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In the forenoon my brother came over and I lent him my horse to go to Lewes upon… In the afternoon my brother came back and left my horse. Posted part of my day book… My wife, poor creature, very ill and extremely full of pain. Joseph Fuller Jr, paying me for a frock, smoked a pipe with me in the evening. John Durrant made my wife a present of some small eels.

…In the evening walked down to Halland, but did not stay. After I came back wrote my London letters. My wife, poor creature, very ill and so full of pain that it is past my power to describe it or even, I think, anyone to believe it, but only we that are constantly with her. Ah, melancholy situation; but still, I am thoroughly assured it is that which is best for me, for the unerring ways of God’s providence are undoubtedly right and just.

Lent Robert Hook in cash 5/-. My niece only at church in the forenoon. We dined on a piece of salt fish boiled, a piece of beef boiled, egg sauce, turnips, potatoes and greens. After dinner my brother came over and he, my niece and servant at church. My brother stayed and drank tea with us and then went home, I walking along with him part of the way for a walk. In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

…Lent Mr Joseph Burgess in cash 1 guinea, but received no note for it. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, extremely ill. Oh, how does the thought of losing her distract my tumultuous mind.

…Borrowed of Mr Laurence Thornton in cash 4 guineas and for which I gave him no note of hand. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, extreme ill indeed.

…At home all day. My wife most extreme ill again, poor creature. Oh, my unhappy fate should I lose her, which I think I must do in a few days! I am quite distracted with grief.

We dined on the hare my brother Slater brought us on Monday, roasted, with a pudding in the belly. This day gave Joseph Fuller my note of hand payable to him or order on demand (and to bear interest for the same after the rate of 5 percent per annum) for the sum of ten pounds. Also gave him another note of hand payable to him or order on demand for 14.17.6, which notes together make the sum of 24.17.3 and are in lieu of the same sum paid by his order per Mr Austin to Mr Will Margesson on my account the 2nd instant. Joseph Fuller, T. Durrant, Mr Thornton and T. Davy sat with us in the evening a while. At home all day. My wife thank God somewhat better. My brother Moses came over in the forenoon…

…Sent my cousin Charles Hill at Waldron enclosed in a letter in one to Mr John Crouch in order for him to send by the post to him… one bill on Mr Will Margesson… value £29, for which bill my cousin stands debtor to me for, it being as money lent him and for which my uncle has promised he would join with him in security to me for the same… We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, extreme ill.

Borrowed of Thomas Davy today in cash £10 for which I gave him my note of hand payable to him or order on demand and to bear interest after the rate of 3 percent per annum.

In the morning my brother Slater came to see us and brought us a hare for a present. He stayed and dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a green salad. My brother went away about 3 o’clock. Very busy all day, though took but very little ready money. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, quite ill.

In the evening wrote my London letters.

We dined on a calf’s head boiled, a piece of bacon, greens and a plain batter pudding. Myself and late servant only at church in the morning… Myself, late servant and niece at church in the afternoon… In the evening our late servant went home. Mr Thornton and Thomas Durrant at our house in the evening, to whom I read one of Tillotson’s sermons. My wife, poor creature, very ill. How melancholy is my present situation.