The Diary, 1754–1765
…At home all day. In the afternoon busy a-writing. Filled up my land tax receipts and made a bond from Mr Porter to the parish for £100 at £4 percent per annum.
In the evening read part of Young’s Night Thoughts. But very little to do all day, and I think there never see a more duller time for trade and money them at this present time…
…Mr John Breeden called on me in his road from London, and he together with Peter Adams, who was a-gardening for me all day, dined with me…
After dinner Mr Breeden, myself and Joseph Fuller Jr rode to a fair at the Dicker. I spent upon myself, horse 8½d. Came home about 9:20, very sober.
In the evening we had a pretty severe tempest of lightning and thunder with some rain. The lighting was very severe and many very loud claps of thunder. Sam Jenner coming into my house in the evening, and the weather being so bad, he stayed all night.
Peter Adams a-gardening for me part of the day and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. I also paid him 18d for his work yesterday and today.
In the afternoon rode to Mr Carman’s and Mr Vine’s to view their windows. My old servant and her sister came to see me and stayed and drank tea with me…
Rec’d of Mr Crowhurst 17/6 in full for poor tax due to Mr French for the widow Rich’s house, which money I sent to Mr French by my servant. Rec’d of Mr Crowhurst 3/- in full for 1 year’s window tax for the same house.
In the morning my brother called on me and breakfasted with me, and then we rode to Mr Crowhurst’s at Bayley’s Lane where we bought some earthenware.
Came back about 11:10. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a green salad… In the evening read part of King Henry VIII’s reign.
No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Mayfield. Myself and both servants walked to Little Horsted Church where we heard a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Philips, curate of that parish and Maresfield, from Isaiah 32:17: “and the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”
I dined on part of a cold roast breast of veal, green salad and the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Myself and both servants at church in the afternoon… After churchtime Sam Jenner and the gardener at Halland and Mr Coates’s servant drank tea with me. In the evening went to bring Sam Jenner going on his road home. After I came back read one of Tillotson’s sermons.
Paid James Crowhurst in cash 3.1.6 in full for earthenware received from him today. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Gave Mr Thomas Carman cash for a bill payable to him or order —drawn by Thomas Massey on Mr Joseph Biddlecom, merchant at Deptford, or the Pennsylvanie or Carolina Coffee House, Burchen Lane, Wednesdays and Fridays…
In the evening one of my servant’s brother and a gentleman whose name was Powell, from Lindfield, came to see her and stayed at my house all night. In the evening wrote my London letters.
My servant’s brother and the gentleman breakfasted with me and then went away. I rode with them as far as Uckfield. My servants at home dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, myself not dining anywhere. Came home about 6:20, but not thoroughly sober. Oh, my unhappy fate!… [113 words omitted]… 0h, how do I detest myself!… [40 words omitted].
I dined on a piece of bacon boiled and some greens. Thomas Durrant drank tea with me. In the evening Thomas Durrant and I walked to Honey’s Green where I received of Will Driver 4/- in full for half a year’s land tax due at Lady Day last.
After breakfast I rode with Thornton to the Black Boy where Joseph Gibbs and his wife signed a certificate, or at least a paper, whereby they yielded their consent for him to marry Mary their daughter, a spinster under age. From thence we went to Lewes where he took out a license to marry the young girl, myself being his bondsmen. We dined at the White Hart on part of a shoulder of mutton (my servants at home dining on the remains of yesterday’s dinner). We came home about 5:50. Spent nothing today, Mr Thornton paying my expenses.
In the evening walked down to Halland where I received of Mr Coates 26/- in full for half a year’s land tax due at Lady Day last… A very dull time for trade, but what is that when compared to the melancholy gloom that is in my mind in my calm and tranquil hours. There, there is a scene which would, I believe, move a heart if it was hard as the nether millstone.
…In the evening walked down to Halland with some bills on Mrs Browne’s account. Rec’d of Mr Porter in cash 6.14.6 in full for land and window tax due at Lady Day last. I wish I could say, ‘busy all day’. Paid John Nutley 5/10 in full to this day and then received of him 1.5.0 in full for land and window tax due at Lady Day last. In the evening read part of The Complaint.