Monday, April 4 1757

In the morning arose and went over to Framfield. Came home again to breakfast. Then went up to Mr Vine’s with some goods for the audit and from thence to Sinden’s. As I came home, called at Mr Reeve’s, Mr Piper’s and Mr John Vine Jr’s for poor tax but found none of them home. After I came home, went up to Mr Vine’s again with more goods… I went down to Halland and received of Mr Coates in cash 2.9.0 for poor tax. I came home and went up to Mr Piper’s and received of him 4.11.0 for poor tax and paid him 14/1½ on the parish account; viz., 5/- for removing John Durrant, and 8/1½ for 39 lbs of cheese for Dame Burrage. I stayed and supped at Mr Piper’s and smoked a pipe and came home about 9:20.

As I came home, I found Thomas Cornwell and John Durrant had come home from their journey and brought bad news; namely, that they had let the man make his escape, but that they had left Mr French and Joseph Fuller to proceed on their journey with the woman, Dame Vinal a-washing for us today…

Saturday, July 5 1755

At home all day, busy. Lucy Durrant and James Hutchens drank tea with us. Mr French, Piper, Fuller and Durrant here in the evening to get me to make the land and window tax books against Monday morning. This day I heard of my late servant George Beard of Chailey being married to his servant. Paid for a shoulder of mutton, 6 lbs, 21d.