In the morning our maid went over to Framfield. I also in the morning went up to Mr John Vine’s Jr… Received of Mr John Vine Sr 9/9 for a bill of nails used at Laughton Place. Halland two maids and the gardener drank tea with us. Looking over The Gentleman’s Magazine for September, 1744 I find the following [information about the King of Prussia, his troops and his religion, quoted at length.]…
Thomas Davy, who had this day been at Lewes, came into our house in the evening and informed us that about 40 people out of several neighboring parishes came there today in a kind of riotous manner in order to demand corn of a person who has lately bought up a large quantity. He very readily offered them any quantity they would have at 6/- a bushel, which prevented any farther disturbance, though they did not accept of his offer on account of there being Justices in town, to whom they made their complaint, and who very readily took their complaint into consideration and told them if they came again on Saturday next, they would redress their grievances and that they should have corn at a more moderate price. They also granted them several summons for people that have quantities of corn by them but have [refused] to sell it at a market price. Oh! what a cruel thing it is to endeavour to grind the face of the poor, which many great farmers do by keeping up their corn and not selling it [until] it fetches so large a price as it does at this time.