Friday, March 5 1762

In the morning I walked up to Mrs Piper’s. I dined on a leg of mutton boiled and a pea pudding. After dinner John Piper and I walked to Lewes in order to collect in a debt due upon the trust of Mr William Piper deceased… We came home about 7:05, both very sober. John Piper, Joseph Muller Jr and Sam Jenner smoked a pipe with me in the evening…

Sunday, February 28 1762

Rec’d of Arthur Knight in cash 2.12.6 in part of interest due on a mortgage to Mr Will Piper deceased, which money I have received on account of my trust to the children, and for which I am debtor to the estate for…

Myself and servants at church in the morning… I dined on half a calf’s head boiled, a piece of pork and turnips… Myself and both servants at church in the afternoon… At home all the day; read part of Drelincourt on death and in the evening one of Tillotson’s sermons.

How are the thoughts of the best of wives come as it were afresh again to my memory; the idea of her spotless virtue is present with me. May, oh may the thoughts of it inspire me with fortitude and resolution to imitate her virtue, and may the thoughts of her calm my tumultuous mind and make my life a uniform series of Christian virtues. When I reflect I must soon become a partner with her in the grave, for the longest life is but short when compared with eternity. Oh, how should we all endeavor to be prepared for that awful minute.

Friday, February 26 1762

…In the forenoon I, at the request of Thomas Fuller’s executors and Mr Porter, in company with Joseph Fuller, went to the house of the deceased, where I examined his writings and looked over his papers, and also read such of them to his relations as was necessary. Joseph Fuller and I came back to his house, where we dined…

My brother came over in the afternoon to take up a suit of clothes and stayed and drank tea with me. In the evening went down to Mr Porter’s, where I stayed and supped on some bread and cheese and brawn. Came home about 10:40. My late servant stayed all night. Very little to do all day…

Thursday, February 25 1762

My servant dined with me… After dinner I went to the funeral of Thomas Fuller, where I read his will to his friends and relations. He was buried about 5:30, and aged 58 years.

This day I, my late and present servant witnessed the will of Jarvis Bexhill of the parish of Chiddingly which I had made for him. Very little to do all day. Nay, I may almost say hardly anything at all to do, so dull and melancholy is trade, and I believe it to be the same throughout the county.