Charles Morgan's Diary, 1844

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January

1st Monday.

At Penmaen. Year beginning with fine brisk day, sunny, fleeting clouds, much colder after. Dry dull and warm weather and no snow for a fortnight. Received letters from Edward and my Mother. Proposal of a pupil for farming. All day at home, read quarterly, write letters, rule tithe book. Am to dine at Oxwich. Write to my mother etc. Ride Mr Jas Bth pony to Oxwich, all day busy ruling tithe book for Tuesday next. Perfect weather, heavy snow on return home from Oxwich. Disappointed not to meet Mr and Mrs Pearce at dinner, excuse sent only. Mr and Mrs Collins of Ilston there.

2nd.

Long Oaks sale, farm taken at last. White world of snow thawing. Walk to the sale want a horse too deal Mr Mansfield buys several I buy nothing, borrow Mr Jas Strick's horse to ride home. Miserable riding. Get wine to send to Penmaen and give orders send car over with wine etc to return with calf. Again at sale til moonlight. Mr Perry at Penmaen spends the evening there by accident.

3rd.

Doubtful dull weather. A juvenile party this evening at Penmaen. Get on with my tithe book and write to Edmund and Mr Mayberry. Ted comes over and goes out with gun. Mr J has shot a partridge, a 3rd in one week. Take a constitutional walk on the gravel before the party come, Mr and Mrs Nichols and some juveniles come, 12 cake-tricks played with elders by King and Queen. A grand supper !!! Not over till 1.00 a.m., such is the quiet of Penmaen.

4th

Fine day but a wet night, becomes misty and wet again about 4.00. Ride Spotty with EKJ from Penmaen to Caswell, take Greyhound and 5 dogs. Get no rent as expected, take 3 cattle on account of rent £2 or £1 10 0, too dear. Must get rid of Grove at Michaelmas. Called at I Jones of Hunts, talk about police rates and charge of protecting toll gates. They mean to resist payment, I think it can't be improved. Mr James has a cold and has lost his voice. Mr Pearce calls in going on return of omnibus from Swansea. Read new monthly in evening. Ted goes home. Was to come to order our car for tomorrow, does not.

5th.

Wet day and windy, car comes over, what's to be done but send it back again? Send horse and return tomorrow. Busy about tithe book preparing for Thursday. Mr Perry calls in, stays dinner because we are going to supper at Park. He drives me down. What a lucky lift. Meet Ted there and play a rubber, not home and in bed till 2.00! Baby was not well this evening. Took an emetic and gets better. Carrie has a bad night and unwell tomorrow morn. Ted sleeps also at Pemnaen.

6th.

Return home from Penmaen. Bright and pony sent over, WT and Jim. Baby by Walterston, we over the hill, Ted rides and courses – Charles and John round by road, all safe. Walk to Crickton about the drain etc. Meet Sandwell, read Quarterly, they move guillotine!! Get Reese's labour account etc and also WR's on his return from Swansea. Read Cambrian, Carmarthen rioters, Shoni transported for life. At accounts all evening, very cold. Fine day, some rain, Carree goes to bed early.

8th

Sunday, evening duty, Mr Pearce serves church, Mr J not well. EKJ at Penmaen. Read Arnold's sermons and Chambers Information for People. EKJ supper, am alone at CAIE FORGAN, call at Penralt return.

Monday. Fine indeed, busy at accounts and tithe book all day, Mr and Mrs J call, write to Penmaen and send donkey cart for box forgotten. Walk to Crickton to see who is at work and cattle come from Caswell. Making out tithe book all evening with RH.

9th

Very misty, proves thoro' wet. Tithe day Penclaudd (sic), wind and wet meet us both going and returning. Wind E and W, disappointed in both Mr James, neither there. Mr Evan of Brynheer there, payments pretty good. Friendly feeling as usual read to them an anonymous letter about tithes received yesterday and refer to the Cambrian for the punishment of Rebecca letters. Am not at home and in bed till 2. Carree very unwell, come home very wet and tired, bag 14lb weight.

10th.

Most beautiful day, am very tired. Count my moneys received. Tithes persons call. Mrs J calls forgets Britannia. Write to Mr Chambers by her. Walk to Crickton, learn work and enter tithe account of Lower Division, RH this evening and enter accounts.

11th

Very fine day, late at night comes on misty wet night. Busy about my tithe book etc. Coal comes in, cart breaks down, walk late after. Preparing the tithe meeting in village. No-one there, some come but very poor meeting after all the work I have seen. Mr Thomas Gordon makes himself all obnoxious in allusion to his evidence before the commission, I enfra(?) myself by abusing him, ride home on Moselle with WR and John Jenkins, misty rain. Have tea in kitchen, glad to get to bed.

12th

Wet again! Counting money. Not recovered my two days fatigue -quite out of sorts all day. Read an almanack!! and write 2 letters. Read Britannia kept at Penmaen till yesterday. Grind corn and about the stables and barn a little in evening. Chancel Resp(?) repaired Rees.

13th

Drive Johnny to Swansea and take tithe money to the bank. Mutton chops at the Castle and home very late. Fine day: frost at night

(Pays bank      Upper div 133, 10, 00 Lower Div. 88- 10-00 Total £222 -00- 00)

15th.

Sunday. Morning duty, walk with Charles and John to church, frosty morning. Walk in evening alone to Crickton over the farm to see what is done and give some dir(ecti)ons for tomorrow. Read Arnold's sermons in evening.

Monday. Go with RH by agreement to Bryngwas to meet mason about a cart shed; walk by Hills and Pengwern, too hard and too cold to ride. Settle to build a barn and convert barn to cart shed, dark by return home. Find Mr and Mrs J have arrived to stay a week with us

16th.

Fine, mild, frosty, beautiful day. Mr and Mrs J at Caie Forgan, all going to Crickton. Have a bad cold, return at 12 to meet Howell John and Mr Thomas Gordon about accounts as concerns the boat Nancy. Mr Thomas Gordon has wrongly charged John £4 0 0, all set right. Thomas th emason calls about accounts, can't go into these for W Collins calls to bring pigs and stays dinner, several others also call. Am unwell all the evening and go to bed quite ill, bad cold.

17th.

Beautiful day again, frost at home all morning writing letters write 6 letters and received 2 or 3. Mr J and EKJ go shooting at Prisk, walk out before dinner to Crickton, drain at Copton. Am better today after physic this morning. Enter some accounts this evening. Candle out, go to the Ladies.

18th.

Mild quiet day, frost gone. Cold thaw. Mr James and EKJ shoot in Cillibion, nothing killed. Mr Ball calls, walk with him to Crickton, talk about Llythrydd sale and secretary for Jones and Duke of B, he has slept one night at Llythrydd. Sarah Tall calls about bill for Sandwell, charges high, pay. Cut down a few nuts and ash about garden, surprised by call for dinner, long evenings always dinner at 3. Enter accounts in evening by self.

19th.

About home all day. Mr and Mrs Perry and EKJ dine with us, spend a pleasant evening, the last pleasant one for many a day, great illness in the house after this. Up late tonight makes me start late for Swansea tomorrow.

20th

Showery morn, fine day afterwards. Drive Charley to Swansea to get hair cut and shoes 3/, On return home am sorry to learn poor baby Agnes has had a convulsive fit again and Mr James not gone home. One fit only! Proves to be a dangerous illness all next week –and months!!!!

22nd

Sunday. Evening duty. Baby pretty, well go alone to church, Charley comes afterwards and sent for home again, baby ill, more fits, the beginning of a most serious illness. Send to Reynoldston, Mr Davies comes , Mr P from home, Mr D sleeps at Caeie Forgan. Wet night.

Monday Mr Davies goes home, Mr Perry comes, we are all in great anxiety all day, poor baby dangerously ill, I can give no account of myself except being up and down all day and fearing to hear the death of the child. All the children more or less ill, epidemic prevails. To Reynoldstone and Penmaen Mrs James calls.

23rd.

Mild day, full of anxiety, all the children ill and in bed, little Agnes dangerous for some days past, inflammation of lungs, thought her better till Mr P calls. Walked to Crickton, sent for home, Mrs James calls also. Pigs weighed. Carpenters hired. EKJ calls in evening and rides with note to Reynoldstone. May God of his infinite mercy extend again his protecting power to save our infant sufferer and show mercy unto us, so little deserving of his care and protection, by affliction we are continually reminded of the many mercies we enjoy.

24th.

About home all day in much anxiety about children, Sat up till 3.00 last night, slept in my clothes. Fearing to be disturbed walked to Crickton, sent for home, Mr Perry thinks ill of the child, inflammation of lungs and great fever. Grove of Caswell here early and pays money, two messages from Penmaen, am quite spent no int(erest) in any thing but the child. Read the opening of O'Connell's trial, shall read but little more of it, a vagabond.

25th.

About home all day, little disposed to any employment and not feeling very well. Mr Perry calls with Mr Ball to see his patients and is going to Swansea, Johnny a blister and all powders. Mr and Mrs James call, Mr Collins and Dr Higgs call in way to Oxwich. Mr William Collins and EKJ call late Walk late to Crickton. Dull day, glass rising yet some inc(lina)tion to misty rain, mild unhealthy weather.

26th.

About home all day attending to children, great anxiety indeed. Mr James calls. Write to Fred of ill of children, make out an account of Tom Richards. Walk late to Crickton. Mr and Mrs Perry call, the former offers to attend sick room, very kind of her, in bed late. Quite low about my children all ill.

27th.

About home all day, colder. Mrs James again, I am quite off, can do nothing, children all ill. Mr Perry calls and dines. Bleeds Charley, blisters both, poor Johnny very ill indeed. Baby seems better, can it be so? Ted comes, dines we ride to Crickton, a small pig ill too. Help blister and tend children. Read Cambrian, have fire upstairs, not in bed till after 1.00. Weather altering.

29th

Sunday. Morn duty, dare not go to church, children very ill. Was called home last Sunday, tho(ugh)t to go to Penmaen but they send over. Mr Perry called EKJ sleeps at Penmaen.

Monday. Ride over to Penmaen take dogs, see no hares. Meet Mr Collins junior at Penmaen, write to Mr Llewellyn about tithes and rates. Kill a rabbit at Penmaen, return home with Ted, dine on goose. Mr Perry called early. Walk in evening to Crickton, carter etc and draining. In great anxiety about children. Baths ordered, more physic, all made sick again. James' powders, how annoying, my children all reduced to skeletons in so short a time. Am quite fatigued with the anxiety, am glad to get to bed early and am fatigued in the morning again.

30th

Wet, walked to Crickton – drains. Mr Perry here and thinks child better a little. Ted was here and we agree it will be best tomorrow and no coursing on the Hill. Hear W Collins child is dead in Swansea, a 3rd loss not two alive together.

31st

Windy and stormy day. Send Llewellyn for coal, Mr Perry here, children better. Jim ill, do not send to post, not from home all day. W Thomas, mason, calls; look into his account several hours work. Sit up late tonight with Carree watching children, great anxiety.

February

1st Thursday

Brisk cold day fine late, dark then a wet night. Poor baby had dreadful fits of coughing this morning, Carree and I sat up till 2.00 in morning. Ride with Ted to Llythrydd, call on the Balls, Ted rides on to Swansea to see Dr Howells who is at Caie Forgan about 5.00 and meets Mr Perry there, Mrs P there too, all stay tea. Wet night for them to return home, baby has a blister applied neck, food to be given, how she suffers. I rode also to village and also to Creekton. An anxious day but I hope twill have its recompenses. Two messages for Bor(?) in the..t(?) one to village 1 to Perry's. EK sleeps on sofa

2nd

EKJ sleeps on sofa. Read Dickens, Christmas Carol, like it much, good moral. Ted kills a hare in plantation. Mr P calls and takes luncheon. Both Mr Collins make enquiry of children, walk late to Creekton to see drains. Fancy poor baby better, may it be so. Mr P pays more attention. Carree has a bad cold. Children out of bed and drest 1st. day for more than week Much altered, child quite deaf.

3rd

Drive into Swansea with EKJ, fortunate in our day, dine with Dr Howell by engagement, pay his fee to Gower Thursday £2-2-7. Gallon whisky at Clarkes. Drive home late and fast, find Mr Perry at Llythrydd

5th

Sunday. Dr Higgs does duty evening, Mr W Collins' child dead, he calls at Caie Forgan also. Mr Perry he does not think well of baby, I do not go to church in consequence. Ted spends evening with us.

Monday Not wet but cold, am not at Creekton, Reopen drain in garden, badly made by WT last year. Wrote to Mr Collier in answer to enquiries about the child and enquire about W Collins, both our children very bad. Our child very ill, spend a very unhappy day. Mr and Mrs J come over, dine. Mrs Davies and daughter of R call and spend the evening, she thinks the baby will recover.

6th

A miserable day of suspense with us. Poor little Agnes must go surely. Quite unconscious yet takes food, sad cough and hooping? and trouble teething. Can she possibly survive, God only can save her, His will be done, tis pitiable to see her suffering. Mr P here early, says the children are better, gives baby up but lances her gums. She is a little better perhaps at night, hopes very remote. Mr P shoots at Prisk and EKJ. Mrs Morris buried. Mrs James called, stayed some time. I walk after dinner to Creekton, caught in a storm, get wet, lightning!! Read Britanma, enter accounts etc, sit upstairs in the evening, dare hardly go to bed fearing to be called to trouble. Poor Agnes, what would I not do to relieve and restore you. She is restored after long illness [this an interpolation].

7th

Dr Andrews of Norton by appointment comes coursing, beat all the hill, no sport. Find two dogs, see none. Lunch at Penmaen Wet evening dine at 4, Turkey etc. He sees the baby and has not a bad opinion of her illness. leaves us late to walk to Norton and Parkmill.. Lend him a pony to Llythrydd. Morris Davy calls, spends evening and has my map of parish to copy for tythe purposes.

8th

About home and Creekton all day, read Blackwood mag. Drains, Long Acre Creekton. Frosty morning

9th

Fine day, glass lower, very odd. Walk to Creekton after breakfast, drain filling Long Acre, return and am with WT in garden. Set Jos Jones to grind corn. Ted here all the evening. Mr Perry calls at tea time brings letters from Penmaen none for me. All the evening at accounts etc, sit upstairs with Carreee in the sick room. Baby is certainly better. Beggars call, calling themselves cotton spinners, send in a paper. Will not see them, stay long and go at last, disappointed

10th

Fine day, frosty morning, cold all day WR and Fanny off to Swansea, ride at 12 after reading new monthly, to Creekton and Stav Hag. Dine with Ted at 3.00. Intend going to Leason and seeing the road by Wibley, fail in this. Think baby better. today she yawns and cries, a good appetite.

Sunday. Snow on ground a.m., morn duty, am not in church, child too ill. Thought

to go with Ted to Oxwich church. W Collins not there having lost his 3d child, I do not go however. Ted going to Penmaen and Carree wishing me not. Mr P does not visit baby today I think.

12th

Snowy morn, rainy misty day. Not from the house all day. In great anxiety about the baby. Mr P calls and does not like the symptons. Resolve to send for Dr Howell tomorrow. Waiting all day in expectation of Thos Gordon and Edward Reese about the accounts of the vessel. They come late in evening, not finished before 11.00. Greatly in debt, new sails. Go through j Bowens road account also, RH was here, went to Bryngwas. Not in bed till 3.00 in the morn. Write to Dr Howell, my Mother etc Bristol, Bath and physic for the child, passes then a good night. Ted called in evening from Pemnaen. Club night in village, can't go, Ted officiates and pays for me. 2nd calf today.

13th

Dr Howell to see poor little Agnes. Walk after breakfast to Creekton, cart in Copton Meadow. Walk over the farm and return home. Dr Howell and Mr P consult, former says by no means hopeless case but very precarious They dine. Baby's head cut close, no caps, more blisters. Bath again. Am extremely uneasy, tonight Mary John sits up with Carree

14th

Driving wet misty day, fine evening. About home all day, not at Creekton winnowing oats. Dr Howell 3rd visit and Mr Perry here, dine. Ted up in evening, baby something better, precarious yet. Read the paper, enter WR's market account as above and some other accounts. John from Penmaen over, Ann Hoskin came here last night.

15th

Driving misty wet day, am not from home all day. Poor baby seems a little better, Mr P calls and applies a blister all over the head, am quite off hinges. Wander to the sick room and out again, can set my mind to nothing.

16th

Very fine day, order wheat mow taken in, was about going to Creekton, Mr and Mrs Collins call, stay and take duck. Mrs Nicholls calls and Arthur, am not from home. Sell 3 pigs to Mr Collins, baby certainly improving. What she has endured!!!!

17th

Ride Moses after breakfast to marsh to see brick yard for first time. Wants a shed. Ride to Penralt and to Creekton. carting Copton Meadow .W Llewellyn (calls) on me in the evening and takes tea, subject brick yard, to arrange the terms not settled, he is to write.

Sunday. Very wet, evening duty, morning fine, Go alone to church, wet returning. Come up with Thos Thos. Talk of bricks and drains. Baby certainly better but far from safe yet.

19th

Windy and showery but tolerably fine. All cars and horses gone to Killan for oats with RH also. Wander about, can settle to nothing. Read Britannia paper. Ann Hoskins sent to post and Ilston, write to Dr Howell, Fred and WFM etc, am not from home. Baby is certainly better. Ted came up, Mr Perry calls and blister to the back – thespine. Sit upstairs, parlour smokes. Mrs James calls. Frosty clear night. 2 Beggars call at front room, , button makers, say wish to emigrate, thought them thieves and watch them, over stairs, one did come in.

20th

Again send for oats. Read Britannia, uncomfortable. Breakfast. Baby better, that's worth much trouble. Ruth breaks a decanter. Prune a few roses, wheat winnow, am not from home. Read Martin Chuzzlewit. Respectable beggar 2d. Enter accounts in the evening for a few days past.

21st

Wet misty day after snow, the ground white, melts. Sandwell here about expense of drains if Thos Thos field be drained, estimated 14 0 0. Read Quarterly, look over papers. Carrie sends letter to Fingest in evening again, read Quarterly in evening, German authoress. How very extravagent in notions. Baby bathed this evening late.

22nd

Thorough winter white world, day dull. Felons Association anniversary removed from Dolphin to Thos Thos. Baby very restless tho much better. Winnow some spring wheat as above. The dinner in village divided, some at both houses. Child has another blister on back. Mr Holland prefers dining with a real felon at the Dolphin[1] and makes himself very silly. A parish meeting this evening about accounts, some business done for once.

23rd

Fine a.m., turning to a most wretched wintry stormy wet day till after night. Not out of the house all day. Busy about arranging papers. Mr Perry calls and gives the child an emetic. I and Carrie dislike it and ‘tis not approved of in a high quarter. One walker from Manchester or Glasgow calls selling maps and books. Wants to get names for a directory of S Wales. Put down my name and order one with map if l0s price.

24th

Am at home all day. Alarm early morning with Carrie, write to Swansea for nurse ditto to Penmaen. WR is gone to Penmaen. Mrs James comes over to stay. Ted comes up, dines etc. Am busy about papers. Weigh hay from Llythrydd. Read quarterly. Poor baby cannot improve. No Mrs Harris, ill natured of Mr Maber(?). Hear of Miss Lucas sudden death and Carrie don't know what to do for a nurse. Mrs Thomas here in statu quo till early on Monday morning.

26th

Sunday, Mr James here. Very wet morning duty. Am not in church, in suspense about Carrie. Prayers at home etc. Mr Perry sent for late in evening. Do not go to bed sleep on chairs, stay by fire, Mr P takes my bed. In suspense till near daylight when another son is declared. Fine boy. Most fortunately Agnes is getting better.

Monday. All goes well, Mr Perry etc ride to Oldwalls, I to Wibley, he to Thos G. He leaves in evening for Bath. Mrs Booth has broke her leg. Mrs James comes over tomorrow. I return by Crickton. Potato heap opened.

27th

Very sharp frost, very fine day. Walked early to Cillibion field, ploughing and hedging there. Talk to J Jenkins about fencing too. Return and get vegetables. Mr James here, Ted comes.

Dr Davies calls as proxy for Mr Perry, dines etc. Read Britannia in evening, very sleepy. Debate in brick affairs gained by ministers 99 majority.

28th

Fine mild morning, wet in afternoon, fine again. At home all day. Read speeches in Britannia. Write to Swansea about nurse. Sell present of prints for church from Fred, very good. Letter from George, Edward and Fred and articles of arbitration by J Smith of village. In evening enter accounts and paste prints for church and coloured. John Doe pledge to prosecution. Ann Dollins comes as temporary nurse, Sandwell calls. Write a few lines to Mr Llewellyn.

29th

John from Penmaen here early, ride Rosy back. Mrs James keeps Polly and returns home. The funeral of Miss Lucas at Pitton, Mr James reads the service. My house all confusion, arranging and disarranging. Children to go to Penmaen, all arranged. Dinner laid. counter ordered, can't go Wet evening, Ted calls, spends evening at Mrs Groses. P Grove called this morning about lease at Caswell. Walk to Cillibion field and to Crickton. Get wet. Carrie and children doing well, Thank God for all mercies!!

March

1st Friday

Fine morning. Send Johnny and Emma early to Penmaen to stay. Walk early to Cillibion, ploughing, meet Thos Thos there, take mare Bright home and bleed her. Eye had a slit for Lampas[2]. Mix earth at top of Upper field, in evening walk to Crickton, Copton hedge under repair. Awful thunder and lightning this evening & tonight, heard all day in distance, reported harm done, mischief afterwards. Again more of it tomorrow when we are lucky to escape wet going and returning from Swansea. Ted & I observe in Swansea notice of Tithe meeting for the 28th inst. See Mr Llewellyn agent of Mr Talbots, assizes at Swansea.

2nd

Heavy showers, hail at various times. Drive Leicester to Swansea & EKJ. No rain going or return, how lucky. Leave Charley at Llythrydd. Called on W Collins Fisher St. Long talk with Dr Howell about our invalids. Home between 9 & 10. RH following us to the gate. Very cold.

4th

Sunday, evening duty, Mr Wm Collins does duty. EKJ at Cheriton, Dr P Lucas comes also, Teddy and I ride up in fly, Ted with us in evening.

Monday. Ride with Ted to call on Mr Talbot. Fine but cold, about brickyard and club money. Carry him a piece of freestone from Cilivor. Ride by Oxwich sands vessel aground and on to Penmaen Dine there to see the children. Home at night by Nicholaston and top of hill.

5th

About home all day, get accounts of work of last few days, walk to Cillibion field and to Copton, why do I not fill this up same evening. Sit up stairs in Carree's room. Read Britannia Paper, Sir R Peel's splendid speech on Ireland. Sleep miserably etc, very cold.

6th

Very sharp frost, thick ice, could not sleep for cold. Fine day write to Edmund & Mr Mayberry, go with Charley to Creekton before dinner. After work in garden, transplant a little with WT, RH comes up wanting to sell 1/4 beef. In evening up stairs to tea & write, enter accounts & work etc.

7th

Very sharp frost very fine day, glass rising high. About home & at Creekton all day Enter accounts and at papers all morning. Dine early & walk in evening to Creekton ploughing for spring wheat & covering drains, Ted comes up with Wm Collins the latter to say goodbye, does not come in, going to Oxfordshire for some months q: why not more? The Higgs family coming to Oxwich. Sit up stairs in the evening.

8th.

Dull unfavourable morning, very cold, S wind!!! looks rainy. Glass very high, east chimney at last finished & looks pretty well, take scaffold down. Loss of donkey, 2d for Charley, Letters brot by John from post. Read Quarterly, after dinner at Creekto, help fill drain, RH comes there. Wet evening & windy how unlikely and unexpected. Sit upstairs in evening.

9th Drive to Swansea, nurse Harry brot home. Long talk with Mr Stroud at bank on Corn Laws, he for free trade. Drive very fast home to save light. Leicester shod last week in town.

Sunday, morning duty, go down with Teddy, find Mr Perry and Mr Thos Ball at Caie Forgan. On my return flog Jim for enticing Charley to Green Pits to swim in a tub. Prevented it by timely detection, Jim gives notice in consequence, a fool!! not to bear correction.

11th

Wet stormy day, driving misty rain. Not from the house & yard all day; far from well. Oppressed by the weather.

12th

Start for Brynymor sale, pony Moses can't go, ride to Mr Nicholls at Park in disgust, dine there. Do not go to see the children at Penmaen as intended.

13th

Ride Moses and all day at Brynymor sale. Make some purchases well worth the money, get … out of some of them but don't pay, Leave the sale before tis over to get home before dark. Can only get pony along by flogging, what is the reason?

14th

Dull day comes on to rain. Fully occupied all day. Settle Williams mason's account for chimney etc. Mr George Gordon calls; pay tythes etc. Brick man wants horse etc to carry timber to brickyard. Walk in morning to Creekton to see how work gets on. Meet RH in Long Acre who says he hears the moduses are upset; it can't be known. In the evening again about accounts & in the garden. A mason here repairing tiles etc. Attend to cattle and stables myself, Jim being gone. Arrange for Swansea & furniture from Brynymor tomorrow, up late.

15th Fine a.m. Cars off to Brynymor sale, I ride Rosy to X Inn, feed her there & walk on. Pack up things at sale with WR and Llewellyn, get wet through. Confusion at the sale, lose some things, don't pay of course. Dry and cold. Ride home through Sir John's Park to tea at 6.00. Too uncomfortable and tired to do anything in the evening. Write a notice for RH to quit land mill meadows. pPay Betsy tomorrow.

16th

Most stormy wet E wind. Not from the house all day, enter accounts since last week. W David comes up with account, look it over & end all right. No money to give till next week. Give him some odd jobs to do, mind cloth press etc. help him. Time occupied with placing away and counting things from sale yesterday. Not at all well. This weather oppressed me, head like mustard. Very sharp frost.

Sunday, evening duty. I and C Teddy go; he on donkey. Cold. Read 2 of Arnold's sermons in the evening upstairs. Carree downstairs today for 1st time since ---

18th

Fine day, coldish, very sharp frost, thick strong ice. Write several letters, receive one from George & he wants to see me in Carmarthen, fix on tomorrow, send express to Swansea by John P. Walk to Creekton after breakfast. Begin ploughing Long Acre, Stoneyford etc. Now to Wernhallog, get up hollies, lot of very good ones. Mr Long of Newton there on his land. Call at Cil Ivor, receive £6 0 0 on account of tithes in arrear. Morris Davies waiting to see me at home in regard to map etc. He leaves after 9.00, too tired to do anything after he is gone.

19th

All day at home: planting hollies in garden brought up yesterday, Charley helps. Mr & Mrs Pearce call & dine with us. Finish planting at dusk. EKJ calls on way to Pemnaen- Carrie and I quarrel about Charleys letter writing, who sends letter to Uncle Fred. Carree send by me 10/ borrowed of Nurse Harris to leave at Mrs Grose's, Cillibion. Money borrowed for Ann Dollin.

20th

Doubtful dull morning, some rain. Looks bad. Start at 10.00 after packing up both for Swansea Tithe Commission & for Carmarthenshire with Charley for Abercothy by X Inn and Pontardulais with Bright. Met Offey by Porthrhyd and at Llandeilo R by about 8.00. Walk all of the farm after looking at the cattle, change horses there. Car again at Cothi bridge. Meet George and have tea at Llwchwynne. Proved a fine day, windy, north west and very cold. Sale of George's day after tomorrow. Talk over some arrangements for the future

21st Thursday. Very sharp frost indeed, beautiful day. Mr T Green calls and Mr Richards of Glantawe auctioneer. Mark cattle to arrange for sale tomorrow. Much loss of time about nothing. Dine early. George dines with Bishop. Charley and I go to Llandeilo R, go over farm cross the Cothi twice. Charley don't like it in the darkling, rather deep, nor do I! See new and young tenant first time, she's a pretty and fine young ( named Jones) woman. Dark by time we get home again to tea. Very tired both of us George in fresh trouble again, one with Lewis the painter who don't seem to behave well at Abercothi

22nd

Wet day. Sale at Llwchwynne. George summoned early to Carmarthen onGrand Jury. Sale pretty well attended. Day not begun till 2.00, only cows and cattle sold I put up 10 oxen only one sold and sell 7 ponies. Tolerable fair prices. Sell one steer.

23rd

Wet again a.m., fine day. Cross Inn fair, Court Henry. Write several letters to Swansea and Gower. Drive with George and Charley to the fair and dine at Mr Green's quite unexpectedly. Quite uncomfortable in shooting jacket, a party too. Mr and Mrs Price of Abergwili and Miss Harris, Mr Duboison, several Misses Green; shown over the house, how well fitted with stoves and water pipe. Bath and steam heat, kitchen fire and large capital. See the farm yard and walk to the mill etc. Spend a pleasant day uncomfortably like a fish out of water Cold frosty and starlight on return home.

Sunday. Wet night again!! Fine day, drive again to Mr Green's church. Dr Morgan and his son there Dine early, walk to brickyard in evening and talk to Mrs Evans, Tynycoed, about her son going to Gower.

25th

Thoro' wet day. George not out of the house I walk across fields and by bridge to Llandeilo and get wet. Dry myself by fire and sit all day with Offey tallying bills with his book. No easy matter, many paid on account. Have no dinner and home by moonlight on horseback to tea and bed. Very tired. Beautiful bright night and mild. Charley left at home all day by himself. No joke for his kind!!!

26th

Dull day. No rain fortunately, ‘flitting' a Norfolk phrase from Llwchywynne. Mr F Green comes to breakfast. New tenant Davies comes in. George off about and for Tenby. I am busy all day helping pack up and repack down 175 bottles of wine no joke to unpack and repack and twice the quantity also of empty bottles. Pay George for his horse covering Moselle last year, in foal. No dinner again today. Lunch enough and tea at Llandeilo. men behave very well, work hard and honest. Llandeilo a pawnbroker's shop. Swansea start tomorrow.

27th

Leave Llandeilo R for Swansea, send horse on to Cross Hands and am in Swansea easily about 4 or 5 .00 Left 9.15, Charley with me. Go to lodgings at Mrs Davies, Butter St

28th

Before tithe commission Swansea, Mackworth Arms, small attendance. Mr Williams on our part instead of Mr H Mayberry, old papers produced, deeds etc. Mr Llewellyn shows much opposition, not much progress made. EKJ there. Mr P Evans, Thos Gordon, Wm Eaton of Farm, RH. Dine at lodgings. EKJ and Mr Evans Mr Morris daughter asked, don't come. Heavy load home and drive fast, EKJ and Evans with us Charley, does not sleep

29th

At home again, a pilgrimage to the village school. A summer's day, Carrie rides Rosy, children donkey. Call at Penrallt. Walk in evening to Crickton with EKJ who teas with us. Tired in evening and do nothing but write commissions for Swansea by RH.

30th

Beautiful day, east wind. Rise early, do not shave Beautiful weather. Send a note to Mr Beynon and Gordon by RH. Busy about nothing all day, garden, walk to Crickton in evening. At accounts, arrears all the evening. RH brings home flew boy John Evans Carmarthenshire to have at rate £4 p.ann. till Michaelmas.

Sunday, evening duty. Very windy, east dry and cold and sunny. Good congregation. Carrie and I and 3 children, Ted does not come back to tea.

APRIL

1st Monday

Almost summer weather. Make alterations in front garden all day, plant apple tree before breakfast, turf up to the great holly in front of windows. R H and James Phillip call about commissions for arrear poor rate. Mr and Dr Higgs call from Oxwich about Jim Diamond as servant. Work without my coat as very hot. Children in garden working all day. Scotch piper 2d. Am not at Crickton. Sandwell calls about thatcher at brickyard, send Phillip. Carrie not satisfied this evening because she has no carriage when taking elder wine. Splendid night indeed.

2nd

Ride with RH as agreed to Bryn Gwas, barn building and agreed to add a shed for carts. Tenant day, all carting home to dinner. Dine alone, rest done. Chilly cold fog. Dry in evening. Walk to Crickton over the farm. Read Britannia paper in evening, do not enter diary on account.

3rd

Dull doubtful morning day fixed for christening baby Frank Arthur. Donkey cart and dog cart in request. New road to church yard making. Hare for dinner Mr James not well eno' to come over EKJ comes over. High life below stairs, tea cake and dining. Numerous invites for attention in Agnes illness Write notes to Mr Martin … in answer about coal, Bryngwas and Howell John ditto by his daughter Mary. Enter no accounts or diary, house in confusion.

4th

Dry cool doubtful, fine. Garden a little, clean, rout out a few things and drive Carree to Penmaen, Mr J far from well. No wonder I think he is very imprudent, Ted ill too, had cold. Bring home a few things to plant from Penniaen. Home by 6.00 and forget to go to parish meeting, church rate etc. Not very well and very tired in evening worked in front garden before and after breakfast David Morris makes application for Herberts Houses if Grove goes, promise him refusal. Agnes sick again this evening, rather alarms us.

5th

At home all morning, day ill spent. Read Blackwood. Evening duty, poor congregation. EKJ ill, very hoarse. Go to church alone in rain tea at Stavell Haegr with Ted, talk with Dix about cloth. Meet RH on hill, talk with him about fat cattle at Llandeilo R, think to have them to Swansea but at accounts and diary in evening and commissions for Swansea tomorrow. Wet evening

6th

Wet morning, most beautiful day. Give Thomas Thomas a lift on top of Killay to Brynymor and get two dishes left there. Attend Farmers Club show on May 9th Many commissions and errands home with Mr and Mrs Grove very late.

8th

Sunday, morning duty. Carree and C Teddy and self attend and I Grant!!

Monday. Ride Moses to Penmaen. Carree drives here, drives nurse and baby in Mrs Grose's gig. Mr J better again of his rheumatics. All dine there and home by 6.00. Find house shut up and barred and no fires and no tea. Start for a parish meeting. Church wardens accounts and attend the old club. Home at 10, very cold night. An event in the village; great stone erected on end by EKJ and a host of men, some tons weight. A good object. New entrance to new road to church. Meet Maurice Davies and take tea together at Stay Hag.

9th

Sea fog, beautiful day. Maurice Davis comes to breakfast. Measure the work of school and height of hill for new road, Penralt. 51 ft rise in 160 yds being 1 foot in 9 or more than 1 inch to a foot. Easy ascent !! They both dine at Caie Forgan and kill a mallard. Lend him my spirit level. He lends a mathematical book. Enter accounts in evening.

10th

Rise early, thick sea fog at intervals. At Crickton before breakfast. Reese and Ann, neither at home. ... seeds for WT. Prepare early to call on Mr Higgs, Oxwich. Carree goes and EKJ. My pony can't have saddle on. We walk. Mrs James calls and John, ride to Pennyhitch. Meet the Higgs. Carree at the Castle going to Penmaen, accompany them there. Mr J ill, rheumatism not better, going to Swansea yesterday to see Sarah off by packet. We dine at Penmaen and return to tea by Long O(aks) and Lodge. Glass high and beginning to fall.

11th

Fine early, clouds over, misty and rain clears off again and is fine. Ride little Rosy to Brynhir by appointment to attend vestry at chapel. Strong muster, Phil(ip) Evans churchwarden, EKJ there too. Strong opposition. I propose -/6 rate -/3 one carried, proposed by Samuel Eaton. Meeting adjourned to 25th Penclaw(dd). Dine at Brynhir. Penmaenites can't attend, Mr James ill. Small parley in consequence. Home by chapel and marsh between 9 and 10, fine night luckily.

12th.

Begin to alter front garden and plant by new chimney, rain stops us. Thorough wet day, in house all day. Read a mag and Cambrian. Mend Charley's desk. Eat and drank overmuch yesterday, not very well. Enter accounts in evening. Rather behind hand being much about and from home lately. Write to Mr Atwood to excuse going to town tomorrow. Old cow of Llythrydd injured, send late to Reynoldstone, pig to Perry and note to Bullock.

13th

Dull day. Llythrydd cow had hernia. Send early to Penmaen. Letter from George wants answer, write and send by Mr Grose. Walked to Cillibion and write Swansea notes there. Garden, cut broccoli and cart off stones. Donkey walk to Crickton, children take ditto for potatoes and walk over the farm. Growth rapid, grass coming on. RH calls in, brings letter T..(?) and papers. Cow very bad think, to kill her. Enter daily accounts. Wind rises and misty rain falls.

15th

Sunday, evening duty. Stroll out in evening to Cillibion to see oats, next Sunday.

Monday. Drive Carree nurse Harris, 2 babies & Cathe in Davies car to Swansea. Stay at Cross Inn Fair. Sell 3 oxen from Carmarthen to D D Evans for £39=10=0 & John again takes me to Swansea in car. Leave cow skin at Nicholaston & also skin of calf taken from cow called ? and stay in Swansea the night at Davies in Butter St.

16th

In Swansea, shop etc with Carree. Nurse Harris leaving us. Get home late through Sir J Morris's Park etc.

17th

At home again. Off early with Carree to dine at Penmaen. Then carriage sent for childrcn and Carree, I ride Rosy by Lodge and call at Parkmill about peasticks etc. Return by Penny Hitch, they in carr(iage), I and Ted ride. Mr J far from well.

18th

About home all day and at Crickton in the evening. Carree rides to Stay Hag to tea, I walk. Garden in front a little. Make out road account and attend a meeting to inspect road account at Fras Thos!

19th

Mr James calls in the carriage by appointment, akes Carree & me to Oxwich to call on Mr and Mrs and Dr Higgs. Carree rides from farm and I walk back. Very hot day indeed. Quite tired. Dine late. Mr Gordon of Cil Ivor calls to request me to see his son George in bed, very ill after assault from George Williams. Ride down, going on well.

20th Saturday Strawbridge in full for Bath Stone - for front of house. Drive to Swansea and take to Chas and Johnny, EKJ also rides. Dine at Mrs Davies, Butter Street, twice. I at Cross Keys - and beer Nags Head. Mr Collins home part of way with us.

22nd

Sunday, sacrament. Stroll to Cillibion field in evening, children walk to Penralt.

Monday. Lawn mown first time. Cows gone to grass, Cadennith. Go with Ted in evening to

brickyard; begin today to make bricks. Call at Cilivor see Gordon, doing well. Mr and Mrs and Dr Higgs call on us.

24th accounts only

25th

Much cooler this evening, dry. Second fat ox going off. Walk to Cillibion, Tom Phillips plants quicks. Walk to Crickton ... Dine early and ride with Ted to Brynhir. Call at Bryn Gwas. Receive £15=0=0. Adjourned to vestry at Penlan about church rates and arrears and accounts. Sup at Brynhir and not in bed till past 2 .00, very tired. Mr I Evans for cleaning rubbish from chapel yard after chancel rebuilt 6/- not paid.

26th

Glass falling, much colder, no rain. Glass gets up again.

27th

Ride Ted's grey to Swansea

30th

Very dry, east wind. About home all day. Begin sow(ing) barley. EKJ at a funeral, Penmaen. Mr J not worse. At Crickton in the evening. Painter coming again. Tailor here. Mattress made, carpet begun. WT. Do up and all … How inconvenient is a house in confusion. Oh that I had a room to myself.

MAY

1st Wednesday

Ride with Carree and Teddy on Neddy to Reynoldstone call on Higgs Perry ill. He from home. Called on Reverend Mr Davies. A concert of donkeys on the green, Teddy frightened, Mama angry. Tea at Mrs Groses' in the evening. Meet the Balls there.

2nd

Ride Ted's grey to Swansea to attend road trust. No meeting. Attend Board of Guardians till past 4.00. Home late and tired. WR tells me late in evening Moselle's foal is ill. Am up till 1.00 with WR and John Batting and giving grease and oil and rubbing, apparently no release.

3rd

4th

WR at Swansea. Ann Reese with him. I at home all day. Fanny Reese could not go to Swansea. I about home and the house all day. Cold, very ill. Painters in the house. Move all furniture to the gre(en?) and back again. Luckily no rain tho' it threatens, begin set potatoes.

Walked to Crickton, Charles with me. Painters go home. WR home early. I am far from well. Sunday, morning duty, I am ill. Doctor Howell yesterday. Church in confusion. We drive to Penmaen in evening. Mr Collins there home late.

6th

Was not at church yesterday morning, lumbago something better today. Rise late, house all in confusion, painting and arranging. Colt dies, the only one expected, Moselle's, great loss & may lose the mare. Mr Murray here again, all over. Walk to Crickton & arrange for tomorrow & to brick yard. Water scarce. RH comes there, liberty to turn a spring. Call on Gordon. Late to tea, enter accounts in evening sadly in arrears. Very hot. Evan John calls, wants talk

7th

Lace and caps for new servants 2/2. Drive in evening to Swansea to fetch Edmund and family after setting up beds all morning, fussy work. Not home again till 12 .00, not in bed till 2. Tea at Castle alone

8th

At home all day. Edmund and his family here. Bull ring for tomorrow going to Swansea. Very hot. Nigh(?) to kill my bull to day and actually kill my boar tomorrow.

9th

Drive Edmund to Swansea, Farmer's Club. Kill my boar, sent in to exhibit in a cart. How was this mistake cruelly committed, dead loss. Dine at Castle. Tyre of our wheel comes off, leave car at Olchfa Bridge to be repaired and luckily get on in Mr Collins carriage with Dr Riggs. Find it repaired on our return and get home safe. Fortunate adventure of a day only to lose a pig!

10th Friday About house all day. Is it so, no, Edmund and Carree driven to Penmaen. I ride by the Cwms. We all return that way, road very rutty and bad. Johnny with us, he and ladies frightened, all ends well. Borrow a key of John's and returned it to Mr Ball tomorrow. This driving about quite puts me out of the way to keep any correct accounts of work and money.

11th Saturday Drive Edminds carriage to Swansea 4 of us. Grey farmer horse slow and sure. New table home from Jenkins, College St., £5=10=0. Swansea fair, RH goes in my car with J Evans. All hurry and confusion, forget half my commissions . Mrs Davies of Castle odd behaviour, has no room to serve lunch in for ladies, they take nothing though ‘tis served up. Home late to to dinner.

Sunday, evening duty. Edmund, Lizzie and children there, Carree rides, Charley cries because he gets no ride on return home.

13th

Mr and Mrs and Dr Higgs dine with us and Dr Collins. Ride with Edmund to Stay Hag and brickyard after arranging some tools and rubbish, nails etc, in a broiling sun in front of house, Calcutta heat

14th

Edmund busies himself about putting up a wooden break wind at corner of house next the yard in garden. All odd sticks and poles called into use. How long will it last?

15th

Fanciful stone placed near front of house and yesterdays fandango, long job. RH, WR Thos Thos cum multis aliis help. Arrangements made for Edmund going to Swansea and Lewes tomorrow. Get little sleep, bed late, rise at 3 again.

16th

Drive Edmund to Swansea for coach or packet to London. Start at 3. All day at Swansea. Board of Guardians. Dine at Somerset House. Mr and Mrs James at Mrs Davies, Mr J very ill under Dr Howell. Home to tea, very tired, can do nothing all the evening

17th Friday How very much colder!! About papers all morning preparing for London. Walk Carree and Lizzie and all children, pony and donkey cart, all to brickyard. Extreme cold. Preparing for first burning of bricks.

18th

Am up all night packing up. Leave home in market cart for Swansea at 3.00. Just in time to meet Cymrw Coach. Excessive cold day, strong east wind. In Park Street at 5.00.

Sunday, very cold and windy. Church at St Matthews. Mr Morgan not very well. Drive to Keynsham in evening, see Mrs Elton and Miss Ord. Mr Gibson dined in Park St. called on Mrs Shute.

20th

Cold but milder. See the Great Britain iron steamer, wonderful vessel. Too wide to pass the docks. What's the remedy? Lost my cape. Arrive about 9.00 or little after. What time and leisure is gained by steam travelling. My mother not home till past 12pm from play house. Miss Rudd with her. Alfred here too, begin a letter home. In bed after l.00.

21st

London, 6 Manchester Square. Enquire at station about the cab and my cloth cape , no go. Cape gone, will never have another. The 3rd I've lost, these rascally cabmen. Call on Aunt Cobbold, 79 Baker St. She calls in the square, walk with her and my mother. Call on Mrs Popham. Green peas for dinner 2/- per quart out of shell. All out at a small party again, am at home by self. Enter accounts etc. Some little rain last night and this morning, breaks off again and is very fine.

22nd

Write home to Carree and to Wm Uckfield. Call on Mr Smith with my mother and Miss Rudd. Walk to Astley's amphitheatre to secure places. Take and pay for 4. My mother gave me £1. Paid booking 1/-. Called at Sanguinetti's tailor in Bond St. Order morning jacket. Dine at 5.30 and at Miss Mudby's party in evening; play cards and lose 3/-. How wonderfully is London improved of late years. About Pall Mall and Charing Cross, but little rain has fallen and glass high. Derby day. Cheating Running Ruin(ous?) living but pronounced too old, a changed colt. Action brought Wood v Peel.

23rd

Dry weather still, what little rain since Lady Day!!! Country parched up. All morning about accounts and papers. Dine early. Write to Mrs Mabbott and to HJM, short letters. Not out all morning. In evening with my mother and Aunt Cobbold and Miss Rudd to Astleys Theatre, now Batty's, nothing particularly good in performance; horses, tight rope, dancing good. Theatre new and pretty large and clean. Not home till past 12 .00. Spent nothing today.

24th

Beautifully fine again for towns, sad weather for the country. Universal complaints from all parts. Out a little in morning with Edmund at Polytechnic and hydro-electric machine. Power accidentally discovered at Newcastle? or in the north. Dine with Mr Smith in Mortimer St. Meet Dr Child. Attend lecture at Royal Institution by …. on draining, has principle to catch spring by boring according to strata of earth. To supersede Smith of Dayton's plan. Late in evening at Mrs Lancaster's party in Portland Place.

25th Saturday Still dry and cold. Take a long walk with Edmund by Middlesex Hospital, Wardour St., Holborn. Dine near Strand Arcade. Trafalgar Square, the hand servant pt of London, Regent St, go to the Feast of Lanterns or Chinese Saloon in the evening with my mother, Aunt Cobbold and Miss McMagnus and EM. Catalogue a most curious and instructing exhibition.

Sunday. Very cold, can't shave, can't go to church, not fit to be seen. Walk with EM through new town to Kensington Gardens. Round gardens & park, home. What improvements in town. How fashion alters now the … all are seen by the Serpentine!!!

27th

Pass a bad night and awake quite ill. Ill all day and for several days. WM comes to town late. My Uncle Mabbott comes in unexpectedly looking remarkably well. Send for Mr Squibb, a medical man. Some rain today in London, dull and cold. Wind NE, finish a letter begun yestrady to Carree and send it. 2 years subscription to the Royal Agricultural Society to end of December 1844.

28th

Nearly all day in bed. Come down at 4 .00, better than yesterday but ill. Read a little, light book. My Aunt Cobbold takes tea in the evening and plays cribbage with my mother. Mr Squibb calls twice.

29th

Gloomily dull and cold, though more disposed to rain. All day at home, attend a little to private accounts. WM & EM walk out together. Write to Carree and Charley. Not able to do much, far from well but free from pain. Wet evening in London. Beautiful mild rain. Does it extend to Wales & the Worm's Head?

30th

Equally dull but a milder day. Am not out of the house: WM, EM, AM all out. All go different ways on different work. My mother late, goes alone. WM and I at home alone all the evening except Henry Woodward calls on me and rattles away all sorts of nonsense. He and the former did not speak!!! I arrange some of my Gower papers (i.e.) bills, ready for tomorrow. Do nothing in papers today except looking over them and arranging which I was about greater part of day. My mother, EM and AM out at 2 parties, one a dance. Not home till 2, nor was I in bed till past one. Milder day. Mr Squibb calls on me, more physic.

31st

Dull, leady morning, to me cold. Wind still northerly by E. Am down at breakfast time. Nathan the broker calls to say he has purchased me a wardrobre, it is for Carree. Am going to be in again all day, am so. Make out accounts of tithes received for 4 years, a tedious business. Col. Ferrior of Tenby dines here. Nothing in the way of accounts done in the evening. A picture frame man calls in the evening with frames for my mother. No parties this evening, all in bed in good time.

JUNE

1st Saturday Much more summer-like weather. Sun and warmer. Pity so little rain. Am not well, rheumatic with pain in back and shoulders. No matter. Again at accouts all day & write home. At accounts else all day upstairs in bedroom at Manchester Square. In evening walk with Edmund to see improvements in Regents Park, inner circle, botanical ring etc. etc. and home by Baker Street.

Sunday. Quebec Chapel; good professional singing. Miss Dolby, Mrs Stephens and ? go with my

mother in evening to see the zoological, young giraffes etc. EM joins us there. Evening at home, write to Mr Squibb that I take no more physic.

3rd

Received letter from home. No rain!!! More than 2 months. God save us. All morning at accounts and write letters home to W Collins and Fred. In the evening go about with WM. Evening spent at Polytechnic. Horn on Chinese music. Opaque microscope showing magnified plaster casts and living heads, very curious. Home at 10. Tea late.

4th

Wind changed westerly yet no sign of rain. All day at accounts again. EM leaves London at 1.00 for train for Pangbourne. Give him £15 for Carree. All day at accounts. My mother at 2 parties, Mrs Nodes and a ball in Baker St. Not home till 3 .00. life in London. I am not out.

5th

At home again at accounts all morning. Write to EM, steamer Bristol and to Geo M. Send them tomorrow and write them too. Alfred goes to Windsor review and Ascot. Was to dine out. My mother alone dines at Mr Wards. I walk out late for exercise near 9.00. how light. Shops not shut till near 12.00 Very mild.

6th

Some rain in gentle showers all day at last. Milder, glass falling. Received scolding letter from home, no rain there. At accounts all morning. At 4 .00 call in Upper Brook St. Not at home. By the Parks to call on Mr Melville, 40 St James Place. Not at home. Return home. Alfred comes in to coffee? after dinner from Ascot and Windsor and out again. He saw Emperor of Russia etc. At accounts in evening again.

7th

Start after breakfast to meet Cathe at Euston Station. Call on Mr Smith. Meet Mr and Mrs Constable at station and MissDodsons, make a day of it after seeing Cathe in a cab for Manchester Sq. Call on Frank, invited to dine. Call on Mr France, can't find Miss Rudd at Mrs Rowe's. Call on Henry Woodward …

8th

At home all day at accounts. Receive letters, W Collins and George. Write home and Bristol. 3 Crowned Heads to be at the opera tonight. Not out of the house all day. Capital singing. Walk with my mother, make calls, Mrs Stone, Lady Aldy and Mrs Jones. Miss Watson, a fine figure. Walk alone to the Park. Mr Smith dines with us.

Sunday. Wet morning. Fortunately fine day again. At Quebec Chapel, charity sermon for churches East End of London. Gave nothing, enquire to be done with County Churches.

10th

Fine hot weather again. Too little rain, at home all day. Entering up accounts and writing to Bristol and Lewes. Receive 4 letters, home, EM etc. Frederick and Charlotte arrive. Go to Kensington. Little Eddie from Mr Gosforth all go to the exhibition but me. WM receives this evening an account from Mr France about tithes Commission, decided against modus hay in favour of cows and valuation, set out this etc. Evening taken up in arranging about sending to Tenby tomorrow. Read some of Eyre's account of Afghanistan, Sir W McNaughtie's murder.

11th

Fred call(s) in early. Hot sunny day. My mother and party attend Mr Morrells. White bait party at Greenwich. WM and I call on Mr France in consequence of decision of tithe commission as to moduses in Gower. Hay modus we gain, try to find where HJM is in Chancery Lane, cannot. Meet Cathe on return home and go to the National Gallery. Dine at 5.30 and finish Eyre's account of Afghanistan.

12th

Another fine town day. Hear from home, some rain in Gower, EM leaves for Tenby on Friday. At accounts this evening. Write home and to Geo and to Offey. EM drives my horses to St Clears. HJM drops in Manchester Square unexpected from Wales. Not at all well. My mother and Cathe go, theatre lovers Irish evenings. No-one goes with them. I am at accounts balancing last year's tithe book. HJM again here this evening. Read some of Arnold's sermons...

13th

Hot day again, some attempt at rain in evening. Clouds over and looks thundery, umbrellas up. All day my tithe book. Fred and Charlotte here. Am not out all day. Hear from home, all well. Mr and Mrs J gone to Devons. HJM here all day. Eats nothing, seems low. How melancholy it is to see part of same family at enmity.

14th

All day in the house. Complete my tithe book. Enter up, balance all the arrears etc. Make out some accounts for the arbitration. All out of ho(use) but me. Alfred dines out. Fred and Clara go to Brines theatre in evening. My mother goes to Mrs Wards in Bedford Sq. alone. Sunny day, an Irish wind and cooler. Rain has fallen in the distance. Do not write home. Clara tries to match something for Carree and fails. Henry not here today. Yes, he comes after tea. Enter up Lett's diary till I go to bed, finished to this evening.

15th

Very dry and fine for London, at home all morning ticking off vouchers etc. Write

hastily to Carree. HJM signs accounts of Gower settled 1839 and carries my letter to post late. Fred and Charlotte leave today for Kensington, home and Oxford. Ask me to go, cannot. WM and Cathe go to watercolours.

Sunday. Quebec Chapel again, beautiful singing and excellent sermon. Mr Williams, “Watch and Pray”. Do not follow all his advice, make call, George Turner etc and with my mother to the zoological gardens, dine at half past 5. HJM there. Read Arnold sermons.

17th

Dry and fine, wind SE. Glass a little on the fall. Enter my accounts fair for WM who dines in Bedford Sq. We dine early, shop in the evening with Catherine. Walk down Regent Street, Dickens and Smiths, a long turn. Sheets etc. Oxford St., Johnsons late Martins, gloves, shirts socks etc a good little shop, civil man. Walk up Oxford St looking at the shops. Some very cheap things -Tea after 9 .00. My mother goes out to Mrs Warringtons? Read Pallme on Kordogan. Received letter from home and from EM Carmarthen. My horses gone to St Clears. They left Gower on Friday.

18th

Wet morning, early damp, threatening dull all day. Dust layed. Write fair copy of accounts made out till dinner. Dine early, all of us in the evening out with WM late to Wardour St. Call at Woods and buy toothbrushes in Oxford St 2/-. At brush shop ask lots of questions. Civil people. HJM here to tea. Begin letter to EM, Tenby.

19th

All morning at home. Help WM at balance sheet accounts. Write to Carree and to Edmund, Tenby. Dine early, go out after dinner. Order frieze for Carree. At accounts copying all evening. Mother and A at a party. Wet morning, dull damp day. Receive Mr Jones of Brecon's valuation of tithes of Llanrhidian. Read some of Dr Arnold's letters by Stanley, life and correspondence. Dr A a most clever man.

20th

Cloudy, dull and thundery clouds. Some rain. Am not out of house all day copying accounts. Balance sheets for WM who is gone to the city, my mother and A and Mrs Pitmans in evening. HJM here in evening who, with WM and I, look over accounts of Ynyswen Mill and Bridge. £300 and more outlay, it can't pay. The last tenant insolvent. Read Dr Arnolds Life by Stanley, what a sudden death, what a loss to his country. A most superior man. In evening ……. not in bed (till?) late, 1.30am. Writing this at 8am and feel a strong inclination to change the whole course of my life, if I knew how, after reading a little of Dr Arnolds Life and Letters, I hope it may influence my future life for good.

21st

Window open in bedroom, it is dry and feels colder. At accounts copying papers all morning except writing a party letter home for tomorrow's evening mail, Swansea. Go to the watercolour exhibition. WM out again today somewhere, calls at Mr France's. HJM here. This evening accounts again, Ynyswen Bridge etc. Read a little Dr Arnold. Mother and am at Mrs Ward's, Chapel St. Cloudless sort of day.

22nd

Still dry and hot again. Copying some accounts and helping WM at the general balance sheet. Dine early, my mother, WM and Cathe go to zoological, musician there. I remain at home and read Dr Arnold's life, highly interesting. After tea to the Adelaide Gallery to see Tom Thumb. Home late..

Sunday. Most gloriously hot. Quebec Chapel, good singing. Overheat, walk round Kensington Gardens with WM, how hot. Write letters in the evening, W Collins and home. HJM dines, not so AM. Some walk in square. Text St Matthew, ‘Idle Words Condemn'.

24th

Monstrous hot and burning sun. Walk with WM with papers to Mr France. Explained balance sheet, no difficulties anticipated. Return and walk again to Hanover Square concert, Handel, Gear and Sequin benefit. Very clouded and hot. Great mixture of company. Can't get a seat till 2nd part and then get into the Royal Box, a good place to hear and see. My mother at Mrs Ward's in Baker St in evening. WM and self at home. Read Dr Arnold's Life. Not in bed till 2 .00.

25th

Most beautiful mild rain. Read Dr Arnold's life. At accounts with W filling balance sheet HJM's account. Write to Fred and send letters to Carree and W Collins at Hampden, Clifton and Exeter, no Exmouth. In the evening at a party, cards. No 33 Gower St. Me and Miss Repp play a few rubbers and lose 4/-. Home about half past (?). Set Mr Smith down in Mortimer St.

26th Wednesday Dull morning, no rain. Receive letter from home, thunderstorm in Gower Sunday evening. Very hot in London, no rain till yesterday. At accounts again, fair copy of balance sheet. Copy from WM. Call with WM on Mr Dawson regarding 5600 EM's settlement. Write to EM in

Bedford Sq. in consequence to propose his house and farms. Settled in part of it. Frank not at home. Call on the Patch's etc in Gower St. Go to Nathan's, Wardour St., about the chest of drawers etc. My mother goes to Mrs Robsons in evening alone. Some little rain this evening.

27th

Out with WM early. Called at Mr Barretts 26 , …. Signed a receipt of rents for him. Saw Temple Church. Called on Mr Patch called also in Strand, then to arrange about some Grand Junction Canal shares for Mrs Cobbold. Home to dinner. All at home all evening. No party except A to a ball late. Read some sermons of Arnold's.

28th

Write several letters to Rugby, home and to EKJ. Go to City and London Bridge. Meet Samuel Davies Oxford St. See Wellington's Statue etc, and walk fast home. Dine at 6; small party, Mrs Robson and Mrs Mawby, cards. Called at Mr France's, returned from City. Put letter in post there for EKJ.

29th

Fred arrives to breakfast. Go with him and WM to Mr France. Talk about arrangement of property, long affair, first having called at Frank's and had his opinion of moiety of Bidd(lesde)n. HJM came to Mr France's. We took an account of the land in … Fa(the)r died worth. Met GHE[3] in Oxford St., old and thin, a grey haired rascal. Came home late to lunch and write down about a valuation of Gower farms. Accompany Fred to Fingest after dinner. Rail to Maidenhead, by Fred's carriage by Marlow. Arrive late at night. Glad to get a little respite from London and papers.

JULY

1st Monday

At Fingest. Dry and hot. Evening duty. Looks like distant thunder, stormy. Walk to the windmill etc.

Monday. Hot and dry. Dine early, drive to Henley. Detained by thunderstorm, very severe. Awful thunder and lightning. 2 hours at Dixon's Inn, called with Fred and Clare at Mr Jacksons by the Thames. Home in evenng after rain, the storm scarcely reached to Fingest.

2nd

Wet morning, dull and warm. Rain will do a wonderful deal of good. Read the Herald, long case of Wood v Peel, Durley case, cheating, racing, running. Col. Peel gains, black legs done and exposed. Drive after dinner, Lord Chancellors, nice place, capital house, his sister only there. Turville Heath very healthy and fine. Call on cottagers and see the points of the country. Heavy rain in the evening, see it and hear it coming 10 minutes before feeling it.

3rd

No rain, warm. Rain has done great good. Dine early, write to Carree. Drive to leave more PPC cards, Hambledon, Mrs Raymond Barkins etc. After tea walk to Turville village to see cottagers. Buy a little blonde lace, pleasant walking in the evening.

4th

Damp, misty, rainy morning. Breakfast early, but not early enough. Leave Fingest with Fred for Marlow, confirmation there. Am too late for coach to station, can find no conveyance. Stay confirmation. Fred brings me on just in time, in London about 3 .00. Find arrear of letters, write to Mr Mayberry, Brecon, to Fred, Fingest, to Lewis Thomas, Swansea. At home all evening. My mother at late party, Miss Hunt's. Letters sent by billman. HJM here this evening

5th

Very wet gentle rain, not heavy. Write 5 letters. Post master … Carree, WFM, Mr Mayberry and Offey. A large party here this evening. 2 letters not stamped. Not out of the house today. A pleasant party at my mother's this evening, Mr Handel Gear & Mrs Eveling Smith, professional singers, very good. Some good amateur ditto & players, a Miss Amadoz very good, Miss Moraeu ditto, Mr Nodes foolishly good natured, who can flatter him so? The polka danced by Mr Goldfinch, Mr Nodes and some ladies.

6th

Dull morning, dull all day. Warm, quiet, settle some accounts between WM and self as to Chambers, … can't make it balance in my own book. WM goes out alone early. At 3 go with my mother and Miss Popham to hear band of music military at zoological. Dinner at 7 .00, out late again with WM to Sanguinettis, Berner St and Wardour St.

Sunday. Dull and warm as yesterday. Quebec chapel, call with WM on Mr Hallins, artist & on Mrs B1akelock, Albany St. Stroll about Regent's Park and home 5.30.

8th

Fine day. Call early with WM on Mr France, HJM Mr -- call there also. Discussion about … etc long little done. call at Rigley's about deeds, Bryngwas etc. Map etc. HJM goes to city, Mr Square about deeds of Gower. Not at home etc. Where are those deeds, how negligent are the partners in London not to see to this long ago, now 10 years. The rest of the morning at the National Gallery with HJM. With HJM in Bond St at land agents to see view of Bidd(lesd)en now to be let. An old drawing of mine, faded and spoilt and badly done. My mother and HJM at Mrs North's. Aunt Cobbold takes tea in the Sqaure with us. Will try to put C. Teddy at Charter Ho(use).

9th

At home all morning. Cathe goes to Uckfield. Dine at 2 .00 expecting packing boxes, don't come. Go with WM in evening to see sculpture, cartoons, frescoes etc Westminster Hall. Shop in our way back Send 6 pictures to Nathan to pack up in Edward St. My mother and A dine at Mrs Nodes. Write to EM Tenby and home and to Bristol. Hot fine day.

10th

Very hot fine day, WM off early to Forsters sale, the pictures. I pack up and off early. Call in Bedford Square. See Mary Ann and Frank. Call on Mrs Smith can't make more calls. finish packing. Dine early. WM with me to the station, the Queen, special train. In Park Street at tea before 10 .00, just 5 hours. Write to Gower in evening. Find Mr and Mrs James and Johnny at Bristol.

11th Thursday Hot fine day again, send letter to Gower by Cymrw Coach. All well in Bristol. Drive with Mr and Mrs James to Mr Gibson's, Westbury, and home by Clifton Hill. Called in morning with Mr James on Mrs Hurle. Was in the city and took place by coach Cymrw outside. Martha Morgan dines in Park St.

12th

At Bristol, out early with Mr and Mrs James to a toy shop. Drive to the zoological to shew Johnny the lions, only monkeys there that take his fancy. Tea at Mrs M's Kingsdown, Mrs and Miss Shute there. Pack up at night.

13th

Finish packing. Ready for coach at 9.15. Doubtful morning proves thorough wet, soaked through and through on reaching Swansea. Assizes finish at Cardiff.

Sunday. Am not at church, nothing unpacked, morning duty & sacrament thought to go to some other church or the chapel at 6.00. Go nowhere. Offey here. Walk to see the corn in the evening…. Cillibion etc Crickton.

15th

In Gower again after a long absence. Very fine day. Ted comes up, unpack some of my things. Carree writes to Bristol to her father Receive a letter from EM. Call at Llythridd, Mrs Ball. Miss Davies calls here and there to dine, here! Dine early and walk with EKJ to brickyard. Schoolhouse and eat tea at home. Unpack a box etc.

16th

About home all morning . A beautiful shower this morning. Unpack I box, gather fruit, great quantity of gooseberries. I walk after dinner with Carree, Crickton and village. Do not see Ted, Mary Thomas, her daughter has a child, whose child? Trim garden. Get account of C Reese this evening in my absence. Enter accounts in evening. Very fine evening indeed.

17th

Off early in morning, all hands, Carree, Charley, to see second brick kiln opened. Send down for bricks and tiles etc. Take an account of Sandwell. Meet Ted there, pay Allen balance of malt account.

18th

WR off very early to town for a wardrobe etc etc. porter, Sandwell goes and Ellia. Mr and Mrs James return from Exeter and Bristol to Penmaen. Ted goes to meet them. Carree says we are idling all the morning and in after dinner. Late drive, gin! to Penmaen to make ready for the return home. Mr J much better, Mrs J not so. Home late. I was at Crickton in the morning

19th

A nice little shower. Hot fine day, too hot, too dry. Unpack wardrobe from Nathan's, London. Pictures etc inside vilely packed. Not from house all day. Trim ivy on wall and nail up roses etc. Mr J Collins calls and takes tea. Back a bill for him of J Hancock's £16=0=0 odd to C Collins. Carree out of sorts and walks alone to Penralt, late, about meat etc and for Swansea tomorrow. Pictures cleaned and to bed early. Was at Crickton and saw David Williams of Cil Ivor hay making, not a bad crop.

20th

Glass rising again, faint hopes of rain vanished again, very hot. Set down to accounts this morning, about home all day. After tea walk with Carree to brickyard to enquire of the injured woman Mary Thomas. Executed commons at Swansea, do not send.

Sunday. Evening duty. Very hot indeed and in the evening walk to the school, expected singers there, Jenny loves RH and Nelly and Ted come. School floored, bricks.

22nd

Very hot and very dry. Go early, all the flock, to Penmaen, drive and ride. Bathe first time this season, what a luxury, by Great Tor. Children sent to bath(e) too. Dine at Penmaen, Mr J Collins calls there and Mrs Nicholls and Miss Cole. Home late to bed. Charley rode Rosy there and back. Gather mushrooms at Penmaen.

23rd

Less hot but still hot, brisk east wind, at home all day. Rise early, walk before breakfast to Cillibion fields. No water for calves, all pools dried up. Great scarcity of water and rain much wanted for a long time. Walk with children to hunt mushrooms, find a few. Call at Crickton, all the currants gathered and picked. Pick stones and water in garden. RH and Mr Williams, 2nd surveyor, calls at CM and takes beef and beer. Enter accounts in the evening after sitting in garden very late. So mild and warm.

24th

Some beautiful showers early in the morning. Hot and dry day as usual. About home all day. Receive letter from WM, inclosed in one from Post Office. Read a paper, hear Charley read, not so often as I ought to do. Mr and Mrs James drive over to dine, some of us rather us rather bilious, seeing things in a wrong light and cross light. Walk on common in evening and to Mrs Grose's, he gone to Cornwall. Borrow his gig for tomorrow.

25th

Drive Carree to Swansea in Mrs Grose's gig, Board of Guardians. Contested election of paid rate collector. Mr Roberts elected against the wishes of Swansea and in opposition to Mr Brenton, bad policy! Get wet through, returning. We called on old Mrs Popkin, Mr Gwynne at Mr Francis, Willis one year's interst. Lunch there and see the ....(blots on page)

26th

Walk to Crickton before breakfast. Some carting and 1 car of tithe clover. George Thomas. About home all morning, read and in garden. Ride after dinner to Oxwich by Penrice village with Charley. Tea there. Stroll to the church. Ask them to dinner, Tuesday. Find Mr Davies of R & Ted at CM on return home. Keep late hours. Beautiful moon.

27th

Green mowed, bog cleaned out by green pits. Hang pictures, read a mag(azine). Enter accounts.

Sunday. Morning duty, at church before the time, 2 children with us. Mrs Grose and Miss Hancorne tea with us.

29th

Fine day after a little rain last night. Write to WM London about arbitration and Nathan of Wardour St. Ride with Teddy to call on Mr and Mrs Perry. Send letters by them to Penmaen, send early Swansea for meat, none to be had. What's for dinner tmorrow? A party! Mr and Mrs Collins and Miss Witham call in evening, tea. Add them to the party tomorrow. In for a penny in for a pound.

30th

Wet stormy day. Early very wet. Better after midday. Busy preparing for a party to dine today. Mr Higgs and 2 sons, Mr and Mrs Collins, Mr and Mrs Perry. Disappointed of the ladies. Borrow a leg of mutton of Mr Collins. All goes off pretty well, no accidents. RH called in morning with the map and book of references.

31st

Strong wind again but less rain. Walk to Crickton and over the farm. Drive Carree to Penmaen. Mrs J ill but gone to Oxwich so drive home again. Read Britanma and plant broccoli and wheel bricks for altering cellar. A day of confusion. W Jone, reward for loking after tithes - detecting Bevan of C 2/6

AUGUST

1st Thursday

Go early after breakfast to brickyard and go fully into accounts with Sandwell. Called at Penralt. RH and W Davies of Penralt talk on tithes. George Gordon called on me about tithes, agree to collect corn and small tithes at RH's value, 15/-, and give in all hay. George Gordon drains. Hurry home, showers. Late to dress and to dine at Ilston, only Owen Higgs there, dull affair. Miss Watkins all shew to talk. Lucky to escape rain. Drove fast there, behind time owing to rain etc.

2nd

Less rain today but more in the evening. Walk to Crickton and carry Agnes. Turnips thin. Ride with Carree to call on the Terry's and Penmaen. They all dine at llston. the 2 boys went in donkey cart. Lucky in weather. Dine late at home. Garden, pick stones and carry bricks. At accounts in evening. A turkey hatches in plantation, cat? kills some.

3rd

An awful hurricane. Wind and rain, south and SE, does great damage to corn, trees and shipping. the coast edged with wrecks, I sustain less damage than I could imagine. Drive to Swansea late, get wet. Mild evening and night to return home. Bring home a carriage from Mr Francis for Carmarthenshire with John Evans. home about 10 .00.

Sunday, fine day. Dr Higgs serves Llanrhidian church, very good sermon on accidents intended for warning and good.

5th

Seems to promise fine but wet evening again from east. Ride, lose shoe, put pony at Penrallt, walk to brickyard. Meet Thomas Thomas about oats, no bargain. RH and EKJ there, talk about his tithes. Walk by marsh to Stav Hag, mischief by wind, apples all down, elm and plumbs (sic) blown down. Get wet returning. The Terry's all at CM on my return. Obliged to send them home in a car in the dark. Old Sandwell not at yard, young man says gone to Llanelli, a lie? Was seen in Swansea on a pony.

6th

Gower Book Club dinner at Mr Perry's. High wind, wet doubtful morning, clears off, brisk wind. Full meeting of Gower Club at Mr Perry's home. Mr and Mrs Higgs 2 sons and Mr Downes and 2 Terrys. Day passes off very well. Hear on return at night that all the brickmakers are off, proves true in afew days.

7th

At brickyard with RH, secure papers and all models and implements and arrange Clements to sleep there. Meet R Gordon at Penrallt about tithes, no agreement, tithe is clover. Send cart to brickyard. Nail it up. Home and pack up for tomorrow. Going to Carmarthenshire, several persons call about taxes, bills etc.

8th

Drive in Carree, all children and 2 maids to Carmarthenshire through Swansea. 11 hours drive. See Rees the Inspector of Police and set search on foot for Sandwell who was seen in Swansea 5th on a pony. Call on Miss Popkin..

9th

At Llandeilo Rhynys farm. About home all day, in corn field etc. Oats binding up and field mowed. Charley very ill, in bed, very feverish. Wander about farm late and early. Cattle looking well. Turnips good for season, oats and barley very poor but farm improving. House sadly out of repair.

10th

Beautiful day. Drive Carree and 2 children to Carmarthen, home early to dinner. Write to Mayberry about Sandwell and to Police, Cross Inn. Spoke to several police about him. Receive letter from Swansea that Sandwell is gone to Cardigan and has promise of work there. Meet Mrs Green and Miss Key at the linen draper. Charley is better this evening, baby not well, feverish.

12th

Sunday, thorough wet. Drive to Mr Green's chapel, Carree and Johnny, wet there and back. Most sleepy evening.

Monday, rain all night, ceases about 10 after 24 hours of it. Walk round the farm with Offey and see what is done, what wants doing. Dine early in the evening, get men and lop trees by river .To home and garden to open the bridge etc. Great improvement. Write letter in evening. Mrs Jones very unwell but worse today. John sent to Carmarthen by Carree for lining etc.

13th Tuesday Letter yesterday to police, Llangaddock. Very wet morning again, very warm. Growing days, good for grass and turnips, bad for corn and hay. About home all day. Swansea butcher buys a calf and 5 sheep. Draw up all the peas. Gather loads of mushrooms all hands, 2 great baskets. Read Quarterly, sent two letters - one to Ted, Gower, to Davies Glazier, Butter St.

14th

Improvement in weather though rather wet this morning and very windy. NW all day no day about corn. Turnips hoeing till evening. Begin to pull down some old useless walls about the garden and gravel front court Llandilo Rhwnws, (sic) work all day and write letters evening.

15th Thursday A fine brisk day, not out before dinner. Read paper and Quarterly. Drive Carree and children in evening to quarry, get specimens of copper ore, gratuity. See the Bishop riding alone. Send 3 letters and paper by mail. George M., EM, Penmaen. Walk with Carree late over bridge to Llandilo road. Meet Paul Pry(?) Coach, good load. Carried some wheat today and cut barley Llandeio Rhynys.

16th

About home all day except walking with Carree to Alltygog about letters, expect one from Gower, receive none. Send again to Nantycaredig late in evening. Home again. Asked a young woman going to town to ask at old Bush (?). Carry oats and wheat today. Wet misty evening, just in time about corn.

17th

Rise at 6 .00 and walk round the farm. Drive Carree and Agnes shop and home to dinner at 3.30. Buy 8 pieces of paper at Lewis' for room at 1 ½ pr yd. Mr Nicholls met in Llandilo Road came home last night. Read Quarterly and Britannia paper. Receive letter from Willey. A rat caught tonight, new trap.

Sunday. Fine day, cross Cothy with Carree, Ted, John by Kingcote (Kincoed) to Llanegwad village. Mr Evan the new vicar. Service Welsh, sermon two languages. Call on Mr and Mrs Davies. Walk in evening to call on Mrs Nicholls, Capel Towy, but little English.

19th

Beautiful day, rise at 6. Carry corn wheat and oats, trim a few trees to open peeps(?). Dine early and walk to Salutation and Cothy Bridge with Carree and all the children across Llandeilo Rhynys Farm. Porter at Thomas's. Very tired after tea and can do nothing. View the new mill building at Cothy Bridge. Doubt its answering, doubt also sufficient fall of water, hazardous outlay. Q. by whose advice? Repair Chancel Chapel Up. Divn. by Rev EKJ: to W Rees 3/6

20th

Dubious morning, rise at 6.00. Lambs shorn, barley cut. Dine early, drive out over the bridge, Llanartney road. Llanartney very neat village. All the road most comfortable, Kent lie, most unlike Wales! Cross ford at Dryslyn Castle, take tea by invite at Mrs Davies, Castle Howell! Meet Mr and Mrs Evans the vicar and home by 8. Looked at the new vicar's house, beautiful situation. Walked over farm early a.m. with Thomas of Salutation, the best judge of things about here.

21st

Dull, gloomy day. Colder, no rain. Barley cutting and carting gravel from river. Austey brings 2 letters from EKJ and Mr Mayberry. All morning at home. Cambrian. Move china and crockery from upstairs. No meat at dinner! Fish and pudding. Ride on Valiant with Carree on Moselleon Brekfa (sic) road, pass one of Rebecca's gates. Old woman shows a shutter shot through with a gun at her, shameful, and took a pleasant ride round to the Cothy and Cothy Bridge home. Ruminate on improvement and alterations at Llandio Rhynys. Enter Gower diary from Ted's letter.

22nd

Letters sent, Tenby etc. Very dull and cooler day no rain Cart out earth for wheat. Walk out with C Teddy to see in morning, Carree not very well. Breakfast in bed. Read Quarterly Railroad. Scanty dinner, no rabbits come! Write and send letters to Fred and Edmund and Carree to Mrs Mab(bot?). Send Children to meet mail coachman, kisses Emma !!!! Take hasty sketch of Llandeilo R bridge and home. Walk with Carree to meet children and again to farm. Far from well, head heavy and stupid. Enter accounts of Gower sent by letter from EKJ.

23rd

Showery warm still day, does a deal of good. Read Quarterly Railroads. Write to EKJ, sent by mail. Walk afield in evening, carting out for wheat. Draw plans for improving Llandeilo Rhynys in the evening and read a little again. the bull knocked the boy down this morning, does not hurt him luckily.

24th

Drive in George's carriage, one horse to Carmarthen, take C Teddy. Receive letter from EM and George, one also from Penmaen. Wheel, new rung. Home to early tea, no dinner. Heavy threatening storm eastwards but little rain do we have. Very fine day indeed.

Sunday. Fine, drive to Court H(enr)y rather late. Do not go in after ch(urc)h. Roast beef and plum pudding at home for all the household. Very sleepy in the evening. Towy rising, muddy.

26th

Fine drying day. Dull and cold after the thunder storm on Saturday at Llandilo. Some ricks fired by lightning we hear n(ea)r Llandilo or Llandebie. 26 chickens arrive from Gower and 2 dead ducks not fit to eat though cooked.What apes to send them in such a way! Corn bound, some cut. Rose early, over farm before 7.00. Horse in use at turnips. About home all day. Pull down wall in front of house Llandilo R. What an improvement! Mr and Mrs Nicholls call, she appears a very nice woman. Walked with all children and Carree to the barley field in the evening. Llanegwad carpenter puts up some hat pegs. Contemplate the addition of a room looking westward.

27th

Most beautiful day, harvest and preparing for wheat. About home all morning. Write letters. Penmaen, Uckfield, Tenby, sent by Jones of Altygog. Read Britannia etc brought by him. Dine early and in evening ride Moselle to Altygog and meet Austey and shoot rabbits. Get 7, 3 given away and home to tea in good time. Very tired in evening, most hard work walking on the side of the hills.

28th

Read Britannia, done. Pull down wall, lop trees in garden, plant flowers … a present. All alarmed by man is drowned. Too true indeed!!! No doubt suicide or temporary derangement, man twice married, 23 children, 3 times twins!!!! Dread of inability to support them preyed upon him? Have him brought into the stables, his friends come, we let him go and avoid an inquest in the yard. In the evening after tea take a walk with Carree. Call on Mrs Davies of Tinicoed to thank for flowers and home by Nantcaredig. Most beautiful moon. Carree haunted by the corpse. I am used to death, Paris morgue.

29th

Very hot dry. About home all day. Mr and Mrs Evans the vicar call on us at Llandeilo R.

30th

Ride with Carree on Moselle and Jenkin's little black pony to call on Mr and Mrs Griffiths of Alltyferin. Home after dinner there, 2 hours. Called at Mr Nicholls of Ystrad, not at home.

31st Saturday Take Agnes to Mr Rowlands to consult about lancing gums, advised not, take few powders. Come home without EM who walks from Tenby and comes late. Called at Palace on Mr Melville, out. Dine at 5, 1 hour after time.

Sunday. Very hot indeed. Lounge about all morning. Dine early, drive to Court Henry in the evening. Service 4.00, Mr I Green. Returned, Cross Inn. Corn etc. Mrs Green wonders why I come to Carmarthenshire.

SEPTEMBER

2nd Monday

Do not go shooting, EM does to Pantyglein, rides Moselle there. Breakfast early, read paper. Belaneys trial, poison, acquitted. Walk with Agnes to end of farm. Carting out manure for wheat. Dine early and go fishing. 1st trial Carree caught a trout, Teddy a minnow, his first fish. Tis put in the dairy and a mouse runs of with it. Catch eels by candlelight. New era for the children, how delighted they are, a new era in their young lives, delightful to see. But I fear ‘twill tempt them to the river too often. EM has some sport -7 brace comes home to tea and cats beef pudding. Enter some accounts. Bobbing for eels by candlelight, catch several, quite late.

3rd

No shooting today, very hot and dry. Loitering about home all morning expecting Mr F Green, after his appointed time some hours. Go over Llandilo Rhynys buildings, sadly out of order, all want roofing. Propose alterations lesser yard. Enlarge garden and alter windows. After dinner cross the river and go to some orchards. One man a miser, one a screw - buy apples 1 / 6 cwt. Such a house I never saw, no roof, no bed, the man sleeps in his potato garden to guard his plums and apples. Most wonderful crops and manure collected for three years. Not touched, full of nettles, offer to buy it, no answer. Bob for eels again, not much sport. At old Morgans of Castle this morning.

4th

Some chance of rain, none comes. Very fine, very hot. Brisk wind, dusty. Drive early to call on Mr and Mrs Evans near Dryslan Castle. Drop Edmund near Twyn to shoot. Go round and up the Castle Hill with him. Gate over the ferry 6d Pass the new bridge near Golden Grove, pass Aberglasney - beautiful country, near Grongar Hill. Meet Edmund and Austey where we left him. Dine at 6 .00 and walk to the springs in the evening with EM and talk nonsense the rest of the evening.

5th

A shower this morning and a heavier one in the evening. Most thundery dull close day. Engaged with EM, Offey, man and coracle another and boys(?) cutting and weeding a pond on Llandeilo Farm. They say tis full of eels and pike, I doubt the latter but will try. In the evening late walk with EM to Cothy bridge and the Salutation and return by Nantcaredig in the dark.

6th

Fine hot dull muggy day. Dryslyn fair, ride there with EM by King Cole Llanegwad etc. I meet Mr Evans the clerk at the new house, met Mr Gwyn of St Ishmaels at the fair. Spend nothing, have no money. Home by 3 to dine. Dull fair, little done at low prices. In the evening walk to see men banking out the river Towy and gather loads of fine blackberries and nearly surprised by the bull. A shower in the evening late. Begin a letter home. 2 ducks spoilt and thrown away.

7th

About home all day. Some showers morning and evening. We don't go to Carmarthen. Offey not very well, cleans out a pond, dry.

Sunday. EM and I walk to the par(ish) church across the Cothy low water. Carree and children drive. Walk in evening over Towy and call at Jackeys cottage and through the wood. Hide from children and talk to men about Llandeilo R bridge. Ill spent day.

9th Monday Carmarthen Fair, Priory St. Drive there. Carree, EM, Teddy. Dull affair. EM buys 2 poneys (sic). Drive to the quarry and uphill some miles to Cwm Arron, EM's farm. Perfect retiriment, larch grow well there and the land not bad. Dine at 7, order at 5. Carree's regularity.

10th

At home all day. Fine and cooler a.m. and p.m. Offey better, ill since Sat. Attend to last year's accounts with Offey about Llandilo R Farm. Mr F Green calls on account of George, walks over farm and stays some time. Men banking out the River Towy. Go several times to show how to go on. EM goes shooting, pony brought for him by Ev. Lewis. All evening again with Offey. Enter and examine his accounts, not easy to unravel.

11th

Fine morning again, colder morning. EM rides to Squarry (?) on new pony from Altygog on appointed business about rent. I am at home. Enter accounts and again with Offey at accounts. About home all day, enter Gowel Accounts, write to EKJ. Bishop's lame horse. Try new bill hook, too brittle. Trim by river with EM, he bobs in the evening with John. Walked round farm with Offey who is better but not well. Nights get cold.

12th

John Evans, servant, Gower, at Llandeilo Rhynys to go to Cardigan. About home, ie Llandeilo Rhynys, all day till evening with Offey. About accounts, receive letter from Penrice notice of appeal against Tollard. Write to ...(?) and to Mr Mayberry and Penrice. Walk with Carree who rides to meet the mail give letters to the guard. Meet Mr and Mrs Nicholls, walk with them. Hear Sir Wm Nott was in Carmarthen yesterday. Meant to have gone. Went to the quarry at Nantcaredig. EM went out shooting. Dine at 5.30 and pack up ready for tomorrow.

13th

Start early for Tenby one hour behind time in starting and in arriving. EM, myself, Carree, Cathe nurse and 2 children Agnes and Arthur. Showery before reaching Carmarthen, fine day after. Bait at Llangoudon. 2 miles beyond St Clear called Picton Castle. What a hilly tedious road the whole way and particularly the latter part. All safe. EM paid.

14th

At Tenby, wet day. How lucky yesterday. Get out a little and shop. Carree's birthday. Play whist in the evening.

Sunday. Morning at church. Dr H gives a funeral sermon on death of Mrs Owen. Evening spent at tea. Col and Mrs Ferrier's. Read account of fete at Stowe. Marquis of Chandos of age.

16th

Drive to Pembroke Dockyard. EM and wife, self and Carree, Emily and Augustus. EM has letter of introduction to Sir Watkin Pell. Lunch there, see the dock and return to 6.00 dinner. Returned by Pembroke a different road. Wrote letters yesterday to Cardigan and Aberystwyth as to Sandwell and bricks, chance of finding him.

17th

Read Britannia and no letters and make arrangements for tomorrow. Stroll about Tenby.Walk to see EM's grass field and Pack's new house. Again stroll in town and on ye.castle hill. Meet Miss Tudor and Mrs Edwards and spend quiet evening at home. Calls and introductions and invites the order of the day.

18th

Mr Andersons sale at Castell Lloyd, stock sold. 1st day. Drive withEM and Col. Trafford in Mr Tudor's car by Hen Castle etc., bad road and hills. Home in the dark, ……. Bought 2 horses [mares] and a filly and 2 cattle. Home late, EM has an evening party. I am late, play a round, lose with Carree. Mr Edwards sings Charming Judy Calligan very well. Miss Uniac (?) fine girl, conceited mother is vulgar but does not know it. Meet my old school friend Francis Leach at the sale, as good a fellow as ever. Old Walls there.

19th

Mr Anderson's sale 2nd day. Sheep pigs and implements sold. Drive Col. Ferriers chesunt (chestnut?) with farmer in carriage all round turnpike by the roses, long journey. What trouble to start the horse but when off no stoppping him. Ferguson Barclay with us. EM drives there, I back. the same difficulty to start on return home. Begin at a gallop. Buy some sheep, 25 in all. At a party in the evening … the Miss Paxley. A cricket match today, was asked to join it. Carree sings to a beautiful piano, a capital house!

20th

About house ie Tenby, all day. Make a few calls, Tudors etc. Go to see cricket ground. Slaughter houses! Col Underwoods house etc, at a party in the evening at Captain Baredens (?) play whist. Am detected in a revoke and knew nothing of it, a useless one, an old fat fellow with prominent eyes. Up to all sorts of ways, don't like him, swore too!!! Very cold.

21st

Take a drive in carriage by St Flo… Ivy Tower etc, and Mrs Gowers, Manybier (sic) etc. EM dines at Mrs Dades, we go in the evening. Win at cards, see yesterday. Very cold and windy.

Sunday. Charity sermon for National School. Take a long walk in the evening. Ladies and EM and Captain Bratt by Mr Richards, very pretty walk indeed.

23rd

Return from Tenby to Llandilo R, leave about 10.00. A little attempt at rain today, cool weather but good for travelling, long and fatiguing journey for horses. 2 greys perform well.

24th

At Llandeilo Rhynys again. Dry and cooler, walk over farm with Offey, new horses in use. Sawyers here, fell a sycamore. Plant cabbages etc from Tenby. Too late for mail at Nantycaredig. Walk up to Llan. Mrs Rees' All children by Char T and 2 horses. Milk, beer and sugar mixed. A neat old woman and her cattle well kept. Very fine view. Fancy I am going to be laid up with rheumatic fever, can't move my arm.

25th

About home all day . Teach children, read Farmer. Clean earth, mud from ditch for garden.Walk in farm with Johnny. Finish preparing for wheat. Carree walks out alone. Meant to enter some accounts. Phil. Guy of Blaenkedy calls about distress put in, came 20 miles out of his way. Long account and arrangements with him, agree to have sale at longer notice and 3 months credit. Entertain him and his horse to night. Write by him to EKJ and to the Bum bailiff. In bed late.

26th

Rise early, most beautiful day. About home all day till evening. Sawyers here, fencing by ditch below garden. Carting dead sticks home etc. Clean ditch carting it off. Evening tea at Llan. Old Mrs Rees, all her stock in fine order, good horses etc. Fine view top of Alt Hill. Wrote to WM about Llandilo R bridge, copy receipts etc. Write to George about Rebecca Commissions, meeting in Carmarthen next week. Receive note from Mr Green about George's Lochwynne sale due next week.

27th

About home all day except walking in the evening with Carree and Charley to Altygog. Meaning to drive George's carriage back. Jones not at home. Taken ... and walk back again by riverside. Beautiful weather. Mrs Nicholls called this morning making pig sty today. Begin ploughing for wheat, 2 ploughs.

28th

Drive Carree and 2 older children to Carmarthen, shop and pay Wal. Lewis for EM

4/8. Home to dine 3.30. Hang curtains in evening and … parcels etc.

30th

Sunday. Very fine. Drive Carree (and) 3 children to Llanegwad Church, Mr Nicholls does duty. New and improved singing. At home all evening, read Cambrian etc, ill spent day.

Monday. Write to EM, at accounts, arrears of 2 or 3 days. Tea in evening at Mrs Nicholls Ystradwrallt. Frosty morning, beautiful day. Sell calf and sheep to Thomas Griffiths. Bishop's cart stops by gate. Offer £5 for grey horse lame. It is sent to me tomorrow. David Evans sent again to Castell Lloyd for a grey heifer.

OCTOBER

1st Tuesday.

Misty doubtful day, very mild cloudy and hot!! About home all day, Charley writes to Penmaen. Britanma paper 14th Sept. Walk late to see ploughing. Receive attorney's letter from Mr Thomas Walters. Grey heifer Mr Anderson of Castell Lloyd arrives, sups. Read Robinson Crusoe to children.

2nd

Abergwili Fair. Sell 4 cattle. Damp fair misty rainy morn, proves fine after midday. Drive Carree to Carmarthen. Attend South Wales Rebecca Commission. Mr Lewis, Mr Gipps. Fail to establish a claim for Llandeilo Rhynys bridge for £200 - £50. Spoke to Col. Trevor and commissioners as to road from bridge to Brechfa Road to be on the trust. Mr and Mrs W Nicholls take tea with us. Settle with Offey about the fair. Very low and dull.

3rd

Damp, dull, misty, fine again. Drive Carree and Ted into town, attend commission and wander about town. Attend sale at White Mill White Lion. 4 Cotts to be sold, reasonable price £300. A bagman lifts me in gig. Carriage sent back by Carree.

4th

About home all day. Offey sent early to town with calf and sheep to butcher and apples to Tenby to bring … home. Fine day, a passing mist in evening. Walk early over farm alone ditto all of us towards Llan after dinner, present for old Mrs Rees. Robinson Crusoe aloud in evening - enter accounts

5th

Wet morn: almost wet day. At home till 12.00, write, to WM, Mr Walters, Mr France. At 12 start for Carmarthen with C Teddy & Ellen, 6 Bells, to meet Mr Green as to Llwchgwyne sale Henry Williams and Austey there Home about 6.00 tea and dinner together. Busy about accounts all day. Llwchgwynne sale all made out & entered up.

7th

Walk about the farm with Offey to give orders and instructions. 4 pigs sent to Carmarthen for Tenby. Pack up luggage for tomorrow. In bed tate after calling on Mr and Mrs Nicholls of Ystrad. Her mother, Mrs Lloydd, just arrived; we take tea there.

8th

Leave Llandeilo Rhynys at 10, at Caie Vorgan by 6 in the evening. Swansea fair. Send horses on to Mansel Arms and drive Jolly and Fisherman, never in carriage harness before. Bait and lunch at Farmers Arms, Pontardulais. Take our own provisions, thence to Caie Vorgan by Cross Inn. Jenkins of Manselfold overtakes us, Ted arrives at Caie Vorgan same evening, most fortunate. Beautiful day meet Mr G Collins at Llythridd Hill.

9th

Wet morning, by appointment of EKJ go to brickyard. A tramp from Leeds, a born snatcher, burns for us; an experiment. An hazzard. Call at Penrallt & go with RH and afterwards go to Staf Hag, meet EKJ there and return with him to CAIE FORGAN.

10th

About home all morn copying accounts of labour work. Latter part of my absence from home. Walk out with Carree in evening who finds it too muddy to go far and returns. Walk alone to Crickton and see my turnips, well satisfied with them. Much time spent in stables about horses ill. RH calls and helps. Lunch etc. Llewellyn sits up in the stables.

11th

Fine day, very. About home, read papers expecting Mr and Mrs Pearce from Penmaen, come in evening, stay tea. Morris Davies, Mr Hawkins & EKJ call for greyhound, see no more of them. John Collins calls late after tea. Horses still ill but better

12th

Drive Carree and C Teddy to Swansea and return Mr Frances' carriage. Lunch at Bush and buy dog cart of Mr Francis. Call on Mrs Popkin, Ellen there. Mr Collins drives Carree home and leaves her at Ciilibion.

Sunday. Evening duty. Heavy thunder, showers & get wet. Go alone - Ted did duty at Ilston church. Takes wet. Sit in Wibley pew.

14th

About home all day. House takes wet, best rooms, can't stop it. Some very heavy rain today. Helped Jenkins of Manselfold make return of poor and road rate for Secretary of State.

15th

Blaenkedy sale, very wet morning, fine evening. Ride up with RH by Welsh Moor and Bank etc.

16th

17th

Brisk, windy day. At the brickyard, 3rd kiln opened, a failure, not properly burnt by F Clements and Culbison. Culbison brick man - from Leeds, in full, ignorant of work 17/-

18th

Drive Ted to Swansea. 1st jaunt in new dog cart. Very fine day, car good. Drive to Bush, dine there. EKJ pays account. Drive to Mr Frances' yard.

19th

Wet again, very, but not all day. About home and go to Crickton. Charley taken ill sick and feverish.

21st.

22nd

Mr and Mrs James at Caie Forgan and Miss Stone and Miss Clarke who sleep at Cillibion, drive with them to Penrice by the castle and to Oxwich. Pay rent for Penrallt, 4 years £4 4 0. Call on Mr and Mrs Allen, Oxwich, not at home. Attend sale of wreck Thetis, 100 tons of iron sold at £3=3=0 per ton. Back Howell John in the purchase. A bevey from Swansea, J Beynon, Mr Smith &c done & surprised came with a vessel purposely to carry it off - Mr Beor there. Will this speculation turn out well? One ton had sold for £4 =11=0

23rd

Most beautifdul day. Mr and Mrs James return to Penmaen from CAIE FORGAN .... Drive new dog cart with Carree and Miss Clarke and to the Tower, they walk on with Mr James. Carree and I drive again to Oxwich. Weigh iron, send again for 2 tons. Meet Howell John there, call again and introduce to Mr and Mrs Allen of Oxwich find them from Sussex & know Lewes etc. Meet Mr Talbot and Lady C in the grounds, talk of bricks etc. Return from Penmaen late. EK rides and Miss Clarke with, meet Jenny Jones by Penny Hitch returning from paying rent.

24th

Fine day, send to Cheriton for a mowing of oats purchased of Mr Collins tithe by RH. One wain load only. Walk before breakfast to Crickton. Rise early. Carree comes to clean pigs. Miss Stone and Miss Clarke return after dinner to Mrs Pearce's, Llanmadoc. Carree and I go with them to Penrallt, shew them the village from the bill and send them on car by John. Take Clements accounts, the bricks etc. Enter accounts etc, neglected on account of gaiety for several days past

25th

Blethyn now Batcock School Penclawdd £1 =6=0. Splendid day. At home till dinner time. Ride to Bryngwas in evening. Receive rent, meet mason there. Mrs James called a.m. to see beef of RH. We take hind quarter from Aberlogy. Mason here opens new entrance to back kitchen. Cooper here. Enter accounts all evening. Sent to Oxwich 2nd time for iron.

26th

Drive Carree to Swansea with C Teddy and Johnny. Farmer's Club meeting.

28th

Sunday, evening duty. Take tea at Stavel Hag.

Monday. I dine at Stay Hag. Meet Perry, Bateman, Haukin, Davies etc. Andrews calls about a letter received from Penrice, he wishing to think it personal. Mason fitting up the cellar. Penclawdd School Batcock £1 =6=0

29th

Call at Stouthall, first visit, Mrs Wood a pretty amiable woman. Beautiful room. Dine at Mr Pearce's, Miss Stone and Miss Clarke there, good dinner, wet drive home. Leave Charles there. Morning all confusion, notes, letters etc, orders & counter-orders.

30th

Wettish morning, about home. Cellars filled. Pig sties begun, cooper at work. Potato steaming. Invite to Ilston

31st

About home all day. Doubtful weather. Wind E, dull threatening. WR brewing. Cooper here, mason at pig sty. John sent to Llanmadoc for Charley. Question from RH as to tithe potatoes. Arrange my cellar lately fitted up. Expect Mr and Mrs Allen from llston, don't come. W David comes up with accounts, talk about pantry. Do not attend Parish meeting called by overseers.

NOVEMBER

1st Friday

Llewellyn returns this evening from Carmarthenshire with 2 cows. Went on Wednesday with 2 cattle, had 2/-. Up late writing write to my mother, Cheltenham, & several notes to Swansea.

2nd

Do not go or send to Swansea. RH executes commons

5th

Beautiful dry weather. Walk early to Crickton and arrange about a horse. Potatoes carried. Drive to Penmaen, dine there. Miss Stone and Miss Clarke there, Lucy and Mr Crook! arm and arm on the hill- avoid us. Ted with us and 2 children. Meet Howell John at Penmaen, wants to see me about timber, Llanelly, iron etc. Offers me £600 for the iron. Arrange to divide in three parts he 2/3rd , 11/3. Play … evening, Carree and I home alone

6th

Most extraordinary and beautiful dry mild weather after a particularly dry summer. About home all day except walking to forge with Carree about iron pig sty. Mason here, cooper here. Steaming potatoes answers fully. RH here goes to Bryngwas to see landshare; Daniel Davies to build there, he meets Fish there. Penrice in horfold(?) his brother ill. Plant and transplant in garden. Read Britanrna and accounts in evening. Mrs James of P drives Miss Stone to Swansea, she leaves Gower for Brompton, 18 Alfred Place.

7th

About home all day. Plant crocus roots round small hollies and by wall. Attend mason about roof of new pigsty. Carpenter etc. Read Britania paper. EKJ returns from Penmaen after being at Swansea yesterday. Brings fireworks - a horrid nuisance. Let off in kitchen at hazzard of breakage and disgust of powder smoke. Hall window broken and danger of garden being set on fire in shrubbery. Leaves dry & fireworks thrown in. Get very angry and stop it all. Go to bed ill.

8th

Beautiful day after some rain in the night no rain before for a long time - at home in house all morning. Read old papers, arrears, am very far from well after a very bad night. Dine very early. Chas E goes early to Staf Hag. I and Carree are to ride in evening to Penmaen, dark to return home.

9th

Drive Valiant to Swansea with Carree and Cathe Cornish. Deposit at bank £20. Home to tea, a little rain.

Sunday. Evening duty, wet day. Carree rides, I walk. See nothing of EKJ out of church.

11th

Fair, windy, north-west, cold, wet night. Walk twice to Crickton and to village once. See P Heugate, call on RH, leave a note about road and stony village lane. Send Mr Perry to Heugate meet him there and EKJ. Dine late and send draft to Mr Green.

12th

Ploughing match at Kittle Hill, no good work. Misty morning, thorough wet day. Ride there on Moses through the Cwms by Llythrydd. Dine at Hancocks & Kittle. Play cards, Hancorns win 2/ - Difficulty to get home, dark and wet. Get home at last, 2am, by Mr Groses gig in a sea of rain & brisk wind SW.

13th

Rise as usual though not in bed till past 2.00. At home all morning, take F Clements account of work, brickyard etc.. Walk to Crickton in evening. Read aloud to children. Enter account in the evening, fine evening after a wet morning. & for 24 hours previous.

14th

A thorough wet day again yet glass high and rising!!!!! At home all day, read Britanma. Send 12 fowls to Penmaen and for sand. Order horses out to drive 2 carts, no go, men all at jobs, of what I hardly know .Write to Mr Benson for Mr Jones of L. . Coal and ashes lifted. Plan alterations of back kitchen with Carree on paper. Read Dublin mag., Ceylon. Read aloud to children. Enter accounts etc. My head like a churn or mustard pot.

15th

About home all day. Very threatening but not a wet day. Walk to Crickton, L & E carried out. Offey there, order of RH half a sheep at 4 1/2 & a head. See J Harry's work on lane below village. Return and dine early. Receive a letter from W Llewellyn, shall go to Port Talbot tomorrow.

16th

Rise at 5 .00. Drive Bright to Swansea to meet the mail to go to Greenfield, Baglan, W Llewellyn by engagement to go to Port Talbot and see Mr Talbots brick yard. 2 machines for tile making, 1 Coltain & Hallam, London, the other Lord Davis, the best in my opinion. A good kiln. Get very wet. Home to tea tired, fared most sumptiously at Llewellyns. Meet Captain Powell & Mr -

Sunday. Morning duty - Carree, self and C Teddy go. Thought to drive to Penmaen, gets foggy p.m. fine morning.

18th

Very fine day and now glass begins to fall. All bad weather it was rising. Ride early after breakfast to Crickton & to road below village. Stones carted out to narrow lane. L & E carted out Crickton Hill to break up for wheat. Mr and Mrs Allen of Oxwich call, dine late in consequence. Everything in confusion today; do not send to post. No straw for cattle, no corn for mill, half a wash. Mr and Mrs J expected, don't come, chaff cut late, house dirty and all confusion. Enter accounts.

19th

Ploughing match at Black Boy, prevented going. Mr Bird coming to view farm. Stay at home. Dine hurriedly and ride with EKJ to Black Boy. Meet all returning. Hear the result and return. Howell John. Tea at Cillibion & home at 11 .00. All horses to Penclawdd for flags.

20th

About home all day. Damp, not wet. Sow peas and acorns. Carree not well. Walk to Crickton. L and E. Ruth to Penmaen. Letter from EM. Washing day. Penmaenites do not come. Settle account with George Gordon. Read to children and enter accounts.

21st

Most beautiful day and early at Crickton and arrange work for the day. L & E for wheat finished for the day. Cart home. Drive Bright with Carree and children to Penmaen. Chas T rides there with Uncle E, children sleep there and we dine at Mr and Mrs Allens, Oxwich. Meet the llston Collins at Penmaen on route to Oxwich. Home at 11 .00.

22nd

Music at window for children 6d Very cold dull day, go early to Crickton. Plough hill, rise early to stables and pack wine in cellar, this department comfortably arranged at last. Howell John meets me at Crickton about timber, Llanelly and iron and J Beynon. Go with him to brickyard, his vessel can't take the bricks to Col Carne. Seek account in vain, fail to see RH about W Tall … late above. Cold. Chas returns from Penmaen, not the other two.

23rd

Ride Moses to Swansaea - hard work . Raise £200 by bill at bank. Call at Mr Mansfield's about Mr Andersons sale & Howell John, thinking help him by £500 cashed by Jas James. I am foolish to do so. Home by 9.00 with Evan of Landimore.

Sunday. Evening duty. Ted returns with us after church. Total eclipse of the moon, beautiful night. 25th

Rise early in great confusion. Lost a key of parlour after locking up at papers last night. Wanted to copy for WM immediately. After 3 hours hunt and going to the church, found it at home under a mat. Engaged with mason etc, Copy papers for WM, must be in London on Wednesday. No end of calls and messengers, return call from Stouthall, miss receiving them, over at Crickton. 4 letters and papers to make out, not in bed till 2.00 in morning - send paper by WT's wife.

26th

Mr and Mrs James arrived on a visit Monday - Mr and Mrs Collins dine with us today and EKJ. Am about home all day. A little out of order after the confusion of yesterday and late hours but up early again this morning and out before breakfast. Play a few rubbers in evening and lose 8/-. Had won the same at Ilston not long before. Unpacked wine this morning and arranged my cellar - Mr J and EKJ shoot at Prisk, an owl brought home.

27th

About home all day. Walked to Crickton, John at plough in Long Acre, Stoneyford. Offey and C Reese sent for barley to Cheriton. Begin a drain in garden walk and place of rubbish from back kitchen. Mr and Mrs James here, they are not out all day. Ted again at Prisk. I enter some account late after talking is over.

28th

About home all day. Chimney building back kitchen. Mrs James rides, Carree walks to Llythrydd. Mr J and EKJ go shooting on common. I walk to Crickton. Confusion about coal, near to be … get enough at last. Dine at 4.00, no event. Carree sends a goose to Oxwich, Mrs Allen's.

29th

Mr and Mrs James return home. At home all day. Copy Offey's book, give more orders as to back kitchen chimney. Go with Charles and donkey cart to turnip field and see who works at Crickton. Long conversation with Offey who returns tomorrow. Receive letter from George and answer him. Dull and cold.

30th

Beautiful dry weather, cold. Ride Moses with EKJ to town. WR gets drunk. Get Gordon of Cilivor to drive home my car and leave WR to get home how he may or get into hands of police. Get angry with Mr Redhead threatening to charge me interest on a bill and refusing at first to pay tithes of Long Oaks for Duke of Beaufort.

DECEMBER

2nd

Sunday. Sacrament Sunday, few attend. Walk Carree and childen to Mrs Jones of the Common.

Monday. Drive Carree and two daughters to Penmaen, drive there and leave Cathe and children at night. Write to Edward, Tenby; George, Landeilo; Mr Hawkins of Kilvrough. Am not at Crickton and know nothing of work except at home.

3rd

About home all day. Sent for children to Penmaen -washing day. Start after dinner with Carree to Stav Hag, EKJ not there and only go Penrallt. Fix door plates on drawing room. Read to children. Accounts in evening. Write to Mr Stroud. Splendid day, quiet dull cold season. Was at Cillian fields, C Reese ploughing.

4th

About home all morning. Garden and walk only to Cillibion - ploughing there. Walk in evening with Carree and C Teddy to Slav Hag to tea. Meet Mr Pearce there - very dark to return home.

5th Thursday Very sharp frost, freezes all day. Rise earlier than usual. Work in garden drain before breakfast. About home all day, not at Crickton. All sorts of workmen here to attend to and to be off tomorrow for Llandeilo Rhynys. Send letter early for George to meet me tomorrow at Mansel Arms. Hang curtain board. EKJ calls in return from Penmain after tea. Arrange for tomorrow. Hear Lucy Davies married.

6th

Rise by candlelight and call all the servants. Breakfast at usual time tho' orders given for early breakfast. Start at 10.00 in dog cart with EKJ for Llandilo Rhynys, send horse on to Loughor. Get there in 2 hours over Loughor Bridge towards Llanelly and by Llanon. Feed at Mansel Arms. No horse to meet us there as expected. At Llandilo Rhynys 4.30, 1 ½ hours in the journey. Edmund arrives one hour after us. George at Court Henry. A frost but day mild and quiet, not cold travelling.

7th

Sharp frost, windy and very cold. Ted and I and Edmund take guns by river side after ducks and snipes, little execution. Go to the quarry, no-one there except labourers. Edmund goes to his farm Cwm Raffon (sic) Dine late - George arrives from Court Henry. All asleep over “fire in evening”.

Sunday. Ted and I go late to church. Edmund and George, from principle, stay away. Day ill spent

with all of us. Write to Carree for her Monday's post.

9th

Very cold, very sharp frost. All take guns up the river. Edmund drives his pony cart to Mr Green's, drops me at Cothy Bridge. Go up river above Lochgwynne, try Abercothy Wood. A few rabbits; the Davies of Kingcote there. Davies of Lochgwynne with us & old David Morgan, bad shooting but bring home hares, rabbits, snipes and ducks. Sleep over a rousing fire after dinner.

10th

Rise by candlelight again, sharp frost. Breakfast early, day ill arranged, all at 6 and 7's. George to the quarry to meet parties, Edmund shoots to Allt y Gog, EKJ ditto, up river to meet Austey. I with the last start late for Carmarthen.

11th

At Llandeilo Rhynys, EKJ and Edmund shoot at Ynys Wen. George dines at Mr Greens to meet the Bishop, large party. I walk over the farm with Offey. Leave George at Cothy Bridge. I call on Mr Nichols, she is at home, a Miss Harry there. Dine at 6 on Turkey. In bed very late, nothing got ready for tomorrow. Snow falls at 8 or 9.00 tonight.

12th

Start at 12 .00 from Llandeilo R. Tandem fashion to Llanon, a fair there. Valiant singly to Pont ar Cob, fortunately just in time to meet John, he with Bright to help us on tandem fashion again. Heavy load of baggages and 3 passengers: self, EKJ and Fanny Rees. Rejoiced to get home safe if one or two slight accidents, horse down, britching (?) broke. Performed in 7 hours, 6 ½ going there. Cow killed yesterday at Llandeilo Rhynys for the house, brought 30lb to Gower.

13th

At home again and at home all day. One mason flagging back kitchen as is to be. Write to Redhead & commissions for Swansea & had car for Thos Thos of Pwlybrag. No accounts today, no Cambrian or other paper.

14th

At home again all day. Most wintry sky, sheet lead. Rout out wardrobe and give casts off to the poor and labourers. Enter arrears of accounts and of labour this evening. Sit upstairs all of us in best bedroom. Carree begins letter to my mother.

Sunday. Morning duty, I and Carree only go. Ted has no other duty but rides off to Penmaen? Dinner. Read paper and do nothing. As becomes a Sunday. Port going fast.

16th

A fine day i.e. mild and showery. Busy myself & help masons in back kitchen. Lower the ground and move bricks etc with C Teddy, no hand to be got. Geese and turkey picking. Pack up parcels in evening, one for Bristol, one for London. Prepare for starting early to Swansea in the morning to meet the packet at 11.30.

17th

Mild day, not from home save walking to Crickton and Cillibion. Meet Mr S Benson, been hunting, lost a shoe. Read Britannia, am far from well, heaviness in head. Children very quarrelsome and vexatious, not well. Enter accounts in the evening.[4] Drive farmer to Farmers Club.

18th

This is wrongly entered, see yesterday. Drive alone to Swansea Farmers Club, shewed great improvement. Dine at the Bush, go early to send 2 packages, 1 to Bristol WFM, 1 to London. Order food at Walters. Cattle show, pig market. Borrowed of Mr Grose to repay Mr W Tucker, also paid my ticket 2/6. Came off early in the evening and home by myself. Mr Perry and EKJ not home. Ate 3.00. Spoke to Howell John about iron and timbers on sale at Swansea and Llanelly.

19th

Fine day, very pleasant, frost at night again. Read Britannia or some papers. About garden drain. Walk with Carree to Mr Perry's, dine there, EKJ also and Miss Clarke also. Comes home with us to stay, in old dog cart. Called also on Mr and Mrs Davis; not a word about Mrs Crook.

20th

Miss Clarke here - send lot of letters, Mrs Cobbold etc. Decline dining at Penmaen. George Jones settles accounts. JChas also about ditto. I walk alone to Crickton and to Penrallt. Order ¼ of mutton. Talk with RH about sale tithes. Enter accounts in evening. EKJ returns from Penmaen with letters from Bristol.

21st

Sharp frost. Drive tandem to Swansea with Carree, Miss Clarke and Cathe Cornish and Emma. Excellent Christmas Market. Very fat meat.

23rd

One Mead from Swansea calls about brickyard and pottery. Go with him to yard, not likely to end in anything. Engaged about home - masons flagging back kitchen. Very sharp frost

24th

Very sharp frost, busy about the cellar etc. Charles Collins and Mr and Mrs Perry dine with us. Prize beef etc. EKJ won't come ‘cause of tomorrow. Miss Clarke with us. Mr Perry been to Swansea. Christopher Batcock for assualt on old Eynon of gate, committed, bail refused. Serves him right, when will he reform? Never! Christopher Batcock committed for assault 24th.

25th

Twice at church, very cold, at 10.30 and 6.30pm. Morning by EKJ, evening - his father. Carree can't go at all. Miss Clarke and I only go. Mrs James comes over to tea and supper, all day hurry scurry. Very thin congregation in morning. 2 duties useless.

26th

Dine at Penmaen to meet Mr and Mrs Nicholls & Miss Cole. Oyster supper. Drive old farmer in the spring carriage. Frost going.

27th

At home all day, arrange for tomorrow market. Clean Carree's closet, cellar ordered. EKJ dines here etc. Mr Grose calls. Sign a bill for £70. J Jenkins of Parky(rhedyn) calls. Take 6 WW at market price.

28th

Wettish day, drive Mr Grose to Swansea. Take tea at his house on return. Carree and Miss Clarke there. He pays the gates.

30th

Very mild, damp day. Miss Clarke rides Rosy to Llanmaddock to stay till tomorrow, accompany her to Crickton gate. Walk over the farm, John at plough, 4 acres. Take gun to look for a duck, Moor Mill(s). No find. Carree with a cold, not down to breakfast. Read … in Quarterly, enter accounts. Wrote to Fred by C Teddy who goes to Park, Mr Nicholls, to catch rabbits. Comes home late, I hope safe, not returned at 9.30.

31st

Dine at Ilston, drive tandem - self, Carree, EKJ. Meet Mr Hearing(?) of Oxwich, odd fish!!! John rides leader. EKJ's pony. Play cards. Old year out, new in. Itinerant music, Italian 6d.

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