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Myself and niece at church in the morning… We dined on a tench boiled, an eel boiled and broiled and the remains of yesterday’s dinner. My niece and maid at church in the afternoon. Rec’d of Mrs Browne in cash 3.1.3; that is, to pay her rent tomorrow at the audit; viz.,

To a half year’s rent due at St Michael last	3.1.3
Out of which I am to keep 10/- for half a year’s land tax due at the same time	0.10.0
	2.11.3

which remaining sum is in full for the rent, including the receipt for land tax.

In the evening myself, Thomas Davy and Mr Long took a little walk, and they came back and sat with us some time, to whom and in the day I read 2 of Sharp’s sermons. Mary Heath came to wash for us tomorrow and lodged at our house.

This day was buried at our church Francis Rich, aged 45 years, who died after a few days’ illness and has left a widow and 7 children. What a moving spectacle it was (I am not able to describe it) to see an industrious and sober man, the only support of his family, followed to the grave by his widow and fatherless infants, whose stares [tears?] and lamentations as it were bespoke their inward and sincere grief. Oh, would the licentious libertine take opportunities to frequent such scenes as this, I think he would no longer follow his vicious course, but would in time become wise unto salvation.

Paid the miller of this parish 8/- in full for 2 bushels flour received by him today. Mrs Vine sent my wife a present of a fine tench and some eels, for which I gave the boy 6d… At home all day and pretty busy. My wife very ill. A remarkable fine seasonable time for weather; all nature seems to strive with the greatest energy to be luxuriantly bountiful to man, nay even to poor ungrateful man.

…We dined on a piece of beef boiled, a peas pudding. Mrs Browne drank tea with my wife. Today filled up a paper of indentures whereby John the son of William Gasston in the Cliffe is bound to Joseph Durrant and his son Thomas for 6 years, the money specified £5, signed and sealed in the presence of myself and Robert Hook, who were witnesses to the same; the time is to commence from Lady Day last past. I also signed a note from the father (that is, William Gasston) to Joseph Durrant, whereby he promises to pay him £5 at the expiration of 7 years provided the boy lives so long. At home all day my wife quite ill.

My friend John Breeden called on me in his road to Uckfield Fair, and breakfasted with me… In the afternoon my wife rode down to Mr Porter’s in a cart and stayed and drank tea there. Mr Breeden called on me in his way home… Pretty busy all day.

Dame Rabson at Laughton dined at our house… Thomas Durrant drank tea with us. At home all day; pretty busy. In the evening my niece went over to Framfield. My wife somewhat better.

Delivered to Ben Shelley by our servant in cash £10 in order for him to pay in London for me… We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day. Thomas Durrant supped at our house. My wife very ill, but I hope somewhat better.

…My sister and niece dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a cold pigeon pasty. They stayed and drank tea at our house, and then went home. At home all day. In the evening wrote my London letters. My wife quite ill all day.

Myself only at church in the morning… I stayed the communion and gave 6d. During churchtime my sister Sally and my [brother’s] daughter Nanny came to see us, and they together with Mr Long dined with us on a loin of veal roasted and gooseberry pudding. Myself and 2 nieces at church in the afternoon… My sister and cousin Nanny stayed with us all night… My wife, poor creature, very ill. In the afternoon the banns of marriage were published for the first time between Francis Turner of this parish and Mary Weaver of Selmeston.

…Lent Mr Laurence Thornton in cash two guineas, for which he gave me his note of hand payable to me or order on demand… A most melancholy time. Never did I know trade so dull. My wife, I hope, somewhat better. Many are the afflictions I have labored under, but I doubt not but they are ordered by the divine Providence for our good, and God grant me grace to make a right use of them.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a hasty pudding. Rec’d of Mr Ben Shelley a receipt (for the money I gave him the 5th instant) from Mr Allen Chatfield, which receipt I sent by Philip to John Piper. At home all day. My wife very ill.