Category: Uncategorised

After breakfast my father Slater went home… At home all day. But little to do. My wife, poor creature, most extreme ill; who can paint or describe my trouble? No, it is out of the power of human being to do it, and God grant my most inveterate enemies, if any I have, may never know so melancholy a situation. My soul is quite overwhelmed with grief; oh, the loss of so inestimable a treasure, even that of a sincere friend and virtuous wife!

In the forenoon my father Slater came to see us and brought me a present of a sparerib, some sausages and hog’s-puddings. He dined with us on a sparerib roasted and applesauce. He stayed with us all night. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, very ill. Gave James Fuller 12d to his Christmas box.

…Paid Mr Richard Stone, apothecary, in cash £6 on account… Paid Robert Hook 2/8 in full for the pig I received of him on Saturday. At home all day; my wife, poor creature, very bad.

Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe with me in the evening.

This day balanced accounts with Mr Francis Elless and received of him in cash 4.6.8 in full, [including]…

To a bill of schooling on the parish account

0.8.0

My brother stayed and dined with us… and after dinner went home to Framfield. Balanced accounts with Mr Laurence Thornton and paid him in cash 3.10.0, which with goods etc. is in full for the five guineas and a half borrowed of him the 22nd ult.; viz.,

Mr Laurence Thornton Dr.
To a bill of goods	2.0.6½
To horse hire	0.13.0
In cash	3.10.0
	6.3.6½
Per contra Cr.
To cash paid for 4 rabbits	0.3.0
To do. for 1 curry comb	0.1.6
To do. 1 pair pattens	0.1.0
In cash	0.2.6
In do. the 22nd December	5.15.6
	6.3.6

Paid my brother Richard in cash the 12.12.0 he delivered to me the 1st instant. In the evening went down to Mr Porter’s and balanced accounts with him and received by one ten pound bank bill and by cash 40.16.10 in full to the 25th December last; viz.,

Mr Porter Dr.
To the account as per shop book	39.10.9¾
To bill for tar, tar casks and carriage	1.16.9
	41.7.6
Per contra Cr.
Rec’d by empty tubs	0.2.8
Do. 1 year’s tithe due St Michael last	0.8.0
Do. a bank bill	10.0.0
Do. in cash	30.16.10
	41.7.6

Stayed and supped with Mr Porter on some bread and cheese. Came home about 11 o’clock. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

…Paid Thomas Burfield 8/9 for 15 beehives received of him today. In the afternoon my brother Richard came to see me and stayed all night. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

Myself only at church in the morning… We dined on a pig roasted and bread sauce. In the morning Mr Snelling went on his journey. Our late and present servants at church in the afterternoon. During churchtime in the morning Mr Snelling called in his road home, but did not stay. In the evening read part of the Book of Job.

My wife, poor creature, very bad. who can describe or imagine the pang she has endured and which through God’s grace she bears with patience. Oh, if I am so unhappy as to lose her, what an inestimable treasure shall I lose! Alas, what shall I not lose!

Paid Mr Benjamin Shelley (by money he received of Mr Ben Treacher in full for rabbit skins sent him some time ago) 2.3.4 on account of carriage and 0.0.5 for 6 lemons, which together makes the sum of 2.3.9 and is the same he received of Mr Treacher…

After dinner I set out with an intent to have gone to Yalden, but finding the riding extremely bad I rode no farther then my brother’s at Framfield, and came back immediately. In the evening Mr Snelling called at our house in his way to Stonebridge, and it being somewhat dark, stayed with us all night. A very cold frosty day. My wife, poor creature, very ill. Rec’d of Robert Hook 1 roasting pig weight 10¾ lbs – 0.2.8¼.

Rec’d of Mr Joseph Burgess £3; rec’d of John Jones 6/-; ditto. of Francis Gibbs 4/-, in full of each for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last.

After breakfast went to Maresfield to meet the receiver-general of the land tax, where I paid his clerk, Mr Thomas Gerry, the sum of £62 in part for half a year’s land tax due to his Majesty at St Michael last. Called at Framfield as I went and came, but did not stay…

Spent on myself and horse 7d. We dined on a piece of beef boiled and turnips and some boiled trout, which was made my wife a present of yesterday by Thomas Fuller Jr. After dinner walked down to Halland to fit Mr and Mrs Coates to a pair of gloves. Gave Elizabeth Akehurst 6d for her Christmas box. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

…In the afternoon went and served Miss Bett Porter’s funeral, where I gave away, with the gloves ordered which I have not served, in all 24 pairs; viz.,

2	pairs Men’s kid
3	pairs Women’s ditto.
7	pairs Men’s lamb
6	pairs women’s lamb
6	pairs maid’s ditto.

Rec’d of Mr Jeremiah French 15.16.0 in full for half a year’s land tax due St Michael last. Rec’d of Joseph Durrant 14/- in full for half a year’s land tax due as above. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

In the morning went and invited the children to support Miss Porter’s pall… At home all day, and but very little to do. My wife continues very ill. Paid Ed Hope 21d for a sparerib bought of him today weighing 7 lbs.