This day the public day was at Halland. The 2 judges came from Lewes and dined there. There was on the whole but a small company. I was there about 4 times. I came home the last time about 9:20 with several of our parishioners, a little matter enlivened by liquor, but no ways drunk. Paid 2d for bread. Not at church all day, neither looked in any book all day except The Tatler. My wife after dinner went down to Halland to see the turtle [for soup?]. Our maid went to Framfield; was gone all day. Ed Smith called to see us in the evening.
Saturday, August 9 1755
At home all day except at Halland 3 times. S. Gibbs sent me a shoulder of venison; gave his man 12d. Paid Joseph Fuller 2/6 for 10 lbs of beef. Samuel Elphick Jr brought me 2 rabbits for a present. Paid for bread ½d. This day the Duke of Newcastle came to Halland about 7 o’clock in the evening. Paid for butter 3d.
Friday, August 8 1755
At Halland about 7 times; otherwise at home all day. Nothing more of moment, but I find I sell but little to Halland on the account I would not give Mr Coates 7d per pound for his West Country wool on the 1st instant, which I should have lost not less than 40/- by, had I bought it at that rate and fulfilled my other engagements. Paid for 4 doz of brooms 4/-.
Thursday, August 7 1755
Rec’d of John Vine Sr 6.1.0 on account. Went over to Framfield; looked on Mr Peckham’s wool. Bid him 2d per pound. At Halland twice. Paid for butter 3d. Paid for meat 10½d (to wit, neck of lamb of 3 lbs). This day drew on Messrs Margesson & Co., 30 days’ date, to Mr William Roase, dated tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 6 1755
Rec’d of Dame Pilfold £0.2.8. At home all day. In the evening Thomas Durrant and their man hope [helped] me draw out a barrel of beer. Lucy Smith drank tea here. Read several numbers in the 3rd volumes of The Tatler.
Tuesday, August 5 1755
Paid Francis Smith in cash £17, which sum he is to pay Messrs Margesson and Collison. I this day drew on them to Mr William Smith for £5.6.10 in full, 30 days’ date. Rec’d of Thomas Darby £3.12.0 on account. N.B: Yesterday paid the widow Cayley 4/- for 1 year’s rent due for Mrs Browne’s stable.
Monday, August 4 1755
At home all day. In the morning about 6 o’clock Charles Diggens and Robert Rice called me up to take up a coat and waistcoat for Robert Rice. Charles Diggens took up a settoo coat for me, prime cost about k o c [?]. Paid for bread and butter 4½d. Marked up Collison’s parcel. Rec’d of Rippington’s boys 6d in full for a week’s schooling.
Sunday, August 3 1755
Took physic; at home all day. Paid for a loin of lamb, 3½ lbs, 12d; paid for bread 1d.
Saturday, August 2 1755
At home all day. Paid for bread and butter 3½d.
Friday, August 1 1755
Paid John Fitness 8/9 in full for 6 corn hooks. Paid for bread ½d. Between schooltime carried up to Thomas Fuller’s 6 lbs of 6d sugar. Went to Chiddingly after schooltime to look upon Mr Hicks’s wool. Bid him 6¾d per pound for it. Paid Francis Smith in cash 18/2, which with £12.7.0 sent him by his boy the 29th July is in all £13.5.2, which he paid for me in London, as under (to wit)
To Margesson & Co. £13.0.0
To Crowder & Co. in full £0.5.2
In the evening went down to Halland to look upon Mr Coates’s wool, which was all West-Country, and because I would not give him 7d per pound for it he huffed me prodigiously.