The Diary, 1754–1765
Dame Jordan, buying some things in the shop, dined with me on a hot beef pie. At home all day and not very well. Very busy all day. In the evening Thomas Durrant sat with me some time.
Yesterday received a letter by Ben Shelly from Barlow, Wigginton and Francis, acquainting me that the bill value 30.8.0 sent them the 2nd instant came safe to hand and was in full.
After breakfast I walked up to Mr Vine’s, in order for the last appraisal of his stock etc., Mr Robert Turner of Chiddingly appraising for the assigns and Mr King of Alfriston for Mr Stace. We three, together with Mr Joseph Fuller, Mr Stace Sr, Mr and Mrs Stace Jr and Mr and Mrs Vine, dined there on a leg of mutton boiled, a shoulder of mutton roasted, an apple pudding, turnips and cabbage (my servant at home dining on some beef bones stewed).
We stayed there spending words in vain, for we did no business till about 4:20. The reason of our doing no business seems to proceed from a desire in Mr King and Mr Stace to over-reach and cozen Mr Turner our appraiser in every article, for whatever price Mr Turner asked Mr King would immediately endeavour to beat him down, though he had made a price perhaps below the real value. Upon the whole I am thoroughly convinced that neither Mr Stace nor Mr King are men of any honor, and I am afraid as little honesty…
Sam Jenner and I played a few games of cribbage in the evening; I lost 6d. Lent Joseph Fuller Jr in cash £20, for which he gave me his note of hand…
N.B.: See tomorrow.
Sam Jenner at work for me today dined with me on a bullock’s skirt pudding and some potatoes. At home all day and not very busy. Samuel Jenner and I played a few games of cribbage in the evening; I won 5d.
We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a bullock’s skirt pudding and potatoes. In the evening my friend Thomas Durrant and Joseph Fuller sat with me some time. Pretty busy a-writing in the evening. My late servant went away very early in the morning.
Sent Mr William Margesson the bill value £20 I received of John Piper yesterday. Sent Mr Richard Waite at the Devizes 1 bill on Mr Will Margesson… value 7.3.0… sent Mr Samuel Beaven (enclosed in Mr Waite’s letter) 1 bill on Mr Will Margesson…value 2.18.6. Sent Mr Thomas Dyke & Son at Sarum 1 bill… value 10.19.0. Sent Mr Will Lee at Nottingham… 4.15.0, all of which bills were enclosed in a letter to Mr Thomas Calverley, druggist in Southwark, and sent by Ben Shelley, delivered to his brother, in order for him to deliver the first and forward the three last by the post, and the last four bills when paid will be in full on my accounts with Mr Richard Waite, Mr Samuel Beaven, Mr Thomas Dyke & Son and Mr Will Lee.
My late servant Mary Martin came to see me in the morning and breakfasted with me. In the forenoon my brother came over to assist me again in cutting out some bedding and he and my late servant dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some kidney and skirts fried, as did Jenner on the remains of what we left, he going to Lewes for me.
They all stayed and drank tea with me and then my brother went home. Down at Halland twice today. In the evening Sam Jenner and I played a few games of cribbage; I won 3d. My late servant stayed all night.
Pretty busy today. My late servant and I balanced account. I made all even on both sides.
In the forenoon my brother came over to assist me in cutting out some bedding for Mr Coates, and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Down at Halland in the afternoon, but did not stay. In the evening wrote my London letters.
Rec’d a draft …value £20, for which I gave John Piper (of whom I received the same) a receipt and promissory note to pay the same when the said bill is paid. Delivered to Joseph Fuller Jr a letter for him to carry Mr Nicholas Wake at Winton, enclosing one bill on Mr Will Margesson…value 4.19.6, which bill when paid will be the in full on my account with Mr Wake. My brother went home in evening.
Myself nor servant at church in the morning. I dined on a piece of beef boiled and potatoes. My servant at church in the afternoon. Sam Jenner stayed and kept me company, to whom I read one of Tillotson’s sermons. Samuel Jenner and Mr Carman drank tea with me.
At home all day and very much disordered in my mind. Oh, my conscience, my conscience, how dost thou torment me!
Breakfasted at the Cats and then came away, but drinking a few glasses of wine, it got up in my weak brains and I can’t say I came home sober. Spent upon myself, horse etc. 3/9.
Oh, my unfortunate temper, that I have not resolution quite to refrain from drinking any thing strong, and the least quantity possible gets up in my head and then I am quite incapacitated from transacting my business.
My servant today at home dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Bett Carman and Mr Blackman’s maid drank tea with me.
Sam Jenner dined with me on a hot beef pie and potatoes. In the evening went to Lewes and stayed 2 hours with Mr Baley and then spent the evening with Mr Chester, with whom I had some business. Lodged at the Cats.
…Sam Jenner dined with me on a beef pudding and potatoes. After dinner went to Lewes to meet Mr Baley, but he was not at home. Came home about 8:20, but not sober. Spent 18d. …Sam Jenner stayed to help my servant in my absence, and took part of my bed.