In the morning walked up to John Durrant’s and informed Ann Durrant (who yesterday declared to me and Mr French she would swear the father at any time) that I would go with her today to Mr Courthope’s, to which she readily agreed.
I came home and got Susan Swift to walk with her to Uckfield, and accordingly they set off about 9 o’clock and I after them. I called at my mother’s, but did not stop, but went forward and informed Mr Courthope there was a young woman a-coming to swear the father of a child she was then big of. I then went and stayed at Mr Halland’s at the Maiden Head until such time as she had had her examination and taken her oath, which was that she was actually with child and that the man who begot the said child was George Hyland, a laborer who now lives in the parish of Laughton. When they came back to me, I went again to Mr Courthope’s in order to get a warrant to apprehend and take the said Hyland, which was readily granted me by Mr Courthope. I then immediately came home, calling at my mother’s (but did not stay) and also at Mr French’s to acquaint him how I had made out. I came home about 2:05…
Mr Vine, Mr French, Joseph Fuller and myself went down to Jones’s to consult of proper measures to take the man. We agreed Mr French and I in the evening should go down to the man’s house and see if there were any light and, if there were and he at home, to take him. I did not stay, but I find the other three stayed and spent 11d, which they charged to the parish account. In the evening about 6:20 I went down and called John Watford (he being headborough), and from thence we went and called Mr French and then proceeded on our intended journey. We could find no light nor any appearance that the man was in his house. After staying and patrolling about the house some time, we came home about 9:05 and I think never more tired in my life. The money I expended today is as follows:
| Paid Mr Courthope for Ann Durrant’s examination and a warrant | 0.2.0 |
| Spent at Uckfield | 0.0.8 |
| Gave Susan Swift for going | 0.0.6 |
| Gave John Dan | 0.1.0 |
| Do. Dame Burrage | 0.1.0 |
The above all on the parish account.