The Diary, 1754–1765
In the afternoon walked up to Mr Vine’s… I dined on some bullock’s sweetbread and liver fried with the addition of the remains of yesterday’s dinner and green salad.
In the evening went down to Jones’s, there being a vestry to consult about repairing the inside of the church, when it was unanimously agreed by all present to repair the same according to the estimate delivered in by Mr John Vine and Mrs Browne, with such alterations as the rector and churchwarden shall think proper.
Myself and both servants at church in the morning… I dined on a veal pudding. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Ripe. Myself, one servant, Thomas Durrant, Molly Fuller and Sam Jenner walked to Little Horsted Church where we heard an extreme good sermon preached by the Rev Mr Philips, curate of Horsted and Maresfield, from Matthew 5:20: “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” We came home round by Sam Jenner’s, where we stayed and drank tea. we came home about 6:40. An extreme pleasant walk and sure as fine a day as can be for the season of the year.
…Paid John Jenner the hatter at Hailsham 16/6 in full for [6] hats received by him today…
At home all day. Pretty busy in the evening. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of veal and the knuckle of a leg of mutton boiled.
Paid Mr Francis Weller in cash 7.12.0 and by land tax 0.8.0 which together makes the sum of £8 and is in full for one year’s rent due [on the shop] the 5th instant… Mrs Vine drank tea with me.
In the evening Joseph Fuller and myself walked down to Halland and came back about 8:20. J. Fuller stayed and smoked a pipe with me.
…I dined on a dried hog’s cheek, a light pudding, a raisin suet pudding and some turnip greens. In the afternoon went down to Whyly where I drank tea. Came home about 6:20.
In the forenoon rode over to Framfield, but did not stay. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of pork boiled and some turnip greens.
Delivered to Benjamin Shelley by my servant in cash £20 in order for him to pay in London for me. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some green salad. At home all day. Thomas Durrant, being a-gardening for me, drank tea with me.
In the forenoon Mr Will Francis called on me; I paid him… 35.12.0 in full on my account with Messrs Barlow, Wigginton and Francis. My brother came over in the forenoon and dined with me on a shoulder of veal roasted and stuffed.
After dinner my brother and I set out for Seaford where we went with the view of being at a sale advertised today, but when we came there, the gentleman (Mr Samuel Winter) his affairs were made up. We came home round by Lewes where we spent the evening at the Star and supped in company with Mr Francis and my old friend George Richardson. I came home very sober about 11:50…
In the morning about 5:15 I set out on foot with Thomas Davy in order to accompany him to Mr Burgess’s at Rotherfield to consult him in some affairs relating to Davy’s wife’s estate. We breakfasted at Mr Burgess’s and came home about 12:40.
No churching at our church this morning, Mr Porter preaching at Ripe. One of my servants went to Chiddingly Church in the morning. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a knuckle of veal boiled, a piece of pork and some turnip greens. Myself and both servants at church in the afternoon… After churchtime I walked up to James Fuller’s, where I went to read over some writings. I drank tea there and after tea I, in company with Mr Thornton, took a walk. In the evening lent Thomas Davy in cash 3.3.0.
…At home all day and pretty busy. balanced accounts. with Sarah Prall and paid her 15½d in full. Oh, how intolerable is the heavy burthen of an unpleasant mind!
In the evening balanced accounts with Joseph Fuller Jr. Paid him 10/- for a year’s interest due on a note of hand of mine about the beginning of March last. In the above account I paid Joseph Fuller Jr for all the meat I have received of his father to this day.