The Diary, 1754–1765
Today were married at our church (with license) Sam Collins of Mayfield and Susan Evenden of this parish… I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner.
Mrs Piper’s servant drank tea with me. At home all day and very busy. In the evening Sam Jenner sat with me some time and lodged at my house.
Paid Mr Jeremiah French 13/4 in full for the balance of the last year’s parish accounts due from Mr Piper. Also paid him 13/- in full for poor tax due from the devisees of Mr Piper; that is, myself and the other executors…
In the afternoon went to the parish meeting at John Jones’s where I made up the yearly accounts between Jeremiah French and John Vine Jr, the overseers and the parish, when there remained a balance of 4.16.11¾ due to Mr French and the other overseer John Vine. The overseers for the ensuing year are my own self, for the doing of which I am to have two guineas, and Richard Hope; the electioners John Watford and Joseph Durrant; churchwarden Jeremiah French, electioner John Vine Jr. I came home about 8:20 as sober as I went out.
Rec’d of Mr John Kennard £1 in full for 1 year’s land tax due at Lady Day last… Mr Porter’s maid drank tea with my servants… Thomas Durrant smoked a pipe with me.
Thank God pretty busy all day; nay, I may say very busy! Oh, how pleasant did business use to be in my dear Peggy’s life when the fatigue of the day was over! Then I had the opportunity of unbending my mind in the company of a most engaging and agreeable companion… [28 words omitted]…
This day was married at the church John Thomson and Mary Oliver, both of whom are parishioners of this parish.
In the morning my brother Richard came to see me and breakfasted with me, and he and myself and one servant at church in the morning; the text in the latter part of the 51st verse 17th chapter Acts: “…whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
My brother dined with me on a beef pudding, a chick roasted and some turnip greens. After dinner I accompanied my brother to Mrs Vine’s of Heathfield, where he went upon his master’s business. We came back about 3:40… My servants went to church in the afternoon. In the evening read three of Sterne’s sermons. A very remarkable fine day, and I wish I could say my mind was as serene and calm as the weather. But oh, how great is the difference–one is calm and serene as nature and the season can admit, the other all tumult and anxious melancholy.
Paid Ken Shelley in cash 3.13.4 in full for the same sum he paid in London for me; viz.,
The 7th instant to Mr John Levy in full on my account
| To a skin parchment | 0.10.0 |
| For 50 leaves of gold | 0.3.0 |
| Porterage | 0.0.6 |
Rec’d from my brother Moses by Philip in cash 2.14.6 in order to pay the same in London for him next week. In the afternoon walked down to Halland. Very busy all day. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me.
In the morning rode over to Framfield where I breakfasted with my brother. I came home about 8:50. Myself and 1 servant at church in the morning; the text in the latter part of the 21st verse and the 22nd verse of the 2nd chapter of the 1st Epistle of St Peter: “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.” I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner.
After dinner I rode to Lewes. I drank tea with Mr Madgwick and paid him the bill I received of Joseph Fuller…I paid Mr Faulkner Bristow 5.8.0 in full. Paid Mr Madgwick 0.1.10½ for some trifling things bought of him today. Came home safe and sober about 8:50… Called at Halland as I came home…
…I dined on some beef bones boiled and a plain suet pudding and some greens. Very busy all day. In the evening went down to Whyly where I drank tea. Came home about 7:20 in company with Mr Porter.
Rec’d of the widow of Francis Rich by the order of Mr John Crowhurst and by the payment of James Bull 11/- in full. In the evening Sam Jenner sat with me some time. Oh, the pleasure of a busy trading day!
I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day. In the afternoon posted my day book. In the evening Joseph Fuller and Thomas Durrant smoked a pipe with me.
…In the forenoon walked up to the house of John Elless where was a sale of household goods. I received of him by goods and cash 5/- in full on his account to this day. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of pork boiled and a raisin suet puddings.
In the afternoon walked up to Mr Vine’s with some goods, where I stayed and drank tea. Rec’d of Edward Foord in cash 1.18.9 in full on account of the trust relating to Mr Will Piper deceased… Received of the late Sarah Mott 4/- by the payment of her mother. Pretty busy all day. A most remarkable fine day. In the evening read part of The Universal Magazine for March wherein I see some things very curious and really worth reading.
…I dined on some calf’s liver, lights and mint boiled, a piece of pork, and some watercresses. Mrs Piper drank tea with me. At home all day and thank God pretty busy all the day… Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. My brother called on me in the evening, but did not stay, in his road from Hailsham Fair.
Myself and both servants at church in the morning… We had a brief read for rebuilding the church of Charlton in the Parish of Market Bosworth in the County of Leicester, the expense of which amounted to the sum of £1102 and upwards, to which collection I gave 1d. I dined on a calf’s heart pudding and some turnip greens. Myself and both servants at church in the afternoon… we bad a thanksgiving prayer read today for the success attending his Majesty’s arms in the reduction of that important island Martinique, which has lately surrendered unto his Majesty’s general etc. employed in the expedition against that island.
After dinner Sam Jenner and Thomas Davy drank tea with me, and after tea we took a walk. Came back home about 7:20; he sat with me a while in the evening and I read him one of Sterne’s sermons. Samuel Jenner lodged at my house all night. A very warm pleasant day according to the season of the year.