The Diary, 1754–1765
Molly French and my sister dined with me on a turkey roasted and a plain rice pudding, and both drank tea with me.
In the evening they, Sam French, Thomas Durrant and Richard Fuller played a few hours at loo. I won 3d. We broke up about 9:50. In the morning we had several claps of thunder, and in the evening from about 4:30 to 11:30 we had several flashes of lightning and a good deal of rain.
Paid Joseph Fuller Jr 2/3 for 11 lbs of beef bought of him today.
My uncle Hill called on me in the forenoon and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner and went away immediately after dinner. In the afternoon my sister went to Whyly to pay Mrs and Molly French a visit, and in the evening Thomas Durrant and myself walked down there to fetch her home…
We played loo in the evening. I lost 12d. We stayed and supped with Mrs French on a duck and rabbit roasted, gooseberry and damson pies, and came home about 12:30.
My sister dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the evening my brother sent David Brooker for my sister, who both drank tea and then went home. At home all day and very little to do.
Paid Benjamin Shelley in cash 5.12.1 in full for the same sum he paid in London for me… I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day and pretty busy. Rec’d of the Rt Hon Lord Viscount Gage per the payment of Robert Hook 4/- in full for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last.
Myself at church in the morning; the text in the 3rd verse 9th chapter of the prophet Jeremiah: “And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.” In the time of singing the second time I went out and searched Jones’s but found no persons proper for reproof.
I dined with Mr Porter on a sparerib roasted and applesauce (my servant at home dining on some beef bones boiled and a pea pudding). Myself and servant at church in the afternoon; the text in the 3rd verse of the 31st chapter of the book of Job: “Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?” After churchtime I sat some time with Master Durrant.
Oh, how do I lament and mourn in secret the loss of my dear Peggy! My life that was once regular and I should hope in a manner religious is now quite the reverse. O God, most holy, most righteous and most merciful Father, give thy Holy Spirit and pour into my benighted and earthly mind the gift of peace. Grant that I my see the errors of my ways and amend my past follies that I may sincerely repent and become thy servant by obedience. And grant that thy grace may in all things direct and rule my mind, that I may always fear und obey Thee, the only God, through Jesus Christ, my ever blessed savior, in whose merits alone I hope forgiveness. Amen.
Dame Akehurst, a-washing for me half the day, dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day and pretty busy. In the evening Master Hook and I played a few games of cribbage (after having written my London letters), but neither of us won or lost. Dame Akehurst took part of my servant’s bed. In the first part of the day we had a very fine sunshine weather, but in the evening more rain.
Dame Akehurst a-washing for me all day and dined with me on a piece of beef roasted and some potatoes. Dame Novice, Dame Nutley and her daughter, buying some things in the shop, drank tea with me. In the evening Mr Carman, Thomas Durrant and Joseph Fuller Jr coming in, we walked down to John Jones’s, where we stayed chatting and smoking our pipes till 11:30. We spent 7d apiece and came home very sober.
I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day. In the afternoon James Marchant’s wife and one of Mr Porter’s servants drank tea with me. Rec’d of John Painter 10/6 on account. At home all day and very little to do. In the evening Joseph Fuller and Thomas Durrant sat with us some time. A very fine pleasant day, being the most so of any we have had for a great while.
I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day and very little to do all the day. In the afternoon Thomas Durrant drank tea with me, and in the evening we played a few games of cribbage.
I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day. Balanced accounts with Mrs French and receive of her 4.11.6. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr sat with me some time.