Tuesday, January 13 1761

This day balanced accounts with Mr Francis Elless and received of him in cash 4.6.8 in full, [including]…

To a bill of schooling on the parish account0.8.0

My brother stayed and dined with us… and after dinner went home to Framfield. Balanced accounts with Mr Laurence Thornton and paid him in cash 3.10.0, which with goods etc. is in full for the five guineas and a half borrowed of him the 22nd ult.; viz.,

Mr Laurence Thornton Dr.
To a bill of goods2.0.6½
To horse hire0.13.0
In cash3.10.0
6.3.6½
Per contra Cr.
To cash paid for 4 rabbits0.3.0
To do. for 1 curry comb0.1.6
To do. 1 pair pattens0.1.0
In cash0.2.6
In do. the 22nd December5.15.6
6.3.6

Paid my brother Richard in cash the 12.12.0 he delivered to me the 1st instant. In the evening went down to Mr Porter’s and balanced accounts with him and received by one ten pound bank bill and by cash 40.16.10 in full to the 25th December last; viz.,

Mr Porter Dr.
To the account as per shop book39.10.9¾
To bill for tar, tar casks and carriage1.16.9
41.7.6
Per contra Cr.
Rec’d by empty tubs0.2.8
Do. 1 year’s tithe due St Michael last0.8.0
Do. a bank bill10.0.0
Do. in cash30.16.10
41.7.6

Stayed and supped with Mr Porter on some bread and cheese. Came home about 11 o’clock. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

Friday, January 16 1761

After breakfast my father Slater went home… At home all day. But little to do. My wife, poor creature, most extreme ill; who can paint or describe my trouble? No, it is out of the power of human being to do it, and God grant my most inveterate enemies, if any I have, may never know so melancholy a situation. My soul is quite overwhelmed with grief; oh, the loss of so inestimable a treasure, even that of a sincere friend and virtuous wife!

Sunday, January 18 1761

Myself only at church in the morning… We had a brief read for the rebuilding of the church of Stokeferry in Norfolk, the charge of which amounted to the sum of £1110, and upwards, to which I gave 2d. During churchtime my brother Will came to see me. He stayed and dined with us on a sparerib roasted and apple sauce. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. My brother stayed with me till near 6 o’clock. In the evening read part of Young’s Night Thoughts. My wife, poor creature, most extremely ill, but oh, how charming does her fortitude appear for an example, and more so, does it yield complete comfort to her soul; and at the same time shows the purity of her conscience.

Monday, January 19 1761

…In the evening my respected friend and cousin Charles Hill came to see me and stayed all night. Molly Fuller sat up with my wife, who, poor creature, is very bad. Oh, may the God of all goodness and mercy hear our prayers and once more recover my afflicted wife, that the remainder of our days may be employed in praises and thanksgiving to his holy name for his mercies vouchsafe unto us. Sent Will Wenham (per Dame Roase) the 5/- I received of him too much the 20th ult.

Tuesday, January 20 1761

After breakfast my friend Hill went away. I lent him in cash £6, for which he gave me his note of hand payable to me on order or demand…

My wife, poor creature, very ill. ah, melancholy daily repetition; who can paint or imagine my trouble, which I now labor under, and what is more, the prospect of a change severer for severe? Paid a nephew of Mr John Wilbar’s 6/3 in full for brushes bought of him today…

Wednesday, January 21 1761

This day balanced accounts with Mr Sam Gibbs and received of him 4.6.3 in full. In the morning my uncle Hill called on me and breakfasted with me. We dined on a piece of pork boiled, a plain pudding, greens, turnips and potatoes… At home all day and not very busy.

My wife, poor creature, very ill, constantly in pain, which thanks be to God she bears with great patience and resignation to the divine will.

Thursday, January 22 1761

…Paid Mr Will Blackwell 8/6 for 2 reams of paper received by him today…

My wife, poor creature, very bad. Oh, dreadful melancholy daily repetition; who can find words to describe my grief, a grief I hope thoroughly sincere, not built on passion or lust, but friendship’s more exalted tie, a tie of nature and of love.