The Diary, 1754–1765
My brother came over to stand the shop for me and dined with me on a piece of beef boiled, an apple pudding and greens. In the afternoon I went to Lewes in company with John Watford; took out a warrant to bring Catherine Jenner before Mr Rideout to swear the father of the bastard child she was delivered of the 25th ult.
I drank tea at Mr Bennett’s and he, myself, John Watford and my brother Richard spent the evening at the White Horse…
Instead of going to bed my brother and I went and called up Mr French and from there we went to the miller’s, who was headborough, and gave him the warrant. When we went and took up the woman, and I went with her to Lewes where she swore the child on Edward Hope, a man upwards of 70 years of age.
I just stayed and breakfasted in Lewes and took out a warrant to apprehend the father, which I did about 11 o’clock. I kept him in hold till he thought proper to give a note of hand for the payment of £40 on demand unless he enters into a bond to indemnify the parish from all expense that may attend the said bastard. My brother went away about 2:20. Spent at Lewes upon the woman and the man that carried her, horses, ostler and turnpike 4/6. Paid for the warrant and examination 3/-.
I dined on the remains of Wednesday’s dinner. At home all day and very little to do, ah! very little indeed.
I think it makes me quite by myself. I am so confined with family connections and some large debtors in my parish that I hardly know which way to act or extricate myself out of so great a dilemma. For as I live now every, nay ,all my effects and affairs are in a ruinous condition. My household affairs suffer waste and my business both at home and abroad receives injury from neglect.
Paid Benjamin Shelley in cash 12.12.7 in full for the same sum he paid in London for me this week… I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Fanny Hicks drank tea with me. A very wet evening.
Sam Jenner and Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe or two with me in the evening. What frailty is there in human nature! How great need and necessity have all of us for divine assistance! How languid are I doubt the best and most fervent acts of our devotion in all the race of Adam!
Myself and servant at church in the morning… I dined on a piece of beef boiled, an apple pudding and parsnips. Myself and servant at church in the afternoon…
After churchtime Mr Shoesmith at Laughton, Molly Fuller, Mrs Browne and myself stood sponsors for a son of Ben Brinkhurst who was baptized by the name of Benjamin. We all walked down to Master Brinkhurst’s, where we drank tea and spent the evening very agreeably and also supped on some bread and cheese. We came home about 10:40 very sober. Gave Master Brinkhurst’s servant 6d. Mrs Browne lorded with my servant all night…
An extreme wet afternoon. Some very severe hard showers of rain fell in the afternoon. Though I have spent part of this afternoon in pretty agreeable company, yet there has been no pleasure to me. But, nothing gives me any pleasure; neither do I think I gave known any real pleasure since I have lost my wife. Something or other always brings the memory of that beloved woman to my mind.
I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day. In the evening wrote my London letters. In the forenoon walked down to Mr Coates’s to inform him the price of raisins, but did not stay.
Lent Thomas Davy £5 on account of my trust as being executor to Mr Piper and took his note of hand, payable to myself and the other devisees…
–I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of salt fish boiled and some parsnips.
In the evening walked down to Mr Coates’s to balance some accounts for him. Came home about 7:20. Very little to do all day, very little indeed. I think I shall be quit by, and I know not which way to turn for to alter it for the better. I am so confined in that I know my temper is quite broken.
…Sam Dallaway a-gardening for me today and dined with me on a leg of mutton boiled, a piece of pork, an apple pudding and some greens. I paid Samuel Dallaway 12d for his day’s work. Paid John Tyler a glover 24d for some horse leather bought of him today. At home all day; not at all busy except a-writing. In the evening settled some accounts for Mr Coates at my own house.
I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day, but not at all busy. In the evening very busy a-writing. After supper read a few numbers of Addison’s Freeholder.
I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the afternoon balanced accounts with Mr Jeremiah French and set all sorts of accounts whatsoever even… Paid Mr Joseph Attree in cash 1.1.6 in full for pattens and gingerbread received of him today and also in full of all demands. At home all day and very busy a-writing. Sam Jenner sat with me a little while in the evening.