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Mary Heath a-washing for us all day and she with my father Slater dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a boiled carp. Paid Mary Heath 18d for her 2 days’ work and afterwards she paid me 12d on account. Rec’d of Mr Joseph Burgess the two guineas lent him the 31st ult. My father Slater stayed with us all day and lodged at Joseph Fuller’s, our beds being full, as he did also last night. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

Mary Heath a-washing for us all day and dined with us… Paid Thomas Reeve by his daughter Elizabeth by goods 7/- in full for a sack of oats received last week. In the evening my father Slater came to see us and stayed with us all night. Mary Heath lodged with us all night. Molly French sat up with my wife, who, poor creature, is so ill that it is past thought to describe. Mr Vine sent my wife a present of two eels and a carp. I gave his son 6d that brought them.

…Mrs French drank tea with my wife. Mary Heath lodged at our house, she coming to wash for us tomorrow… My wife, poor creature, very ill. Oh, how am I afflicted! How does the thought of losing so sincere a friend affect me!… [24 words omitted].

…In the afternoon my brother came over and stayed and spent the evening. At home all day. In the evening wrote my London letters. My wife, poor creature, most deplorably ill.

In the morning our late servant went to see her friends. Myself at church in the morning… We had a proclamation read for a fast and humiliation on Friday the 13th instant for imploring the blessings of divine Providence on fleets and armies. We had a brief read for rebuilding the parish church of Thworlworth in Leicestershire, the charge of rebuilding which amounted to the sum of £1193 and upwards, to which collection I gave 1d. We dined on a sheep’s head boiled, the lights and mint boiled and minced, a piece of veal boiled. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton.

My wife, poor creature, most extreme ill. Oh, how do I tremble at the thoughts of losing so valuable a friend and companion, nay even a virtuous and prudent wife, an inestimable treasure, a treasure more valuable than Peruvian mines or all the shining gems of the East… [60 words omitted] …In the evening and the day read part of Young’s Night Thoughts.

…Lent Mr Joseph Burgess in cash 2.2.0 for which I have not received any note… My wife, poor creature, very ill, wasted as it were to an anatomy, yet cheerful and fully resigned to God’s will.

Paid Mr Joseph Fuller 6d in full for a sheep’s head and pluck bought of him today… At home all day. My wife, poor creature, very ill. How do I want words to express what she has endured? This 18 weeks past has she almost been in continual pain.

In the forenoon my brother came over and dined with us… My wife, poor creature, very ill. Oh, how does the daily repetition wound my distracted soul!

…In the day wrote out several bills. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, extremely ill. Oh, how cutting is this daily repetition!

…Sent Mr John Crouch, enclosed in a letter by Benjamin Shelley (delivered to himself) one bill on Mr Will Margesson, dated today… value £10. We dined on a piece of bacon boiled, an apple pudding and turnips… My wife, poor creature, extremely ill.