Sunday, July 27 1760

No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton, where our servant went. We dined on a boiled chick, a piece of bacon and French beans. My wife, self and servant at church in the afternoon… After tea my wife and I walked down to Whyly, from whence Molly French and Miss Newington walked with us as far as the Nursery. We came back at about 8:20.

In the evening and the day read 6 of Bishop Sherlock’s sermons, which I think extremely good, there being sound reasoning in them, and seem written with an ardent piety, being mostly levelled against the deists.

Monday, July 28 1760

Rec’d of Mr Will Piper in cash 11.10.0, and a receipt for a year’s land tax, 2.8.0, which together makes the sum of 13.18.0, which I am to send to Mr Allen Chatfield at Croydon, and which is in full for 1 year’s rent due from Mr Piper to Mrs Mary Milis at old Lady Day last…

In the evening Mr Long and I walked to Uckfield, where I called on Mr Hart to buy some chamois skins, but he had none. We spent some time with Mr Elless and some with William Turley, and came home very sober about 9:30. Very busy all day, though I believe I barely took 20/- ready, notwithstanding I delivered above £7 worth of goods. In the evening wrote my London letters.

Wednesday, July 30 1760

In the morning rode to the keeper’s to ask for the funeral of his mother, but was too late to succeed. From thence I went to my uncle Hill’s… In the afternoon rode down to Mr Carman’s and looked at his wool, and from thence I rode to Mr Gosling’s and looked upon his wool. I came home about 5:20… But very little to do all day…

Friday, August 1 1760

Paid Mr Blackwell in cash and rage as under in full for the 16 reams of paper I received of him yesterday:

1 cwt 2 qr 6 lbs white rags at 29/6.2.5.10½
1 “  3 “ 0 “  common do.0.9.7
In cash0.12.0
3.7.5½
To 16 reams paper3.8.0

…Master Watford at work for me today, and dined with us on a loin lamb roasted and French beans. Paid Ben Shelley in cash 12.16.6 in full for money paid for me this week… At home all day, but not very busy. About 4:20 we had a tempest of thunder, rain and lightning, though not very severe, the thunder being at a great distance, neither was it of long continuance.

Saturday, August 2 1760

…Paid Will Goad 11/- for 16½ lbs of wool received of him today. Rec’d of Mr Gibbs 26 fleeces 1 tod 13 lbs wool. Mr Gibbs drank tea at our house. In the afternoon my brother came over and borrowed my horse to go to Lewes upon… He called in the evening as he came back and left my horse.

Sunday, August 3 1760

Just as we were going to church Mr Tucker came to see us (and brought my wife a present of some plaice). Myself and he stayed at home, and my wife and servant went to church. Mr Tucker dined with us on a cold veal pie, a piece of bacon and French beans.

No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. Our servant went to Waldron church. Mr Tucker spent the afternoon with us till about 4:20 and then went home. After tea my wife and I walked down to Whyly and stayed there some time. Came home about 7:40. In the evening read one of Bishop Sherlock’s sermons to Mr Long.

Monday, August 4 1760

…In the evening balanced accounts with Thomas Jones at Bentley, and paid him in cash 3.15.6 (he abating me 4d) in full to this day… In the afternoon my brother came over and borrowed my horse …In the evening wrote my London letters. My wife ill all day. Borrowed of Mr John Long in cash 3/-. At home all day and thank God pretty busy. A very windy and rainy evening.

Tuesday, August 5 1760

Paid Mr Long the 3/- I borrowed of him yesterday… In the evening read one of Sherlock’s sermons to Thomas Davy. At home all day; wrote out some bills and posted part of my day book. Mr Sam Gibbs sent us a present of a shoulder of venison by his servant, to whom I gave one shilling. A very wet day and extremely windy.