Charles Morgan's Diary, 1839

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January

1st (see also 1838 - December)

Tuesday. Begin the year well, rise early, shave in dark, promise of wet day. Cold windy rain at 8.00 clears off, dull without rain, wind all day. Set W Jone to begin plantation fence Lower Field. Make a finish of my new year's tithe book, write blank receipts and get all papers ready for tomorrow. Mr James helps me write some blank receipts.

2nd

Tything day at Penclawdd. Mr James rides with me, meet RH at Cross Lane. Go by village, look at the vessel, men at work. I call on Captain Gunthorpe, ill. Payments not bad and day passes off very pleasantly. The Eaton's and Hopkin John discourse with Mr James on religious points, not home till 12.00. A favourable day, mild and pleasant. Receive cash chiefly in gold, good omen of state affairs. Dinner better arranged than usual, expect Edmund, find him at Caie Forgan on our return, he arrived at 3.00. Too late and too tired to come to Penclawdd.

3rd

Tything day at the village. Mr James goes to Penmaen, Edmund accompanies me, he goes to Stafell Haegr. Some rain today. Old Mr Gordon Cilivor has a dangerous fall down stair case, cuts his face sadly, might have killed himself. Payments not bad but not a pleasant meeting being another discussion at the lower house culm company. Break up early in consequence and home by 8.00. Counted and packed up yesterday's cash this morning.

4th

RH sends beef, 6 score at 4 ˝ lb and tongue on Monday next. Count and pack up yesterday's cash and by appointment of yesterday take our guns by hedge and ditch to Mr Gordon's of L. Called at Cilifor.  Spoke to Tom Davy there, a great rogue, claims he knows not what as out-going tenant, dispute his right, get 3 random shots, kill nothing. Edmund kills a hare, have it with Mr G's. Mr and Mrs J and Carree writes to Penmaen. Cold windy day. Very tired with three days labour, add up my tithe book and count out money for tomorrow to go to bank. Can't make a tally. Place £426 in bank tomorrow and send 250 for William to Jones Lloyd and company and send order to receive it there.

5th

Wintry day, up late because wishing to be early. Edmund returns to Allt y Gog. Ride in his cart to Swansea, he buys a binnacle lamp 15/-!! And leaves the Castle at 1.00 for Alltygog. I execute errands, pay my money. Bank and receive £25. Home in my spring car by 8.00. Most vivid lightning and thunder tonight after sunset but no rain before I am safe home. Glad to get to bed. Wind gets up. Bring home a letter giving sad account of Jane at Bristol.

7th Sunday

Dismal day, driving rain, ride with Mr J to Penmaen, he reads in again and gives an excellent sermon, “How old art thou” and alludes to past circumstances, congregation small. C Reese sent to Swansea for a fly, Mr & Mrs James have resolved to go to Bristol, most unfortunate, most tempestuous this evening and hurricane in night. They start in the midst of it at 2.30. Ann, I and Carree up till 3.00. Wind stripped the slates and breaks windows awfully. Have dreadful anticipations.[1]

Monday. Not in bed till 4 this morning, most awful night. Wrote a long note to Mr WFM about Jane, dismal anticipations of our departed guests. How has Edmund fared? At Tenby. Up late, wind still strong, much lead and slates removed. Busy today replacing lead, cart shed etc and surveying damage done, what a miserable look. About my tithe book, very tired. RH calls to pay some arrears tithes of Rev. Mr Evans, long talk about church rates. Glad to get to bed tonight, no rain today luckily and wind subsides.

8th

Rise in good time to day, sharp frost and windy with it. Mason replaces slates, effect of yesterday morning's hurricane. I am about home all day, chiefly occupied in tallying tithe book, adding up all the columns, arrears, rents etc. Washing day. Lend C Reese my cart and horses, nothing done in way of forwarding work. All evening at my tithe papers. Weather seems to get more promising.

9th

Cold morning, little frost, fine day, sunny, windy. Ride with Carree, Pedro and young Rosy to Penmaen. Call at Johnny Williams about a pig, very small, very dear. Advise not to buy. Receive a frank letter, Swaffham at Parsey's and ride by Penrice to Post Office. Call at Nicholaston Hall about ash at Pennyhitch, at Mr Ball's - son ill, at Mrs Perry's - first visit, pleasing woman, first child, at Rev. Mr Davies - harp. Walk alone to post, newspaper and letter for Mr J from the Grange. Home by 4.30 to dinner. Finish adding up and tallyinging my tithe book. Carts employed to day bringing plants etc from Stafell Haegr.

10th

Fine morning, promise of beautiful day but not very fine. Wet before 12.00 breaks off again. Mason here again for the last day replacing slates. Make place for pigs in fern yard and ordered general work. Plant George's few strawberries and gooseberries. Ride Pedro to the vessel, slow repairs there and extensive. On to Stafell Haegr, Caleb Thomas there. Collected Dix's account of all work, measure out new hedges for Bar Jone and home by Crickton to dinner at 3.30. Prepare for brewing tomorrow. Buy a pig off Boucher. Mild and pleasant for season, wind southerly foretells rain tomorrow. Eliza sent to mill this evening with 3 W of Cillibion barley for pigs. Again at tithe book this evening. Mr Pearce calls, cannot serve Penmaen next Sunday.

11th

Drizzly rain. all day with wind. Meant to ride to Oxwich etc about Penmaen duty Sunday, send Llewellyn instead. Berrington cannot serve it, Carree obliged to write to Ilston about it, at home all day. Brewing and jobs the order of day for all the men. Receive letter from Bristol, Jane better and various bills and notes. Read a paper, Sir W Talbot's speech at Exeter. Do not agree with Gordon about his account of lime and stones. Long brings her bed ridden child, five years old, an object of charity. No commissions sent to Swansea.

12th

Mild pleasant day. Send Ann very early on Star to Ilston to inquire by note of Mr Collins about Penmaen tomorrow. He is in Swansea and intends leaving Ilston by proxy. In consequence I ride to try my last shift, Mr Davies of R who kindly undertakes it at 5.00 if not otherwise provided for which causes me further messages to Ilston tomorrow and to Reynoldston. Call also on Mr Ball, take newspaper of  Abarantes Obfuscatores notoriety. Young Mr Ball in bed for the last week, visit his bed room. Do not dine till 4.00. Make good with stone the drive to the house from the rock work. entrance. First bacon hung up tonight. Carree begins a letter to Bristol.

14th

Sunday, dull drizzly, obliged to go to Ilston Church to learn about Penmaen duty and again to send to Reynoldston to inform Rev. Mr Davies Mr Higgs does duty at Ilston, very well too. Mr C ill at Swansea, not a word in answer to Carree's note. Home wet to dinner and send Richards to Reynoldston. RH brings Cambrian, walk to Cillibion field to turn out horses of Jos Jones, someone had done it. Read Cambrian in evening and Carree writes to Bristol.

Monday. Dull damp morning, driving wet day, ride to post, wet through. Mrs D of R and Mr Ball send for barm. Johnny Williams brings letter from Penmaen ie Edmund's bill and a bit of net. David owner of chestnut stallion calls to see fair play, very drunk. C Reese at forge all day, began to demolish steps, rain prevents. Took letter for Bristol and one for Mr Jeffreys applying for money on account of Mrs Edward's sale, answer paid, glover. It clears off this evening. At accounts this evening.

15th

Fine cold brisk day, at home all day. Entering up and balanced my tithe receipts and expenses. Set cart to carry in earth, winnow corn for mill and send WR. Thought to go to Penmaen, do not. Carree not out of house. Write to Henry this evening, coming over next Monday. Settle accounts as above, scold Tom and refuse Ann to go home. No events.

16th

Up earlier than usual to be off early, children and all in car to Penmaen on business about the rectory house. Call at J Williams, get a fire lighted. Have no dinner. Take a few sandwiches and have tea, the only chance of beverage except spring water. Look to all the rooms and Carree gives the orders. Not home till dark. A beautiful day, a shower of sleet coming home and very cold. Hot supper and to bed early. Ann goes to Llanmadock and forgets her only message, a note to Mr Pearce, most negligent and very inconvenient. Tom Dixon sent to post, a Madeira letter and gaiters mended. The Misses Davies of R accept invite for tomorrow.

17th

Rise early, breakfast early. Carree in bed of course after yesterday. Set all men to work and send Ann off on Pedro to Mr Pearce about Penmaen duty, an obligation in consequence of neglect yesterday. Carts sent to boat and to Stafell Haegr. By agreement meet RH and Richard Gordon at Stafell Haegr to measure walls of pond at 2.00. Then walked to I Grants to work it out in figures, he not at home. Return home by Crickton. Must have drains made. Plant, till dark, shrubs from Stafell Haegr. Mr and Misses Davies of R come by invite to tea.. Mr D comes later, chat and music, send them to the turnpike in spring car. Am taken suddenly ill before going to bed and am sick and unwell, the consequence of two days without a regular dinner. Bids fair for frost.

18th

A very sharp frost. Not a well spent day but altogether idle. Plant several things, ivy etc take up some dahlia roots, seedlings forgotten, old potatoes forgotten. Walk with Carree and children about garden and the road. Charles Teddy breaks his knees, vinegar and paper. Dine and walk with Carree to Mrs Nicholls, take tea there. Mr Nicholls comes home late from Bison. Very dark home, lantern. Wind gets up and bids fair for bad change of weather, intend going to Swansea tomorrow.

19th

A thorough wet driving morning, clears up and fine at or before 12.00. Plans all defeated, no going to Swansea. Car, calves and ponies all to have gone, Mr James's luggage to have come home. Potatoes for sale. Carree and self going too. Also no work done, except jobs and barn. Pack up empty bottles to return to Swansea, read some Saturday's magazine. Sarah clearly detected in a falsehood about dust pan, having carried burning coals in it. Look to the men's accounts and see what balances are due to them. Received by RH two letters and Cambrian, one from William as to accounts and Howel John, one from Henry coming next week.

21st

Sunday. Showery, ride to Penmaen, Morning duty Mr Pearce, another new year's sermon - not bad. Speak to Molly Davy about luggage of Mr J at Swansea. Morgan perhaps can fetch. Over Bryn home to dinner. Young Jones here, his son calls to defer duty till 6.00, father ill. Sits an hour and takes a glass of wine. A beautiful Aurora Borealis tonight.

Monday. Very wet night, foggy and rain all day. About home all day at accounts. Settle with W Tucker and Thomas, mason. Kill Horrod pig, clip and doctor Star colt. Scrub stables. Write to Tenby, Edmund and Alfred. Read William's letters. Dix to post, receive Bristol letter and one from Mrs J, newspaper and bill. Job work only all day. WR discovers black hen sitting. About accounts all the evening.

22nd

Beautiful day, about home all day. Read accounts of wrecks, Liverpool most awful. Messages to Swansea by Mary Thomas. Attend plantation hedge, Lower Field. Divert water through ditch. Send children to walk on the turnpike. Send C Reese for coals, waggon. RH calls in evening and settles miscellaneous bills. Give draft for balance, at accounts all evening. Bids for a sharp frost.

23rd

Sharp Frost, up early because servants are late. Waggon and 4 horses for coal yesterday by C Reesee 13/8˝.  Pig cut up and weighed, 8 score about. Chimneys swept. Send hams by Elisa to Mr Ball. Write to Mr Davies about funeral at Penmaen, cannot do it, obliged to send again to Mr Berrington, messenger Tucker. Ride with Carree to Penmaen to arrange for Mr James return. Henry and Edmund coming here. Call on Mr Voppert for tithes, get nothing, promise next week? Home by 4.00. Dig in plantation piece an hour with W Jone and Tucker. Dine at 5.00. Accounts in the evening. Charles Teddy went to Mrs Nicholls this morning.

24th

Sunny morning, cloudy and fine, in full expectation of Henry and Edmund today. Up and about in good time. Dull dark frost, not very sharp. Dairy stinks, not washed regularly. Make Eliza do it forthwith. Mend shaft of small cart with WR. W Jone - make wash stable, chloride of lime. Put up fence myself, corner of stable, to protect haggard. Tucker makes a hot bed, take in Allen's mow of oats. Walk to Crickton to see Reese at plough. Work gets on. See ditches require opening, order done tomorrow. No arrivals! Henry as usual. Dine alone and late. Enter up some labour accounts. Carree writing to Southover. Little John Ammoy very sick. Mild, cloudy evening, wind. northerly.

25th

Showery morning. Stormy strong wind and cold all day with some sun. Not a day of much work. Jobs - barn, furze, potatoes, mill. Read case of Rugby school Rolls court. Walked to Crickton, see about ditching and mark out drain with W Jone. Emily Philip begins pick stones. Go on to Penralt to get offal for dogs. Fail to get a servant for Penmaen. Buy water cress of Jones, Horrod and home again. No Henry and Edmund again. Blister Star colt, send Tom Dix to post, Bristol letter and paper. Mr J returns tomorrow. Read paper this evening, Duke of Buckinghamshire dead at Stowe. Carree writes to Uckfield.

26th

Very fine cold morning, go in car with Carree to Swansea. W Richards rides Pedro for Mr James, expected from Bristol, packet in very early by 11.00 in bay, land at 12. We lunch at Mr Mundys. Poor Henry Mundy quite a cripple, long ill. Little work done today. Give Howell John a note, copy of letter from William. Come home without Richards, never see him, he does nothing. Load and unload myself and feed the horses. Richards drunk of course - home by 9.00. Came home with RH's car and Morgan Jenkins. A curious incident, a man asked where land was sold by Duke of Beaufort near Caie Vorgan as he had leased it to be built on. Question, where is it? Cillibion?

28th

Sunday. Sharp frost, evening duty at Penmaen church. I walk, Carree rides and walks, ride double back. Sarah goes too, tis very cold. An ill spent day. Read the Cambrian and get a headache by drinking sour elder wine.

Monday. Sharp frost again, very mild pleasant day. Engaged improving front by carting in earth. Obliged to attend to show what I want. Settle Hannah's account, see tomorrow. Mr Dunn calls, pay him for timber used at Stafell Haegr, entered tomorrow. Dine at 5.00. Unexpectedly, Henry and Edmund arrived at 6.00, mistake in letters delivered on both sides. Talking the occupation of the evening. I at accounts of Saturday and today and balance from the 14th inst. Perplexed with the din of talk about me, feats of strength etc.

29th

Fineish morning seems to threaten rain and does rain after 1.00. Henry and Edmund here, at accounts all day principally going through and tallying sale account. Paid Charles Reese's labour account in the stable. Mr James rides to Ilston and round by Penmaen. Dine at 5.00. Dreadful smoke in the house, cannot occupy the parlour. Nothing but talking all evening. Enter my day accounts and journal. Windy all day.

30th

Charles Reese sent early to see his brother at Bovil, [2] Landimore, about the vessel repairing on marsh. Snowy morning, driving snow showers all day. Some fine sun also but very cold, wind north west. To complete our misery, Ann breaks two windows in the parlour by the dinner tray. At accounts till 1.30 with Henry and Edmund who then go shooting to Penmaen, kill a rabbit and 2 larks. Ann sent to post, 2 papers only, post very late. Mail not in Swansea till 12 hours after time. Mr Gordon and Edward Reese called about the vessel, agree with him as Captain on thirds of profits, a doubtful bargain, too good!!? Dine at 6.00, more snow again this evening, ground quite white.

31st

White world and frosty but a fine day. Henry and Edmund leave for Carmarthen, some idea I must be in London for accounts. Am at home all day sorting bills and letters, not much work done. Men chiefly in the barn. Reese sent to Swansea for tar etc for the vessel, brought home for Mr James brandy from Mr Holland, and took luggage to Swansea for Edmund and Henry. Fine sharp frost this evening.

February

1st (Friday)

Fine sharp frost. Rise early, cut chaff with W Jone before breakfast, wanting a hand to feed machine. Beautiful day, take my gun and dogs. Call at Penralt, call at Stafell Haegr. W Eagles turning the machine. Over the marsh to the vessel, corking one side. Back by village, killed 5 sparrows at a shot. Met Carree and child by Cross Lane, return to Jane Jones and home. Mr James at Penmaen, a letter from Bristol, Jane perhaps better. Harriet Ord dying. Mr Hancorne calls this evening about Mr Dynaby and Penmaen, stays to tea and grog. Reese's brother not likely to be captain, misunderstands agreement. Talk about Westlake and Caswell. Frost seems going, much milder. Saw nothing like snipe today. Symptoms of a bad cold.

2nd

Not at all well and Carree unwell too, both bad cold. She breakfasts in bed. Set men to cart to Lower Field. Cold but quiet, stroll out, very unfit for accounts. Walk to Crickton farm, meet Mr J on my return. Extend my walk again, take dogs, look for a hare by Cillibion and Mr Lloyds fields. Kill a rabbit in the garden hedge close at home. Quite unwell all the evening. Resort to the sofa, head like mustard with creeping all over. Extremely chilly. Paste for Dobson for C Teddy on the paste board and enter my diary and other accounts.

4th

Sunday. Frost and snow gone. Am ill, bad cold, in bed till 12.00. Beautiful day, Mr J morning duty at Penmaen, evening at the village by Jones, all servants go. Carree not very well, servants home late. Guernsey cow knocked down, hope not to injure her, in calf.

Monday. Dull morning, driving mist and wet after 12.00. Plant a few larch, settle W Jones account and enter various accounts. Doubtful morning, comes on wet after 12.00. Plant a few larch, Tucker sowing peas and beans. Rhubarb fit to cut. Settle accounts with W Jone and send him home at half day, a broken day spoils everything. Can't keep quiet, fresh orders wanted about the house all day, seems likely to clear up, very mild. Llewellyn sent to Penmaen.

5th

Rise in good time, fine doubtful morning. At 1 again wet comes on. Men sent home at half day, begin to plant corner of Lower Field with larch, plant more too about gardens. Come in to papers and at home all day. A Cross Inn man calls about a mow of oats at Crickton, torn down by cattle, asks remuneration, impudence!!! After I had saved it in the barn for him. Settle accounts with Bar Jones. Dix sends to borrow my car tomorrow. Showed Tucker what I wanted done in the garden, front of house, cart in a little earth. Rain stops us. Washing day, no drying!

6th

Rise in good time, feed my horses, cut turnips for the sheep, feed pigeons. No regular work after so wet a night. Send all hands to Stafell Haegr, carts stones for waste water. Cart out lime and grub up hedge front of Stafell Haegr house, send up plants by carts having ridden there myself on Star. Call at Penralt, RH not there, and talk about certain tithes, collected accounts generally and lime and culm. Think to burn some for Crickton. Pay the tailor at Francis Thomas as above. Spoke to W Tall this morning at Caie Forgan about quarried stones, he goes Eagles and B Jones at Dix's hedge and sheep, latter where more water is to be conducted from. Some beautiful plants sent up indeed. Trot back to dine at 2, drizzly wet comes on late in evening. George Gordon calls and pays tithes.

7th

Drizzly, very damp morning till dinner time. About home all day. Mr Pearce calls in going to Ilston, send a note to invite him and William Collins to dine tomorrow. Clears off and out with the carts to carry and plant hollies etc brought up from Stafell Haegr yesterday in great measure. Do this and wet and storm comes on again. Promise of a boisterous night. Send Llewellyn in wet to Llytherid for mutton for tomorrow.

Make calculations of corn needed for house and pigs. Order fowl killed. Mr James writes to poor Jane in her second affliction, poor Jane.

8th

Another foggy rainy windy day, fit only for fishes. No work done. Richards kills another pig for me, in suspending they drop it, sinew breaks, up again. Mr J rides to Penmaen, receives a letter from Bristol again, poor Harriet Ord died on the anniversary of Jane's wedding and poor Jane too still very ill. Edward James has some idea of going to Australia. Mr Pearce calls to say he and Mr William Collins to dine here. I ride Valiant to the post, a bill from Carmarthen. Tom Dix frightened to death on Star, can't go. Call at Mr Balls, son better. Call at Llwynybwch, Mr G out. Call at Penralt and ride to the vessel. C Reese digging her out, the 3 carpenters there, come by 3.00. Measure some corn. Mr Gordon calls here about the vessel and captain? Journey to Bristol and London next week talked of. A very windy night promises a gale, I hope not.

9th

A very wet stormy day. I ride to Swansea. A misty wet morning, am obliged to go to Swansea, ride the old mare. Got there at 1.00. Howell Jones has paid no money, gone to Bristol, draw 30 and pay Lewis painter Carmarthen £21.14. 0. Call at Charles Collins about sale money, met Mr Hancorne. Bank not got our sale book. Called on Mrs Symonds at Charles Collins, not well. Saw RH. Brought home sack for me and 2lb kitchen candles. Rode home to dine at 5.30 through rain and wind, wet through. Not very tired but glad to get home.

Sunday proves a beautiful day, evening service and all family go to Penmaen. Most beautiful effects of sea fog, remarkable.

11th

Mrs Jasper churched and one Beynon christened. Gave the clerk a fee for baby 2/6.

Penmaen very beautiful and a most roaring sea, called at Mrs Jones, took lunch and home to dine at 5.00, bids fair for a frost, clear night.[3]

Monday. Another foggy wet day, no work done of any consequence, road duty by Reese. Settle about the vessel with Mr Gordon and Rees as Captain. At home all day, settle with F Thomas for tithe dinner etc. RH calls, cannot settle with him. I Grant, ditto. Proves Mr James gun. Cannot find time to pack anything up till after tea. W David carpenter called about his account, nothing settled.

12th

Called at 3.00, up, pack and lock. Breakfast and off in car, in at 4 in dark for Swansea, an hour before the mail. Servant at Mackworth Arms full of impudence. Get in however and stroll about the passages, a little spare time, fortunate! Off by mail at 8, outside, full gallop to Neath, covered with mud. Tuck driver, Sparkes guard. Pro tempore from North Road. Breakfast again Mackworth, no meals on the road. In Bristol at 6.00. Poor Jane very ill, little hope of recovery. Cold beef and sleep at the Bush. Thick misty rainy day again after one o'clock.

13th

Called at 6.00, up, shave, breakfast, pay bill and off at 7.30, outside Eclipse coach. Beautiful morning, frosty, road very bad by Devizes. Dine at Newbury, no incident, arrive just at dark at Maidenhead railway. Astonished at the expensive appearance and prodigious improvement, at Paddington in less than one hour and safely housed Williams lodging in Bryanston Street Square by 8.30. Including all delays being 13 hours from Bristol. what a prodigious convenience will this railway be when (if ever) finished to Bristol, for one poor Swansea wreck. The works on part of the road are prodigious, what a capital required!!! Travelling in the dark does not appear rapid but easy and noisy, arriving at the end of the journey appears magical pantomimical: Harlequin realised.

14th

Very fine day, in London occupied in writing to Carree and balancing my accounts. Walk out with Kitty, call at 18 Berners Street, a large party there this evening, a sea of card tables. Meet many friends and miss many gone. Do not play cards. Kitty and William gone, Miss Montague has carriage. Home by 12.00. Walk in the park today.

15th

Another fine day. Out early with William by Regent's Street and Charing Cross, Strand, Holborn etc. Call at Hearne's bookseller, receive low life dividends. Call on Mr Dynely, Grays Inn, about Penmaen and Queen Anne, great civility. Call at Bedford Square, F and J there, B A ill. Meet Kitty at Berners Street, received bills and answered them. Go with my mother and see house in Manchester Square, very comfortable but very large. Call on Miss Montague, walk in park, Kensington Gardens. At a party this evening at Mrs Hearne's in Montague Square. Won at cards, not home till 2.00.

16th

Rain this morning at 8.00 and 9.00, promise of wet day, clears off. Rise and breakfast at Williams at 8.30 o'clock. Fine and cold all day. At 39 Bryanston Square till 10.00 reading trifles but with Kitty look at shops, enticingly cheap. WM calls there, all go to Australian office in Marlborough Street. Mr Patch, a company proprietor, a good investment. With William to dine. GHE, a scoundrel, established in Marlborough Street next door to Australian office, question - a speculation to map for them? At home all the evening reading and sleeping. Very tired, late hours last night.

18th

Sunday. Cold fine morning, some cold rain and snow towards evening and night. Go alone to church after reading Australian Adelaide report. All souls, Dr Chandler, ‘Use the world without abusing it'. Very good and practical. Call at Berners Street, Mr F Fielding calls, call on Mrs J Pack and her aunts Gower Street, dine at my mother's. Mr Smith, Kitty and William. Home with William and Kitty, snow falls.

Monday. Snow white world, read Bubbles, write to Fred at Horsted Keynes to prepare to come to town. Walk out with Kitty at 3, call at Mrs Hernons and Mrs Eyres Quebec Street. Leave Kitty, call on Mrs Thomas, wife of my friend WT in Russell Place. Dine at Mr Smith's with Alfred in Mortimer Street, go together to Drury Lane, pit and bill 3/2. Opera Tournelli Mons? Ian Amburgh in the den of lions and tigers, very curious, trials them like dogs, they him as a master. Pantomime Jack Frost, poor thing. Not in bed till 1.30 o'clock, sharp frost.

19th

Sharp Frost, Cheddar cheese fog in London. Sally out early with William, survey outside of my mother's new house taken in Manchester Square, seems to have settled. Call alone on Fred Barry artist, some things good. Called on Berners Street as to the house, William not there, on some business. Call on Patch, Temple, on same bus, call on Loveday and search Prerogative Court for wills above. 2 hours, no correct date, gives trouble. WM meets me there, go to the city about tea and Australia company, office for papers and information. Very late and hurry home at 5 miles an hour, tight shoes. Mr F Fielding takes tea with William, conversation corn laws, railroads, Serpentine River etc. Very pleasant and agreeable. Not in bed till 12.00. Deep snow in Wales, Monday morning, as learnt by Edmund tomorrow, arrived from Carmarthen.

20th

Frost gone again, dull morning, wet comes on. No letter from Carree, how is this? Read Bubbles and begin accounts with WM about Gower. Make out Swansea Bank book for general account to present time. Pack up my clothes, take fly and establish myself at 18 Berners Street, my mother's house. Call on Mr Patch, Temple, about my mother's lease of house Manchester Square, all early. Called at my old chambers Lincoln's Inn, saw Mr Hudson, Mr B out, expected William there, no, calls at Mr Patch's late. Return home with Mr P to Russell Street, dine 5.30. Edmund and Henry arrive from Cheltenham and Carmarthen, snow there Monday. In evening at a party at General Clarke's in Charlotte Street Upper. Meet many old acquaintances, play a round game, home about 12. Wind north, very cold.

21st

Breakfast at 9.30, beautiful morning, cold. Read Times. Alfred out early, question hunting? My mother and Edmund out after breakfast about house. I go to accounts of sch(ool) money 1836 Gower. Mrs Wetherley, late Miss Musgrave, calls, very glad to see her. Old stories and new ones. At 3 go to the Temple and get all the papers and deeds relating to new purchased house in Manchester Square for my mother of Mr Patch. Call at Henry, Southampton Buildings, not at home. Home by Strand, call at Theakers, order nothing. Balance unpaid. Buy a pair of leather gaiters Picadilly. Two bits of patent India rubber. Edmund dines out with Mr Gower of Tenby in the evening. Read Nicholas Nickleby, some good scenes, well-written. Yorkshire schoolmaster excellent. Bed at 12.00. Cold day.

22nd

Snow on the roofs, wet morning, wet day, much milder. Read part of Times, William, self, Alfred and Edmund by appointment at 11.00 meet F and J at Bedford Square 57 to discuss how to dispose of Biddlesden etc. Meet Henry there too, 9 hours work and little done but wrangling, no quarrelling. Return home direct with Alfred, the rest go eastward. Read a small book, 3 years in Australia, most favourable account. Received note from F Fielding call in evening, he going out, return home. Read Nicholas Nickleby. Edmund and Alfred go to the Royal Institution. Much milder day, all day little rain. Wind southerly. Read lease of new house and prepare papers of Manchester Square to send to Mr Balls.

23rd

Dull damp rainy all day. Go through some accounts with William and Edmund and Alfred in back parlour Berners Street. Account principally from commission of general receipts. WR and A out after 2.30 to the city. I remain later and walk to Bryanston Street and call on Mr Hearn in Montague Square. Talk of West Indies and Australia, the Kurmaw etc. Dine a family party at my mother's on venison, a present from Miss Rudd, Worcester.

Sunday. Beautiful day, all-day, All Souls Church, Dr Chandler sermon for schools, church 4000 under 14 yrs. Call on Mrs Jervis, zoological gardens, with my mother. Alfred and E there. Dine at home, no one but ourselves, a quartette. Read and finish Bubbles of Brunnen, Weischadau.

25th

At home all morning till about 3.00, read paper and Cambrian, account of wreck of ferry boat at Swansea. Inquest, many drowned. At accounts … not prepared as should be. WR and Edmund settle some private accounts. A disputed account with my mother and Edmund about £200 in 1834, most extraordinary!!! Both so accurate! Frederick arrives. William settles some accounts in Bedford Square, again at accounts here. Angry feeling with me about tithes and arrears, unjustifiable. I have lost two books of accounts, find one in Bryanston Square, where the other? Walk with William and Kitty to Bryanston Street and to Kensington Gardens. I am moody and melancholy, fine morning, showery day, fine evening. Alfred out early hunting.

26th

All day at accounts in Berners Street, something stormy. Present 6 of us, W C, F and A. I am not out of the house all day till I go to an evening party Weymouth Street, Mrs Lancaster's. Pleasant compared with morning duty. Play cards, win 1/-. A supper, Mr F Smith goes and returns with us. Very cold at night, 12.00, in bed half-past.

27th

Dull morning, fine and cold, at accounts again. Sale money, accounts entered on, stormy again. Each will have his own way, some dictatorial and fidgety, F out. Relax at opportunities on Nicholas Nickleby. Not out of house till I went to dine at 6.30 at Miss Montague's in Cook Street, a quartette 2 Misses Cranston, Mary and Emma. Pleasant reminiscences of Sussex talked over. Walked there and back, fine weather.

28th

Very nice day again. All of us at accounts, long-standing and most bothering and annoying indeed. Never likely to be settled, have made up my mind to a great sacrifice, and loss. Most complicated and most difficult to unravel, a great responsibility on me. Walk with Fred and Edmund to the Pantheon Bazaar. Cedar work box for Carree 4/6. Fred's present to Charles Teddy, frock. Stroll up Oxford Street, chaff cutter, new principle. Golding gunmaker taxes me with a debt £1.18. 0. In evening all out, my mother to Mrs Philpots, I to Gower Street Mrs Caulets and Patch. Play cards, win, good singing.

March

1st (Friday)

Consulting Mr Alexander occulist, seeing double. Beautiful day, all morning at accounts, Frank comes up by appointment to settle about Biddlesden. Selling the remaining moieties and finish giving in accounts of expenses Gower. Get out at half past three, walk through park to Piccadilly etc. Call at David Seymour's in Charles Street, Berkeley Square, W Collins of Gower not yet come there. In the evening go with Alfred and Edmund to the Royal Institution, lecture on steel by Mr Brand, very elucidatory and interesting. Called at Hawsby's chemist in … Street and had conversation about London, bread etc and prescription ordered made up.

2nd

Beautiful day, very warm, hot. At accounts for a short time, get quite angry at pernicious (?) questions and obstinate denial of money received by some, not named. Conference broken up early. Go with Henry to Risley's and do obtain GHE account books of Gower. Stroll up Oxford Street to park and back. Read Cambrian, tunnel proposed to Swansea to superseded ferry. Edmund and A go to the play somewhere. Henry here this evening, a little at accounts and long discussions about nothing. A day thrown away. Blister my temple tonight to cure my eyes. Bleeding or cupping advised in the first instance a year ago and more.

4th

Sunday. Am not out of the house all day, applied a blister to my temple last night to cure my eyesight, see double. Mr F Smith dines here, fine day, dull, cold. Yesterday remarkably warm.

Monday. Quite cold again, at accounts all day. W most provoking by ill temper and savage. Analyze with H poor rate and taxes of Gower, the rest of the conference broken up. Dine at 5.00 at Mr J Patch's, Miss West and her two sisters there. Edmund and my mother had gone to the Adelphi theatre. Forgot to send my letter to Carree, written on Sunday, during church time. Most unfortunately for her, sister Jane dies today at 2.30 at Bristol. Poor Jane!! Is gone.

5th

Another cold dull morning, write before breakfast, with Edmund on breakfast cloth since sending money. All day at these horrid accounts again, analyse the poor rate account for Llanrhidian as affecting tithes. Land bought, land hired etc. A calm day, no squabbling but little progress. Dine with Mr F Smith in Mortimer Street at 5.30 o'clock. C, A and 2 there brothers, Mr Monan and two others, one Mr Atkinson. Some go to Mr Holmes, evening party in Montague Square. I come home and read newspaper after walking all up Oxford Street for exercise, very cold. In bed at 12.00. In going to dinner dropped into the chemists Hawksby and had a little conversation about my eyes and tis pleasant to talk with sensible men after the plods of Gower.

6th

Very dull cold weather for several days, wind north and east. Snow falls and lies on the ground all day. Letter from Carree, her sister Jane dead! An answer sent, poor Carree. I sincerely lament it, go to see tailor and order mourning to be ready tomorrow night. Inquire about coaches to Bristol and return home to these horrid accounts. Put off to dinner parties, all of us were to have dined at Frank's in Bedford Square, all go but to me. I only dine at home, mother dines elsewhere. In evening secure a place by coach on Friday, walk down Regent Street and inform the tailor to prevent mistakes and buy Carree a pair of boots and return home to tea and accounts etc. Read a letter of Nicholas Nickleby. My mother moves her bookcase to Manchester Square.

7th

Quite winter, snowing all day. Eye swelled, why? Don't know. Out after breakfast about razors and buy trifles above. At accounts all day, make out the value of the tithes per annum about £500. Write to Fred at Sussex. Read the paper, not out of the house before dinner again. My mother, Alfred and Edmund party Mrs Edwards. Out shopping late.

8th

Rise at 6.00, leave Oxford Street by Eclipse, Bristol coach and railway for Bristol at 7.15, leave Paddington at 8.00, slow work to Maidenhead, one hour and ten minutes. Bad engine, unclean uninteresting travelling by railroad, most monotonous. An extremely cold frosty morning, what a delight to get on the box of a well-equipped coach on a beautiful road to see the world again. A most wintry day, sharp frost, brisk wind, north, and snow storms. At Bristol in 12 hours before 8.00, met E James at the Bush, funeral fixed for tomorrow. Glad to meet Carree and the children all well at the Hot Wells, 13 Caroline Street. Mr James too arrives by packet.

9th

Another very cold day and full of disagreeables. Go with Carree at 9.00 to breakfast in Park Street and attend the last ceremony, the funeral, of poor Jane -  mournful business indeed. Present - Mr Charles Morgan, his brother Fred of Gloucester, Mr Morgan of Kingsdown and Mr James from Gower, his son Ted from Swaffham, Mr Gibson, the Rev. Dr Sweet, who prayed an extempore prayer before leaving the house. May I profit by such scenes so well calculated for reflection on futurity and Jane an example worthy to be followed, may my latter days be like her's, not likely I fear. In the evening, late shop with Carree, ideas of presents and a dress for tomorrow. The grave is a good monitor worth many sermons, facts more obvious than theory. We see and remember, hear but forget.

11th

Sunday. Very cold, very late up. Fly to Park Street from Hot Wells, breakfast there. St. Matthew's Church, walk with Mr James, an excellent sermon by Dr Arbley, "St. Peter wept bitterly" be not presumptious or over confident. Mr Clifford the rector ill. Dr A addresses the congregation also on behalf of seamen, a most neglected class. Most wanting a religious knowledge and feeling. Dine at Mr Morgan's at Kingsdown, church again at 6, Dr Sweet, don't like him. The children same… Mr James took them home. Mourning, very prevalent at church.

Monday. Up very late and the day more than fully engaged. Walk with Carree to Park Street and onto Redland to dine with Mrs Ord (Craven). Mr James called in morning to take the children and Susan to see the lions and monkeys. Expected to meet them at Mr Robert Gibson's but do at Mrs Ords. We are a party all in mourning for Jane Morgan and Harriet Ord. Party as circumstances can allow, pleasant. Fly all the way home. I walked to Park Street. Children sadly teased by these late hours, asleep and Carree sits up late to write to Miss Dowell by Ted to Swaffham.

12th

Several dull easterly days, no sun till today. Very cold, some appearance of change by wind and dusk of yesterday. Lots of packing to do and time quite taken up. Leave about 11.00 for Park Street, Carree busy all day packing up things of poor Jane's. Took the children there intending to go to Mr George Gibson's but send them home again. Call all 4 on Mrs Hart, College Green. Mrs Morgan there, go to the city, Mr James buys a hat. Dine at 57 Park Street, a family and farewell party. Mr Morgan and family of Kingsdown Mr George Gibson, Mrs Hancorne dropped in in the evening and Robert just arrived by packet. Home about 11.00. Find 2 presents for Charles Teddy, a wagon and a load of bricks from whom? Busy packing up tonight, Carree writes to Miss Dowell.

13th

Up at 6.00, breakfast in Park Street, present Mr J, Ted, WTM and self. Leave Bristol by Eclipse coach from Bush, exact at 7.30 o'clock, by Devizes with Ted, for £1.1.0. Several Yankee Americans came up, arrived yesterday by Great Western steamer after a rough passage. Open kind of characters, rooks afforded them great amusement. Dine at Newbury. By railroad from Maidenhead, by omnibus (no horses to meet the pack) all of us. I landed at Berners Street from Bristol within the twelve hours. Ted goes on to the city and for Norfolk, Friday. My mother and Alfred at a party at Mrs Scott's. I go to bed at 11.00.

14th

Dr Alexander £ fee consulting about my eyes, double vision, does nothing except saying go on as before. Up rather late, not recovered yesterday. Out early after breakfast. National Gallery, many new pictures, a beautiful large Murillo. Thought to speak to … or Major Thaintes about my Wests pictures, fail to see them, no great consequence. Call at Miss Montague's and the Miss Cranstons. Wet comes on. Call at William's Bryanston Street, do not call on Colonel Coldfinch. Call on Mrs Tottenham and dine at 6.00 at a card party with my mother and A and Mr S at Miss Mawby's, Upper Berkeley Street. WM settled accounts with Ted yesterday. Today, Carree and children were to go home by steamer Bristol at 5.00, I trust they had a safe journey and hope to hear so.

15th

A wet morning, papers of adjourned debate on the corn cause. Balance my accounts. Thorough wet all day till towards evening. Expect WM about accounts, comes late, nothing done. Read a Nickleby paper. Some debates and go through some tithe accounts for years 1828, 1829, 1830. Am not out of the house all day. In bed at 12.00, fine night. No party tonight, Edmund expected from Sussex, no arrival.

16th

Very fine day, sun and warm, some showers however. Expected WM early, comes at 1.00. Nothing done. I am at the tithe accounts all day losing this fine weather. Several calls, Miss … Mrs Thomas and Miss Patch. Read a long and argumentative speech of Sir Robert Peel on corn laws against alteration. My mother had a party Mrs Scotts, Alfred out … Edmund not arrived from Sussex.

18th

Beautiful day, at all Souls Church, Dr Chandler took for his text ‘Pilate king of Judea'. Walk with Mr Smith after 3, make a call at the …, nobody at home. Stroll about the new west of the city, at last push on to the cemetery to Kensal Green, pushed for time. Hurry over it and out again, glad to get into an omnibus Paddington to get home. Mr Smith dines at my mother's. His present of a white Norway grouse very good, sent frozen to this country. Rather tired this evening.

Monday. Again. very cold northeast wind. Alfred gone hunting, says snow is on ground. RH's accounts, WM comes at one. Out at 3.00, go to museum, meet Henry. See Mr Symonds of the library, Egyptian Department very interesting. Go about a little with Henry for exercise. Dine at Mrs Jervis's at 6. Miss Mawby and Miss Savory and Mr T… home by 11.00.

19th

Again very cold but less so than yesterday. Not out of the house before dinner. At accounts and reading papers. Alleged murder at Hayes, inquest. Mr Midhurst, man of fortune, committed to Newgate for stabbing fellow pupil Mr Alsop dead, question murdered? Rev. Mr Sturnan tutors cuts a poor figure. Evening party at Mawby's Baker Street. Began a letter to Carree, she was to write first. Alfred and Mr Smith at same party. Home by 12. William was here today, little done.

20th

Still cold, less so. I have a bad cold, usual after a month's residence in town after a long absence. Alfred had gone to Croydon for a horse. Expect William. Edmund writes to my mother to return tomorrow. I am not up before dinner save walking to Bryanston Street. Dine with William who called here today. Henry Woodward there only. Henry came in evening. Talk of shipping, Union houses etc. Wm very silent, question if well? Home by 11.00, Henry goes towards Hampstead. HW took bus to dine …, tis wet and mild.

21st

More mild day, wind westerly, some little rain. Was engaged to go to museum library, Mr Symonds, don't go, no time. At accounts all morning. At 3.00 start for Hampstead, dine at s6 at Mr Arthur Loveday's, Church Road. Pleasant place indeed, view beautiful towards London. Mr J Loveday and Mr Nicholls, Mrs.Dodwell, young Mr Eddy and sister. Some conversation about GHE, Mr Loveday does not attach the blame to him he deserves in my opinion. Engaged at his brothers with enclosure of Mr Thomas L's parish, tithe act. Coach home, inside, Francis Street. At an evening party at Mrs Node's rooms, excessive hot. Cards lost. Home in Mrs Tottenham's carriage by 12.30. Mild. Edmund arrives from Sussex, find him at the party.

22nd

Beautiful morning, mild threatening rain. Receive a letter from Carree. William comes, goes to Bedford Square and the city? With Edmund. Carree has been very unwell, not well still. At home with Alfred, talk of Welsh property etc and RH's book till 3.00. Walk with my mother to Q… square, Westminster, Mr Birchell's, not at home. Called at Dickens and Smith to see the exhibition of clockwork, Grace Darling wreck of Forfarshire and home by 6.00. Mackerel for first time. Edmund and Alfred go to the Royal Institution. I am at home at accounts, Gower, and read Times and go on with letter to Carree. Up after all the rest and in bed late.

23rd

Mild, dull morning. William, Alfred go to Bedford Square to see deeds etc. I am at tithe accounts to make preparation for commissions, detested work. Finish my letter to Carree, Gower, and send it. Edmund unwell. Pleasant day, threatens rain in evening. Stroll around with Edmund at 5, he tires. Walk alone for exercise. Met Henry Woodward, Regent Street, at a party at Mrs Lancaster's in Weymouth Street this evening. Play Long Whist, win 9d. Rain as we return home past 12.00.

25th

Sunday. Dry, very cold northeast wind. At All Souls Church, Dr Chandler - good sermon on fellowship and love from St. John, general epistle, 1st chapter. Make calls with Mr F Smith on General Clark etc from Tavistock Square to Cumberland Great Street West, see terminus of Birmingham Railway. Mr S dines among others, Mr F Fielding tea evening. Mr F, godfather of my second boy, a gives me for him a very neat silver cup, initials misplaced, not IMM but MIM.

Monday. Again very cold as yesterday. Mistake last week, Lady Day, at home at Gower accounts with William till 3 by myself later. William gone to accounts with Henry Chancery Lane. Walk out with Edmund, called at Alexander's, engaged. No other object, stroll with E to Tailors and Goldings. Home at 6.00, spend nothing. My mother and Alfred at party, Lady Kerny's. I decline. Read Samuel Slick, Times etc journal etc. Much colder today but dry. I long to be out of town again and quiet.

26th

Read 2 Cambrians. At accounts with WM giving him the receipts in full of the tithes to present time. Sit without a fire, very cold. Go with him after lunch to Chambers. Settle with Mr Barratt for a lease of chambers for 7 years subject to be sold and notice given. Receive rents of Mr Hudson, buy a few seeds Covent Garden. Home to dinner and read Samuel Slick on America, a slang book, in the evening. No rain, fine cold day.

27th

Dull morning, wet day. At general accounts and rummaging over my writing case and sorting all my bills etc. WM writes fair tithe accounts, not out of house all day. Sit without a fire, day gone very quick. Alfred and Edmund go out after 2, I remain at home and read Times and Samuel Slick. Begin to feel stomach quite out of order. My mother also rummages over some old things and gives me some toys and play things for grandchildren. Beautifully kept in order for the last 20 of 30 years, a pattern to follow. Edmund also gets some things, magic Lantern etc.

28th

My mother up earlier than usual, so am I, but she is first. Beautiful morning, showery March day. Am not out of the house again all day, at accounts, tavern bills Llanrhidian, make little progress. William here. Read Times, Parliament adjourned to April 8th. Read Samuel Slick. Feel quite out of sorts, no exercise and mind vexed from impossibility to please, happen what will I am to blame. Thanks and praise I give up.

29th

Very cold indeed, dry north east wind. At All Souls Church, sacrament. Walk with Mr Smith and Edmund to East Acton, dine at Mr & Mrs Weatherley's, got a lift in a cab. Sir Hercules a fine stallion,  black grey. Met there a Miss Stone, Governess at Lady Joddrilles, a pretty and accomplished retiring young lady, natural daughter of Sir - Bristow Cumberland. There are several daughters, the father is separated from his wife because of Lord Hawke. Mr Weatherley a fine looking man and gentleman, of disposition opinions vary, of principles how could I judge? On dit!! He has several good pictures, Cuyp, Rubens etc. Gave champagne, place miserably kept up. We walk home by past 11.00.

30th

Another bitter cold day, wind as yesterday. In house all morning till 4.00 at accounts, tithes. All at Alexander's, advises leeches for my eye. Met William and Edmund in Haymarket, stroll up Piccadilly, catch a glimpse of the Queen riding from the park, Constitution Hill. Very little, no definite features, complexion not fair - something the colour of blotting paper, perhaps from cold, was the horse chair coloured? Walk through the park. Edmund calls at Goldings after we had been to new house in Manchester Square, home to dinner. Alfred at lecture - astronomy and rates me again on return about accounts that he will have a separate account, that my mother's joint… will all fall on him because unmarried.

 (31st) Sunday

Still very cold and leady sky. At All Souls Church. Text, Dr Chandler, Christ's words to the thief on the cross "This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise". Very good. Make calls with my mother, Mary Ann, Mrs Webber, Mrs.Dodwell and home.

April

1st (Monday)

Cold and rather wet day. Receive a letter from Carrie, all well, poor Towy missing, shot? Begin to write to Carree, have not time to send it. Go to British Museum, such a crush!!! With WR, AM and Cathe and Miss Underwood. Edmund meets there and go with him to the city. To Mr Boradaille for apres, Coleman Street. See the Lord mayor's carriage out, Mark Lane, London Bridge etc omnibus home 6d. Late for dinner, apply leeches to my temple in the evening, horrid, tedious work. My mother at Mrs Jervis evening, no party. There is an account unsettled with me and Henry about wine chambers etc.

2nd

Another dull day, some rain and cold, very. All late at breakfast. I am getting unwell. WM here early, to tithe accounts. Edmund gone to the city, I am not out of the house all day. Henry calls here, talk about Bryngwas, claim made for rent 1832. William at a party this evening, Mr Hearne's. All the rest gone to Mrs Howell Shepherd's. I am copying Gower accounts as made to William by my book. Write a little of letter to Carree after 12.00. Arrange my chamber accounts, Barrett Hudson and William M today.

3rd

Another extremely cold day; a fire, fortunately, in the large parlour for a party this evening. At accounts again, copy GHE's accounts of his expenses and receipts from 1832 to 6 April 1834. Am not out of the house. Mrs J Hoper calls at Berners Hotel, no news. All well. WM comes rather late here with Henry at accounts. A small party evening, lose at cards, play only two rubbers. Mrs Stone, think myself well off. Supper, bed at 1. These horrid pictures again brought forward last thing, what is the use always harping on one string. Finish letter to Carree, Edmund posted it.

4th

Colder and more dull than ever. Attempts at snow. A third day not out of house. Gower accounts again. More things sent to Manchester Square House, WM here. Read paper, new mode to kill cattle by inflation, lungs collapsed!!! Horrid idea, no blood letting. Mother and Edmund dine at Mrs Jones. Alfred evening Mrs Robson's, I decline. Write to Mrs Mabbott by Mrs Hoper tomorrow. Send Alfred for cab, balance my accounts today, now for my letter to Uckfield.

5th

Thorough winter snow one inch deep and snowing fast till 12.00. Changes to rain and damp thaw, mostly gone before night. I am not out of the house, making fair for William receipts etc Gower and copy Hancorne's book of sale. Mother at a party at Miss Mawby, two tables, call at Berners Hotel, J Hoper not at home, he calls here. Send a letter to Mrs M Southover. Edmund and Alfred been to the Polytechnic in Regent Street, diving bell etc. Report that Mr Richards, Tenby, is shot dead in a duel, several wounded and in great danger, in Times tomorrow, Mr Bannciks challenger.

6th

Beautiful morning, cold still, very cold. All day in the house at accounts, making fair for William things bought and sold, general account. Walked out for an hour before dinne, Bond Street, Piccadilly, up Regent Street gazing at shops and home in evening. Walk out for exercise with Edmund to St. Giles, German clock shop, toy shop for string and tool shop. Buy centre bit, 36 changes of tools. Read Sergeant of … pamphlet on rating tithes. A Tenby gentleman calls to learn something of Richards duel.

8th

Sunday. When will spring begin to come, everybody lamenting cold. All Souls Church. Frank calls, dines here and Mr Smith. Make calls with my mother and Edmund, Patch's, Mrs Wye and then walk with Edmund to Bryanston Street. William going to Lewes sessions tomorrow. The evening passes off pleasantly, not though as Sunday should.

Monday. Fine morning, cold dull day. Snow storms. At accounts, some packing up of pictures etc for Tenby, dirty work, go out at 4 with Edmund. Henry Woodward called. Go by Monmouth Street to Strand, pay Hearne as below in full, now to Mount Street, Berkeley Square, patent breaches as below, cannot practise economy as I ought. Pay for tools this evening. Mother and Edmund go to Mrs Nodes, Alfred play? I at home, at accounts or write to Fred. Today has been bitter cold east wind, how is Richards of Tenby.

9th

Extremely cold, I feel and hear it is. At accounts all day till midnight, not out of the house because I want to be out of London tomorrow. Some attempt at snow. Edmund dines at Ranelagh, mother and Alfred at Miss Dardis party. A package sent by 2 to Tenby, five pictures of mine in it. Send letters to Fred. Mrs Scott called early. Am not out of the house, discover I have 12 hats here, unknown.

10th

Fine day, sun, wind still northeast and cold. Out early on business, call on Fielding, see his pictures, numerous and fine. Call at Bedford Square to ask for a loan on bond, succeed I hope. Gray's Inn about 2.00a.m. and Penmaen(?). Mr Dodds has paid up claim to prevent being superseded. Call on Henry, not at home. Mr Barrett about chamber rent, law life, the only day dividends are not received. Call on Patch, call on Robin's. Sale of unredeemed pledges. Ask about West pictures, no chance to get a sale says Robins, market law. Call at Foster's for same purpose, he says no chance to sell pictures of large class, Hungerford market and buy cod and oysters for my mother. Meet Mr Hall, Rugby school acquaintance and walk with him in park etc. Spend evening at Mrs Scott's with my mother. Henry Woodward dines, lost at cards, night very cold coming home.

11th

Mr Barratt sends up rent of my chambers by his clerk, send the above money back by him to pay hall dues several years in arrears. WR and Edmund go to Bedford Square, meet George about disputed claims of land in Wales. We having hastily (sic) why? Sent in a latent claim, George put in a counter claim for ˝ Twyn farm, disputes likely to arise in the family deep rooted, how is it? Do nothing today about my Gower accounts. Frank send here this morning to dine the square with Edmund and meet George. Am not out of the house till I go there, make a little detour by Goodge Street, Russell Square, Bedford place for exercise. James is there, all goes off very quietly. No subjects of irritation started. Walk home about 11.00, leave George by the Middlesex Hospital who takes a bed at Mr T Smith 27 Mortimer Street. Tis milder weather. This morning engaged in back parlour, W, Alfred and Edmund discussing our situation and money matters.

12th

Do not sleep over well, took something disagreed with me, stewed oysters very tough yesterday. Attempt to get up, cannot. Faint and queer, again lie down, sick and ill all day. Get down by 6.00 and make a sofa by the fire, very chilly. William and Edmund again meet George at Bedford Square, George set up claim to half Twyn, that is half an undivided moiety in earnest. I am unfit for anything or to attend or listen to anything. But find myself better towards evening, attack of indigestion. George dines here and sleeps at Mr Smith's. I am told to tis very cold, tis very dull.

13th

Tis something milder but still dull and dry, dust flies. I am better but not well. George is determined, nolens volens, to pay our mortgage off and buy all our land!!! Makes amicable arrangement very distant and likely to bring on war in the family. These differences prevent me finishing my Gower accounts about the building, George calls with Frank to see my mother about … Ann J, she is out. George positively refuses to sell any land, will have his own way. I write a hasty letter to Carree and walk out with Edmund to the post and Dickens shop, Regent Street, in the evening. I walk later with William about 5,000 secured to Edmund etc, hostilities seem gathering like clouds. Met George in Oxford Street, returning from Bedford Square to bed meaning to raise the money and pay into court. Buy some chocolate and a pair of straps at Woodward's, not paid for.

15th

Sunday. Weather milder but very dull, no sun. With a mind little disposed to prayer, go with Alfred to St. Giles Church, Edmund to All Souls. Edmund dines at Smith's to meet George, William calls, more discussions about worldly affairs. I walk with W late to the park, same subject covered and Parsons of Oxford canvassed. Evening spent quietly and unprofitably at home.

Monday. A pleasant, dull day, engaged most disagreeably endeavouring to arrange family affairs and dovetailed property with George at Bedford Square. Obliged from the unsettled state of what is sold to him to refuse to sell more till the money is secured for that. He lays claim to half of our Twyn undivided property and I think stands on good grounds. We have laid claims on him, both claims in my opinion better left dormant. I hate family differences and this seems certain to be a lasting one. A great misfortune, I think George in some respects unjustly assailed but not blameless. Parsons of Maj, Ox. is the root of all evil. Henry's conduct not to be understood, he is or is he not too unsophisticated to be duplicitous. At least his acts are foolish. A day ill spent in wrangling, nothing done. Midhurst at Old Bailey guilty of killing his brother pupil Alsop, manslaughter, 3 years in prison!! Frank, James, George, William and self and Henry, parties in conflict today. Walk up Oxford Street with William and Edmund at 4.00. St James Theatre this evening, monkeys and dogs, my mother paid all. Edmund and A there. Reflection on the day drew tears on my pillow.

16th

Spring advances at once, beautiful day. Frank calls on Berners Street as mediator of parties, little gained by it. Leaven is at work amongst us most unfortunately. I feel quite unhappy that we are all obstinate. George not the least so but all so more or less. Mind unsettled. Walk with mother, Oxford and Regent's Street.

17th

Mild dull day, hail and rain and cold at times. Call early at 27 Mortimer Street, see George, gone out. Read Northampton paper. Return home and go through building account Gower. WM at Bedford square to try to arrange with George, no chance. Law pending, Henry threatens, great nonsense. E and A dine with WM. I dine with Mr Smith, meet George, amicable, nothing said about property, avoid all irritating subjects. Home 11.20. Receive a letter by evening post from Mrs Mabbott by Mrs Woodward. Fine night after rainy evening. Mother out somewhere at a party.

18th

Wet greater part of day. George calls early, money matters talked about with my mother. George determined to gain his points. Frank calls afterwards and proposes £30,000 to remain on mortgage and farms to be sold at Biddlesden. We must have everything settled first. Go to accounts after lunch, left alone, all get out. Mother with A at bazaar. Read number 13 of Nicholas Nickleby in evening, drop into Mrs Jervis and play cards. Miss Buckleys and Mr Smith there, my mother etc. Lose, home and to bed. Mild and pleasant. Gent Thornton called this morning.

19th

Beautiful day, receive letter from Gower, Carree very dull and not well. Colonel Rolleston's agent calls about the house let to him, smoke jacks, lamps etc. Mr Hearn of M Square calls. Finish accounts of building and labour Gower. Call at Mr Balls in Oxford Street with William, about house for Colonel Rolleston, walk in park. At an evening party, Mrs Jones, mother and I go with Mrs Jervis. Come home alone with Mrs Jervis. Mother plays again. Into my accounts, very mild.

20th

Very fine pleasant day, rise earlier, read papers. 5th adjourned debate on Irish principles finished last night, ministers gave 22 majority paper. Out very late, George calls, goes home by rail at 2.00. WM here, do a little in Gower accounts, write hastily to Carree with draft for Mr Gordon £25. Hurry to Fleet Street, too late for Law Life dividends, call at bank. No money of George paid yet, give draft of WM for £120 for F & J, get Edmund's book, call on J Patch, borrow £10 to pay for umbrella. Late home for dinner. Edmund was to have met me, out in evening to Regent Street with Glover for Edmund and buy some silk hands. Read Lord Stanley's speech in evening, tea late, all at a party at Mrs Philpotts.

22nd

Sunday. Beautiful hot day, walk to Mr Holland, at Clapham. Take Westminster Abbey with Edmund in way, in time only for sermon, All things shall become new. Go to evening duty at Clapham with the pretty Miss Theena, dine there and return by omnibus to Green Man. Home by 10.00. Mr Smith at my mother's.

Monday. Receive a letter from Mr James, answer a note from Frank to dine tomorrow. Set down to finish my Gower accounts. William calls at Frank's to learn of George's claims and how we stand as to lawsuits. Horrid family litigation!! Alfred is angry with me, question why? Because I am sure he stirs mud and throws dirt on Edmund (?) Call on Mr Bird about Queen Anne for Mrs J in 27 Parliament Street, very civil and attentive. In the evening walk with Edmund to a carpenter named Miller in Tottenham Court Road, to order a packing box and walk with him partly up Oxford Street and home again and began letter home. Beautiful hot today.

23rd

Wet morning, damp, dull, muddy day. Go through a few accounts with WM and he regoes through my Gower account. Walk after lunch with Edmund to Pantechnicon. Call on William Collins at Dr Seymour's near Berkeley Square. Tried to get pictures of West's in at Pantechnicon if not placed at Polytechnic. Dine at Bedford Square, 51. 2 Mr Gatters there, a clergyman of name Hammond? And a Mr Dodd? Pleasant party. Leave for an evening party, Mr Hearne's Montague Square. Surprised to find my mother there, Alfred and Edmund there, a hoax played on them about a party at Mrs Burchill's, Queen Square, Westminster. I come home outside of Gurnell's fly, very warm today. Borrow of Edmund £2.

24th

Beautiful day, quite hot, changes to be quite cold between 5 and 6. Wind again direct northeast. At accounts with WM, litigious work. Most vexatious. My mind made up to a loss to be rid of dispute and ill will. WM dines at Bedford Square. Go out rather early intending to receive law dividends. Get to the door before remembering tis the only day of week (Wednesday) they are not paid. Called at Henry's, out. Write of few lines to him about rent of Chambers, Gower 1832, bills paid for me etc. See paper on the table about George and disputed property with his brothers. Return to meet my mother at the Polytechnic. Called at Mr Smith's, at home, going out. Spend above 2 hours at the Polytechnic, galvanic battery, firing powder, underwater microscope by pneumatic light and magnifier, very curious. Diving bell etc. Edmund dines at Chelsea, I am at home all evening and my mother. A real invitation for Mrs Burchill month hence.

25th

Alfred looks through the Gower accounts, angry and white with rage, won't understand it. I ask him, who keeps no account, to give me the model for account keeping. He grows sullenly bilious, likely to be an attack of some duration. Nothing is done in consequence, nous sortons the order of the day. Receive my dividends of £8 at law life, call at Hoares for my mother about selling out. E. wanting to borrow for Polytechnic shares. Call on Patch and repay him £1. Call to procure spring van for tomorrow. All to Compton Street, Greenwood. Buy tools in Wardour Street and home. At a party this evening in Bedford Square, Mrs Wards, cards and lose my money. Beautiful weather.

26th

Mr Littlehalls calls in Berners Street, quite a stranger to me. Long conversation, Biddlesden, Shalston[4] and old affairs etc. Walkout by myself dejected and low about Gower affairs and affairs in general. Call on WM, leave a note. Call on Miss Montague Burlington Arcade, Pantheon Bazaar etc and home. Alfred, all thunder, asks me at dinner if I like mutton and makes the home wonderfully unpleasant. A small party at home, lose at cards. Mr Jervis, Miss Buckleys, Miss Mawly. Fine weather, more cold again.

27th

Called with WM on Frank about George and int. Home again, Alfred accuses me of robbing him in Gower expending money for my own advantage. Tell him tis false, a coolness necessarily ensues, he's for sending me to a lunatic asylum, I him to a mad house. Walk with my mother and Cathe, Wigmore and Oxford Streets and home, unsettled as to future measures. Spend evening at a card party with Edmund and mother. Mrs Edwards, Charlotte Street, Bedford square. William at cards, a large card party. Home late.

29th

Sunday. School charity sermon, All Souls by Wilberforce, Newport, Isle of Wight. Beautiful day, call on Miss Liptrot at Dr Sleuths, Mayfair. Stroll to Buckingham Palace See Duke of Wellington at Apsley. WM and Cathe dine at my mother's.

Monday. Another beautiful day, W Collins of Gower calls on me. Finish letter to Carree and post it myself. Met Mr Nodes, Oxford Street. Stroll by Regent Street at 5.00 to Charing Cross and home to dine at 6.00 in evening, my mother and self. Spend evening at Mrs Thomas's, Miss Rudd there. Play cards. Very stupid display of supper, table crammed. Poor Thomas displeased at my not inviting him to Gower; how could I, no accommodation. Home early and read Mitchell's Australia till 1.00.

30th

Warm and fine still, read Mitchell's Australia in bed. Go through some bank accounts with WM. Extremely hot dull day. Finish and send a letter to Carree, very long and very dull, half saying we will leave Caie Forgan because Alfred accuses me of pilfering and sinister purposes. Pack up some of my things, old desk, all odds and ends. Stroll at 4 down Regent Street and back. Dine 5.30. An evening party at home. Mrs Culpepper and Mrs Thomas and Miss Rudd. Win at cards against Alfred 12/- clear of former losses in the evening. Bed at one. Carpenter Miller here this morning about packing cases.

May

1st (Wednesday)

Another very warm and dull morning. Receive a letter from Carree – donkey dead, sorry. Colts have mange again, sad misfortune. Jones dying. Read Major Mitchell. Dix's lease with WM and talk of what best to do with buildings Gower, steam mill? Suggested. Some accounts settled amongst ourselves today and signed. Alfred more sociable to me. Meet Edmund at the watercolour gallery and late, very good. Dine 6.30. Henry Woodward calls this evening, to tea. Wm here too, some accounts settled, no fires till evening.

2nd

Another beautiful day, out early to Bedford Square to see F about money. James there, means to compel sale of Biddlesden. Mr Cook calls. I call on Mrs Thomas, long confab about poor Thomas. Receive sketches and prints. Miss Rudd comes in, read post mortem examination of W Thomas buried at Putney. Home by 2.00, write to Carree and leave it for  frank. Job, Rolleston, Manchester Square. Call on Miss Buckley and Miss Stewart, stroll to St. James's Park, Court over. Evening party, Dr Penfold, Mr Smith there. Some good pictures left by Lady Dudley there. E and A at auction, Robins.

3rd

Still beautiful weather but rain wanted for the country. I expect wet summer. Copy an account of Williams as to morning respecting each of us, interest to be paid and received respectively. Something other about Gower property. Rents of Caie Forgan raised, improvements taken little into consideration. Edmund's images unpacked, Florence. Walk with Edmund to Dartons, Holborn Hill. I buy nothing, he some books, I as above. Dine at 6. Evening 9.00 party Mrs Pitman, late, large, hot and stupid. Cards for elders, rest nothing; disgusted, come home again 10.30. Read paper and go quietly to bed.

4th

Up earlier than usual, wait for breakfast, write journal and read paper. WM arranges with F and J for purchase of remainder of Biddlesden moiety, we sign, that is E, A and self that it is trust, HJM was also at Bedford Square. Read over my Gower accounts and correct. Some useless talking as usual. Begin to pack my books etc. Am not out of house before dinner to eat with WM, F Fielding; E and A come after. In my way there buy some gown stuff etc (gloves, cotton and thread) and shoestring. Home with Fielding, buy rope and concentrated soup, corner Hanway Street, aquable (sic) shop keeper. Beggar in Newman Street importunate, well-dressed. Home at 12 very hot indeed.

6th.

Sunday. All Souls, explanation of Catholic Church as church in general etc. Call on Mrs Jervis etc. Mother takes E and self to zoo: gardens to see the lions. Arch Duke Alexander of Russia and the little lions Lashington and Camal. Miss Mitchell and Mrs Craven and little Howit there. Home late. WM, Henry and Mr Smith dine in Berners Street.

Monday. Still beautiful, Edmund leaves for Wales. Out early, borrow £300 of Frank. Hoare's Bank. 10 for A, 50 for mother, 300 for self. 250 sent to Wales of this. Call on Henry who witnesses my bond to Frank, buy fish rods etc, buy mats, want to buy pulleys, very dear. Buy tools and home to accounts. Fred and family arrive at 3.00. Henry here at accounts.

7th

Beautiful hot day, packing up my books in case. Something of accounts still, what to do with Biddlesden? Mother, Fred and Clara and self in coach to Chandos Street, buy socks etc. See Royal dress patterns etc, very splendid and walk to the exhibition of paintings Trafalgar Square. Buy saddles on return. Carry home radishes! And meet Mabbott in Berners Street, infra dig, before his political dinner Lord Gage. Out in evening, call at WM's, notes, order gaiters etc Frenchman, too late for shops.

8th

Still fine … very hot. Packing again, out with Clara and Fred. They call in Grosvenor Street, I.. Collins, ox mammoth, Egyptian hall. Shop Regent Street, Mr Fred Morning and bazaar again. Party to dinner, uncle, WM, Fred and wives etc. HJM. Thunder, lightning, rain this evening. Mother at a party Mrs Scott's. Heavy rain. Ministry out, Melbourne and Littlejohn resigned.

9th

Read in bed every morning Mitchell's account of Australia. Finish packing box. Uncle Mabbott leaves, call at Mrs Thomas, Miss Rudd gone. Leave card at Dr Penfold, Dorset Square. Walk round Regent's Park, very pretty, very cold. See swallows first time. Call on Mr Smith, Polytechnic. Mother dines at Miss Mitchell's and Alfred and party at Sir George Weston…. Walk with Fred shopping in evening, St. James's Street etc etc.

10th

All day packing up books, saddles etc. In evening shop in Regent Street and call on Mrs Jervis quite late and not in bed till past 2.00, packing etc

11th

Up at 6.00 again and off at 7. By railroad to Maidenhead and at Bristol by 7.30 exact 12 hours, 122 miles. Dined at Marlborough by Devizes. Tea at 57 Park Street, Mr Morgan's. Receive letter Carree and write an answer to Gower, very tired and glad to get to bed. Servants (Patience) posted the letter at 11.00 tonight. Coachmen speak of extreme cold yesterday and high wind.

13th

Sunday. Cold morning, northeast wind, milder evening. St. Matthew's Church. Mrs Ord in Ireland. Three Miss Ords go with me to Gower, impatient to be off, dine early. Tea at Redland, Miss Ord's. Church again, do not like Mr Clifford, substance or manner. In evening Mr Morgan's Kingsdown, Mr Gibson's. Home by 10.30 and to bed. Dry and pleasant.

Monday. Beautiful morning, balance my accounts, police funeral passes before one, an inspector, the effect of procession singular. Not out of house till past 1.00. Read papers at the Institution. Ministerial affairs unsettled, no cabinet for Sir Robert Peel relinquished the task. Lord Normanby, a radical, spoken of as premier!!! Stroll about shops for an hour. Dine 4.15. Go to infirmary to see an operation, skull fractured, railway accident. Mr B operating, man sensible, groaned horribly. I could not see it out, saw enough. Again at the institution, no news. Home and write to George, Wales.

14th

Snow at an early hour this morning, very cold east wind all day. Early after breakfast with Mrs M to the institution, Sir Robert Peel's explanation of in … of his relinquishing an administration. Melbourne, O'Connellites in again. Shop all morning. Dine at Kent's etc dine at 2.30, inquire about a calf Durdham, zoological garden. Pretty, little to see of animals. Tea at the Misses Ord's, Mrs Ord in Ireland. Mr M expected, detained at Infirmary, amputation of two legs, one man and half hand of another. Railway accident, fall of stones, dreadful work. Send George's letter today, Abercothi. No more news, we are not home till 12.00. Very cold but wind getting westward. Receive a letter from Mrs James in answer to mine. Jones, vicar and Dods, carter Jones dead. Jones the learned pig of Bristol dead.

15th

Wind more westerly, cloudy, dull and cold. Mr M early at the Infirmary. I breakfast alone, real thick snow. Large heavy flakes for a quarter hour, 9.00, snow several times today and extremely cold, colder towards evening. Finish my commissions. Breakfast alone. Another leg gone, Infirmary railway accidents. Pack boxes, call on old Mr M, lunched there, he here this evening, dine 4.30. Read Institution, insurrection of Paris again, our politics unsettled too … stay mended.

16th

Called 6.30, too late, packet advertised for 7. The Bristol for Swansea. Hurried, only 1 cup of tea, finish packing up, get a truck, the 3 Miss Ords called in a fly, are going to Penmaen. Go with them in fly, an hour too soon. Mrs Perry and children and Mr Henry Lucas and Lady etc. Go down, very calm and very cold. Sharp frost, snow on some distant hills. Pass the Great Western. Wind rises and very rough past Nash Sands, very ill and very cold. WR meets us at Swansea - car, Mr Perry and Rev. Mr Davies there, am very ill and cold. Leave the Miss Ords on Fairwood Common, they for Penmaen, I Llanrhidian. The funeral of Jones vicar passed Swansea same day for Carmarthen. C Reese meets with pony, too cold to ride. Walk to Cartersford, home before 9. No appetite, all pretty well. Rosie colt very ill. Accident by neglect. Glad to get to bed.

17th

Not up very early, still tired and not right. Rosy's colt dies, tis very disgusting, careless. Find the place much improved but backward. Cold brisk dry wind, no grass. Walk about to see things. Crickton etc. Much fault to find but restrain, Mr and Mrs James and the 3 Misses Ord to dine here. Mary Ann remains, rest return in evening. Poor colt skinned, kicked and bruised on the head, took jaw. Write commissions for Swansea, Susan for Henry Mundy for £22 and for £26 to repay money borrowed of Mr Morgan, Bristol. Wind southerly, shall we have rain.

18th

Wind easterly, dry and cold. More prospect of rain. Wind gets southerly in evening, rain comes on. Susan walked to Swansea. RH playing … brought her home in evening late, 11 o'clock.

20th

Sunday. Foggy morning, dull warm pleasant day. Evening duty, Mr Meredith, do not go to Penmaen as arranged. Expected Mr Collins this morning. Carree not very well. Walk with Mary Ann Ord to Cillibion, Mrs N expected home tomorrow. Looked at my intended hay fields, poor prospects.

Monday. Dull damp pleasant warm day, go in car and Star with Carree, Miss Ann Ord and C Teddy to Penmaen, dined there and home before dark. Did not do many things I ought or intended. Collect a few cowslips etc to plant. Tom Morgan called in at Penmaen. Mrs Jones of Binmal(?) applies for Bryngwas farm.

21st

Beautiful hot day, plant things from Penmaen etc. Meant to go to Crickton, do not. Dine early. Mr Meredith calls to apply for living of Llanrhidian, dines here, play draughts. Drive over as yesterday in car to Reynoldston. Tea at Rev. Davies, call on Mr Perry, music, harp. Find with in … and very cold in return home. RH calls to settle some accounts, receive some money this morning.

22nd

Cold north wind and brisk but sunny. Very dry and parching. Mend door latch before breakfast, Crickton after. Setting potatoes Lower Field finished. Shoot a rook on barley, full of corn. Stallion pony calls, put Star, no go. Mr and Mrs James and Ladies Ord to call. Mr and Mrs Perry call. Mr Thomas Gordon calls, vessel accounts. See Mr Gibbs at Crickton. Neglect writing to London. Forgot post day. 2 Miss Ords walk back to Penmaen, cart comes for box of bacon etc. The old mare covered by Mr Clarke's horse today.

23rd

Forgot to look out for telegraph at Penmaen. Up and out before 6.00. Cold, sunny, windy, north wind, dry and crisp. Carree and Mary Ann Ord call on Mrs Jones and Miss Morris. The late Mr Jones acknowledged a confirmed drunkard. I am busy all morning sowing flower seeds and ticketing them. In evening all walk to call on Mrs Nicholl just returned from Devon, do not stay tea, return over the common. Cockles at tea, very tired and bed early.

24th

Not so early up as yesterday but breakfast before 8.00. Take my gun, go to Crickton, call at Penralt about meat, veal and lamb. Go to Stafell Haegr, see work done etc Bar Jones. Dine at 1.00, again busy all evening sowing seeds and watering till 9.00. Tucker stays late. Mary Ann Ord rides Rosy to Penmaen and spends day there. Receive Sunday letters in the evening, George, bills etc, J Edwards glazier, bill mangle. Enter accounts and write letters, George and William. Richard Gordon calls about potatoes.

25th

Up early and carpenter a little at doors etc. Ride to Swansea with Carree. Brown mare and Pedro. Roads extremely dusty, very hot. Shop, call on Mrs Munday, Henry Mundy very ill, do not see him. Call on Miss Lucas, not at home. Met Mr Collins and Dr Lucas, lunch at Mrs M's. Carree has tea at the Castle 4.00. Fail to see Howell John. Home before 9.00.

27th

Sunday. Summer day. Penmaen Church in car, breakfast there. Return expecting Mr Meredith to dine - can't come, no time. In the evening we walk to Cilivor Top.

Monday. About home all day, potato field, Crickton, sow barley in what should be winter vetch field, clean out several ditches and drains. Fuss about this and that, many men at work. Water garden. Very hot day, dusty weather. Arrange for Penrice Castle tomorrow. Write to William about living and Bryngwas. See no telegraph at Penmaen. Tucker sent over. Mrs Jones, Miss Morris, John and Sarah tea here. First visit long time, quiet.

28th

Breakfast early. Car to Penrice gardens by 11.30. Carree, self, M A Ord, Chas Teddy and meet her sister's and Mr and Mrs James, picnic. Pleasant day in shade. Mr Talbot has an heir in London. Finished day by tea at the Balls. Charles Teddy quite knocked up, all glad to get to bed. Seriously wish for rain.

29th

Get up before 6.00 and out about home all day. Finish potato field, Crickton. Mr James and 2 Miss Ords come over from Penmaen, spend day and dine. Put up gates to yard, W David. Some talk about tithes in Upper Field with Mr James and Morgan Jenkins in evening. Evening spent in watering the garden. Seriously in want of rain and very hot. Plant some geranium cuttings from Penrice.

30th

Still no rain, hot and sunny. At home all morning, busy in garden. Drive Star in car with Carree, Miss O and C Teddy to Ilston. No one at home, disappointed in tea, return home. Lots of chicks and ducks and a badger. Child very good and much amused. Cows milked. Get melon plant. Servants surprised at home by our return, lovers there, Batcock lolling on front steps etc. Take no notice till morrow, vide, much put out about it. Grey horse falls this evening. Rosy covered tomorrow morning, first time. W Thomas, mason of Crofty, here tomorrow evening to meet at Blaenkedy on Monday.

31st

Rise early, garden before breakfast. Most extremely hot. Distant thunder threatens of rain, heavy, passes off. Chide all the maids severely to tears for their conduct last night admitting Batcock to the House, surprised by our return. RH brings lamb, chestnut horse here. Star in car to Penmaen by Walterston corner. Charles Teddy no and Mr Thomas calls at Penmaen, stranger. Ride and walk to the sands. Two vessels in. Home by 10.30. Write commissions for Swansea, car to go. Lightning tonight and very hot. Cucumber plants from Penmaen by Tucker's wife.

June

1st (Saturday)

W Jone in garden watering. About home all day. Wind easterly and cooler again. Sow a little swede, turnip - orchard, first sowing. Sow also, late in evening, grass and clover front of house. Calm evening after a brisk windy day. WR and Ann sent to Swansea in car, eggs to sell only. David carpenter at work, door for garden. Walk with Carree and Miss Ord after tea to call on Mrs Nicholls, Mrs Street. Have present of 2 cabbages, I have cut none. Work interrupted by watering trees and hedges new planted. Extremely dry, hope for rain soon.

3rd

Sunday. Cold morning, east wind, wet evening - hurrah. Dine early, church at 2. Mr Meredith. Colts all in garden last night, Batcock's work. Last cow calves in field, another cow there, very troublesome, no one about. Resume fires again today.

Monday. Dull and damp and cold, hot and showery. Carree and Miss Ord and C Teddy, car and Valiant, Brynhir Penclawdd. Blaenkedy, ducks and chicks. Mrs McMechan, no dinner. Marsh home, measured Blaenkedy etc. By village home, Grant fish, Phillips malt 2 winnows ordered. Home late and tired, marsh road horrid.

4th

Up and about early, very hot. Penmaen party all over and dine. Various vegetables from Brynhir. Level and improve front of house and sow grass seed. I Grant here early with fish. Some accounts with Mr James gone into. 3 ducks produce 9 young ones, our first. Received two winnows of malt of Samuel Philip. Send one winnow barley to mill for fowls by Llewellyn. Some heavy thunder showers westward, we have all but none.

5th

Beautiful day, tap wine gin and tun ginger wine. Fussy morning, uncertain how to act. Thought to go into Swansea and sending for coal, do neither. Ride with M A Ord to Penmaen. Carree walks after a great fite (sic) alone. No fishing, thought to season new net. Walk on Burrows, ladies on the sands. Mr J carting ash poles from woods. Ride Pedro home with Carree by 9.00. Bill from Hannen for casks and beer not correct. Enter days accounts and write commissions for Swansea tomorrow, bed late.

6th

Dull cold morning, gets warmer. Dull all day, rain in evening, showers. Finish grass seed front of house. I Grant calls fishing, signal at Penmaen mistaken. I Grant rides to Penmaen and returns. Carree and I ride back to Penmaen to season new net, Oxwich Sands. Rain comes on, catch nothing. Bathe Rosie Junior and Pedro. Tea there and home tired.

7th

Wet morning till 12 or 1.00. Rub all the ponies for mange, horrid work. Mr Evans, Brynhir, calls, dines here early. Mr Gordon and Edward Reese call about the vessel, nothing particular done. RH cuts up calf, weigh it, write notes and send it out. Mr James cart sent from Penmaen for meat, spirit and things not sent. Sow broccoli, endive, laburnum and broom this evening. Cold and windy this evening. Bought chicken, entered money yesterday, mistake, enter accounts this evening. Receive letter from George coming tomorrow to Gower.

8th

Up early and send commissions to Swansea by Guy. Walk out Cillibion farm, horrid thistles, poor grass. Walk too over Crickton. George expected from Abercothy, arrives about 1.00 in phaeton and servant. Dine early and walk to Cilivor Top and back by Crickton. Look at ponies on the common in horrid state of sulphur ointment. At Crickton twice this morning. Potatoes, set for men, done. Stroll about, George sees great improvement at this tithe establishment, well he may. Nothing particular occurs.

10th

Sunday. Fine brisk cold wind. Drive Valiant in George's phaeton to Penmaen, early church there with C Teddy. Dine. Return by Penrice and Reynoldston. WR absent and feed my own horses at night, great bore. Quite cold evening. Brood of chicks out.

Monday. Up at 5.30, hoe mangold wurzel and out at Crickton. Lime and receive money, of George £56 interest and horse account. Mor Morgan calls about Bryngwas farm. About home all day, post and rails yard finish. George leaves about 12.00. All the Misses Ord here all day and sleep. Two walk from Penmaen. Dull cold day comes on wet, driving mist and rain in evening. Try to read Cambrian, too tired, cannot. Arrange for voyage to Swansea, a sale tomorrow. Enter accounts, bed at 10.00. W Thomas, Crofte mason, here. Mr and Mrs J expected, weather prevents. Logic covering Jack. RH called going tything.

11th

Dull damp doubtful morning, proves beautiful day. Up at 10.00, write and send to Penmaen the two young Mrs Ords disappointed in going to Swansea. We go in car and attend Mr Jordan's sale. Fine hot day, call at Mrs Munday, poor accounts, not home till 12.00. Seat added to car, reins had of Reese to drive with.

12th

Most lovely hot beautiful day. About home, walked to Crickton after breakfast. Up late, tired with yesterday. Tucker sows some cabbage seed north of wash house etc. I am busy about nothing all day. Carree reads Miss Yarrington's letter, very amusing and clever, about Swaffham. Begin to adorn the old oak with posts front of house. Cut cress and lettuce first time. Enter accounts and Carree writes answer to Brynhir to dine there Friday. Mr & Mrs J call about 5.00, been to Brynhir. Out gardening late and to bed. Really tired, intended but did not go to Mrs Jones.

13th

Not up very early, wake tired. Answer sent to Brynhir evening. Send wheat to mill by Tom Philip, 3 winnows on Moselle. Fuss about home all day, weed garden. Sow swede turnips in pit with Tucker first day, late query to grow to a size? In evening walk to Mrs Jones thinking to tea, not asked. Garden much improved and gay, not neat. Home and tea late, accounts etc and stroll in garden late with Carree and Miss Ord. Dull misty threatening curious day. Hot and barometer high!!!

14th

Dull gloomy hot day, cool, rain at Bristol in evening. Go to Crickton, WR at plough. C Reese ploughs fallow, finishes today. Penralt order meat, mutton, veal. Mr & Mrs James call, William's letter expected for tomorrow. Carree, self and Miss Ord ride to Brynhir dinner. Mr & Mrs Collins and Mrs McMechan there. Green peas and duck. They go home in good time. We, as usual, late. Sup there superfluous, not home till 1.00, disgraceful and unpleasant. Very tired. Swede turnips in pit, question too late?

15th

George Dix, making three blankets, £1 6  8.

Another gloomy hot close day, no sun for 3 days. Send WR to Swansea for Mr Jordan's sale things, piano etc. Walk before breakfast to Cillibion field, thistling. Fuss about home, Tucker neating and raking up all the seed. More swede turnip sown. Expect William and wife this evening, they arrive before 10.00. No bed ready to receive, only half brought home, load too heavy. RH brings remainder late, missed to meet William at the packet. Heavy and tired all day, not farther than Crickton from home. Half remove furniture from car, fuss about bed for William tonight, sleeps on ground. Report of boys, he says it rains yesterday from London. Hot and tired.

17th

Sunday. Extremely hot sun, late dinner meant to be early, prevents going to Penmaen evening duty. Get late to Llanrhidian church, William, Kitty, Miss Ord, walk after to Stafell Haegr, stroll back over dusty road, overcome with heat. Idling about all evening, an ill spent day.

Monday. Not up very early, another close sultry day, thunder morning distant. One very heavy shower early, 8.00. Windy brisk day, sultry evening, magnificent clouds and lightning towards night. No more rain importunately. At accounts in evening. Go to bed tired.  Show William Cillibion field, all went in evening to Moor Mills etc. All oppressed with heat. Hunting for bog flowers. Bog Man beautiful. No men at work, scarce today. Busy landing and carting coal.

18th

Dull hot morning, out at 6.30. Catch chicken to kill for tomorrow. All go to Penmaen, car, Valiant and Rosy junior horses sent from Penmaen too. Children go and are left at Penmaen. Bathe C Teddy. Caught two brannets on the sands, let them go. Kathe dislikes my spring car. Beautiful evening, dull day. Some rain. Cold dinner. Take tea on the sands. Samuel Davies called at Penmaen, went on to Oxwich. Home before 10.00. Brought home some stones and some plants, Kath walked great part of way home. Bathed with William, first bath.

19th

Mrs Jones sale at Cilivor, hot and beautiful day. Fussy and expect visitors, the Balls call. All go to the sale, everybody there. Meet many people on business, Howel John etc. Return and dine 3.00 a party there Collins, Balls etc Miss Lucas. Music in evening. Mr and Mrs James, the two Miss Ords sleep here this evening, both Mr Davies stayed late. A dull day for C Teddy etc at Penmaen, his first. Most beautiful mild evening. No work done today. Mrs Jones of P brings 2 couple rabbits. Day passes off well. Carree not out of the house, busy preparing for chance visitors. Letter from Tenby.

20th

Beautiful hot morning, up very early out to Crickton by 6.00. Buy lime of R Gordon. Pig nearly choked, why? RH calls, some misunderstanding about lime with him and R Gordon. Met RH at Crickton this morning, preparing for turnips. Breakfast late, Carree rides to Penmaen alone. I go again to Mrs Jones sale and call there. Walk on Marsh Meadow, trespass, gather orchis and wild flowers. Return over Cilivor Hill. Mr Gibbs of Porteynon calls about lodgings there. Dine at 3, rabbits. Wet comes on, beautiful rain indeed, prevents Miss Ord returning to Penmaen. John Ammoo's gum lanced. Thunder and lightning and oppressed with sleep and quite tired. Begin letter to Edmund. Music and talking the order of the evening. Bed by about 11.00 after prayers.

21st

Up early and out before breakfast. Send horses and calves to Cilivor 7.00 for sale things. No Mr Gordon or RH there as promised, nothing done. Heavy shower, threatening day, clears off and fine. Begin to sow turnips at Crickton, Richards out of way all day. Harness Valiant to drive to Ilston to tea. Mr & Mrs James called here this morning, some talk about the church. William and I ride(sic) to Edmund, Mrs J takes the letters to post. Mrs Jones of Wimmel[5] called about Bryngwas, nothing agreed. Large tea party at Ilston. Mr & Mrs J, 3 Miss Ords, Mr & Mrs D, we are four. Hear the news from best authority that William Collins is to be married. Home at 10.30, no Richards. Walk to the public house, all safe and quiet, no tippling and write my commissions for Swansea. Not in bed till 12.30. Send a parcel tomorrow for Jordan's sale by W Richards (?) and butter and eggs. Entered the 18th instant.

22nd

Not up so early as usual. Wet morning, showery windy day and cooler. Tolerably fine day, Eliza sent to Swansea with butter and eggs, Richards goes to. Old Bet and car. Money all spent in purchases and expens(ive) bread. Walk with William by Crickton to Stafell Haegr to survey water course and further supply of water, feasible. Dine at 2.00, Ann factotum. Tucker mows lawn. I sow more turnip, swede in pit, 2 women help. Moselle gets into plantation, fetter her. Car home before 10.00. Windy stormy night, rain. Have a sleep, Carree sings. Enter my accounts etc. Mr Gordon yesterday for 8 wagons of coal, self 1, coal for Mr Nicholls £1.15 6.

24th

Sunday. Engaged to go to Penmaen Church morning and dine, wet prevents just to prevent time for church. We arrive as church is over. Went by Walterston and uphill by Mrs Morris. Mr Morris at Penmaen, go to Nicholaston church late evening. Home early by Penrice where Cathe enjoys more than short road. Rain again on our return.

Monday. Up early and out, dull hazy day, no rain. Beautiful sunset. Plant cabbage, one Pugh calls early about Bryngwas farm. Dine early. Mr William Collins calls, going to London tomorrow. Write hastily to my mother and Fred by him. Wants this living. At Crickton in evening, Wern Crick(?), sow turnips. Go with ladies to village, Mary Thomas about washing. How is this evening spent? Doing nothing the order of the day, bed earlyish.

25th

Beautiful day, showery evening. Very hot day, up at 5.30. Washing day. Make a pigeon coop. Mr Meredith calls about the living, very urgent indeed, no longer a curate of the Pastoral Aid Society, read the letter. Garden, William enlarging pond. Mr Berrington calls, dines with us and leaves early. Garden, sup, give orders for carting dung etc. Called off to attend Carree and Kathy to Mrs Nicholls. Surprised to see my mowing grass improving much. Mow next week. Home to tea, wet evening. Enter accounts etc, no money spent.

26th

A wet day, tranquil rain, no wind. Were to have gone to Penmaen, tea at Crawley, no-go. Spot and other horses doctored for mange, fussy sort of work. Carree and I ride to Penmaen in evening, tea there. Goods arrive from Swansea by Morgan of Park etc. Received Cambrian, letters and papers. One J Beynon, one William, West Grinstead, Mrs Syms dead. Evening cold, glad of a fire, bed early. Spot turned in Lower Field, Jack there. Pedro threw a shoe, shoed at Park Mill. Haggard cleaned up.

27th

Beautiful day, some showers morning. Up at 6 and out to set men at work. Walk with William to Bryngwas, called for Howel John at Penllwyn Robert at home. Looked over the farm and home by 2.30. Mr & Mrs J etc dine with us. Some walked to Cilivor, I to Crickton at 6.00. Children come home from Penmaen. William of Leason wife calls with ducks, do not buy. Rabbit jumped from window, cart shed, this morning, caught this evening, killed. Worked a little at Williams pond. Chilly evening, distant thunder. Promises fine tomorrow.

28th

Up and out before breakfast 2 hours, weed garden. Watch stopped. A showery wind northerly too. First gather of peas, stewed duck. Dine early. Staffordshire man calls, crockery etc. Busy all day in the garden and about the pond with William and Jone making a mound. M A Ord leaves us for Penmaen. We four walk to Wibley, tea there and back. Mr Phillips expected to preach there, excuse sent. Carree not at all well, fatigued. Most extremely cold, wind north west. All sorts of fuss about Swansea tomorrow, to dine with Miss Lucas. Settle with Mrs Jones Wimmel for Bryngwas farm at Wibley.

29th

Up early and off to Swansea in car. William, self and two wives, dine at Miss Lucas. Meet Dr Lucas and Mr & Mrs Collins. Carree ill this morning, breakfast in bed but goes. Not home again till one in morning. Lunch at Castle not paid, nor horse.

Sunday.

Fine, cool, morning service, Mr Phillips sacrament. Mrs Phillips, confined. Returned by Crickton. Was at Penralt before church with William. Over Cillibion field in evening, very cold. WR home late and goes to bed, suspicious.

July

1st

Monday. Very fine, wind northerly and cold. Many workmen have deserted for Swansea fair. Sawyer and cooper come, Gordon Cilivor calls with a horse, mend rabbit coop, etc. Ride alone to Penmaen, Pedro, in 20 minutes, fast work. Dined there, all expected. Ted has lost his curacy Swaffham, who is to have Llanrhidian? Return to tea, garden mound, make out my accounts to balance for Saturday last and glad to go to bed. Measure elm with RH, Howell John, from Willy Close. Night cold.

2nd

Wind north west and cold, fine day, dry and sunny. A very busy day, up at 6.00. Sawing going on, cooper at the casks. Tucker sowing, attend to garden and gather peas before breakfast, etc, spinach after. Pigs break in twice. Walk with Cathe to Walterston Corner, she rides to meet the Miss Ords and Mrs J dine with us. WR brews for hay, feed my rabbit etc. Ride little Rosy after dinner to Crickton farm. C Reesee harrowing for wheat. The Miss Ords take leave, returning home on Thursday. We are engaged tomorrow. They go to Arthur's Stone with WR and C. They want money, give Carree for them to the account of W F Morgan £3. Work with William in evening at mound. Night cold, accounts in evening, very tired.

3rd

Bottle ginger wine with Carree. Up early and very busy about trifles. Go in car, all four of us by Reynoldston to Penrice and Oxwich. Meet Mr Berrington at the gardens, dine with him and explore Oxwich Castle and over the hills and far away. Miss Berrington there an ….. Home by 10.00 and not in bed till one. Pony in garden. Write letters for Bristol tomorrow and Swansea errands etc. Quite tired out. Most beautiful hot day.

4th

Up at 6.00. A duck hatches. Another extremely hot day. About home all morning, Richards off very early for Swansea by Penmaen with three Miss Ords. Home by 6 evening, packet sailed at 11.00. In evening walk with ladies to village, a feast there given by Mr Talbot for his son and heir, very orderly. Met many I wanted to see. Howell John etc. Carree went to top of the church tower!! Alone!!! A parcel lost on Saturday repaired had been to Llanelli by mistake. Glad to get to bed, made a duck coop. Baby very unwell, teething, spends a bad night.

5th

Up at 6 again and out to see Tucker. Mr Perry calls to see the baby, orders a leech. Mr Jones of Llythrid calls for poor rates. Plant things, ivy etc, procured from Oxwich. Calves turned out, such galloping! Dix calls about mill, water wanted. Mrs James rode over, does not dine. Enter accounts etc in evening. Baby has leech applied on head, no blood drawn. Extremely hot day, Mr Perry called.

6th

After breakfast with WM to Stafell Haegr about Dix Mill and further supply of water. Engaged till 2.00. Molly Davy of Lower Mill throws difficulties in the way but pretends to overrule them, however I distracted her, she is likely to influence her landlord to prevent it. I fuss about home all day, put iron to pig trough, prevent ducks passing ditch, help WM at the pond and get to bed tired. Baby far from well. Threatens to bring up rain tomorrow, much cooler, heard distant thunder this morning.

8th

Sunday. Doubtful day, dull and cool and windy. All in car for Penmaen, morning duty. Dined there, Carree and I return to tea and C Teddy, William and Cathe tea there and walk back. Hay going on there. Walk with Carree to look at mowing grass. C Teddy very tired, not well. Do nothing all evening, Very sleepy. Baby far from well, Carree sits up.

Monday. Rain early, deal of good done by it. Not up early, Carree breakfast in bed. C Reese wife calls for money, send by Ann from my sanctum sanctorum. WM writes about the living. Mowing begun at Cillibion field. Mr James calls, takes letters to post. I write to my mother, WM hears from Tenby. Walk with WM, Cathe to Llethrid Cwms. Tucker selects ash poles. Work with William at the pond till dusk. Poor little baby bled by a leech on forehead, looks piteously. Carree in charge of half a ….

9th

Tuesday. Not up early, hay making to begin. Very showery wet morning till 11.00 then fine brisk day. Ash poles from the Cwms. About home all day, plant cabbage from Eli Williams. Put up fly wire cellar. Dr Davies calls, receive note from Penmaen. Tom Powell been, write answer back. Feed everything, washing going on. Little Parsy comes as a servant, her father looks over the garden. Goose killed, work late at the pond. Into accounts last thing. All thirsty with salt beef. Bids fair to be fine again.

10th

Not up early, tired yesterday. Stormy, damp windy cloudy day. good for turnips. Hay alas! Swansea painter arrives, paints buckets. Fitt comes, hangs bells, cooper here too. Parsy cut pigs and calf this morning. About home all morning, resow turnip failures in pit and plant out some as trials, turnip trim. Fussy sort of day, remove a thorn by new pond last thing tonight with Tucker. Still very stormy and wet till night, bed time. New moon. Baby another leech today.

11th

A very stormy day bids to be finer about midday, clears off and wet again. Walk over Crickton farm to see the corn and get wet. David Williams sawyer here for 2 hours for cooper. Take orders of painter for Swansea. Mrs James calls, wants painter. Work alone at the pond this evening, dirty wet work. Charles Teddy with me, make and put up a fly wire in the cellar today. Poor promise for tomorrow. Baby very unwell, Susan up all night. Mr Davies call.

12th

Up early, promise of better day. Finish fly wire cellar. First day gather beans. Ride with Carree to Penmaen and return to dinner. Mr James about hay and papering and painting. Guy calls, I walk to Crickton, lime covering. Potatoes cleaned etc. Penralt lime carrying. Stop Llewellyn, want car tomorrow. Call at Mrs Harry's, want haymakers tomorrow. Get pinks and thyme there. Return, plant ditto and work with William at pond. Receive note from Dr Davies about his sale money. Phillips wife wants money, given. Write commissions for Swansea. Promises fine tomorrow. Wind very high last night. Mr Perry called, not at home.

13th

Very fine day, C Reese at Swansea for bricks etc. Pay him to go there £6, all settled Monday. All day about home feeding everything twice, turn the hare out this evening, mother Jenkins wheat. Hay field twice, first day of turning, cut Monday ready to carry. Mind marrow garden, find hens next garden, gather strawberries etc. Ride little Rosy to see lime carried and to see hay. Walk after tea with Carree and work till dark at pond with William. C Reese home before 10.00, RH here also. Bed at 11.00.

15th

Sunday. Very wet, easterly! wind. Do not go to church, no one knows time of duty. Clears up about 3, dine and walk with William and Cathe by Cillibion Green. Home by Green Pits. Read papers … etc. Ill spent day, sermon and prayers in evening.

Monday. St Swithin!! One hot shower! Else fine, carry clover hay Cillibion 13 loads. Up very early, plant cabbage, celery, turnips. Ride to Penralt, Cillibion, Stafell Haegr, Crickton. Hay, lime, potatoes. Tom Phillips wife 5/- her child very ill, pay expenses to Swansea. George Hopkin(?) for 300 bricks - £12. Morris Davies and sisters call, dine here. He rides to Penmaen. In hay field and at rick till 9.00. Seeds shed wonderfully. Borrow eggs to set a hen. Work at the pond and well tire myself. Bevan called and took all my paints to Penmaen.

16th

Beautiful day but cool. All hands at Penmaen carrying hay, send over cart and car. Carree and I walk by the wood. William and Cathy by the hill. I bathe and get plants. Load hay. House in confusion, painters, masons etc. Old mare Betsy ill tempered returning home, walk. Child asleep, not home till past 11.00. Llewellyn does not return till 12. Maria Vine arrives later, Penmaen from Tenby, we are gone. Threatens rain tonight, first fish caught in the net. Pay a visit in the pill, Penmaen.

17th

Up at 7.00, Wind east, eases at 10.00 for 3 hours, clears in evening. Miscellaneous day, clear barn, kill rats, plant cabbage, sow turnips, flowers etc from Penrice by Mrs Tucker. Walked to Crickton, see my young rabbits for first time. Plant my wild things from the rocks, rake new grass plot, roll it, which Charles Teddy calls ‘mangling'. Help William at the pond. Carree rides alone to Penmaen. No letters, sees Maria Vine. Eaton of Farm called to ask for living of Llanrhidian for Mr Powell of  Llanon. Baby is surely doing better, no teeth tho', … well ... myself this day.

18th

A most stormy wet windy day. Wind easterly and south, quite a hurricane in evening. Begin to enter to book account of day work in my absence in London, very imperfect, Carree! Prevented by weather keeping an engagement to tea at Rev. Mr Davies Reynoldston. William Eaton of Farm called this morning to make approach for living for his father-in-law Mr Powell of Llanon. Brought a letter which WM read and kept, nothing particular happens today. Very cold, want a fire, coals won't ignite. Writing all evening day account. Ann gone to a wedding, Llanmadock way. Nothing …

19th

A most thorough villainous day, driving rain all day from the south. All ditches and pools full as in winter after tempestuous night. Rain, wind and lightning, no prospect of any improvement tomorrow save glass a little on the rise. All over-slept ourselves this morning, enter my day book from loose papers, a day's work. Moselle washed by Reese. Poor baby very unwell, covered with a rash and breaking out all over. Cannot send to Mr Perry, weather so bad. Sent for meat to RH by C Reese. Bedroom begun to be painted, very inconvenient, double sight more inconvenient than usual. Carree writes commissions for Swansea by chance messenger tomorrow.

20th.

A showery day but not a wet day nor yet fine, no sun. Ride Pedro to Penralt about lime etc and Stafell Haegr. Llewellyn covers lime, order him up to cart manure from haggard. Call at Crickton, C Reese mending wall entrance to yard. Meant to ride to Penmaen, find Mr James and Miss Vine at Caie Forgan on return home. Arranged to dine at Penmaen tomorrow. Mr Perry calls to see the baby, stays there and sings, ‘The wooden leg' etc comic songs. Baby considered better, the rash all in his favour. We are all tired and queer in evening. I do nothing and go to bed early. Question, did I spend nothing today? RH here in good time from Swansea with beef and Swansea errands.

22nd

Sunday. Doubtful morning. Rams and u a feverish day. Go in car to Penmaen, get wet on top of hill. Fancy ourselves late, our watches fast. I sit in Mr Vorpert's pew. Walk alone to Mr Dodds wheat field. Home before dark and without more wet.

Monday. Not up early, ride with Carree to call on Mr and Mrs Pierce at home, invite there for Wednesday next. Beautiful day, sun sets badly again and drizzly mist returns. Meant to mow again tomorrow, deferred again. Mrs James sends blackcurrants etc etc. Painter begins lower room. Gather our blackcurrants with Kitty. A young duck missing, why? Damp misty weather again this evening. Write my day book etc. Very stupid and heavy. Barometer points to fair, after rising two days will it fall again?

23rd

Up early, walk to village, send for sugar by Mary Thomas for preserves and to cash a draft. 6lb of sugar at the lime kiln 3/9. See RH, home by Cadennith. All day at home. meeting and preparing for tomorrow, a dinner party. Gather peas, raspberries, currants. Mr James calls about fish, promises some. Catch the young rabbits etc. Rake, brush and roll Lawn. Richards levels haggard. Our bedroom finished painting. Poor baby very unwell, send to Reynoldston for Mr Perry to dine tomorrow, no answer. Lost a duck yesterday, a new attack today. The old duck let loose, her heroism in defence, question: a pole cat? Set a gin and remove my duck. Several lasting showers about midday. No sun; foggy, wet evening. Mary Thomas returns, brings sugar and money. Enter accounts Carree for preserves currants.

24th

Doubtful dull muddy day, some misty rain. We give a dinner party. Mr and Mrs James and Miss Vine, Mr Pierce and sisters, Mr Perry, ourselves are four; total ten, very pleasant. All morning busy gathering fruit and preparing for them. Tap beer, sour. Singing in evening, day fineish some wet comes on again at night.

25th

First fine day again, full moon 9.00a.m. Rise at 5.30 and go to village. Drive my own cows from field and look for workers. Call at kiln, stony with shells(?), send to Reynoldston for wheat mow. Carree headache. Barri Penclawdd, Howell John's son, ride with William and RH to Bryngwas and Blaenkedy. Mrs Evans has a daughter. David Collins breaks his leg, coal pit. Home by Penclawdd, wedding feast. Dine at 4.30, Carree and Mrs Nicholls who returns and takes tea. Her servant has a fit. Return with her part of way and look at my mowing grass. Promise of better weather. Am very tired, writing this indeed half asleep at 11.00 night. Close morning, brisk day.

26th

Wind shifted to the east, sharp rain at 7.00 and rain in till past 12 afternoon. Pleasant, night less so, sun sets badly. Were to have gone to Penmaen, do not. Johnny Williams brings over sewin, produce of my net. Arrange in halves of produce with him. Garden, weed, gather currants for jelly, ditto Carree and Cathe. Walk by common to Cadennith, 3 men covering lime, propose further work, hedge to make etc and get in Moselle from common to feed her. Feed my rabbits. Receive letter from my mother in Manchester Square, news of my luggage from London to Swansea. Write commissions for Swansea, butter to send, cart to go.

27th

Tolerable fine day, morning and evening. Showers in the day. Sent to Swansea and for London packages, home in good time. Want to see mowers Crickton, help Tucker place large stone front of cart shed. Mr Jones and Miss Vine call, I not fit to be seen, they are detained by wet, very fidgetty. Dine early on sewin. Gather and pick red currants with Cathe and Carree for jelly. This done last thing at night and jellied on Monday.

29th

Sunday. Evening duty Penmaen, go in car. Wet morning, fine evening. Dine at home, lobster and fish at tea. William and Cathe walk back by Llethrid Cwms. Beautiful wood views at Redding Hill. Return by Pennyhitch, foots pace, mare Brown loses hind shoe. home late. Places laid for an excursion to Pwlldu tomorrow.

Monday. Dull cloudy morning, thorough wet day after 11.00. Excursion to Pwlldu quite at an end. No matter, plenty to do. Brew 3 w malt, Samuel Phillips. Breakfast early, dine early, no intercourse with Penmaen. Mrs Nicholls goes to Swansea, I walked to Cadennith. Men and women at work, cooch and lime. Unpack books arrived from London, repack in chest in my sanctum, a day's work. Begin to thrash Dr Davies wheat. Mrs Mason Thomas at barn door for 300 potatoes 13/6. Think night shows a better prospect for tomorrow's weather. Wind back to the north west.

30th

Another extremely coarse day indeed. Cold driving misty dirty rain from south east comes on about 10.00 and continues all day. See… 6 work Stafell Haegr mill, ditch for more water, also paid him for W Eagles in full. Mr Lloyd calls about a will, money and Chancery. Walk before breakfast to Cadennith. W Jone covers lime, sent Tom Richards to cut rush and C Reesee to Crickton after finishing mowing Cillibion meadow. Rain stops everything. Sulk in the house after breakfast. Write accounts, make out Tucker's book, cover and mark jelly and jam pots for Carree. Meant to carpenter, do not. Dine at 2, get out a little after barn to thrash in the barn (sic). Walk round Crickton and get wet through nearly. Go to Cillibion field, also. Home, change, tea and enter day accounts etc. Rain and wind continue. Carree reads domestic economy.

31st

William receives letters, Edmund and Henry. Does not rain this morning but has rained much in night. Rain comes on again after breakfast, a thorough wet day till 3 or 4 clock. No work done. I carpenter, begin to make a rabbit coop of London packages. In the evening ride with Carree to Penmaen, take stuff for gown to Mrs Jones. Shower prevents calling there, tea and fruit at Penmaen, bring fruit home. Mrs James and Miss Vine got wet through on sands this morning. Get home about 9.30, wet in feet and legs by mud and water kicked out by Rosy on the commons. Sky clears off and … bids fair for tomorrow. May it last to make hay! Go to bed early, feet in hot water. Very cold, 20 deg below summer heat.

August

1st (Thursday)

Up and dressed at 6.00. Really: at last see the sun again, a fine day till 5.00. Misty rain again from the south. Made hay Crickton and Cillibion, late in getting it in cock. All day fuss about home, 3 times through mud to hay field. William sends letter to Edmund by Kitty Dollin. Mr James calls and dines. Miss Vine is thrown from little Rosy, not hurt. Moor Mills full of water, an event even in winter, how very wet. Poor baby very ill, teething and feverish, will he live? Work in hay field and garden, get wet through in evening rain. I open hay rick, much injured. Secured again. Thrash Tommy for idleness. Carree alarmed about the baby, thinks of bathing and Port Eynon.

2nd

I am writing on Saturday night, very tired after carrying hay. Very fine day, looks threatening towards night goes, off in heat, glass rises towards rain. Much put out by Carree wishing to ride then wanting to go to Swansea tomorrow, promised to go. We call on Mrs Perry and see the child. Mr T Ball calls there, they take tea with us this evening. Meet the Rev. Mr Davies on the green, ride on to Porteynon. Miss to meet Mr & Mrs James Ľ hour, dine at 4.00. Walk to hay field, sell a pig to Mr Ball. Amuse ourselves singing, walking, drinking; dark when they leave. It may rain, I think not, glass high.

3rd

A most beautiful morning, no rain in night. I am up and out before breakfast to Cillibion. Mrs Nicholls at breakfast, joined them in Crickton. Settle for tithes as before £35. Borrow a wain and buy barley 3W. Return and breakfast and arrange about hay, a busy day, carry two meadows. Crickton Upper and Cillibion. Dine on goose at 4.00 and then ride the old mare to Marsh Meadow and new boat. Mowing 4 acres, order beer, get up a new rick. Feed pigeons, rabbits etc etc. Mr James calls, have use of his carts and Bevan. Ann sent to Swansea on Rosy, nothing sold. Some purchases made. Baby better.

5th

Sunday. Evening duty and sermon for Church Missionary Society. Walked to top of hill Cefn Bryn with William after breakfast. Most beautiful and clear. Return alone, saw Holy Well and contemplated possibility of bringing water to gate. In evening late rode with Carree to Penmaen, tea, Mr and Mrs James. There arrange for Swansea tomorrow, cold returning home.

Monday. Up early, WM ill, all confusion to be off early to Swansea. 2 messengers to Reynoldston for gig and doctor, 1 hour behind time at Swansea in hour and half, overtake Mr and Mrs Davies. Mr James and Miss Vine 20 minutes before us at the finger post, shop all day. Settle some accounts with David Rees of the … etc. Make calls, not at home, Dine at Castle, Mr James paid. Home late, tis cold. WM better.

6th

Up early, ride Valiant before breakfast to village to seek hay makers, weather doubtful. Walked to Stafell Haegr to hunt up mason W Thomas for bridge at Stafell Haegr. Return to breakfast, gather peas and shelled ditto. Mr and Mrs James call, do not dine. Cart sent over, carry hay at 4 Acres, marsh. Tithe at Mrs Morris hay, make rick at Crickton. Ride down to meadow in evening and help load. Rain comes on and breaks off again. Most fortunately all carried again to Stafell Haegr. Meet Mr Gordon at I Grants, James of Penclawdd there. Mr Beynon's tithe … land Cilivor rick, Crickton. RH mowing by Cillivor tithes … Settle some vessel accounts this evening with Mr Gordon, which finishes the evening. Have fire WM not being well.

7th

Wet morning, clears off and fine day. About home all morning, garden. RH calls enter up with him accounts of lime and pay on account and have some conversation about tithes. Send a pig to Reynoldston, Mr Balls. Cart to Reynoldston, tea at Rev. Mr Davies. Home in dark, all the way round by road Cillibion Green. Will o'the Wisp or phosphoric light towards Cillibion. Mr Davies and I call at Mr Balls, receive £1.4.0. for a pig.

8th

Rise about 7.00 and walk to Cillibion field, mowing begins there, poor crop indeed. Breakfast late, Mr Nicholls sends for wain, boy waits. Tis gone for rush. Dubious morning, fine day. Unsettled plans of day, not well digested. Going to Port Eynon, difficulty about every convenience there! Weed in garden and get pigs fed, feed fowls and rabbits. Dine very early, off in car and for Port Eynon. Shoes loose, baby ill, try saltwater. Call on Rev. Mr Davies, do arrive at the sea port!! Not bad accommodation though small, great civility. Tired with the fuss of the day, our party not well dove tailed and some screws loose. Difficulty about the dog and ponies. Primitive characters at Port Eynon. Glad to get to bed.

9th

At Port Eynon, rise at 6.00. Walk to Salt House Point, bathe Nip, doubtful morning, proves a wet evening. Carree not over well, baby better if anything. I return home with 2 horses by 1.00. Called at Mr Balls, leave there a letter from WM to Edmund, Tenby, and lunch there. His hay out. Met Mr Davies on Reynoldston Green, met mowers at the gate Caie Vorgan, Cillibion field done. Dine on cold mutton and cold tart. Ride to Stafell Haegr, hay in cock. Haymakers all under the hedge at 3.00, send them home. Call at Dix, black wool. Call at Grants, see net. Mowers at Crickton by the fire. Cows in the standing barley, send them to clover field. Take orders for iron and give orders for Swansea, dig in garden, feed animals and into accounts. Evening clears off.

10th

Rise at 6.00 and out to give final orders for Swansea. Gather peas and shell them to send to Carree, feed all my family - pigeons, rabbits etc. Mr Gordon of Wibley calls about tithes, refer him to RH and write a note decline interfering. Hope he will agree. Doubtful windy, dull morning, some rain breaks off beautifully and brisk. Transfer women from turnips to hay field, look at mowers. Write to Carree and send Ann to Port Eynon with luggage. Horse lost found. Pig ditto. Garden a little. Hay field reinforcements sent. Hannah cooks for me, bacon and beans. Hay field again till 8.30 at Cillibion, wonderfully made. A 2nd time at Crickton to seek a lost key, not found. Take account of Swansea affairs, hunt up things for Carree's wants. Enter day accounts etc. Wind still high and barometer stationary. Must be up early tomorrow, very tired. Mrs Batcock called, go through some accounts with her.

12th

Sunday. Leave home at 7.00 for Port Eynon on little Rosy by Penrice, Horton etc. Church at 10.00, Mr Lucas Junior. Spend evening on the sands, very tired.

Monday. Lovely day, visit Paviland Cave with Carree, William, Cathe and Mr Gibbs. Borrowed his pony, take shelter of Worm's Head. Beautiful scenery. Cave has no charms for common eyes. Dine at 3.00, our repast. Walk to Horton in evening, on the return and there on the sands till late. Beautiful weather. Carry hay.

13th

Still beautiful, up at 6.00. Go to Overton, borrow Mr Gibbs pony, walked to Culver Hole and take a sketch and over the quarries to breakfast. Return home after bathing Charles Teddy with Carree. Call at Sanctuary(?) Mr Davies, lunch and borrow cropper. See what is going on, hay carried. Walk over Crickton and ride with Carree to Penmaen. Tea there, wet ride home. Give orders about fair on Thursday.

14th

Dull wet day and windy, not up before 7.00, carpenter chicken coop, colts in for fair tomorrow. Swap with Mr Nicholls, mare for horse. Carree starts with Ann for Port Eynon at 2. I dine and fail to see RH at Penralt. Walk over Crickton, send for tithes to Whitehall. WR and W Jone, Llewellyn all day at forge and about colts. Dress about 6 for Port Eynon. Write commissions about Swansea, all gone, no one to give orders to, all confusion. Painter about entrance. Tithing etc. Weed turnips. Griffiths of Pengaervenny calls for slates, 1,000 sent. Could wish I were not obliged to return to Port Eynon on account of fair tomorrow. Called at Mr Nicholls.

15th

Am at Port Eynon, a thorough wet day confined to the house. Read Bevan on bees. At a loss what to do, no resources. What a day for Swansea fair, I sent two horses, nothing done. Send errands to Swansea, do we not get out a little in evening on the sands? I am writing on Monday next, having no accounts with me.

16th

Another wet day, hear sad accounts of Swansea fair yesterday, nothing done. Again confined to the house with no resources till the evening. All, Carree, self, WM and Cathy, nurse and 2 children walk over quarries, cliffs etc. Very dangerous, explore Culver Hole at some risk of serious accidents. God be praised all safe! Baby seemed actually to enjoy it, little conscious of danger. Pick up a few odd stones and home to tea. Think to go home again tomorrow, do not. Read a little of Bevan on bees. The evening spent as uselessly and idly as the morning, Carree writes to Ted, letter not sent for some days. Hear afterwards the most severe rain falls tonight at and about Penmaen.

17th

Showery morning, WM calls early from the lower house Port Eynon, suggests going to Worm's Head. He and I go immediately after breakfast, one pony. Lucky in our day. Call on Mr Lloyd the rector, lunch with him. Mr Thomas farmer and Mr Talbot's agent also goes as a guide. Tide suits at 2.00. Worm's Head a most curious jut of land, a natural beauty far surpassing all piers, jetties and suspension bridges. Full of interest and curiosity, make several hasty sketches. Talk to quarrymen, pick up shells waiting for tide. Mr Talbot gets above 100 per annum cliffage of limestone at 2d ton!! Sometimes £150 depending on winds. No dinner. Home at 6.00 not 3. Tea at WM's, mutton chop. Children and Carree bathe, a pleasant day and 2 grand objects of our Port Eynon visit gained today. Worm's Head grand feature in Gower, sheep fed there for Penrice Castle.

19th

Sunday. Fine morning, showers about 2.00, Mr James does duty at Port Eynon and just escapes them. Long sermon on religious back sliding. Cold duck dinner. Walk with Mr J to Horton on return home. Carree and I explore east cliff, very cold. WM and Cathe independent, tea late.

Monday. Fine Morning, I return home early by Sanctuary(?), breakfast there wishing to speak to Mr D about Dix boy. At home by 10.30. Change dress and about farm to see everything going on, garden, ricks, hay, tithes, turnips. Batcock. Goose killed by Nip, half charged by him for killing a pig, shut up Nip. Take account of everything, order paint Swansea. Ride to Penmaen for post, pudding there, dine at home. Miss Vine starts for Port Eynon. Tea there and home by 8.30. Evening fully occupied in entering accounts and day book etc. Miss Pearce called.

20th

Fine day, some further showers, northerly wind. Wake very early, lave all over, up by 6.00. Walked to Cillibion field, instruct Tucker about work. Breakfast 8.00. Walk round Crickton, trespass everywhere. Order hay all in, then all finished. Hen set by WR, feed things. Difficulty about blacksmith. Lunch hot at 1.00 and ride back again to Port Eynon and by Penrice and Horton. Pedro and I not very good friends, make him gallop every hill. Unexpectedly meet Mr and Mrs James at dinner with WM, join them. The evening spent in visiting with Miss Vine Culver Hole. Pay visit to Mr Beynon of Overton, wine there. I again visit Overton at night to borrow horses for Worms Head tomorrow. Gibbs lends 2, tired out by my day's fatigue - to rise early tomorrow too.

21st

Fine cool morning, breakfast soon after 7.00 and start all 5 of us for Worm's Head. WM and Cathe refuse offers of horses and walk, how foolish and unsociable. Only self, Carree and Miss V go to the head. WM and Cathy not halfway and return to mainland and walk home alone. We are detained by the tide and can't get a boat till the fleet of vessels are all loaded with stones, a pretty and rare sight. An income to Mr Talbot of £8 at 2d only a ton for cliffage. I make several hasty sketches, the Worm's Head in all points beautiful. Tea at Mr Gibbs at Overton. The evening very cold and threatening change of weather again. Crab supper and fish before. Plans for tomorrow return home not approved, must be off early to counter order car etc etc.

22nd

Wet morning again from southeast, rise early and start before 8.00 in the wet, home to prevent cars starting as ordered to bring us home from Porteynon. Get partially wet, succeed in my object. Carpenter at a rabbit coop, dine at 2.00 and am quite ill all the evening. Write two notes with great difficulty to Carree by Ann and one to Penmaen by Tom. Ann has a load of things to take to Port Eynon. From some cause or other nothing will remain on my stomach. Take pills. Early in morning, say 1.00, put my feet in hot water and go to bed, can't sleep. Receive answers to my notes, read them and spend a poor night.

23rd

Better this morning but not well. Rise at usual hour, take light breakfast and no prospect of a dinner, nothing to dress. Nil desperandum, I take no thought of it. Stroll to Crickton, see workers. Call on Mrs Batcock, pig trespass, fair promises. Mr James and Carree come over from Port Eynon and Penmaen. Ann sent to meet latter at Scurlage. One brings sewin the other laver, both most agreeable and acceptable. Dine on them entirely. A busy day, tithes in. Carree returns and wet comes on, she will shortly catch cold. Many persons ask money and I have not a farthing, evening spent in thistling Lower Field, talking about paint, wants at Swansea, entering labour accounts and journal, money matters etc. Quite a wet evening, finish Carree's letter to Ted, sent tomorrow.

24th

Ride to Swansea with Samuel Philip, wet day. Called on C Collins about money, Morris wheelwright disappoints me about wheels and shaft, shall leave him. J Collins announces intent of son to marry Miss Wood. Met nobody but see Collins to speak to in street, had wine of Beynon about 3/-worth. No letters, put in post 3 from William at Port Eynon, Alfred, Henry and Dynely and one for Ted. Spoke to Fitt, things ordered long ago and sent home too, never heard of things crammed in corner and found on return. Pigeon killed by cat. Ann later at Port Eynon, no account of work, no rush brought up, wain out of order.

26th

Sunday. Very fine, morning dutyat Llanrhidian, informed too late, generally in evening. About home till 12.00. Ride Little Rosy to Penmaen, dine and church there evening. Go to Port Eynon between 6 and 7, arrived there, cold.

Monday. Fine again. Write home by post woman, note does not arrive till Thursday evening, all confusion in consequence. Draw Worm's Head for Cathe, all go on sands. Bathe in a puddle, first having bathed C Teddy by the East Cliff. Dine at 1.30. Make sketch of entrance to Port Eynon. Hay carrying very late at Mr Lucas! Rick in the evening. 2 hours rain again this evening.

27th

Ann expected from home all day, no arrival. RH comes to Port Eynon this morning about tithe Pengarvenny. Send verbal errand by him to home. Call at Overton, Mr Beynon's to borrow wine for this evening. Mr Davies of R and children and Mr & Mrs Perry spend evening with us at Mrs Bevan's. Fish for prawns, very scarce, with Mr Davies. Hunt for shells. Captain Bevan leaves for his vessel at Swansea. See over Captain Samuel Gibbs house on Burrows. Mr Perry etc leave about dark in gig. One heavy shower about 2.00 today. Call on old Mrs Bevan, Oxwich.

28th

Fine again all day till dusk, rain again. Harvest begins at Port Eynon becoming general. No arrival again from home and no arrangements made about return home tomorrow. Walk with WM beyond Paviland Cave, take sketch, after(?) gather mushrooms and pick up new plants called Ladies Tresses very unobservable size and colour …. Gibbs will etc called there. Called on Mr Beynon, return wine. Walk after dinner to Horton by cliff with Carree. Buy lobsters, spend evening with WM. In difficulty about tomorrow, no arrangements made.

29th

Gloomy morning, wind southwest, stormy day. Wet after 12, very. Leave Port Eynon, borrow Gibbs's pony and am home before wet. Send WR and Llewellyn with cars to Port Eynon for luggage, wife and children. No note had been received at home to order them, very late in consequence. A deputation and petition for minister call on me, Gordons, Jenkins and Mr Evans Senior, give grog. Walk round Crickton, horrid ravages in barley, Mrs Batcock's pigs. Remainder of Port Eynon party arrive all safe at 9.00. William and Cathe walked all way, detained at Reynoldston, Rev. Mr Davies. Mr Dr Davies wheat all winnowed yesterday, rick £5 produces only 2 winchesters and that worth nothing. Bread black. The house is set in order with paint and full, quite glad to be at home again.

30th

Wet morning breaks off after 12.00 and is fine. Make a rabbit coop with W David. Crimp calls about stuccoing front of house. Find he is a Brighton man. Am not about farm to see what work is doing. Dine at 2.00, butter, milk, potatoes, curry lobster etc. Car in evening, all of us, to tea with Mr Perry. Rather cold, when shall we have summer weather. Not home till past 11.00. Mr and Mrs Davies at Mr Perry's.

31st

Thorough wet morning, thought to go to Swansea or send, do not, send a note to RH about mutton for Mrs Davies by whom? Settle some accounts with WM. Carree not well, in bed. Go through my accounts to make balance of expenses and receipts, fail. Not completed today. Get out a little in the evening and plant a few things brought from Port Eynon, viz Ladies Tresses etc. These blow in September, a sort of orchis. Mr & Mrs James called in evening and take tea with some persuasion. Rain again, no showers in evening and very cold. Unpacked by candlelight my last packet from London, old desk, books, trinkets etc. Hate packing and unpacking.

September

1st

Sunday. Evening duty, cold, windy, stormy. Go to church in car. Mr Lloyds brother of Cillibion from Woolwich, there. Dine after church, mutton chops and peas. Read two of Biddulph's sermons. Wrote to Mrs Batcock, pigs trespass in barley.

Monday. Morning up at 6.30, send C Reese to Swansea for bricks, Aberthaw lime and new wheels. Jones of Wernhallog calls, arrears tithes. Settle some accounts, balance expenses. Sun breaks out about 12.00. Put up shelves for cheese to avoid mice. Windows added to the dairy. Walk after dinner with WM and Cathe to Cillibion field, see Moselle and colt etc doing well. Round by Broad Pool, home. Carry C Teddy and walk round by Crickton. Call at Pwll y Brag about pig trespass. 2 dandy beggars, colliers from Bettws, given nothing. Accounts and paper evening. Bevan from Penmaen calls here for lead.

3rd

Rise at 6, not a settled day, rainy, glass low but rising. Windy day, south west and north west. Improvement in weather, many persons venture to reap to which my men gladly escape. I garden, take up peas, weeds etc for pigs, gather seed beans and beans for dinner. Washing day. Plant out seed pansies, some laurel. Pond lowered with WM, Tucker and WR there. Hard at work all day from 7 to 7. Are we to go to Pwlldu tomorrow. Carree and Cathe go to Mrs Nicholls this evening, shell beans and seed picked. Went to Crickton immediately after breakfast to see what is going on. C Reese at his toilet for a reap, Leason. Remain about home all day after and up till 12.00 making tarts!!!

4th

Rise early. Thomas the Tailor comes, set him to work for Tom, to be off early for Penmaen to breakfast there at 8.00. An hour and half behind time, beautiful morning. All off for Pwlldu, horses and car, Mr & Mrs James, Miss Vine, 2 servants, Carree and self, WM and Cathe. Horrid road indeed! Jones of Hunts Leap, White pot, a sheep drift. Dine at the pot house not half our time occupied in seeing the country as we ought. Rain overtakes us on return home before dark. Tea at Penmaen, no servant to help me with cart and horses, do it myself. A dreadful wet drive home in the dark, borrow a lantern. Round about by Pennyhitch and Cillibion. Not home till 10.00, some of us wet, take brandy and water and break the sugar basin. Console myself that we did not all break our bones or necks. Not sorry to get to bed. Sets in for a wet night. Mr Davies called and left his bill, sale account.

5th

A thorough wet day, rise at 7.00, daudle, what is to be done? Not out of the house till tea time. The tailor here. In reviewing the day, what have I done! Busied in my room about old papers etc. RH calls about tithe, difficulty to get them to agree, write a note to Morgan Morgan. Make seed bags, put down stair carpet. Mr Gordon and Edward Reese call, settle accounts with them about vessel. Stroll out for about half hour to top of field, intended to have begun rule papers for tithe book. WM gives a turn to drawing, stretch paper in frame. He colours Paviland Cave. Evening spent in writing, yesterday being devoted to pleasure, ending in vexation.

6th

Beautiful brisk day. Tithe collated, still some slight showers this morning. Wheat of Roberts, clover Walterston. Fuss about home with painter and dairy windows. Send for tithe to end of parish, Upper Division. Walk round Crickton, all in car at 1.00 to call on Mr Collins, he only at home. Called at Mrs Nicholls for umbrella. David Jones cut himself badly reaping, Friars Balsam sent for. Mrs Batcock's pigs twice in my barley today. Dine at 5.00, garden a little after dinner. Weather looks unfavourable for tomorrow, send for meat to RH. Sent Tom to Penmaen for letters and orders for meat for RH. Write commissions for Swansea and send WR to Penralt, to go by RH. Am tired this evening. Susan ill-mannered to her mistress, shall I send her off. Go to bed vexed with many things. Difficult to bear with equanimity.

7th

Rise at 6.00, overcast morning. Brisk south wind. Order men to barley field to bind and to bind oats. Am out there by 7.00 too. 4 land mows made up of 3 score each. Rain comes on in torrents breakfast time. Moon changes tonight, forlorn hope but still a hope, set down to accounts. A thorough wet day till evening. Draw for WM my sketch of Paviland Cave valley and begin to colour it. Out to Crickton again towards evening, 6.00 with C Reese. Catch Mrs Batcock's sow in the standing barley again, lock up in Crickton barn and all her litter for the night. She has done me infinite mischief, am very tired sleepy and oppressed all this evening. RH from Swansea calls at 9.30 with newspaper. Llewellyn and WR, elder wine. Sale at Swansea today of Lord Ashburton's property near Llangennith. Packet boat upset this week crossing the Severn, all lost. Mr Crawshay senior among them.

9th

Sunday. Doubtful showery morning holds up to go to church in morning in car, sacrament. Mr Davies performs the duty, Mr Meredith does his. Horse put up at Penralt. Lift Miss Lloyd of London home in car. Am very sleepy and weighed down all day, why is this? Read Cambrian and Biddulph's sermons. Dine at 2.00, a sermon and prayers. Read to servants. WR unwell this morning, he s(t)ays out late from home tonight. Look after my own horse in consequence and make Eliza bed hers down, bed 10.30.

Monday. No rain in night, up early and work in garden. WM and Tucker go strenuously to work at the pond. Carree wants to ride to Brynhir, harvest prevents. I get out early to Crickton to set women to bind oats, first thinning turnips. A catching day, misty rain with some hindrance allows us to continue work all day. Most miserable harvest weather but today not so bad for this lamentable season. Oats not all cut yet shedding fast. Assist to make mows and rake barley out of the mud; some little carried home for pigs. Dine at 2, calves head and out to the oat field again till 7.00. 13 mows put up safe. Rain again in torrents after dark. Let us try not to repine and know not our good. Mary Morgan labour account in corn field silver 10/-. Hannah this evening in sad want of barley, peck 2/-. Tea by myself and read Mr Nicholls independent paper this evening. Not over fatigued with my day's work.

10th

Up at 7.00 and write, entering daily accounts. Beautiful day after wet night, really promising fine weather. Walked to Crickton after breakfast, set women to work, rake and bind oats. Land deplorably wet like mud. Engaged to ride with Carree to Brynhir, RH calls about Mr Lloyd tithes. Obliged to go there, cannot get him to agree. £1 difference. At 12.30 ride with Carree by turnpike to Brynhir, extremely hot, thorough change of weather but many things, cattle, distance etc indicating speedy change. Mr Evans is improving his house. Baby well, not pretty. Home again in haste and dine at 6.00. Am not well all day, bad headache. Rain again at dark and wet night. Mr Vorpert called about barley sold? To me. Nip bites him, really. Too unwell to do anything all the evening, glad to go to bed. Bloody murky sunset.

11th

A soaking wet day again, most extraordinary. It really makes one quite disheartened. Rise at 7.00, read London paper, Lord Lynn directa review of sessions etc. W Richards ill. Cat kills a pigeon on the green. Beat her suspended severely. Tom steals treacle thrash him too. Make a wool seat with Carree for the car. RH and Hopkin John call about tithes, no agreement made. Receive balance of sale money, intended to have finished Bucklands Paviland Cave for WM; do nothing to it. Mr James rides over this morning, takes tea, newspapers, no letters. C Reese here making straw ropes. Look after rabbits etc, slipshod nearly all day. Walk to top of field in evening, sun sets well. Good promise of tomorrow. Enter daily accounts in evening, mild weather, glass does not fall. Carree makes white dimity curtains.

12th

Doubtful morning, fine day not without showers. Rise at 7.00, little elevated with prospect of harvest. Richards ill, look after stables etc myself. Walk to Crickton, mowing barley. Women raking too, send to Caie Forgan to weed. Sent word to Mr Lloyd by his mother of Woolwich to agree about his tithes. Work at pond with WM. W Jone there. Plumber comes from Swansea … he is attended to. Carpenter here too, ditto. No meat or bread in the house and none to be got. Had some little talk with WM about the living to whom to be given, improvements to be made with and conditions, school etc. Tucker mows lawn and neats up a little. A whole host of women help also weeding. The most important event of the day is that John Mabbott comes to me and allows me to carry him round the garden and does not cry for Susan. Quiet day and no bad promise by sunset for tomorrow. Enter my daily accounts this evening.

13th

A most showery disheartening day after wet night and no prospect of improvement. Moor Mills again nearly full of water, most unusual for the time of year. Little or no harvest carried. To the stable before breakfast. Llewellyn grooms the old mare, she is not mangy. Tucker mows the remainder of the lawn. Cart load rush from haggard to fern yard. Cart mud and sand from drain by the road entrance gate. Difficulty to make a dinner, no meat left. Butter, milk and potatoes very nice. Heavy shower stopped work. Saw posts for haggard with Llewellyn, out again with WM to open gutters for water on roads. Go to Penrallt, order mutton. Phil Long there. Carree talks of going to Swansea tomorrow, sad promise of weather. I feel quite disheartened and lose my interest in rural affairs. Richards sent over to Penmaen, letter from Mr W Morgan, no day fixed for his coming to Gower.

14th

Doubtful morning, fine day for a wonder. Up early, take down my gun to shoot rooks on the corn. Shoot at a snipe, miss. Discover Batcock's pig feasting on my barley, resist shooting at it. Muster my men and confine her. Order no more barley cut, expect more rain, barometer very low. Return home to breakfast. Carree resolved to go to Swansea, borrows Mrs Nicholls car and off with Ann. I garden, draw small onions and gather seed beans. Tucker neats up. Feed my rabbits, air barn, corn in it not dry. Clean road, cart in stuff, release Batcock's pig. Walk to Newton Field, Reese binds corn, get reinforcements and get all in land mowing, regret not having begun earlier. Not home till past 7. Carree home about 8.00, all safe. Many, not all, promises of fine weather.

16th

Sunday. Some rain in morning otherwise a fine day. Some sunshine in evening. Evening duty by Mr Davies of Reynoldston who takes tea with us in the evening. He walks home in dark with John Jenkins the clerk. We dine after church. Mr James does duty at Chapel, Mr Meredith gone to ordination. Read part of Cambrian for sermon etc and prayers in evening. Sun sets well.

Monday. Rise before 6.00 and ring for servants. Doubtful morning, most miserable wet day, how lamentable!! What is to become of corn. Garden before breakfast, carpenter after and paint. Johnny Williams sends over bill for fish, pay nothing. In barn in morning culling grown wheat, pitiable sight. Tithe, RH calls about tithe but few to agree. Must agree to a reduction. Carree failed in making a cake for tomorrow and is much put out with her cake and me.

17th

Up early and send off wain for tithe wheat to Mrs Morris Walterston, overloaded and stuck in the mud, obliged to unload in part and leave it in barn. Send up a relay horse, worse travelling than in worst winter. Delays throw me out for rest of day. Tithe too wheat at Wimmel, gets caught in heavy rain. Am out at Crickton, nothing done effectively about corn. Time lost, rain again in heavy showers. Mr and Mrs Evans and Mr James dine here today at 3.00. So finishes the day. Crimp the plasterer arrives and my candle expires.

18th

Up early, scaffolding being placed for the front of the house. All unavailing, the walls of the house so wet, wet through mortar mud, nothing to be done after long consultation and plasterer Crimp discharged for the present. Out to Crickton, busy binding corn. All the oats and some barley made safe. Edmund arrives. Carry oats this evening to Crickton, heavy shower comes on and stops us. A brisk driving day after a wet night last and wet again tonight. Most deplorable wet season!! Corn much grown in Wales. Carpenter a little, handle to a hammer.

19th

C Reese by wife in back kitchen early in morning, gold £2. A most heavy shower about 11.00, showers also before. Walk to Stafell Haegr with William and Edmund. Dix spinning black wool for Edmund. Thence cross over to Oldwalls to call on Mr Gordon to see Act of Parliament road, not at home. Lunch there and by common home in wet like brook. Edmund and I go to Crickton, carry oats. RH called this morning, goes with Llewellyn on horseback to tithe in Upper Division, nothing done. No fresh agreements made, idling and idle talking in the evening. Most beautiful rainbows almost every day.

20th

Rise 5.30, pleasant morning after a deluge of rain in night. Moor Mills brim full and over Crickton road. Edmund drives his carriage to Swansea and takes WM and Carree and C Teddy. I walk to Crickton to see what is doing, nothing. Meet Emy Phil, send her to brew. Work at pond, dam it up. Carpenter post and rails at rick yard fence. Garden, feed my rabbits etc. Llewellyn dung cart mare(?) kicks herself free. Brewing begins late. Dine at 5.00. Mr Gordon calls this morning, left a small hare. Promise of fine weather tomorrow.

21st

Beautiful morning after some rain in night but not much. Corn just got dry and fit to bind at 1.00 when suddenly the weather changes and down comes a deluge of rain again. For the rest of the evening wet, most unlucky indeed!!!!! Up early and Carree too, send Llewellyn to carry tithes at Blaenkedy, nothing done. Pictures from Mrs Evans, Ship. William and Cathe walk over to make calls at Reynoldston. Edmund and I walk to Crickton, he shoots in way a snipe, a leveret and misses teal. Gather apples at orchard, Crickton. No hare on potatoes, women busy binding corn. Wheat mow made in haggard from corn in barn. Return to Crickton in rain for eggs, get 2, get wet. Dine at 4 and then brood over the weather, most melancholy. Pay labourers. Nothing done and corn spoiling.

23rd

Sunday. Pleasant morning, fine till about 2.00. Breakfast early church by 10. Mr Davies… does the duty. Edmund is there, Carree sits in Mrs Nicholls pew. Thunder and heavy rain passes over Carmarthenshire. Dine at 3.00 and walk in evening to the top of Cilivor Hill. Morgan Jenkins there, sun sets well, tide full in. Many people work at harvest today to save corn.

Monday. A beautiful today. Rise very early, beautiful fog, work in garden. Breakfast, walk to Crickton, open mows of barley and order carrying today. Send for Valiant, ride him home and all drive to Penmaen. Edmund shoots there, dine there, I kill a rabbit. Home between 9 and 10. Leave C Teddy at Penmaen till tomorrow. A most beautiful setting sun this evening, do not see it. Thus ends a solitary fine day without rain. Carry 3 small mows of barley, more or less damaged.

24th

RH calls early about tithes Upper Division, send Llewellyn, nothing collected. Dull gloomy morning, east wind, wet day. After 10.00 driving mist. Our party leave us for Tenby in Edmund's carriage about 10.30. Trouble about luggage, some left to be sent. We are left to our own dull solitude. Off my hinges and do not know how to spend my time. Garden, barn, winnow wheat, rush …, stables cleaned. Walk in wet to Crickton, nothing going on. Dine at 2. Walk to Mrs Nicholls about coal on marsh, she does not like it. Repair drain on the road with Tucker and Llewellyn. Philip Morris of W calls about tithe wishing to agree for rent, refer him to RH. Enter accounts in evening. Weather promises badly.

25th

WR not home last night, in bed drunk this morning. Showery morning, fine brisk day. RH and Philip Morris of W call about tithe, part collected. Write a long letter to Ted at Swaffham about the living of Llanrhidian, not exactly offered to him, terms stated. Send it by Betty Williams who calls with fish. Walked to Crickton before dinner and order carrying, barley and oats. Walk with Carree to village for bread, flour at W David's mill. Spoke to both publicans about coal vessel for WM luggage to Llanelli tomorrow. Weather proves too coarse, do not come in. Receive note from Mrs Jones about stipend. What am I about this evening, no diary or daily account kept. Met Captain Gunthorpe at Cross Lane. Morgan Jenkins calls about the living to be sequestrated.

26th

Proves a fine day, am not at Crickton all day. Barley mowing going on there … some man for a donkey: bought by RH. Order car to Swansea for WM's luggage. Luckily RH calls, is going to Swansea and takes it. Ride old mare to Penmaen. Mr J not at home. No beer to be got. Culvert at Walterston Corner made. See Tucker cutting fern, order carrying. Dine at 3.00 and spend evening at Mr Perry's Reynoldston, his child christened George Booth. Present - Mr, Mrs and two Misses Davies, Mr Berrington and selves. Not home till past 11.00, evening much cooler, cold. Tithe collected at Wimmel.

27th

Dull cloudy morning, windy stormy not wet day till evening. Walk early after breakfast by Park yr Rhedin over Cil Ivor Top to Mrs Jones. RH called early to pay £10 received yesterday, borrows my cart to go tithing with Llewellyn to Cwmmawr, nothing done. Advise church warden not to register the living. Walk to Oldwalls to request Thomas Thomas to put an old mare into Wimmel sale October 9th. Not at home. Return to dine at 2.00 by Newton Lane and over Crickton Farm. Order barley tied. 11 mows secured before rain set in at sunset with driving wind. Mr & Mrs James and Miss Vine dine here and stop the night. The sequestration of this living canvassed and music in the evening.

28th

Fine morning, mild after wet night, no rain today. Mr & Mrs J and Miss Vine sleep here, former only return home to dinner. Garden a little for rabbits, gather a few seeds. Feed chicks and go coursing with Mr J, find nothing. Dine at 2, fern carrying. Walk to Crickton after, paid W Jone lime and earth Cadennith. In barley field late, make up 4 mows. Ann sent to Reynoldston about the church tomorrow, no duty likely. Thomas Thomas called this morning, consents to put my mare into the sale at Wimmel. Tea late and am very tired.

30th

Sunday. Beautiful fine morning and day and rain from the east about night and great part of night wet not heavy. Carree, Miss Vine and self ride to Penmaen, sacrament, stay. Mrs Simmonds and Mrs Terry there. William Collins does part of duty and preaches on 1st Commandment, very good. Mr J does evening duty at Nicholaston, I go. We are at home about 8.00, rain just beginning.

Monday. Again fine after doubtful morning, some rain slight. All horses and carts requisitioned to convey Mrs Jones to Penclawdd. No one left at home to look after anything. Ride old mare to village and walked to Stafell Haegr and set W Jone to cut rush. Go to Rushy Marsh, was at Crickton, begin thrashing barley. Dine at 3, behind time. C Teddy rides, first time, donkey to Mrs Nicholls. We all walk there, children, Tom etc. Meet WR returning from Penclawdd drunk, mare without a back band, get extremely angry, WR impertinent. Throw him on the ground, he cries like a child afterwards. Children nearly killed by the horse trotting off with the cart, fortunately no accident. Mind troubled all the evening. See all safe before going to bed and sleep badly in consequence of this adventure of W Richards.

October

1st (Tuesday)

Really a fine day. After breakfast walk round Crickton to see what is going on, lend Mr Lloyd my car. Ride at 12 with Carree and Miss Vine on brown mare to Wibley, Mrs Gordon very ill. Wimmel about tithes, call at Mr Pearce's Llanmaddock. Enjoy our ride over the hill to Fairy Hill, and Stoppers Mill[6], try to cajole old Willis out of a millstone. Dine at 6.00, young Mr Ball calls in about mutton. Takes tea. Write a note by him for Mr Perry to call at Wibley. Every indication of fair weather but Carree's cones. A post chaise returns from Fairy Hill.

2nd

Rise early, most dark loury morning indeed. Heavy rain after 9.00 till 3. Garden before breakfast, gather seeds etc beans etc, pick a lot of beans after with C Teddy. Go to stables to see what is going on. Rush bracing by wholesale. RH calls about clock purchased at Wernffrwd for arrear of tithes, very dear I think. Arrange to get it home. We are to go to Penmaen, car ordered. It clears off after appointed time. Dinner put off, go in good time. Mended a rake this morning. WR brings back car to get fern or stones on his return. Nothing of much consequence talked of this evening. No letters, expected one from Ted at Swaffham.

3rd

At Penmaen, slept there. Anniversary of wedding, fine day till late in evening 6.00 when rain comes on a gale. Windy all day. Morning spent in nothing, loitering etc. Called at Mrs Jones, all hands with C Teddy. Jones carrying barley. Dine early and ride home in evening about 4.00. Horses returned by Tommy to Walterston. Fern carrying most briskly, all hands. Order them to Crickton to bind barley. Hurry to Crickton, binding commenced, soon stopped by rain. Home again and go to fern rick, order cart for caff barley, question just in time? Out till dark securing mow of barley uncovered. Cover it with reed by W Jone. Come sulky to the house repining, I had not left Penmaen 2 hours earlier. Most boisterous evening, Carree has prognostications, gloomy, of futurity of 9 months.

4th

Sleep badly, rise early. Breakfast at 8.00, dine at 1. Wild stormy day, some rain in forenoon. Cold and unpleasant, little work done. Send for fern, too stormy to load. Read paper, send WR to mill with 3 winnows barley the first new corn. Place and make with W Jone a temporary shed in fern yard. Garden a little in the evening. Carree wished me to finish a drawing of Swaffham, nothing done in that line. Commissions for Swansea. Wild windy evening, promise of better day tomorrow. Pick dirty wheat for mill in the evening.

5th

Rise early, fine morning, most beautiful day. Quite enjoyable. WR and Eliza off to market, butter. New parlour window home. Send to hill for fern for the last day, tis too late. Tithe barley at Wimmel, wain load and car. Bind barley at Crickton and carry load of caff. Most miscellaneous day, dig up my own potatoes, go to Crickton, ride Pedro. Feed rabbits, chicks etc. Garden, plant a few laurels by drive up. Mount on fern rick to tread it. Dine early and go blackberry gathering after with Carree and child towards Prisk and back by Park y Rhedin. Come home late. Dispose of it till Monday, difficulty to place window in parlour pro tem. Receive no money or letters from Swansea. Return from Swansea about dark, sent for J Smith to explain and examine him as to Penmaen robbery at Beynon's. Wind northerly, barometer at fair.

7th

Sunday. Beautiful white frost. No certainty about church here, dine early and ride to Penmaen, evening duty. Ann and Eliza go, church crowded, good sermon on thanks for Changing of Weather and Harvest. Mr T Ball. Mrs Nicholls at church also. Home in dark by Walterston and on to Penrice road. A sly thief steals into stables, for what? When I am there.

Monday. Most beautiful frosty morning. Prevented carrying corn on account of tithes Cwmmawr. Carry some fern, up early, breakfast alone. Carree not very well in bed. Walk over Crickton, ride Pedro there, ride to Penmaen with Carree. Susan walks, both children go. Dined there. No letters. Write to WM about presentation to this living. Time drawing near. WM at Tenby. Home to tea. Missy courses a hare on return home. I carry C Teddy, falls asleep returning home. Go to bed early, 9.00.

8th

Rise at 6.30, fine mild day. Penmaen party dine here. Garden a little with C Teddy for the rabbits. Help in haggard, take C Teddy to Crickton to see corn loaded and arrange how to dispose of it. Dine at 2, good plain dinner. Talk of walking to Cil Ivor top, nothing done. They depart the before 2. C Teddy has fit of crying about apple when playing with me in garden. Send 10 chickens by Hannah to Crickton after dark. Carree writes to Bristol. Symptoms of rain again in evening. Letter by young Batcock tomorrow am from Ted, Swaffham.

9th

Wimmel sale. Up early, showers early this morning, threatens today but blows off and is fine. Fuss about house, go to Cadennith, ploughing there again begun to day. Ride to Wimmel sale with Mr James as agreed upon. Try to sell an old mare, Bet, no purchaser. Home again by 3.00. Cold dinner. A Mr Morgan, clerk of Loughor calls to see Mr J, dines too. Stout and gentry. Read Shakespeare's ‘Taming of the Shrew' this evening. Receive, from Fairy Hill, beef, very poor, 90lbs at 5d as by paper.

10th

Up early, windy dull fine day for threatening. Out to Cadennith before breakfast. Reese ploughing, Tom Rees only at lime and earth. Funeral of W David's wife's brother, few men at work in consequence. Plant a few laurels and neat up entrance with WT, dig etc. Mrs J comes over to cut up beef from Fairy Hill, very poor. Mrs Evans of Ship calls, sees place for first time, attends funeral. Ride to Penmaen and dine at 3 with Carree. Miss Vine to leave by packet for Bristol tomorrow. Dark night, return home by Pennyhitch, arrived safe by 9.30. RH called this morning about corn bought at Wimmel for me and Mr J. Wind high tonight and all day.

11th

Very dull lowry morning. Heavy rain greater part of day. Ditches are rivers of water. Rise early and over Crickton before breakfast. Order geese caught, ploughing going on, ground in the very best order. Bryn Gwas sale, Howel John's. Ride after breakfast by Llythrid. Agreed with Howel John and Thomas Thomas the auctioneer that all bills given should be assigned to me as security for … and money due from Howel John. Both Mr Balls there, Mrs McMechan, Gunthorpe. RH bids for all I want, pigs go most wondrously dear, cattle too. Detained by wet, return by Cartersford and give Mr T Ball a ride to Llytherid, most splendid effect of sun cloud about sunset, coppery bright. Home by dark to tea. Receive a letter from WM at Carmarthen about the presentation to Llanrhidian. Read a London paper, am very tired and off hinges.

12th

A stormy pelting wet day again. Car sent to Swansea, butter and 2 geese, Elizabeth and WR. In the house nearly all day, had thought to go to Swansea then thought to go to Penmaen. Carree not very well. I am not at all in spirits owing to this return of rain I suppose. Read papers and very idle. Sort out and bag some seeds etc. It clears towards evening. I stroll to Crickton to see what he's doing, thrashing. Car very late from Swansea, why? Windy but dry evening, glass rising. 10.00, car returned, all errands omitted, nothing done. Eliza walks home, Richards drunk as usual, leaves my service. That decided. Does not however, though he rides unknown by me to Swansea for his omitted errands and breaks the old mare's knees on return.

14th

Sunday. Stormy sort of morning, wintry look and feel, tolerably fine day. Evening duty here. Carree not very well, takes ginger etc. I ride to Penmaen, morning duty, thin attendance at church. I dine there and return to tea and do not read a sermon in the evening. Explain to Mr J how we are situated as to Llanrhidian living.

Monday. Soaking wet again, clears off a little after 12.00, expect Mr & Mrs Pearce, do not come. Walk to Penralt to inquire of RH about the things bought at Bryngwas sale.

Return and dine at 2.00. Mr & Mrs J call and dine with us. Return from Penralt by Crickton. Mr & Mrs James do not stay tea. Am very idle and very ennuyed about the weather and about drunken Richards who has taken in his head to go to Swansea unasked for commissions omitted by drink on Saturday. Now breaks the mare's knees as I find next Saturday.

15th

Most lowry morning, some very heavy rain. Fine hot day, wet at night again. Am up very late, washing day, no water ready, no fire lighted at 9.00. No relish for anything on account of the weather. Read a paper, Llewellyn calls, send him to marsh for rush and Reese. Garden, feed rabbits, find a hare, get a course, no catch. Mark out place for enlarging water, begin to take up narcissus roots. Mr and Miss Pearce arrive. Daudle about, dine 2.30. Mrs Nicholls car sent for for tomorrow. Mrs Nicholls expected, prevented. Mr Pearce leaves about 8.30. Heavy shower comes on, he gets wet. Miss P sleeps.

16th

Rise at 5.00, boisterous and stormy, abates and is fine day but rains. Miss Pearce goes by steamer to Ilfracombe, see her off. Shopping all day and making calls. Miss Lucas, Mrs Collins there and Miss Popkin. Mrs Rowland Pritchard no. 7 York Place, Mrs Webb's not at all well. Do not leave Swansea till near 5.00, both children with us, tiresome companions home. Horse Valiant very tired, load too heavy there and back. Glad we are to get tea and get to bed. It was quarter sessions at Swansea, in consequence prevented seeing many persons. I wanted to meet Collins, Jeffreys etc. Mutton chops etc at Castle Hotel not paid for nor ostler. Receive letter from WM from postman at St. Helens.

17th

(Cow loses her calf prematurely.) Dull morning promises fine but dull warm day. Some mild showers, fine evening. Promises fine tomorrow, tis thorough wet again. Up at 7 in garden with Tucker. Walk to Crickton by breakfast, order work and order geese. Reese at plough. Call on Mrs Batcock and at last get her to begin hedge Cadennith. Send Llewellyn to fern. Balance yesterday's account. Mr Pearce calls about his sister. Mr & Mrs J call and dine. Mr Evans expected of Llanelli about curacy … to Mr J. Dig up bulbous roots. Attend a meeting about the roads in the village at 5.00 and appointed surveyor with Davies of Llanellan. Winter cow slips her calf, neglect of WR are yesterday. Note tea, coffee at 9.00. Read road book over, enter all my accounts, bed at 11.00

18th

Rise very early before 6.00 in full assurance of a fine day. Rain begins about 8.00 for a complete wet day again. How tantalising and extraordinary. I have some barley still out. Sulk into the house and enter on my new office by surveying the accounts of the roads as by book delivered over to me. Make out the arrears. Get out of the house but little all day. Measure out a little corn for Tucker and Hannah. Send WR to Penmaen late. Letter from Mr Evans who refuses security of Llanrhidian. Am late at the road book. Some odd conduct of WR and Eliza upstairs just as we go to bed. Are they listening or stealing or courting or what?

19th

Intend going to Swansea, promise of a most beautiful day. Dull damp and rainy again till 12, after that fine. Nothing done about corn. I am starting for Swansea, mare broken knees, give WR a confounded rowing, ordered another mare and start, get to Cillibion, find her lame, no shoe. Get her shod and return home disgusted at 12.00. Change my dress and go to carpentering up a rabbit coop to make me forget myself. Amused C Teddy with rabbits etc and walk to Mrs Nicholls for Carree who was there and expects me. Mr & Mrs Nicholls are really about to leave Cillibion farm, a great loss to us they will be. Enter my accounts in the evening.

21st

Sunday. Morning duty, Meredith. We go, are late, Carree rides, take C Teddy. Sacrament, do not attend. Dine early and ride to Penmaen. Evening church, home late, a little rain.

Monday. Up early, send for coals to marsh vessel come in. Warm close dull day, busy carrying fern. Finish rick of fern yard, was round Crickton after breakfast, order barley moved, much grown. Help at fern rick and beat it into shape to thatch. Harvest supper tonight, dine early, tea early. Mrs Nicholls, John and Ann come. The 2 Nisses Batcocks dressed for a ball!!! Music and dancing in the evening. Servants from Penmaen here, not in bed till past or near 12 o'clock. All passed off well. C Teddy's birthday. One load of barley carried today.

22nd

Up early, dull hazardous morning. Sun rises copperous. Dig in garden before breakfast, 2 hours. Breakfast late. Out to barley field, Stoneyford, and work there till dinner. Again work in garden, planting and get some fresh earth in last thing after barley is Carreed. Dull misty rain this evening before barley is Carreed. It will be much hurt. Help Tucker spread earth in shrubbery. Model calls to tune piano. New piano worth nothing!! Read Horticultural Magazine, WR at mill with 3 winnows of barley. Glass is high and not disposed to fall, else all symptoms indicate rain. Mr Rowley Pritchard calls for one minute!

23rd

RH here this morning about chains. Fully intended going to Swansea about presentation stamp for this living. Start on Pedro, round by Penmaen, write thence to C Collins instead and ride with Mr J to Ilston. Mr and Mrs Samuel Davies there, Jones of Bison, former intended calling on us. Dine at Penmaen. J Mabbot baby sent there in car by Tucker, behaves very well. Carree expected over, does not come. I am detained there by rain, dreadful wet evening. Start for house after 10.00, the common a thorough pond of water. Get soaked with wet, all in bed when I arrived home. Carree, fortunately, awake and I luckily gain admission and a bed, glad to get to it. What a stew of water is the common tomorrow morning. Moor Mills never so high though full for months past.

24th

(Torrent of rain ended? And very fine weather begins does not continue long.) Another wet morning after a dreadfully wet night. The common more wet, Moor Mills pond and all the pools far more full than I ever knew them before. The Crickton road, middle of common, impassable for flood. Rise late. Very tired, shave after breakfast. C Teddy, his new boxes of letters etc from his grandma, London, all sorted properly. Carpenter a little, corn chest. Mrs James calls, does not alight. All well. Garden a little, plant a few laurels and transplant Laurestinus and rake up lawn mown yesterday. Read life of Rommy (sic) the painter. Enter day accounts and go to bed. Damp misty night after wet dull damp day. Deplorable accounts of harvests in the North.

25th

A beautiful day at last. Barometer very high. Garden, improve flower garden with fresh earth and go to Cadennith - carting of lime and earth for wheat, begin. Give orders for tomorrow, Swansea. Dine early and ride with Carree to Ilston by 3.00, missionary meeting, Mr Allen, all Gower clergy there. They dine and tea, we go to Penmaen with Mr & Mrs James and tea there. Little John Mabbott at Penmaen in high spirits, his new carriage on rollers and his top. We have a pleasant ride home about 10.00. Write my commissions for Swansea and in bed at 12.00. Mrs Nicholls wants horse for Swansea.

26th

Rise at 6.30 and explain to C Reese my errands to Swansea and give money. Eliza sells geese and butter. Very busy all day, send horses to help Mr Nicholls at harvest, take my own barley from barn to air and back again. Garden, roses and dig flower border. Carree enjoys the day too. Wage war upon the willows to make room for better things. Walk round Cadennith to Cillibion field, sheep there. Mr James' cart comes over today, mangle. Am working hard till dark. Settle Reesee account of Swansea, read no 14 of Nicholas Nickleby borrowed of Mr Collins. Receive answer from Mr Collins about living. Enter my accounts, a satisfactory day, much done. Ann a good servant.

28th

Fine day, ride with Carree to Penmaen. Take C Teddy and leave him there. Morning service. My calf getting on beautifully, good sermon on the Wavering about Religion. Home late.

Monday. Beautiful day, cold northeast wind. Ride by marsh with Carree to Penclawdd, see Mrs Evans, laurels etc, Blaenkedy for money, get none. Call at Brynhir, Mr Morgan of Loughor, stay tea, some talk of Meredith etc, roads etc. Home late, see a most splendid meteor on return home near Llytherid, like a flash of lightning. Could pick up a pin, it was a ball of fire and broke like a rocket. Ann brings C Teddy from Penmaen, find him fast asleep when we return. God bless and save him.

29th

Another dry day, cloudy, some sun but very cold and quite wintry feel. Thought to go to Swansea but not from home all day, Garden front shruberry. … willows, dig and throw in fresh earth. Washing day. Help WR prop shed, fern rick, lose my knife, long hunt and find it. Walk to Cadennith, order carts late to bring in fresh earth to garden. No intercourse with Penmain. Read Cambrian, no news except Queen's intended marriage. RH calls this evening with account of meat etc, vexed to death, I command no money to pay him really cannot. Tomorrow Three Crosses fair, send pigs. Enter my accounts etc this evening last thing. No… pigs sold.

30th

Three Crosses fair. Very cold, black east day, brisk wind. Ride to Swansea by Penmaen on Pedro. Borrow Mrs Jame mare for Swansea. At Park Mill at 12.00, return to Penmaen by 6.00. Walk with Mr J to Park Mill, blacksmith shop, Molly Davy potatoes. Call on C Collins, not at home, leave note for presentation stamp, request answer. Call on Mrs Mundy, her sister there. Spoke to Thomas of Wind Street, called at Austey's and at Davis and Wilkins. Nothing done effectively, no dinner and tea, meat at Penmaen and over top of hill Cefn Bryn in the dark home. Very little tired, do not think Mrs James mare very safe. J Mabbott baby at Penmaen in good spirits, knew me well, learning to walk and talk slowly. Sent 6 pigs to fair, none sold.

31st

Another bitter cold day and sharp wind, very lowering. Glass falling, no rain. About home all day, Carpenter and knock up a pig trough with WR. Mr & Mrs Evans of Brynhir arrive at 3.00 by engagement and dine with us. One Mr Davies? On the part of Mr Rowland Pritchard calls to see map and terrier for extracts, being about to sell his property in Gower, cannot accommodate him.

November

1st (Friday)

Very cold again, lowering east wind. Some snowy rain at times all day. Up early, finish pig trough by caulking with old wool, go to see work at Cadennith, lime and earth cart. Stay some time in rain, very cold, and alter the goings on. Old mare Bet casts a foal not known in foal. Read Nicholas Nickleby, 2 numbers, look for a wounded duck on Moor Mills, no find. See others and then go for a gun, no find again. Ann sent afoot to Penmaen, no letter from Mr Collins about presentation or anybody. Garden after dinner for an hour and digging and eating shrubbery. Read in evening Nickleby. Enter accounts etc. Carree reads papers and began a letter to Tenby to send tomorrow, will it go?

2nd

Cold disagreeable day, east wind. Eliza sent on Rosy to market, geese and butter. I am up early, write to Mr C Collins about stamp of presentation. Work in garden, dig shrubbery am not at Crickton. Dine early and ride with Carree to Penmaen, very cold. Carry a goose there. Mr James busy quarrying stones on Church Green for new school - Johnny Williams. Tea there, home by Nicholaston over hill in dark, much milder. Baby at Penmaen looking less well but in good spirits.

4th

Sunday. Showery and quite wet evening. Carree ill, taken violent cold, in bed. Go alone to morning church; Mr Meredith rants most vehemently. Walk to Stafell Haegr, angry with Llewellyn for cutting things in orchard. Cold dinner alone. Ann sent on Pedro to Penmaen, get wet returning. Day ill spent reading Nicholas Nickleby. Carree ill, bed early.

Monday. Up early, set work, garden again, front shrubbrey. Mrs Grey calls, pays part of rent for Blaenkedy, see tomorrow. Take C Teddy out on donkey first time to Cadennith, no bridle. Neddy very stupid. Home again, garden again. Mrs James calls for half-hour. Mr J ill, cold. Mr Ball returns my jacket borrowed, write him a note about meat etc. Home to tea early, lesson for C Teddy, gets on indeed. Read Cambrian. Enter accounts etc. Showery day but promises for tomorrow. Supper of milk, meat, really hungry after tea at 4.00.

5th

Fine morning and all day. Garden a little before breakfast and again all day making a narrow walk and transplanting through the shrubbery, pruning etc. Dine at 2 on chicken in evening. Go to see lime and earth carted at Cadennith and walk to Park yr Rhedin to borrow for another day a small cart to enable me to begin sowing wheat. Hear Mrs Gordon of Wibley is dead, dropsy. Old Mr Gordon calls to know who will bury her on Friday. Teach C Teddy to read!!! In evening begin to rule new tithe book. Enter my accounts.

6th

Rise early, cold east wind, dull day, wet at dusk. Blind beggar, matches, 2d. At forge before breakfast, with iron for staple for chest-lock and hoop-iron to mend a gate. Place the iron on the corn chest. Bring Moselle colt and Spotty from the field, Cillibion, home. Direct Tucker about work. At 12 ride to Penmaen about this living, no letters or stamp sent. Arrange to go to Swansea tomorrow. Dine at Penmaen, fresh herrings, do not tea there. School alterations begun at the church. Rev. Mr Morgan of Loughor at Penmaen slept there last night. Meredith's conduct mentioned as to Dr Morris of Llanelli and application for licence. Wet returning home. R Harry at Caie Forgan about beef and pay him on account £5 gold. Rule tithe book in evening, sack of wheat falls on C Teddy in the kitchen.

7th

Up early to dress to ride to Penmaen and for Swansea. Rain prevents. Change my dress and carpenter. Make a 2d pig trough with WR. Walked first to Cadennith and order jobs of work, harness cleaned etc. Mr Ball calls, stays dinner and supper and settles meat account pro and con, none of it entered before, I think. After dinner walk to see men at work with Mr B and feed ponies. Old Mr Jenkins calls about the funeral of his daughter. Mr Gordon Wibley. Write to Penmaen and send Richards. Talk about establishing book club for winter. Rule some of my tithe book this evening. Charles Teddy a very good boy today.

8th

Wet morning and all day till towards evening. Finish ruling my tithe book and stick it together. Mr James calls, no letter from the post or Charles Collins with stamp of presentation. Leads to hastening dinner and my riding instanter to Swansea and taking mail inside to Carmarthen. Had no rain to Swansea, wet all night to Carmarthen. Arrive there before 11.00 and sleep there. Read several papers, chiefly the accounts of Newport rioting, capture of Mr Frost and Waters; ring leaders. The hotel was stormed in earnest, slaughter ensued and about 20 killed, serve them right. Hot work for Frost and Water!!

9th

A wet day after 10.00. Breakfast at the Ivy Bush, Carmarthen and start to walk to Alltygog for money having first called on Mr Val Davies, the bishop's secretary, about stamp of presentation to Penmaen, the stamp higher than expected, 20 instead of £10. Met Henry coming to Carmarthen and returned back, got the presentation stamp, executed and signed it and wrote to Tenby to inquire of William and answer a letter of Roberts to Edmund. Saw Roberts at Cresselly Arms. Saw foreign corn in warehouse; good but dear, barley 6/6 wins. Dined at Alltygog, rode home with Henry. Mr Neave(?), poor law assistant commissioner, there. Carree sends Ann to Swansea, sells nothing.

11th

Sunday. Fine, warm and pleasant. Ride with Henry to Mr Green's Chapel, there late. Dr Morgan and the Mr Bridges there. Mr Green did all the duty, Work out the Hour Salvation. On return looked at one of the mail horses. Do not like Mr Greave's horse. Monday. Another fine day except a heavy shower about midday. A party engaged shoot at Killarthey Wood, Mr Morgan, Mr Green, Mr Neave(?), Henry and I. Not good sport and few Woodcocks, one only killed. Dine at 6, intend returning to Carmarthen tonight for mail in morning. Receive letter from Edmund, William wants to see me at Tenby, write answer to send by mail to meet Edmund tomorrow at St Clears. Agreeable to his proposal. Tired and knocked up and ill tonight. Glad to have a bed at home. Saw Toogood at Cothi Bridge. Learn from Mrs Howell that George has another child a month old.

12th

Another beautiful day. Write letters all morning; to Mr Nicholls about a painter, George to return by Toogood, about money etc and ‘gratulation about another new child, home to Carree, new arrangements. Start in gig for St Clears with Evan Lewis to meet Edmund for Tenby. Arrived there at 10.00, no Edmund. Wait and dine there and return at 4.00. Mr Commissioners land passed in way home from Haverford West. Some error somewhere to be found out; call on the guard (Pope) at Carmarthen, makes explanation that letter went false, found out after not sent till next day. So my jaunt to St Clears is useless. Waited arrival of London Mail for Mr Neave(?) and not home till late, 10.00. Supper of oysters and to bed. Wrote and sent letter to Carree from Carmarthen.

13th

Thick misty day but very warm. Rain broke out short time. Write out some papers from Mr Neave(?) poor law commissioner, relation to labourers. Mr Bridger and brother call, a long confab. Henry and I stroll out shooting back of Allt y Gog. Woodcock and hare killed, coursed. Thick fog comes on, effects curious. Saw Roberts this morning and ordered window sill etc. An day.

14th

Thorough wet day, heavy rain at 8.00 or 9.00, thick November Welsh mist all day. Carmarthen fair and sale of Ayrshire cattle by auction good. Visit a cottage with Mr Neave and Henry, jack up my traps and start for Carmarthen in cart; Henry, Lewis and Toogood. Meet William and Cathe there and Edmund comes. William attends breakfast time, meeting and learning that £300 interest at 4% is ours. Stroll about muddy stretch of fair and attend sale of Ayrshire cattle with Mr Bridger and Henry. Dine late. I buy one, £13, very clean. See them on the way home, difficulty to get up there. Not in bed till past 10.00 to be up again at 6. Henry had returned to Allt y Gog. Edmund goes there later, I am off at 2.00 a.m. to Swansea and Wm and father at 5.00 for Monmouth. Such is life in this world.

15th

Very sleepy and tired when called at 2.00 for Swansea mail, get up and wait. Am the only passenger. Warm foggy morning, very foggy at times. Arrive at Swansea safe before 7.00 and breakfast there and ride home instanter. Found my pony still at the Castle Hotel. Brought game home on the horse. At home before 11.00. Met R Harry and again going for Scotch cattle to Brynhafil. I am at home before 11.00. Moselle has cast her colt. No wheat sown and nothing done that I expected. Much disgusted and put out. RH calls to offer Scotch cattle, do not exactly refuse or accept. Often think to advertise a sale and done with farming, so careless are servants. Make out road book from magistrates tomorrow.

16th

Wet morning clears off, drizzly rain and showery evening. Go to Swansea to make return about the roads for last 3 years government paper. Overtake Mr Nicholls and ride in with him. Overtake Mrs Evans, Ship, some words about plants at Penclawdd and about Mr Meredith etc. Magistrates T E Thomas, Mr J Collins, Mr Samuel Davis. Can get no money of Mr C Collins, cannot see Mr Howell John. Have only a few errands to do. Start for home at 3.30 to dine at 6.00. Wet comes on about halfway, escape getting wet through pretty well. Read Cambrian in the evening and glad to get to bed.

18th

Sunday. Quite drizzly wet, not out of the house all day, read Cambrian, Newport riots, and a little book on religion, Stedman? It was morning duty, no servant at church.

Monday. Fineish cool morning, RH calls with things from Swansea. … to go to Bryngwas tomorrow. Send Tucker with cart to Penclawdd for trees. Ride there after him on Pedro. Mr Nicholls calls for land tax, pay in part only, have no money. Invite him to sup this evening. I return to dine at 2.00, had fresh herrings at The Ship. Mr James here on my return dines and stays night. Susan sent to Penmaen and Mrs J returns to meet Mrs Nicholls, Mr Nicholls prevented. Pheasant supper. Not a bad day it turns out at last.

19th

Fineish morning, threatens and proves wet till evening. Mr James off early and gets wet through. I am out all morning, cart in earth etc and plant rhododendrons in front by the hedges, Tucker and W Jone. Potato drawing stopped. Mrs James leaves after 1.00 and Carree and I ride to Penmaen about 4.00, dine and sleep there. A shuffling sort of morning for work. Clear haggard a little and take in the remains of a mow of barley. I am full busy till 3.00 when it clears off.

20th

4lb laver at Penmaen 1/-.

Am at Penmaen, slept there and Carree. W Tucker comes over to take up trees. Receive newspaper only by mail, Mr Voss passenger. Works at the church getting on. Mr Davis of Reynoldston calls shooting. Join him but am no use, he is lucky. Give David Morris a rabbit. Dine at Penmaen and home by 6.00 moonlight, promises fine, very fine, hot day. Land tax paper left and I have no money, must be paid tomorrow. We sit all evening in the nursery. At bedtime it rains hard and is a thorough wet night!!!! When shall we look for dry season again?

21st

Moor Mills brim full again and overflows, I have never seen it so long full as for the last 5 months!!!! Though I awake early I do not rise early, mortified at the wet. To my surprise C Reese takes the horses to draw for potatoes but he is right, the day proves fine enough. After breakfast wait for RH to go to Bryngwas, does not come, engaged at Llanellan bull fighting. Walk to potato field, meet Francis Thomas about land tax. He has the money, pay none. Go in to Swansea, meet Samuel Philip, questions about Pritchards land, Cilivor. Go to the village for hands about potatoes, succeed. Betty Jones's wedding[7], procession pretty, meet Carree and children on my return and then are back to Penralt. Looked for a hare on Crickton Top, at hellyo (sic)Rees tells me old mare has the mange, horrid!! Give mash and sulphut. Beautiful evening and glass rises. Accounts this evening.

22nd

A beautiful morning after a dry night and a very fine day. Rise early and shaved by the light of a full moon at 7.00, a full moon makes daylight lighter. Plan alteration of walk in garden and give a warm mash and sulphur to horses before breakfast. I am going to have the mange among them again, horror of horrors. Neglected stable management is a curse indeed. Walk to Crickton potato field, only half a crop. Winnow oats there, return and plant currant trees. Neddy calls with trees from Mrs E of Ship, return some - a mistaken sort. Wheel in earth, plant a laurestinus in front of garden. Dig a little in shrubbery. Dine at 5.00, tea 6.30. Idle and rest an hour and then to accounts and papers. Prospect of a beautiful night. No money spent or called for, a letter from Ted, Great Bircham[8] very dull.

23rd

Fine day, very. No one sent to Swansea. Send errands by RH and notes by Mr Nicholls. Always rise early and give my own horses corn and again feed them in evening. Ride Pedro to potato field, and to Stafell Haegr. Edmund's cloth done. Dine early and take Pedro for Carree and Susan and both children to Reynoldston. Call at the Balls and tea there. Call also on Mr Rev. Mr Davis; fine print of Sir Christopher Cole. Very cold going, returning very warm, forebodes rain. C Teddy sleeps all way home and very cumbersome. RH calls in with commissions late this evening and sups.

25th

Sunday. Damp foggy day, dine late. Church in evening, walk there in mud. A funeral of child, Mr Meredith funeral sermon. Finish my little book on Christian Life.

Monday Dull misty morning, go to Swansea by appointment for money and attend Mr Pritchard's sale of land, full attendance, many Llanrhidians there, who buy. Receive £10 of C Collins, Gwyn's(?) account. Speak to Penrice, dine at Castle and leave Swansea late. Get wet through returning home, pouring all way. Ann sent to Penmaen, read report of police … glad to get to bed, very wet though fortunately borrowed mackintosh of David Rees grocer.

26th

Fine day after soaking wet last night. About home of all day. Walked to potato field and to Newton to pay poor rate, Long out, left money with wife. Thomas, mason fits up dairy and cuts stone for yard gate. Plant a Portugal laurel by water and 2 laurestinus. Neddy calls with baskets etc. Cold brisk day, wheel in some earth to garden and trench a bit of ground on the slope myself. Keys lost this evening, a royal hunt, no find. No tea to be had in consequence nor candles, to bed early through necessity. Read police report and fall asleep over it. Fagged with work. Mary Thomas called to have her accounts settled, not prepared.

27th

Rise before true daylight, find my horses. Sharp frost, trim before breakfast quick set hedges. Oats taken in. Rabbits caught and new arranged over cartshed prepared for corn. Carree not quite well, caught cold. Walk with her to Mrs Nicholls, children sent there before. Mr Nicholls at home for a wonder, gives us a hare. I engage to shoot there tomorrow. Nip Carrees home the hare to the great delight of C Teddy. I walk alone to potato field, hands strong in number. Dine 3.30, plant a citasus(sic)? From Mrs Nicholls. Feed my horses with corn. Tea in nursery, good wood fire. Carree goes to bed unwell, very chilly by 7.00. Children very good. Promises sharp frost but not settled weather. No commission with Penmaen this post day.

28th

A very sharp and white frost, real winter, cold dull day. Breakfast early after feeding the horses and rabbits. Shoot by engagement over Cillibion with Mr Nicholls, a good day's sport, 5 pheasants 2 woodcocks. What an awfully wet farm to walk over, Mr Nicholls quite sick of it. I left the men to manage as they pleased about Crickton etc and for once I am satisfied!!! Carree rides to Cillibion and we dine there. Have really a good dinner, Mrs Nicholls has everything always nice. Snow falls and white on the ground, it ends in the rain and all disappears. Return home after 11.00. Carree rides Pedro, I walk in the mud. Feed all horses before I go to bed. Letter from Ted sent over from Penmaen, he is likely to come to Gower as curate of Llanrhidian.

29th

Very dull pleasant mild morning, turned to a thorough wet day after 10.00. Rise before daylight and feed my horses. Brown mare sent to forge, returns lame. W Thomas, a tailor, comes up to work, makes me a waistcoat. I carpenter with WR and make temporary stall for old mare, mangy in cows stall. Tall's wife calls for money for Stafell Haegr stone quarried. Francis Thomas calls for money, land tax, have no money to pay either. No communication with Penmaen.

30th

A most awfully wet day again, the earth is mortar wet, Moor Mills and all the pools of common overflow their banks in abundance. Farming business seriously delayed, potatoes not half … much wheat cannot be sown. Wrote a few lines to Henry by Tom Lewis returning there, expect Henry next week. Mend a horse for CTeddy and carpenter up a place for the heifer with Llewellyn. Receive Stafell Haegr rent of Dix, Thomas Thomas calls for money, had none for him, William Tall's wife calls for ditto, none, Stafell Haegr quarrying. Quite out of sorts all day on account of rain. Thought to have written letters to London but shall now wait the alteration of the Post Office, reduced postage on the 5th of next month. Sit upstairs in best bedroom all evening and read London papers. (K)no(w) nothing of affairs at Crickton today, don't see C Reese. W Tucker absent ill.

December

2nd

Sunday. Tis morning duty here but ride with Carree to Nicholaston church by 10.30. Good sermon, W Collins. We dine at Penmaen, beautiful day till evening. Some rain but fortunately avoid it on our return home before dark. Tea at home. New addition to the church at Penmaen covered in. C Teddy very cross and self willed on my return, obliged to correct him and send to Coventry, he repents and pardons.

Monday. Rise early, breakfast in kitchen and off early in car to Swansea to attend meeting of turnpike trustees, first Monday in every month. Meet Mr Collins on same errand at Ilston Lane. A full attendance of trustees but Mr Talbot not there in regard to alteration of Park Hill. Meet Mr and Mrs Samuel Davis at Welsh flannel shop in Castle Street. Dine at C Collins 5.00, Dr Terry and a Mr Simonds, I and William Collins. Not home till near 2 in the morning.

3rd

Not up so early as usual, tired on return from Swansea. Walk to Crickton to see finish of securing potatoes and order men to Caie Forgan to secure mangold wurzel. Mr Ball calls and finds me at Crickton. Agreed to sell him a pig for 28/-. Work in the garden and take up a few dahlias and cut down hollyoaks[9]. Attempt in evening to read Nicholas Nickleby but too sleepy from yesterday's fatigue. Read paper and go to bed early.

4th

Rise very early and out before daylight. Walk to Crickton by Cadennith. Men have not come to work, surprise necessary occasionally. Feed my own horses and work in garden a little before breakfast. A most beautiful day, work in garden a little, cut sticks. Mrs James calls, no letters, Mr J not well. Did expect them to meet Mr & Mrs Nicholls to a woodcock supper. The latter come and we spend a pleasant evening in looking over prints. Mr Nicholls very fond of them.

5th

Beautiful day again. Finish Nicholas Nickleby after breakfast for Carree to take to Penmaen to inquire after her father. She mounts little Rosy but she will not go, supposed in foal, Carree returns. Mend the gate at top of field. RH calls there about quarry stones. Mr Gordon of Black Pill rides by. Walk with Carree to Cadennith, too muddy for her to follow me and returns. I go to Cillibion field expecting to meet Tucker cutting furze, do not find him. The dairy (so intended) being cleared out and whitewashed. Beat to pieces an old cheese press. Tired in evening. Balance my accounts of money, spent in Swansea Monday etc.

6th

Cold dull east wind and brisk. Rise before daylight, feed my horses and breakfast at 9.00. Carree rides alone to Penmaen to inquire of her father ill yesterday but well again. We dine at 3.00. Ayrshire heifer sent today to Crickton. A miscellaneous day for work. Coal at Landimore for Llewellyn. First load of furze for stables chaffed today, 3rd load of fern too Carreed. Old mare washed and anointed for mange!!!!. 2 pigs and 5 geese killed. Third day wheat sowing. Shoot at ducks on Moor Mills. I am all day about home gardening, plants ivy, bulb roots and take up dahlias and transplant lettuce to frames. At 6.00 Henry arrives, unwell, from cold in time for tea. Cold evening even by a fire.

7th

Go to Swansea with Carree in Henry's gig. Very cold, brisk east wind and the horse very slow. Send the car with WR, 4 geese and 2 small pigs. A bushel of oats bought of Richards, Brynhir, for 17/-. Not home till dark. Charles Collins again puts me off about money, cannot see Howell John, saw his son and Mr Evans of Ship at Six Bells. Called at Richardson's for Henry about a bill owing for his vessel. Not at home, left a note. Carree executed her errands by herself.

9th

Sunday. Evening duty, Meredith, we all go, Carree and C Teddy and Henry sit in Jones pew. Extremely cold day, dine after church.

Monday. Another cold day, east day, walk to Park yr Rhedin to seek assistance about landing coals and to Newton. Fail at both. Long conversation with Long about the roads and Newton Lane. Home just in time to see death of a hare found by Henry on the common. Killed at the drain in field. Prepare to go to Penmaen. Henry shoots his way, Carree and I go in gig by Reynoldston. Call at the Perry's etc and round by Pennyhitch. Dine at Penmaen and sleep there. Read letters of Mr Morgan and the Ords from Bristol.

10th

Slept at Penmaen last night. Dull threatening morning, brisk east wind, cold. Leave Penmaen between 12 and 1.00. Carree and I in gig, Henry shoots his way home. Cold rain comes on and at last snow; we get wet. Dine between 3 and 4.00. Ann drops a tray of glass. Hannah calls for money, Tom Richard's wife ditto; pay nothing, have only a £5 note. Feed my horses early in the evening. Talk of building a house at Abercothi Wood. Little done in evening in consequence. Know nothing of what has been doing today, not much rain yet. Amuse Charles Teddy pencilling letters for him to guess.

11th

Penrice Fair, showery morning but holds up. Expected to meet Howell John at fair, no. Meet several persons I wanted to speak a word or two to. Pigs cheap, cattle high, few sales. Mr Perry and Mr & Mrs J dine with us. Mrs P expected, does not come. Pleasant day. Henry shoots at Mr Nicholls. 2 woodcocks brought home for dinner. Wind and rain in evening making it very unpleasant for Mr Perry's return. Carree and I sleep in nursery with the children, not in bed till 12.00.

12th

Wet day and mild, no work done. Mr & Mrs J slept here and Henry. About 1.00 the former ride home, about 2 Henry and I get up and walk by Crickton, the calves discovered eating the hay rick. Tie them up and walk on to Penralt. RH at Reynoldston, walk to Lower Mill, speak to W David about a window for factory etc. Henry talks to him about rent of mill. Much dearer than Abercothi mill and Ynyswen. Call also at Upper Mill about oats. I had worked a little in garden, taken up potatoes and began removing old hotbed. Woodcock for breakfast and hare for dinner. Am very tired all the evening. Glass beginning to rise again, very low below change. Carree is writing some letters this evening. Little Rosy and Spotty colts are out and about the garden all night.

13th

Wet night and heavy showery wet day. Henry leaves in gig about 12.00 for Abercothi. I expect to see Mr Davies of Sanctuary but do not, all day about home. Send horses to Stafell Haegr for a bit of balk. No work done of any consequence today. Tucker in barn, mice have much injured wheat. Employ myself in letting off water from haggard, wheel off stones from kitchen garden and take up beetroot and wonder how all the lazy louts of men I have in employ cannot contrive to put this place in more decent order but were they left to themselves to the day of judgement they will never would improve but every corner would get yearly worse, tis most disheartening and I hate the sight of half of them.

14th

A fine day, glass low but rising. Robert Harry executes few errands at Swansea for us. Order dairy washed, assist. C Reese to select timber to set stall at Crickton in order. Empty water from saw pit, place catch stone for doors of yard, Caie Forgan, not an easy task. Go to Crickton and show Reese what I want, walk over the farm to see what is required to let off water. Find a hare, have no dog unluckily. Ayrshire heifer has strayed not far, return home and cut a quick set hedge. Dine at 4.00. Read a little Police Report. RH calls about 9.00 with Cambrian etc, no news. C Teddy broke parlour window today. Both the doves dead. White pigeon missed too, a black one from Mr Nicholls.

16th

Sunday. Morning duty. Dull cold day, little rain. Evening go alone to church, sacrament, do not stay. Mrs Nicholls and family at church. Return home with Morgan Jenkins, has just lost a grey colt. Dine at 2.00, ill spent day. Read Cambrian and nothing that I ought. WR home late, drunk of course.

Monday. Very beautiful day, rise by starlight. WR up early to find horses neglected last night. Walk up and down Upper field. Men come to work. Sharp frost, ice. Many are the inducements for early rising and many are the pleasures of enduring nuisances. Carree rides old Rosy towards marsh to call on Jane Harry. Children go to village, I walk by Cadennith etc to Penralt and village. 2 oxen brought home, new purchase of T Beynon of Horton, give draft but have no money and tell him so. Write in consequence to Mr Voss. Mr Pearce calls, we are out, meet him near Crickton, will not dine with us. Barn cleaned out, mice done much damage. RH calls this evening and settles for 2 pigs, porkers sold in Swansea, Saturday. Write notices for tithes to be received in a month and notice against estate of David John, Wimblood, deceased etc.

17th

Glass rising, promise of continuance of fine weather. Dull dry foggy cold morning, wind easterly. Up early as usual and feed horses etc. Received yesterday letter from WM paying the money due to the bank for us but no money over, money scarce in London. George not paying up or paying off accounts to notice. Lawsuit likely to ensue, horror of horrors, family disputes above all things to be avoided. I wish sincerely it may be averted. Henry is accused as instigator of George!!! Spend the day in teeth of the wind in improving front entrance, carting in for mound. Walked to Cadennith, wheat sowing drawing to a close. Very cold east wind, worked hard myself, could not keep warm. Wet comes on after dark. Wind boisterous from the east. Write to Mrs Woodward at Uckfield.

18th

Cold dull windy and wet after a showery night. Carree has a bad cold, breakfasts in bed. Feed my horses etc. as usual before breakfast and set them in their work. Out after breakfast to wheat field Cadennith and Crickton. C Reesee fitting up stalls. Walk on to Oldwalls to see the state of the road. Look at oats, Thomas Thomas; call at blacksmith, Oldwalls; David Owen and Davies there. Speak about roads and water courses. Order J Bowen to mend road by Oldwalls. Get at blacksmith, George Evans, 2 pair of hinges and hooks. Leave them at Crickton for use of doors there. Call at Penralt, RH not there, return home and again go to Crickton to measure stall doorways, doors wanted. Pick out boards at Caie Forgan and send them by C Reesee to make up. Feed my horses again. Pig killed, bought of Murray. W Tucker in barn thrashing, rout out the cellar with Eliza, pack mangold wurzel and dahlias and for a wonder ready by dinner time 4 o'clock. Write in evening.

19th

Dull damp showery morning with a thorough wet evening. Penmaen carts over very early in morning - mangle, bring elm tReese over. Send back larch, beetroot? Parsnips. Walked to Crickton, C Reese hangs doors of stall and sheep brought from Cillibion to stables. Looked over and sent to Crickton Meadow, no horses could be used today. Llewellyn sent to look after lost sheep. A package of letters from Penmaen, read in bed early, Tenby, Swaffham etc. Thought to send to Swansea, weather prevents. Dine early, all day about home spent in miscellaneous nothing's, a most thorough wet evening. Write notes to send to Reynoldston about tithe. Pig cut up, bought of Mr Murray, dies very light, long legged brute. 12 score 8lb only.

20th

Not a favourable morning, a severe a shower about 9.00. Doubtful and windy all day but mild. WR brews 3 winnows malt of Samuel Phillips. I carpenter with C Reesee cart shed for Crickton door and place post vice there with Tucker and Jone. In the evening have a few small carts of earth brought in to raise mound in garden front west. Oats winnowed 8 winnows, 5 only put in corn bin. Dine at 4, cod fish! And rabbit. Ann's account of wages settled by Carree this evening, wages raised to £5 in future. 1 winnow of barley, about, brought by Tom from Crickton. The ground is everywhere most deplorably wet. Obliged to dig a fresh place on the common. Windy all day. Writing the order of the evening, to Tenby and commissions for Swansea.

21st

C Reese sent to Swansea for new water cask etc, given to go there £1. A busy day, prepare for Penmaen to spend a week there. Plenty of occupation before leaving home. Bottled 2 dozen of beer for use when we return. Took in a barley mow before breakfast. Set horses and 2 men and small cart to cart earth in to raise mound in front westward. Dine early, rain sets in after 2.00 but fortunately we get to Penmaen without much damage. Mamma, Susan and 2 children in car over hill. I ride Pedro under hill, call at W Tucker's, he is very lame. Call also at Long Oaks to inform of tithe audit day the 16th next month but do not expect Mr Vorpert will come. See him and inform him. Arrived first at Penmaen, all arrive safe. WR returns with the car, we are now at Penmaen, I write this at home on Tuesday.

23rd

Sunday. Morning duty at Penmaen sacrament; Susan receives for the first time. Alteration in church great improvement. Zac(?) Bowen's wife ill at church. Mrs Jones calls at rectory after church and gives children sugar P. Unpleasant day, dine at 3, my calf there taken ill in the evening. Send for Parsey, bleed it and give ammonia for wind and rowell chest, pronounced murrain. Its lives and gets better. Breathed very hard, repletion.

Monday. Almost a thorough wet day, rain all evening. Am not from the house, write a long letter to my mother in Manchester Square, first letters there. One also sent today to Mr Woodward, Uckfield, to thank for a present, frock etc. Calf much better and turned out. Read a few nursery rhymes to Charles Teddy who is much amused by them, seems thoroughly to understand them. Grand hunt for keys lost. Carree cuts my hair wonderfully. Engaged in parlour at 12 shillings per annum. Read Cambrian.

24th

Most stormy night, wind very high. Windy all day and heavy rain about 3.00 when I am home. Ladies and children walk toward sands, Mr J to Park Mill. I ride home on Pedro by Crickton etc. Ride to Cadennith, wheat nearly done, thank heaven. Look about to see what is going forward, measure out spices etc to cure hams, a tedious process. Give various directions. Write my journal since Saturday, inclusive, and day book entered. Shall be lucky to get back not wetted. Very stormy. In returning to Penmaen over hill could hardly sit my horse. Mr Perry crossed over the hill and lost his hat so he wrote me afterwards.

25th

A very pleasant sunny day, at Church at Penmaen, congregation pretty good. Charles Teddy there, behaves well. Mr & Mrs Jones dine with Mrs J, boiled round of beef and roast goose and plum pudding. Battle of St. Sebastian fought over again and various other battles. Walked with Carree and CT to Nicholaston after church and back by fields. Looked for CT,  collar not found. Bevan home late, neglected his stables and Johnny Williams breaks his leg at a wedding house, Park Mill, as we hear tomorrow. My mother should receive a letter from me today.

26th

A very wet day after breakfast with little intervals of less rain. Write out my tithe book for 1839, all the names and farms finished. Money accounts to be brought forward. Walk out with Mr J, call at a cottage, woman Bowen not well. Water etc. Get as far as Richard Watkins. Tithe book all evening. Ann comes over on Rosy from Caie Forgan, clogs, rabbits etc. Goes home in the dark and wet by Pennyhitch. Margaret at a wedding ball, home late, detained by floods. Bevan out of favour and refuses to go though asked leave. Johnny Williams leg broken, topic of the day, drunkenness etc.

27th

A fine mild day, ride to Caie Forgan from Penmaen, children etc walk to Park Mill. Met Mr Ball, junior, on the hill, Rode by Crickton. Called at Penralt twice, miss to see RH. rode to Marsh, set T Harry work on the road, open ditches etc. Rode to Stafell Haegr, see Dix and settle about works to be done there in his absence from home next week; Llewellyn carting stones; see Dollin at the quarry, Penralt; called at home, potatoes and butter milk, orders about geese tomorrow etc. See Tucker on the moor and home by 4.30. Read Herald in the evening. Read some of Lord Orford's reminiscences this morning.

28th

Another fine morning, likely to be fine all day. All went to the sands after 12.00. Mrs J rode and Carreed children, party were Mr & Mrs J, 2 children, Susan, Carree and self. Picked up stones and shells to amuse the children, to me quite a holiday amusement. Ann went to Swansea from Caie Forgan with goose, commissions Post Office and Cambrian. Betty Williams ditto from Penmaen. Mistake made, no Cambrian brought home, received by post on Monday. Sharp frosty morning.

30th

Sunday. Eliza came over from Caie Forgan, little Rosy has a foal. Another fine day, W Collins breakfasts at Penmaen, very sharp frost likely to continue. We walk to Nicholaston, Mr J assists at Sacrament. Carree and I do not stay. Mr George of N comes in late, deep mourning, loss of wife, much affected. Evening duty at Penmaen Church Spoke to D Morris and called on Betty Williams about yesterday, mistake explained. Promise of sharp frost.

Monday. No frost, very mild again, work to be all altered in consequence. Dry and dull day, sit down to my tithe book. Woman, Griffiths, of Port Eynon calls about a will. Wrote immediately to William, he knows the case. Mrs J receives letter of sudden death of the Eliza Cole, Mrs Hughes daughter, sad affliction. I ride over to Caie Forgan and arrange about work at Dix mill on Friday. RH with me and walk to Oldwalls, buy oat ricks. Receive letter from my mother, about to let her house and leave London. Dine at 5, finish new tithe book in the evening, bring forward arrears.

31st

Rather a fine day though threatening, windy. Walk with Mr J to call on Mr George on condolence, took a pleasant walk back through the woods and Nicholaston. Very delightful to have tReese over one's head in a dreary country like this. Nobody can be more fond of a wood than I am, beautiful hollies and old s..kled(?) oaks.

Thus ends the old year, a most remarkable one for an unprecedented wet summer etc. Most lamentable harvests, much corn sported and potatoes half a crop only. Not only a wet summer but a very disastrous cold dry spring. Garden produce very late, scanty and bad and hay very short and late. Moor Mills has been full of water since mid summer, a most unusual circumstance for as many weeks in winter. Remarkable also is weather still for wet and mildness, as warm now as summer. Remarkable also for an out break of Chartists at Newport, Monmouthshire, headed by one Jack Frost a magistrate of Dr J Russell's erection, a special commission to try him and his guy etc now about for treason.

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