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In the forenoon Mr Porter and myself rode to Maresfield, there being a meeting of the commissioners of the window tax for the last day of appeal. Mr Porter appealed and had a relief of [text missing]

Myself and both servants at church in the morning. We dined on some pork bones (made me a present of by Dame Durrant) broiled. Myself and both servants at church in the afternoon, the text the same as in the morning [Job 2:10]. Sam Jenner drank tea with me, to whom and Joseph Fuller, Thomas Durrant, Mr Long and Thomas Davy I read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

Mr Long dined with me on a piece of beef boiled, a plain pudding and turnips. At home all day and but very little to do. Paid John Piper 18d for 1 bushel of oats received by him today. Dame Alcorne was buried in the evening.

…In the evening Mr Long and I walked down to Whyly where we stayed and supped and spent the evening; we came home about 10:20, but not thoroughly sober. Thomas Durrant breakfasted with me. In the day posted some London accounts.

…At home all day. In the afternoon posted some accounts. Thomas Durrant drank tea with me and also lodged at my house, his father having company. Nothing to do at all the whole day.

After breakfast walked over to Framfield where I settled the accounts between my brothers and sister, and my brother Moses signed a promissory note of hand to my sister for £50, as also another to my brother Richard for £33, both of which notes are to bear interest at £4 percent per annum to commence from the 1st day of February next, both of which notes I witnessed.

I dined with my brother on a hand of pork boiled, an apple pudding and turnips… I stayed and drank tea with my brother and then came home, my brother accompanying me home, and we together with Joseph Fuller Jr and Mr John Long spent the evening at Joseph Durrant’s. We came home about 8:50. My brother stayed and supped with me and then went home…

This day died the wife of Will Alcorne after being married about 10 months. The wife of Thomas Davy was this day delivered of & girl after being married only 6 months, two people whom I should the least have suspected of being guilty of so indiscreet an act. But what can be said of this passion? How careful should we be of ourselves in this particular when we daily see people of the strictest virtue (apparently) guilty of it.

…At home all day and really very little to do all day. In the day sawed some wood. In the evening myself, Joseph Fuller Jr, Master and Thomas Durrant smoked a pipe or two with Mr Long. We came home about 11:20. It is impossible to say how dull trade is, for I have hardly anything to do, and I am sure I must daily lose money, so that I am as it were come to a resolution to leave this place…

…At home all day; a cold sharp frosty day; very little to do all day. In the evening wrote my London letters. Employed myself today part of the day in sawing of wood. Oh, melancholy times — what to do I hardly know.

Myself and both servants at church in the morning… We had a brief read for rebuilding the parish church of Penal in the county of Merioneth in South Wales, the expense of which amounted to the sum of £1270 and upwards; I gave 1d. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a hot beef pudding and turnips. Myself and both servants at church in the afternoon… In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons. A very cold frosty day.

A young man, an acquaintance of one of my servants, dined with me on a piece of pork, a beef pudding and turnips. At home all day and really hardly anything to do in the shop, so dull is trade. A fine day and frosty, and I think the pleasantest day we have had for some months. Employed myself part of the day in sawing wood.