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In the morning Ed Foord, our headborough, and myself went down to Henry Osborne’s with an intent to distrain his goods for window tax, but his brother paid me the same after some words, it being only 3/-, without the trouble…

Rec’d of Richard Page 2.16.0 in full for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last. In the evening went down to Mr Porter’s and received of him 1.10.0 in full for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last. Gave Sam Tooth, an apprentice to John Browne, 6d for his Xtmas box. My wife very ill, but hope she is something better.

Rec’d of the widow Prall 16/-; ditto of Francis Turner 12/-; ditto of John Cayley 1.6.0; of each in full for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last. In the forenoon rode to several places to collect in land tax, but received none… In the afternoon my brother went to Framfield. Gave Richard Fuller 6d to his Christmas box. In the evening wrote my London letters. My wife very ill.

No service at our church the morning on account of the death of Miss Porter.. …We dined on a calf’s head, a piece of bacon, turnips, potatoes and greens boiled. Mr Jones, curate of Waldron, preached at our church in the afternoon from the latter part of Matthew 1:21: “And thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

After dinner my brother went to Lewes for me. Myself and servant only at church in the afternoon. In the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read three of Tillotson’s sermons. This day received of Richard Hope 1.12.0 for a year’s land tax due at St Michael’s last. Rec’d of Thomas Fuller in cash 8.11.0 in full for the same sum he received in Lewes for me yesterday; viz.,

Of Mr William Michell for ½ year’s land tax for Halland House	7.19.0
Of Mr Burtenshaw for ½ year’s land tax for late Fowler’s	0.12.0

both due at St Michael last. My wife, poor creature, very bad. My brother stayed with us again all night.

…Rec’d of Mr Thomas Swaine by the payment of Mr Richard Bridgman in cash 4.1.0 in full for half a year’s land tax for part of Halland farm due at St Michael last.

In the afternoon my brother Richard came over and stayed with us all night. Our late servant came home in the evening… My wife, poor creature, very ill, but still bears her illness with a patient and cheerful resignation to the divine will, still maintaining a Christian temper and mind.

Gave the carrier’s servant 12d to his Christmas box.

Rec’d of Mr Coates 1.8.0; ditto of Mr Thomas Fuller 1.8.0; ditto of Mr Will Piper 2.8.0; ditto of Mr Morris 0.2.0 (in full of each) for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last.

My friend George Richardson came to see us and dined with us on a piece of beef boiled, an apple pudding, potatoes and turnips. My friend George Richardson stayed and drank tea with us. In the evening our late servant went over to her friends in the evening.

This day Mr Poole generously called on my wife and took nothing for his fee, but told me the melancholy news that there was no prospect of my wife’s recovery but by a miracle. My wife, poor creature, very ill. At home all day. This day died a daughter of Mr Porter’s, about 4 years of age.

In the morning set out for Chailey. Called at Framfield and breakfasted with my brother. I dined at Mr George Beard’s on some hog’s chap and knuckle boiled, a plain hard pudding and greens…

This being the day that my brother Richard’s apprenticeship expired, I and Mr Beard cancelled my brother’s indentures and Mr Beard paid my brother in cash £14, agreeable to a note of hand he gave my brother when bound, and I accordingly delivered him up his note of hand. I also took up of him a note of hand which my mother gave Mr Beard when my brother was bound, promising to pay him 24/- if he should think proper to demand it when my brother’s time was expired, which Mr Beard did not, but generously gave me the said note up. My brother delivered to me to keep for him 12.12.0, but I have given him no note or anything to show for it…

I called at Framfield and drank tea with my brother. My wife, poor creature, very ill. Oh, most melancholy situation. Paid Mr South 4/6 in full for 3 diuretic draughts for my horse.

In the forenoon rode to Mr Bristow’s and received of him 5.2.0 in full for half a year’s land tax due St Michael. Came back and rode down to Whyly…

My wife, poor creature, very ill. In the evening wrote out Mr Coates’s bill. Thomas Davy sat with us in the evening a little time.

In the forenoon went and collected in land tax of the following people:

Ed Hope	1.8.0
Thomas Reeve	2.16.0
Will Wenham	1.16.0

which is in full for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last. I received of William Wenham 5/- too much, not having silver to give him change.

My brother came over in the forenoon and dined with us… After dinner I went and served part of Mr Ed Calverley’s funeral, Mr Lashmore also serving a part. In the evening received of Mrs Atkins 1.6.0 and of Mrs Virgoe 4/- in full for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last. In the evening Thomas Davy and I played a few games of cribbage; I won 1d. My wife continues very ill… Gave a man who came from Lindfield with a petition for his house being consumed with fire 6d.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some boiled trout. Balanced accounts with Joseph Fuller and received of him 6/4 in full to this day. Rec’d of him 1.12.0 in full for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last… In the evening wrote my London letters. My wife very ill.

In the morning I walked down to Whyly with a shroud, sheet etc. for Mr Calverley. Myself and late servant at church in the morning, where we had a sermon preached by a young clergyman just come to be curate at Laughton, and I imagine this to be the first time of his preaching (Mr Porter administering the sacrament at Laughton). The text was in the former part of John 1:5: “And the light shineth in darkness,” from which words we had in my opinion a learned sermon and I think if the young gentleman’s morals are good he will in time make a fine man.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some boiled trout. Myself and servant at church in the afternoon, where the same gentleman preached as in the forenoon, the text in the latter part of I Timothy 6:17; “Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons. My wife, poor creature, very ill. Oh, melancholy situation, but still, let me not repine, for doubtless many are as much afflicted.