The Diary, 1754–1765
…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Mrs Carman drank tea with me. At home all day and but very little to do.
This day signed a certificate for Thomas Fuller and Philadelphia his wife and John, Thomas, Walter, James and Elizabeth their children to the parish of Laughton. The same was attested by James Fuller and Sam Jenner. Sam Jenner stayed at my house all night.
…Balanced accounts with John Cayley… At home all day. Rec’d of Edward Martin by the payment of his wife 9/11 in full. Paid a servant of Benjamin Shelley in cash 5.6.8 in full for the same sum he paid in London for me…
Rec’d of Arthur Knight by the payment of John Piper 2.8.0 in full for interest due on a freehold mortgage the 24th of August last to Mr Will Piper deceased, which I have received as treasurer to myself and the other executors and devisees in trust.
Almost just as I was going out to church in the morning, very unexpectedly came along my brother Richard and Mr Will Bennett, who prevented my going to church. They both dined with me off a fowl and piece of bacon boiled, a piece of beef roasted and some potatoes. They both stayed and drank tea with me and then set out for Lewes. I paid my brother one bill on Mr William Margesson… value 16.13.0, which bill when paid is in full on my account with Mr Madgwick. Lent my brother in cash 10/6.
Oh, the pleasure I found in my brother’s company was very great, he seemingly being become a very sober prudent young fellow. But how would it have been heightened had it not prevented my attending the church. But still to describe my present situation, it is a melancholy work though I enjoy many blessings through the Providence, more, a many more than I deserve or merit. But yet when I reflect and see how my affairs are circumstanced, I cannot help being afflicted and uneasy.
I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some turnips. At home all day and really very little to do. In the evening wrote my London letters. Sam Jenner and Mr Wood sat with me a little while in the evening.
Sent Mr John Crouch enclosed in a letter by Ben Shelley…£10. Also sent Mr Paul Hornsby as above 1 bill… value 11.7.0… Paid Richard Fuller 6d for a breast of mutton bought of him today for Dame Burrage. Rec’d of Edward Foord 35/- in part of poor tax assessed on him by a rate made the 9th of August last… At home all day and really very little to do.
Dame Mott dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some hog’s meat broiled and onion sauce. Paid Joseph Fuller Jr in cash £46 on account. Rec’d of the Rev Mr Porter in cash 4.10.0 on account of my self and the other executors and devisees in trust of Mr Will Piper deceased. At home all day. In the evening busy a-writing out a bill.
I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a hog’s flesh pudding and turnips. At home all day and really a very dull time for trade. In the evening filled up my land tax receipts. A very cold day.
I dined on part of a sparerib roasted and apple sauce. A most melancholy, dull time for trade; nothing, no, hardly anything to do. At home all day. In the evening wrote out a bill. Dame Akehurst, being to scour at my house, lodged with my servant tonight.
Paid Joseph Fuller 4/7 for 2 stone 6 lbs of beef bought of him today. Also paid him 11d for a shoulder of mutton bought of him today for Dame Burrage, weighing ½ lbs. Dame Akehurst, a-washing and scouring for me the whole day, dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day and pretty busy. In the evening Sam Jenner sat with me a while. Paid Dame Akehurst 9d for her day’s work. A very remarkable fine dry time, though not frosty.
Myself and servant at church in the morning… I dined at Mr Coates’s (who is very ill) on a piece of boiled beef, a plain butter pond pudding, turnips and cabbage. Mr Long dined with my servant on a hog meat pudding and part of a sparerib boiled.
I stayed with Mr Coates the remainder of the afternoon. Came home about 6:20. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons to Mr Wood and Joseph Fuller Jr. Thomas Durrant lodged at my house on account of there being company at his house.