The Diary, 1754–1765
Mr Sam Beckett made my wife a present of 3 fine mackerel. James Bull dined with us on the remains of Sunday’s dinner. In the afternoon kept the school for Mr Long, he going to a cricket match at Chiddingly.
Mrs Atkins, Mrs Hicks, Mrs Brook and Miss Suky Verral drank tea at our house. In the forenoon walked down to Whyly, as I did again in the afternoon. Not very busy all day.
Mr Thomas Carman dined with us on some boiled mackerel and rashers of bacon… In the afternoon wrote out some bills; at home all day.
In the forenoon my brother came over and stayed and dined with us on a broiled mackerel, a piece of pork and a piece of bacon boiled, a raisin suet pudding and greens… Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me in the evening. Pretty busy all day, but sure a most melancholy time for money, the greatest part of trade being trust, and doubtless in so many small articles we forget a great many, which makes it so much the worse trading.
We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner… In the evening Mr Long and I walked over to Framfield, but did not stay. This day has been my birthday, and that on which I enter into the 32nd year of my age. And may the God of all mercy and goodness pour into my heart the grace of His holy spirit, that as I grow in years so may I increase in goodness and daily be renewed in the inner man, and so number my days that I may apply my heart unto wisdom, through the merits and intercession of my blessed Savior and only Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
…Catharine Winton and her niece drank tea at our house. Thank God very busy all day. In the evening walked down to Whyly with some things for Mr Calverley, who is dangerously ill, but did not stay.
Myself, wife and servant at church in the morning. We dined on part of a hog’s cheek boiled and greens. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton, but, it being a wet afternoon, I did not go to any church.
My wife and I drank tea with Mrs Atkins. In the evening and the day read part of Burkitt on the New Testament and one of Tillotson’s sermons, which I think a very fine one, setting forth and showing the absolute necessity of an early piety, and the danger of a death-bed repentance.
We dined on the best part of a leg of mutton, roasted in the oven, and venison sauce… At home all day, and I think so extreme wet a day as I almost ever knew at this season of the year, and a very cold day. Mr Long drank tea with us.
Delivered to Ben Shelley in cash £30 for him to pay in London for me. In the forenoon walked over to Framfield, there being a fair kept. I dined at my brother’s on a leg of mutton roasted, cauliflower and a gooseberry pudding (my family at home dining on the remains of yesterday’s dinner). Came home about 8:10. A very wet evening.
…Paid Robert Hook in cash 13/-, which is in full for the same sum he paid Mr John Pike of Burwash in full on my account. At home all day; posted my day book.
My brother came over in the forenoon and dined with us… In the afternoon made part of the land tax books, Mr Piper and myself being assessors for the present year.