Friday, June 18 1756

At work in my garden in the forenoon. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a batter pudding. After dinner my brother John from Tunbridge Wells came in to see us, he having [been] down at the Moat a-fishing of a pond, or at least a-seeing one fished. He stayed and drank tea, and afterwards I went almost as far as Eason’s Green with him to bring him going on his way to Framfield. Otherwise at home all day. In the evening read the 30th of Tillotson’s sermons.

Thursday, June 17 1756

In the forenoon I went down to see Peter Adams; found him in bed and determined to prosecute the men that abused him. Stayed and smoked one pipe and came home about 1 o’clock. We dined on the remains of Tuesday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of pork, butter pudding, and spinach. Lent Peter Adams in cash £1, which…makes £2, and for which I have his note of hand. After the post came back, sent our maid over to Framfield with a dozen of buttons. My brother brought over a pair of breeches for little Darby and drank tea with us this day. Our parish played at cricket with Chiddingly parish on Broad Oak and had not time to play it out, but to all appearance it was in the favor of this parish. At home all day except for going to Peter Adams’s. In the evening read the 29th of Tillotson’s sermons. Dr Snelling called on us in his way to Ticehurst, but did not get off.

Tuesdsay, June 15 1756

At home all day. We dined on the best end of the neck of veal bought on Saturday roasted. Rec’d of my mother by my brother 1.6.5, being for goods got from Mr Madgwick’s for her, but charged to my account. My brother drank tea with us. Nothing more of moment. In the evening read the 27th of Tillotson’s sermons. Lent Peter Adams by his daughter Hannah in cash £1, for which I received his note of hand.

Sunday, June 13 1756

My wife at church in the forenoon, but I was not, and only our maid in the afternoon. I was not out of doors all the day. We dined on the scrag end of the neck of veal (bought yesterday) boiled, a piece of pork, bread pudding and spinach. Mr French called in the morning to beg some lettuces and informed me there would be a brief read; so I gave him 2d to it. Read the 24th and 25th of Tillotson’s sermons.

Saturday, June 12 1756

At home all the forenoon. We dined on the remains of Thursday’s dinner with the addition of ½ hundred asparagus. Paid Thomas Fuller Jr 23d for 1 neck of veal, 9¼ lbs.

After dinner Robert Hook and I went down to see Peter Adams. After we had stayed there awhile, he went to Waldron and I went to see one John Baker (at Mr Adams’s request), whom the same people that abused Mr Adams have in a manner abused; to wit, as he was a-coming home from the fair, they overtook him and whipped his horse and made him throw him off, and many more such-like actions. Came home about 8 o’clock not very well with being so continually haunted with my conscience, it has thrown me into a slight fever…

Friday, June 11 1756

At home all day. Dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of ¼ hundred asparagus. Posted my day book and wrote out several bills. In the afternoon our maid went over to Framfield. I went over to Mrs Virgoe’s about 1 hour. In the evening my wife walked down to Peter Adam’s. Oh, what a shamed face does a troubled conscience make!