The Diary, 1754–1765
…Paid Joseph Fuller Jr in cash 15.17.2 in full for the note of hand I gave him the 9th instant, and accordingly took up my said note.
Never did I know so dull a time for trade in my life, and sure never no creature knew a more dismal time. I, who once had one of the most agreeablest of companions to converse with… [35 words omitted].
In the forenoon gave Mr Porter in cash £21 in order for him to pay for our admittance at the court at Whitesmith on the 26th ult. In the forenoon rode to Lewes where I met with Mr Will Francis and Mr Richard Warriner, with whom I dined at the Star… I paid Mr Warriner… I balanced accounts with Mr John Madgwick… Paid Mr Edward Verral…
Came home very safe and sober… My brother came over during my absence and stayed an hour or two with me… Today I called on Mr Charles Gilbert on Thomas Davy’s business, who is to pay my expenses.
Myself and servants at church in the morning… We had a brief read for rebuilding the parish church of Everingham in the East Riding of York, the expenses of which amount to the sum of £1100 and upwards; I gave 1½d.
I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with some mutton steaks broiled and turnips. Myself and servants at church in the afternoon… Sam Jenner drank tea with me. Thomas Davy sat with me some part of the evening, to whom I read one of Tillotson’s sermons. At home all day.
I dined on some mutton steaks fried. Paid Ben Shelley 2/- in full for 2 dozen brooms he bought for me. At home all day; in the evening wrote out Mr Coates’s bill. Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. Dame Durrant drank tea with me.
In the forenoon rode to Laughton. Rec’d of John Piper in cash 5.10.6½, which sum balances the account of money by me received and paid on account of my executorship to Mr Piper deceased to this day… Mr French and Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe with me in the evening. In the afternoon wrote out some bills.
…Bett Mepham drank tea with me. At home all day and very busy all day. Oh, what a pleasure is business! How far preferable is an active busy life (when employed in some honest calling) to a supine and idle way of life, and happy are they whose fortune it is to be placed where commerce meets with encouragement and a person has the opportunity to push on trade with vigor…
Dame Henly breakfasted with me. I dined on a beef pudding, turnips and potatoes. Rec’d of Mr Porter 12/9 in part of Scribbens’s poor tax, on account of Mr Will Piper deceased. At home all day and very little to do.
…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the afternoon Mrs Browne brought her books up and I posted them for her. She stayed all the afternoon with me. I received of her the 10/6 I paid on her account today, as also 24/- in full for a year‘s interest due on a bond to my brother Will, which sum I stand indebted to my brother Will for…
…Sent Mr Thomas Dyke & Son in New Sarum (enclosed in a letter delivered to the post) one bill on Mr Will Margesson…value 11.4.6, which bill when paid is in full on my account. In the afternoon my brother came over and stayed an hour or two with me. In the afternoon Mrs Browne sent me a present of a fine goose.
Myself and servants at church in the morning… I dined on a piece of beef boiled and turnips, and after dinner Thomas Durrant and myself walked down to Little Horsted Church, where we heard a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Philips, curate of that church and Maresfield, from Haggai 2:9: “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Both my servants at church in the afternoon). We came home by Mrs Browne’s, where we stayed and smoked a pipe or two and came home about 7:50. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons. Oh, how unpleasant is a man without a friend!