The Diary, 1754–1765
Myself at church in the morning… I dined on a breast of veal roasted. After dinner Thomas Durrant and myself went and called Sam Jenner in order to walk to Little Horsted Church. And when we came there, we were disappointed, there being no service this afternoon.
We walked down to my uncle Hill’s, but did not stay. We came home by Sam Jenner’s where we stayed and smoked a pipe or two and came home very sober about 7:50. My servant at church in the afternoon.
I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day; posted my day book. Molly Hicks drank tea with me. In the evening wrote my London letters. Very little to do all the day.
In the forenoon wrote out Mr Coates’s bill. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the afternoon walked down to Halland with Mr Coates’s bill amounting to £4. At home all the evening and busy a-writing.
In the morning as soon as I had breakfasted, I walked down to Thomas Cushman’s at Laughton, there being a sale today of the goods myself and John Goldsmith seized the 15th instant for Mr Coates. Cooper Hammond, myself and John Goldsmith sold enough to pay Mr Coates, and myself and Mr Goldsmith came back to Halland where we dined with Mr Coates on some salt fish, a shoulder of mutton roasted, egg sauce, potatoes and parsnips (my servant at home dining on the remains of yesterday’s dinner).
I stated the account between Mr Coates and Cushman, and the balance due to Cushman when Mr Coates’s rent was paid in full to Lady Day 1764, NS, was £2.0.8, which said balance Mr Coates paid to the wife of Thomas Cushman, whom he sent and ordered to receive the same, and she gave her receipt for the same which was witnessed by myself and Mr John Goldsmith.
We stayed and smoked a pipe or two with Mr Coates and came home about 5:40. Sam Jenner came in in the evening, or at least in the afternoon, and he and I played a few games of cribbage in the evening; I won 2d, and he took part of my bed. I gave these unhappy people my trouble as they paid me a book debt which had been some time standing, and Mr Coates kept us extremely well.
…Sam Jenner at work for me all day and dined with me on a beef pudding and some rashers of pork boiled. At home all day and not at all busy. Sam Jenner, staying the evening, took part of my bed. A very cold day, but a very fine one. Samuel Jenner and I played a few games of cribbage; I lost 2 games.
I dined on a beef pudding. After dinner I walked up to Mr Vine’s in order to see him, but could not, he being a close prisoner in his own house.
Rec’d of Edward Martin by the payment of his wife 18/9 ½ in full. Dame Martin drank tea with me. In the evening Sam Jenner, coming late, took part of my bed. But very little to do all day. In the evening read some Universal Magazines. It may perhaps be thought by the censorious and malevolent part of my neighbors to appear odd that Sam Jenner should be so much at my house, but I assure them I have always found him a very sincere friend, a worthy man, a learned and agreeable companion, a sincere and good Christian, and at any time willing to do any business for me, and that without any gratuity. Therefore I cannot think him an improper person for a companion.
…Sam Jenner, at work for me part of the day, dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day and thank God very busy. In the evening Joseph Fuller and Sam Jenner sat with me some time. A very pleasant day.
Myself at church in the morning… Betsy Carman dined with me on a piece of beef roasted. After dinner I walked up to Mr John Vine’s in order to converse with him about his affairs, he being insolvent and keeps out of sight.
Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… Thomas Durrant drank tea with me, and after tea we, together with Joseph Fuller Jr, took a walk and came back and smoked a pipe or two with Thomas Durrant. Paid Richard Parkes in cash 1.7.0 in full for keeping his wife’s daughter Ann Thomas Vinal.
Rec’d of John Sturt in cash 2.1.7 in full. Rec’d of Will Henly Jr 5/10 in full. Dame Seaman and her daughter, buying a great many things in the shop, drank tea with me, and that was all the dinner I ate the whole day, being thank God extreme busy during the whole day.
Mr Will Francis, partner with Messrs Barlow and Wigginton, called on me, and I paid him… 9.2.0, which is in full on my account to this day with the above. In the evening wrote my London letters.
Sent Mr John Crouch…£10. Also sent Mr William Margesson enclosed in a letter by Ben Shelley (delivered to himself) the bill value 9.13.0 which I received of Joseph Fuller Jr the 12th instant.
I dined on the remains of yester-day’s dinner. At home all day and thank God very busy. Dame Couzens of Laughton and her daughter, buying a great many things in the shop, drank tea with me. Sam Jenner came in the afternoon and stayed all night with me.