home all day. In the afternoon my brother Moses came over but did not stay. My wife extremely ill. In the evening wrote my London letters. Mrs Porter sat with us some time in the afternoon.

In the morning rode to Uckfield and hired a post-chaise to bring my wife home in. I breakfasted there. We got back to Hartfield about 11:25, where we dined on some currant pond butter pudding… We then came away, my father Slater accompanying us on my horse. We got home thank God very safe about 5:40.

In the evening my wife was taken with an involuntary bleeding at the nose which continued near 2 hours and a half, and at times the whole night through (poor dear creature). What it is owing to I cannot tell, whether from my own unhappy temper or that of my friends and relations, but in this my day of trouble they seem to stand aloof and as it were staring at me like a stranger. Not one, no! not one that attempts to pour that healing balm of compassion into a heart wounded and torn to pieces with trouble. Whenever it shall please the Almighty to take from me the wife of my bosom, then shall I be like a beacon upon a rock, or en ensign on a hill, destitute of every sincere friend, and not a friendly companion left to comfort my afflicted mind and yield that pleasing comfort of consolation to a mind quite worn to the grave with trouble. Let me, oh! let me lift mv eyes and heart with sincerity to heaven for help, who alone is able to give relief. May I forever give glory to the Lord of heaven and earth in obeying the commands of his divine will in a life spent in true holiness and virtue.

Sent Mr Francis Weller (by the post) at Mayfield 1 bill on Mr William Margesson…7.7.0, which with repairs and taxes outset is in full for 1 year’s rent [on the shop] due at Lady Day last (OS).

Mr Long dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with some fried eels (given me yesterday by John Cayley). In the evening rode to Hartfield to see my wife, whom I found (poor creature) extremely ill. To describe my grief is beyond my power; therefore let a sincere and silent tear paint it in more lively colors to them that read this hereafter. In the afternoon my niece went over to Horsted and stayed all night.

In the morning went down to Halland. In the forenoon walked up to Mr Vine’s and down again to Halland… Molly and Bett Fuller drank tea with us…

This day received a letter from my wife wherein she acquaints me she is no better and gives me room to think she is worse. Oh, heart-breaking thought; how does the thought of it distract my tumultuous mind! I am no more myself. How does daily experience convince me in losing her I shall lose an inestimable treasure that even surpasses all the valuable mines in Peru. For what can equal that of a virtuous and discreet wife? Poor creature, may the tender expressions of her letter I received this day be forever graven on the inmost recesses of my heart; may they ever be continually fresh in my mind, that the thinking of her virtue may continually inspire me with fresh vigor to pursue a course of holiness! May I forever imitate her bright example, that like her I may meet that King of Terrors without fear. Christian, truly Christian, is the behaviour of that amiable creature. Lovely to the utmost must she be to all that are thoroughly acquainted with her.

…In the afternoon I rode to Lewes to prove Mr Piper’s will and took my niece with me, Thomas Durrant carrying my niece on Mr Thornton’s mare. Came home about 9:40. Spent as under:

The court fees	1.18.4
1 bottle wine do.	0.2.0
Spent	0.0.6
Horses, turnpike, ostler	0.0.9
	2.1.7

My servant in my absence very busy today. I called nowhere in town today but on Mr John Madgwick.

…My brother John and his wife and my sister Sally came to see me in the forenoon and dined with us on some mutton chaps broiled. They stayed and drank tea with me and then went away. Dr Stone bleeded me today. At home all day and pretty busy. This day was fought at Jones’s a main of cocks, between the gentlemen of Hoathly and Pevensey. Query: Is there a gentleman in either of the places that were concerned?

…In the afternoon went up to the dwelling-house of the late Mr Piper where Mr Porter and I balanced accounts with most of his creditors and debtors, and came home about 10:10. Paid Mr Thornton the guinea I received from him the 6th instant. In the evenings my friend Mr Hill came to see me, and stayed all night. Poor youth, very unfortunate, even beyond the common misfortunes of life.

We dined on a hog’s cheek boiled and half a calf’s head and greens… Rec’d of Mr Joseph Burgess 3.10.0 in full for land and window taxes due at Lady Day last. At home all day and not very busy. In the evening wrote my London letters. Read part of Young’s Night Thoughts.

In the morning went to Hartfield to see my wife. I breakfasted with my father Slater and dined there with them upon a piece of beef boiled, a raisin suet pudding and greens. (Mr Tucker, coming to see me in my absence, dined with my servant and niece on some fried eels). Stayed and drank tea with my wife and came home about 6:40.

In the evening my brother Will called on me, very much in liquor, and I persuaded him to stay all night, which he did. In the evening Sam Jenner brought Sally Waller, who my friend John Breeden had bargained with for my servant. I found my wife, I hope, if any different, somewhat better. Spent today 2d only, for the turnpike. Oh, how infinitely happy should I in all appearance be, would it please God to restore my wife to her former health!