Category: Uncategorised

Richard Braizer a-gardening for me all day and dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of pork boiled, a plain butter pond pudding, turnips and greens. And paid him 12d for his day’s work. At home all day and my wife very ill again. Oh, how almost insupportable is my trouble… [33 words omitted].

Sent Ben Shelley by his servant…to be paid in London for me £43… We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner… My wife continues better. Oh, the torment of my mind; what would I give to recall Sunday back again!

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner… My conscience extreme troublesome. Oh, for one rash and inconsiderate action have I hours of pain and that of the most tormenting this world can afford! …[40 words omitted]… My wife, I hope, something better. In the evening, wrote my London letters.

In the morning rode over to Framfield, but did not stay. Came home and breakfasted and then set out for Lewes, where I dined at Mr Madgwick’s on a neck of veal roasted, and currant butter pudding cake boiled and greens (my family at home dining on a leg of mutton roasted, and potatoes).

I paid Mr John Madgwick in cash 2.13.2 in full for goods bought of him today, and also gave him in cash 1.18.6 in order for him to pay Mr Stephen Fletcher, servant to Mr Sam Ridings, in full on my account.

I called on Mr George Verral and Mr Thomas Scrase, and came home about 6:30 and, Oh, could I say sober — but my frail resolution and weak brain frustrated my intentions in that particular. Oh, how does the thought of it torment my conscience; well might the wise man say: a wounded spirit who can bear? So many times… [80 words omitted] …Drunkenness is only as an inlet to all other vices, for when reason is laid asleep, then, then! sense and passion ride triumphant, so weak is nature (or at least corrupt and fallen nature), but what I most stand aghast at is to think how miserable (nay, even past description) must my unhappy lot assuredly be should I asleep never to open my eyes again in this world (whenever I am in liquor). No, my portion must be that of the wicked person who knows not God, ab! and possibly more severe, nothing but wailing md weeping and gnashing of teeth… [47 words omitted].

…At home all day. Very little to do. My wife very ill, but I hope something better.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some broiled sausages. Dame Durrant drank tea with my wife. At home all day, my wife very ill.

Thomas Davy and John Babcock being a-gardening for me part of the day, they dined with us on a piece of pork boiled, apple pudding and greens. Paid Richard Fuller 2/11 for a leg of mutton received by him today weighing 10 lbs at 3½ d per lb. Paid Richard Jenner l4d in full for 2 bushels bran received by him today. At home all day. My wife very ill. Paid Thomas Richardson 10/6 (apprentice to Thomas Freeman) in full for pattens and clogs received by him today.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a plain bread pudding and a piece of pork and greens. At home all day; my wife very ill again. Paid a son of Mr Heaver, miller at Isfield, 16d for 3 bushels bran received by him today.

Oh, melancholy situation my wife extremely ill; quite alone, almost; and trade very dead; but still, what is this to the prospect of losing my intimate, my familiar and sincere friend?

In the morning John Watford carried home my mother Slater. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Mrs Porter and Mrs Hope drank tea with my wife, who in my opinion continues very ill and very dangerous, but how should I be transported with joy should it please Almighty God to restore her to her former health.

…We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Paid Joseph Fuller Jr in cash 9.17.1, which is in full for the same sum paid per his order by Mr John Ready the 9th instant to Mr Will Margesson on my account. At home all day. My wife thank God somewhat better. My uncle Hill called on me in the forenoon, but did not stay.