Saturday Jan.^y 6^th 1781 – Bought Mrs Cooke a new calico gown, olive striped with white and my son Thomas a new hat and on Monday last bo.^t him a pair of black Manchester breeches. Two little girls went to Mr Davies’s today.

Monday Jan.^y 8^{th –} Went with my son John to Bath to visit Mr Thicknese at his hermitage at St Catherines. We lay at York house that night and returned to Bristol next morning. Mr Cookshatt called in Somerset Street whilst we were at Bath, on his way to Yorkshire.

Jan.^y 18^{th –} Sent our first load of goods by Caerleon boat to P’pool.

Tuesday Jan.^y 23^rd 1781 – This day my son Thomas went to board at Cap.^t Pococks in princes Street. This day my daur Mary went to board with Mrs Calloway up on Kings Down.

Jan.^y 29^th 1781 Wednesday – This evening we left our house in Somerset Street and went to lye at my cousin Capel next door.

Jan.^y 25^{th –} Sent our last loads of goods to P’pool by the Caerleon boat and gave up the house next morning to Mr Jones the school master. We went on Friday 26^th to Mr Davies in Somerset Street and returned on Sunday to me cousins house.

Feb.^y 2^nd Friday – We set out from Bristol with Eliza in a chaise to the passage, had a fine passage. Set out from Haggard’s in a chaise to Usk and got to Kevanhila by 6 o’clock in the evening. This evening Mr Cecil’s barns and oxhouses were burnt down and a great quantity of grain coustand to the value in the whole of above 300^£.

Verses written by a Miss A Maud and sent to a young officer (with a gilded gingerbread doll) who railed ab.^t marriage Nov.^r 1780

Your aversion to marriage to us is well known

But we really believe you will like this Miss Joan

Whose excellent merits induced us to send

This sweetest of creations to you, our good friend

As is plain to seen, she’s a lady of riches

And we give you our word she’s unreceiving breeches

She is silent and always give you your way

She will never direct you, but always obey

And should you be as ‘tis common be tired of your wife

You may put her away without fear of your life

These verses will induce you we think too well treat her

But we beg you won’t love her so much as to beat her

Feb.^y 5^th 1781 Monday – I went from Kevanhila to Christchurch to meet my moor tenants and returned to P’pool. Next day went to Kevanhila.

Feb.^y 7^th 1781 Wednesday – We went in a chaise from Kevanhila to P’pool to Mr Hanbury’s. Staid there ‘till Friday the 9^th when we went to our house to live which I rent from Mr Hanbury at 10^£ year.

This is the house I was born in, built by my grandfather, inhabited by my mother and will I hope long be so by myself.

Feb.^y 5^th 1781 Monday – This day ab^t 7 in the morn.^g Mrs Roberts, wife of John Roberts Esq., of Abergavenny died and on Thursday the 8^th I attended her funeral at Abergavenny she was buried in the Church there. Mr Hanbury Williams, Mr Jones of Llanarth, Mr Chambre, Mr Lee, Cap^t Lucas, Cap.^t Carr, Mr William Morgan of the hill and myself were bearers. We had hatbands and scarfs and the funeral was the handsomest I ever attended.

Feb.^y 7^th 1781 Wednesday – This morning killed my pig at Goytre, it weighed 12 stone and cost in all £2.

Feb.^y 9^th Friday – This day Mr Griffiths of Kevanhila and my son John dined at Mr Hanburys. John is to return to Bristol tomorrow.

Feb.^y 10^th 1781 – Rec.^d of Edw.^d Parry 1^£ 1^s 0^d with which I received before at different times and by allowances of land tax make 18^£ 10^s 0^d for half years rent due Michaelmas 1779. He also left 12^s on acc.t This day I bought a flitch of bacon for my cousin Capel Cooke which weighed 98 pounds at 2^1/2d per pound and paid twenty shillings and 5^d for it.

 Feb.^y 17th 1781 Saturday – This morning ab.^t six o’clock my cousin Ann Griffiths of Kevanhila died. She was ill ab.^t a fortnight of a warm fever which carried her off in the sixth year of her life.

Feb.^y 22^nd Thursday – I and Mr Wm Griffiths her cousin attended her funeral as two mourners to Usk Church where she was interred.

 Feb.^y 19^th Monday ( on blotting page)  – Sent my cousin Edw.^d Grevile half a sheep to Bristol. Cost 5^s 6^d – 22lbs at 3^d.

Feb.^y 17^th 1781 – Rec.^d of Sam.^l Howell 6^d on acc.^t of rent.

An easy introduction to the knowledge of nature and the reading of Holy scriptures adapted to the capacities of children 8^£ 3^s Dodsley 1780, the author Mrs trimmer of Brentford.

Monday Feb.^y 26^th1781 – This evening Ann Leek came to live with us, wages and tea 5^£ 5^s 0^d a year.

Saturday March 3^rd 1781 – Planted 12 gooseberry trees and several currant trees in the garden at P’pool, bro.^t from Goytre and also a peach tree and many shrubs. Sowed also my carrots, onion, leeks, turnips, parsley and lettuce and small salading.

March 3^rd 1781 blotting page – Mrs Griffiths of Usk sent Eliza in a present of a fine cap from London.

Shrove Tuesday Feb.^y 27^th 1781 – This day we had, at P’pool the greatest of storm wind that ever was known here. Many houses and buildings unroofed and thrown down, sev.^l trees destroyed, some torn up by the root, other broke short off in the middle. Mr Hanbury had above 100 trees blown down in and ab.^t P’pool. The wind came from the north and west and raged with all its greatest violence from ab.^t two o’clock ‘till four in the afternoon. It is remarkable that the storm was not much felt in or ab.^t Abergavenny.

March 7^th 1781 – This day Mrs Griffiths of Usk and her son Mr Griffiths of Kevanhila came to see us. She staid two nights.

March 9^th Friday – Mrs Cooke and I went to Goytre for flower roots and dined there.

March 11^th 1781 – David Williams paid me 6s on acc.^t of half years rent due at Lady day 1780 remains due 10^£ 14^s 0^d .

March 13^{th –} Had the grout in my left hand which lasted above a week.

March 24^{th –} The feast at Pontevellien Saturday. This day my horse Jolly came from Goytre to be kept at P’pool. Had a cart load of hay bro.^t here.

Mr Griffiths left Kevanhila on or ab.^t Tuesday the 27th of March 1781 which he has rented out to Mr Tencate for 17 years from Candlemas last.

Saturday April 14^{th –} Mr and Mrs Griffiths of Kevanhila came here and returned to Usk next day.

Monday 16^{th –} We dined at Mount Pleasant.

Saturday evening April 17^{th –} 5 loads of coal, the week after came 6 loads of coal.

Monday April 23^{rd –} Henry Howell paid me 9^£ on acc.^t of rent.

Tuesday April 24^{th –} Mrs John James paid me 15^s for a years rent due at Michaelmas 1780.

April 25^th 1781 – William Bardin paid half years rent due May 1^st 1780.

April 26^{th –} Set two quarters of the garden at Goytre with white potatoes.

Tuesday April 24^th 1781 – This day poor Lacey Maud died of a contusion in his head from a fall from a horse.

Monday April 30^{th –} Dined at Thos Jenking dinner of trustees.

Saturday April 21^{st –} Edw.^d Parry sent me in 5 bushells more of oats.

Saturday April 21^{st –} Mrs Cooke and I dined at Mr and Mrs Edw.^d Davies with Mr and Mrs Drane of Berkshire and next Sunday they all dined with us at P’pool.

Sunday April 29^{th –} My cousin William Griffith dined with us at P’pool.

To Make Excellent Lavender Water

Half a pint of the highest rectified spirit of wine.

Part ¾ of a drachm of oil of lavender and 3^d of the essence of amber grease. Mix all well together:

Mr & Mrs Davies of Somerset Square

Spirit of wine 10 0^1/2

Oil of lavender 3 0

May 26^th 1781 – Rec.^d of John James four pounds eleven shillings on acc.^t of half a years rent due to me at Michaelmas 1779.

May 28^th 1781 – Set potatoes in the garden at P’pool. Mrs Griffiths dined here.

May 29^{th –} Made raisin wine.

May 30^{th –} Dined with Mr Cookshatt at Geo. Kemys at Newport. A practical grammar of the French language priced 2^d bound by N Wanostrocht, printed for I Johnson Pontypants church yard.

June 17^th 1781 – Rec.^d of David Williams 3 guineas of acc.^t of rent. Rec.^d same day of Edw.^d Parry the sum of 5^£.

 Monday June 11^th 1781 – (on blotting page) – John Leeks came to me upon Trgal. Wages to be 7 guineas May 1^st 1782.

Spence of Amber grease 9^d

Cost in all to make above quantity 1^£ 4^s 9^1/2d

Tuesday May 1^st 1781 – This morning Mr and Mrs Hanbury and family set out for London

May 5^th 1781 – Edw.^d Parry paid me five pounds on acc.^t of rent. This day my daur Eliza began to learn to read with Joe Rogers.

May 7^{th –} Began my casks of raisin wine from Bristol.

Saturday May 12^th 1781 – This morning ab.^t twelve o’clock my son Thomas arrived from Bristol having finished his schooling there. He came by the Caerleon boat which struck upon the sands on Friday where they staid all night.

Saturday May 12^th 1781 – (on blotting page) – 6 bushells of oats from Mr Morgan of Mamhilad. Mr and Mrs Watts of Bristol called here this day.

 

Monday June 18^th 1781 – This evening my son Thomas set out to go to Caerleon by the boat to Bristol where he paid Cap.^t Pocock 11^£ 12^s 0^d for his board and drawing and Mr Norton 10^£ for all rent due to him at Lady Day last and on Friday June 22^nd he and his sister Mary with both the Miss Watsons came by Caerleon boat and I met them at Newport and bro.^t all to P’pool. Thomas bought a new coat and breeches of the bone de Paris coloured cloths at Bristol.

Friday June 22^{nd –} Set 3 rows of marrowfat peas at P’pool.

Tuesday 26^th June – Set potatoes in the slopes towards the river at P’pool.

Saturday June 3^rd 1781 – I paid 1 guinea duty to the examination for my man servant John Evans for a year ending the 30^th June 1782.

Thursday June 21^st 1781 – Bro.^t a hogshead of cyder to P’pool. Sold Mr James of the Black Boar 48 gallons of it at 6^d a gallon, he had the same quantity of it before at the same price. John Jacob had 3 gallons at the same price. I kept 40 gallons for my own use. Gave Dan.^l Jones six gallons of cyder.

 

Ann Leek came Monday Feb.^y 26^th 1781

£SD

Wages and tea 5 5 0 year

Friday April 20^th paid her

On account 10 6

Saturday May 12^th paid her

On account 5 0

Thursday July 26^th

I paid her in full of all wages due

to her this day July 26^th 1781 1 8 6

this will be due to her on the

26^th Feb.^y 1782 to finish her

Years wages: exactly 3 1 0 to

Make up the 5 5 0 2 4 1

Decm.^r 1781 Pd her 1 1 0

 Feb.^y 26^th 1781 Pd her to finish

Her year due that day 2 0 0

Memorandum in 1775

Jan.^y 2^{nd –} Sent Mr Grevile a hare by Caerleon boat.

Jan.^y 4^{th –} Bought a hogshead of Gin of Mr Powell of New Forge cost £1 13s 0d.

Jan.^y 5^{th –} Bought a pig of my Tenant Hen: Morgan which cost £2 8s 0d weigh.^d a score the two flitch’s weigh.^d 121 lbs the cheeks weigh.^d 6lbs.

Jan.^y 7^{th –} Bought a pair of half patterned ashes cost 2d.

Jan.^{y 9th –} My son Thomas began to learn to write of Mr Summers.

 

January

10^{th –} This is my birth day and my wedding day. I am 42 years old being born on Saturday Decem.^r 30th 1732 and was married to my pres.^t wife

 16^{th –} Went to Lanwern.

 17^{th –} Rec.^d my rents at Magor for last year.

18^{th –} Returned to P’pool that night.

19^{th –} Came home to dinner from P’pool found a messenger from Leicester to request me to go to vote for Mr Hungerford ag.^st Mr Pochin and to oblige Mr Croxall of Thurstock. I sett out directly w.^th the messenger ab.^t 2 in the afternoon in a chaise, got to Ross that night.

20^{th –} Went from Ross in a chaise without Mr Cox as supervisor who was also a Freeholder of Leicestershire to Birmingham that night.

21^{st  –} Went from Birm.^m at 3 o’clock in the morning got to Leicester 138 miles from Abergavenny by two o’clock at noon. Got polled directly for Mr Hungerford, afterwards dined with him. Lay that night at Leicester. Mr Hungerford carried the election by a majority of 120 votes.

22^{nd –} Sett out from Leicester was allowed 3 Guineas and a half for my expenses home, got that night to Mr Croxall at Thurstock.

23^{rd –} Went from Thurstock to Birm.^m dined and supped with Mr Carless, drank tea with Mrs Ireland.

 Do 23^{rd –} Bought my son John a Gold shirt Buckle and my son Thomas a pair of Plated Buckles and myself an oil case wood.

24^{th –} Sett out at 5 o’clock in the morning in the Stage Coach from Birm.^m for Worc.^r called at Bromsgroveon Mrs Bennet got to the Hop Pole at Worc.^r by one o’clock at noon, dined, drank tea and supper with Sir Nigel Gresley at his house there.

25^{th –} Settled all account finally with my old tenant Thos Cross of Broomhall near Kempsey to midsummer 1774, at which time the Estate being a leasehold of £18 a year. Requested to the Bishop of Worcs.^r who refused to renew it all the lives being dead, but the Bishop dyed without enjoying it by a fall from his horse at Bath. Johnson was his name. He long wishes a poor man to get possession of this little Farm which he lived to do but come to his continuously and in a very few months after tho’ a batchelor and very rich he was exceedingly avaricious and penurious and his death like his life was a miserable one.

25^{th –} Sett out from Worc.^r in a chaise to Ledbury and got from hence on Post horses to Ross that evening where I stayed with my friend Mr Meredith till Saturday the 28^th instant when I left Ross and got safe home to Aberg.^y that evening.

27^{th –} Mrs Hanbury of P’pool was delivered of a son early in the morning.

31^{st –} Bought a pig of Jn^o Watkin of Tre Binking for the Rev.^d Mr Morgan of Chelmsford at 3^{d ¾} a pound, weighed a score for which I paid him £2 3 9.

31^{st –}  Paid Phil Williams 12 guineas for a years rent for my house in Aberg.^y due the 1^st of this instant.

 

February

2^{nd –} Sent the rent of the field to Mr Rainsey.

8^{th –} Paid Mr John Parry £5 for a year’s rent of the sd fields. A remedy for rot in sheep. Give each sheep a spoonful of dry salt once a week when rotting season is expected. When they have been a little used to it they will lick it up of themselves if laid upon flat stones in the pasture.

My wife Rec.^d in my absence from David Williams of Penloyne £17 0 0d.

The Aurora Bonalis is continually succeeded by hand southerly or south west wind, attended by hazy weather and small rain, it may be observed in general that sufficient indications of impending impetus precede them a considerable time, did we but carefully note them.

In the former part of the reign of Henry 8^th there did not grow in England either cabbage, carrot, turnip or other edible root ab.^t the same time the artichoke, the apricot, the damask rose made their first appearance in England. Turkeys carps and hops first known, there in the year of 1524 the currant shrub brought from the island of Zant 1553.

In the year 1540 cherry trees from Flanders were first planted in England.

Ab.^t the year 1580 peaches were first introduced.

14^{th –} Went to Chepstow and dined at the Three Cranes with Mr Van and Mr Lewis St. Pier and the bridge committee of which I am one.

When we agreed with one Brown and Mason of Abbey Tintern to build three new stone pieces to Chepstow Bridge the foundation of the pieces to be repaired and made good by day work and the pieces to be done by the greed of nine shillings and six pence a ton.

Twenty square feet to be allowed a ton of work.

16^{th –} Returned from St Pier thro’ Caerleon with Mr Thos Lewis, dined with Harry Morgan and came to P’pool that night. Settled my business finally with the heirs at law of Mrs Jones Salisberg. I got a discharge from Mr Henry Davies late of Chepstow.

17^{th –} Came home from |P.pool

18th – Rd.^d a letter from Mr Thicknose to instruct me that on Wednesday the 16^th inst his appeal was held before the Lords and the Chancellors devise ag.^st him was then fully confirmed.

Lord Chamberlain spoke an hour and a quarter for reversing the devise in his favour but there being but a few Lords, chiefly Scotch the motion was speedily determined ag.^st him without a division.

This affair gives me more concern than any other mans disappoint it minded or care.

His great knowledge of the world of mankind his uncommon talents and abilities rest and elegance of manners made his company exceedingly pleasing and discernible. He lived in a cottage near P’pool (Zuortea) a little slypinn of his own farming but quitting this county was a loss to me that can never be repaired.

20^{th –} Went with my son John to Mr Hanbury’s to P’pool and returned Sat.^y the 25^th

 

March

4^{th –} John went with Mr W Davies and Mr Jn^o Morgan to Oxford in a chaise.

7^{th –} Tommy was 9 years old.

15^{th –} Sett a fir tree between each of the horse chestnut trees and walnut trees round the little field adjoining to the hedge and road to the house in Goytre and on the same day planted the fir trees in the little orchard beyond the kitchen garden there.

17^{th –} James Meredith the young.^r grafted several American New Town Pippins and three Kipston Pippins and two large Yorkshire Pippins which were given me by Mr Meredith and several other trees at Goytre.

20^{th –} Went to Kevenhila to the premises of my cousin Edw.^d Griffiths marriage and at the request of Miss Cox to give her away to him which I did at Llanbaddock Church.

Miss Molly Griffiths the clerk and Mr Griffith’s bailiff were all that were present.

Immediately after the ceremony they set out for London in a chaise and four and I returned to dine with Mrs Griffiths their mother at Kevanhila.

If future happiness may be presaged from fair prospects and amiable qualifications, this young couple seem entitled to much mutual felicity.

The same day I brought from Kevanhila two young pyramidical Flemish Poplar trees of one years growth and planted them in remembrance of the day in the orchard at Goytre, below the garden wall and adjoining the high road.

24^{th –} Planted three quarters in the garden at Aberg.^y with potatoes.

25^{th –} Sowed colleyflowers, savoys, brocoli and brocoli seed in do.

27^{th –} Sowed carrots and onions in Goytre and pruned the wall trees.

31^{st –} Went to Monmouth assizes. William Nicholls Esq., was High Sheriff. George Rigg and Thomas Hurlance condem.^d for robbing Mr Rowlins of Monmouth. Thomas Hurlance was reprieved.

 

April

5^{th –} Planted at Goytre a cherry tree which Will.^m Andrew gave me which was budded on a laurel stock.

 

10^{th –} Sett four potatoes at Aberg.^y which Mrs Mathews gave me under the further wall near ye mulberry tree.

Charles of the Scots

The Scots are contemptible peasants, cunning, disparaging egcophant Jacobites in soul and sentiment but devout worshippers of Dagon.

They are everymans slave to gain a purpose and the tyrant of everyman, when the purpose is gained they splurge on the credibility and can of the Guelph’s but are the unutterable followers of Charles Stuart and to erase these principals is almost as difficult as to make them generous ignoramus clearly.

14^{th –} Sett six rows of potatoes from Chepstow behind the hot bed in Abergavenny.

16^{th –} Sett some of the Chepstow potatoes at Goytre in the old cabbage ground and before the halibut trees. Same day sett a double row of Mr Mathew’s potatoes between the upper rows of raspberries.

24^{th –} Made rosein wine tim.^d it May 17^th.Sett three rows of Hotspur peas and three rows of white blopam beans at Goytre.

25^{th –} My son Thomas began to learn to dance with Mr Morsey at Aberg.^y

 

June

6^{th –} My daughter Mary is one year old this day.

10^{th –} Acc.^t in the Gazette of a skirmish near Boston on the 19^th April last between the Kings’s Troopers and the American in which the former were worsted. This is the first blood that has been shed on the melancholy disputes betwixt us and them.

 

July

2^{nd –} John came from Oxford

4^{th –} Removed from Aberg.^y to Goytre for the summer

5^{th –} Mrs Graham came to my house at Aberg.^y which she has taken for two months at one guinea a week

17^th Monday – Attended a charity school meeting at Caerleon

18^{th –} Tommy went to board at Mr Morgans

 

Inscription on a Garden Seat

Altered from Thurstone by a Lady

1.

O ye who bother in costly bliss

Or toil in fortunes giddy sphere

Do not rashly judge amiss

Of one who lives contented here

2.

Nor get disdain the narrow bounds

That skirt this gardens simple pride

Not get, deride the scanty mounds

That fence your waters peaceful tide

3.

The tenant of the shade forgive

For wounding at the close of day

With joy to see the flow’rots live

And hear the linnets temperate lay

4.

And or remember that from strife

From fraud full hate and pantick glee

From every fault of polished life

There rustic scenes are happily free

 

The Hermits Law

“Let thought and deed from reason glow

Conscience calm is heaven below

Prunce wary wants the heath most true

Is when we make a little do

Call temperance and in full toil

Then soft content will spread its smile

Conduct of youth thro’ happy age

And fit you for the hermitage”

 

24^th  – Attended the first charity meeting for the benefit of clergymen’s widows and children held at the Kings Head in Newport for which I am at the Bishops particular request appointed, together with Mr Addam Williams, Mr Lucas and Mr Cecil a trustee.

31^{st –} My son John is 19 years old this day. This day came ann.^t of an action on the 19^th June last betwixt the Kings troopers and provincials in north America in which the former had the advantage. Charlestown was burnt down by the Kings forces

 

August

23^{rd –} Mr Hanbury’s birth day. My son John and I dined at P.pool only the Coldbrook family there.

24^{th –} Mr Mathews family from Lanfoist dined at Goytre

25^{th –} Sowed some early York and sugar loaf cabbage and some Lapland cabbage seeds and a few of the stone turnip seeds at Abergavenny

31^{st –} Let my farm at Goytre to Henry Howell for a year, reserving some part for myself

10^th –( on the blotting page)Lenter.^d my chair for a year ending this day next year 1776

 

September

21st – Began to farm the green before the parlour windows into a garden again and planted the slopes with strawberry plants the 23^rd instant. This ground was laid down with grass for 5 years.

28^{th –} Mr & Mrs Griffiths and Charles dined at Goytre.

30^{th –} We went to P’pool to see Mrs Davies and staid all night.

 

October

3^{rd –} We went to P’pool to visit Mrs Hanbury and staid all night.

11^{th –} My wife left Goytre and went to Abergavenny. Martha came this day. Got in the nursery and other apples.

21^{st –} Began to plow the lower Cae Coed for wheat.

26^{th –} Finished sowing wheat in the above field 5 covers. Sowed 6 bushels and half a peck at 7s. Mr Blash.^f .

28^{th –} Paid my ten.^t H Morgan 10s for plowing and 3/4^d for harrowing it. Henry Rinalt 6^d and Mr Price three days labour same time. Paid John Morgan four pounds for ten dozen of lime on the same field. Sett a bed of Mazagam Beans. Returned from Goytre to Abergavenny for the winter.

31st – My son John and Mr Thos Williams sett out for Oxford.

 

November

2^{nd –} Planted 2 plumb, 2 apple and 3 pear espaliers and from P’pool in the garden at Goytre. Disp.^d asparagus beds for the winter.

8^{th –} Made the garden wall at Goytre next to the road 2 feet higher than it was before.

9^{th –} Planted a pomegranate and passion tree ag.^st the end of the house near the garden.

16^{th –} My wife was safely delivered of a daughter a.^bt a quarter before six in the morning.

17^{th –} Cow took bull.

23rd – Planted the first quarter of the garden at Goytre with gooseberry and currant trees and espaliers cherry trees.

29^{th –} Began to clear the ruff ground by the hedge in both Cae Coed.

30^{th –} Began to feed my pigs with peas.

 

December

1^{st –} Dined with Mr Car for the first time at his new house.

2^{nd –} Planted 3 standard cherry trees and 2 d^o plumb trees on espalier New Town Pippin and sev’ll other espaliers apples and in the garden at Goytre.

4^{th –} Made my Cyder at Mr Morgan’s 120 gallons.

Mem.^d that Nov.^r 30^th being Jn^o Andrews day in Cardiff fair and the next market day after at Aberg.^y and P’pool is the best day to buy beef for hanging.

Mr Morgan Griffith turnpike work 5 0

Thomas Moses 3 0

7^{th –} Sett 2 rows of a few more Mazagam Beans under the wall at Abergavenny, full.

22^{nd –} Molly Robins came to us and next day Sally Lewis of Usk went home from nursing my wife, for wich I paid her £1 8s 6d.

22^{nd –} My son John returned from Oxford. I had expected him long before and my disappointment was owing to his having taken a journey to London with an Oxford acquaintance without my leave or knowledge, this impudence of his grieved my heart extremely and obligence to leave this remark of it behind me hope that whenever he meets with it, it will renew the idea of his father’s fondness for him, who instantly forgave the disobedience and never mentioned it again to him.

Paid Morgan Griffith 6s

Paid Thomas Evans 6s

William Price 6s

H Renalt 11s

29^{th –} 2 bushell more of pears.

25^{th –} First wore my suit of forrestt cloth.

28^{th –} Rec.^d a bill from Mr Croxall for £13 7 0 for half a years rent from Mr Suffolk, due Lady Day 1775.

28^{th –} This ab.^t 8 o’clock in the morning died at the Priory in Abergavenny Charles Millborne Esq. as much and as deservedly lamented as any man with my remembrances.

31^st  – This night died the Rev.^d Mr Evan Eustance above fifty years vicar of Abergavenny where he was greatly respected.

Turnpike Work

December halled

106 loads of stone at 6d 2 13 0

Paid Morgan Griffith

23 days work at 1s 1 3 0

Paid Harry Rinall

18 days work at 1s 18 0

Paid for 2 baskets 1 0

Paid Harry Rinall

For 6 days work 6 0

Paid Jack in all

Different times 1 10 6

Dec 1^st paid him more 1 0

Dec paid for shoes 5 0

Mary Plower cam Jan.^y 24^th 1775

Feb.^y 16^th paid her 2 2 0

March paid her 5 0

March paid her 2 0

March paid her 2 6

May 10^th paid her 1 1 0

 

Lord Abergavenny’s yearly chief rents

For Skibor Wen in Mamhilad 6 0

Goytre Lease 2 0

Do freehold chief rents 2 2

 

Jan.^y 10^th 1775

Paid William Morgan the above in full for 1774

 

Acc.^t of nanny’s wages

Nov.^r 7^th 1774 paid her all this morning wages due to her the 1^st instant being half a year

256

Jan.^y 5^th 1775 paid her 5 0

Jan.^y 28^th paid her 12 6

May 2^nd paid her in full

Of all wages ten months

Due to the first May

1775 1 8 0

4100

 

Mary Watkins came May 6^th 1775.

15lbs or more of clover

6 trefoil

4 white clover

1^1/2 doz ray grass

1776 – January

2^{nd –} Dined at Mr Jordan’s

3^{rd –} Dined at Miss Merediths, Xmas dinner

5^{th –} This day my little girl was privately baptised at Abergavenny by the Rev.^d Mr Williams the curate there, by the name of Elizabeth, after my own sisters name

6^th Saturday – This evening Mr Millborne was buried in the chancel at Aberg.^y Lord Oxford, Mr Thomas Harley, Mr John Harley, Mr Philip Jones of Llanarth, Mr Harcourt and Cap^t Chamber were bearers.