Rec’d of John Streeter 3/- for the money I paid William Stone the 29th instant for finding a parcel, and also 6d for my trouble for going to Framfield for it… In the forenoon my brother William came to see me and dined with us… And he and Lucy Mott drank tea our house. In the evening my wife went down to Mrs Atkins’s, where she supped and stayed till about 10:25. Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe or two with me in the evening. My brother went home about 4:45. I, after Joseph Fuller went away, read part of Wiseman’s Chyrurgery. Very busy all day. A cold sharp frosty air.
Wednesday, November 29 1758
…In the evening walked down to Whyly where I drank tea and stayed and wrote some quit-rent receipts. Came home about 5:50. In the evening Thomas Davy at our house, and I read part of Wiseman’s Chyrurgery.
Tuesday, November 28 1758
…In the evening Thomas Davy and I walked over to Framfield. We supped with my mother. I received of Will Stone a parcel of linen and cake-soap, which he found on the turnpike road between Lewes and the Broyle Gate and is the property of the Hailsham post, and which I am to send him by Streeter the Mayfield post. I was obliged to give him 2/6 for finding it. We came home about 9:28.
Monday, November 27 1758
My brother Moses in his road to Lewes called and breakfasted with us, and I gave in cash £24 in order for him to get a bill of Mr Sam Durrant for me for the same sum… Rec’d by the post John Streeter from my brother one bill drawn by Mr Durrant on Sir Joseph Hankey and partners, dated tomorrow, 21 days’ date, and payable to Mr Moses Turter (instead of Turner) or order, No. 2355, which bill is in lieu of the money I gave my brother today. At home all day. A very sharp cold day. Thomas Davy sat with us a while in the evening, to whom I read one of Tillotson’s sermons.
Sunday, November 26 1758
In the morning my wife, self and servant at church… We dined on the remains of the whiting sent me by Mrs Scrase and some mutton broth. My whole family at church again in the afternoon… In the evening and in the day read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons. A very cold sharp frosty day.
Saturday, November 25 1758
Paid Mr Ed Heaver in cash 0.15.0 in full for 2 bushels 1 peck oatmeal… Paid John Streeter the post in cash 0.11.8, and by 7 yds Irish 0.9.4, which makes together the sum of 1.1.0 and is in full for 1 wig which I received by him today from Mr Will Brooker at Mayfield. At home all day. A sharp frost and very cold. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons.
Friday, November 24 1758
…After we had drunk tea, our late servant Mary Martin went away. At home all day. Posted my day book. In the evening read part of Wiseman’s Chyrurgery. Oh, melancholy time.
Thursday, November 23 1758
…In the afternoon my wife sent down to Joseph Fuller’s, and about 7:20 I sent to accompany my wife home. We stayed and played at brag in company with Master Fuller’s family and Mr French. My wife and I won 2/2 and came home about 10:20. but sure of all the women I ever saw, Mrs Fuller bears the bell for oddness of temper. For some time past she and many of the family have been almost incessantly inviting my wife to come and see them, but I imagine my wife went the wrong day, for I think without express words Mrs Fuller could not more plainly have told my wife she wanted us to be absent then she did by her indifferency and by her finding fault that we drank too much liquor, and many more such-like oddities.
Mrs Scrase of Lewes sent me by the post as a present 10 fine whiting. Thomas Davy supped with us.
Wednesday, November 22 1758
After breakfast walked over to Framfield where I dined with my mother on some roast beef broiled… I came home about 3:30. Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe or 2 with me in the evening… Oh, most melancholy time–very little to do.
Tuesday, November 21 1758
…In the forenoon Mr Elless and I walked over to Waldron where we met Mr Mason, and there we surveyed till about 4:20 and then came home… In the evening read part of Wiseman’s Chyrurgery.