Charles Morgan's Diary, 1846

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January

1st (Thursday)

An improving day after many bad wet stormy ones ending 1845. Am not from home. A cow killed. Corn winnowed, w(heat) and o(ats). Mason here and all sorts of confusion. Read magazines and write to Penmaen. Carree ditto to Bristol. EKJ up just too late to dine with us, dines after and tea.

2nd

Beautiful day. Beef cut up and distributed etc. Drive Carree in evening to Penmaen, children all there. Home late to get ready for Swansea tomorrow.

3rd

Drive Carree to Swansea, very foggy day.

Sunday. Evening duty. Tea at Stafell Haegr, Agnes goes.

5th

Rule my tithe book. Carree rides alone to Penmaen. Children all there. Ride on Bright in evening to see road repairs on Cefn Bryn and on to Penmaen. Little Gape there. Return with Carree over the hill late. Misty rain.

6th

Driving misty day, not from home all day. J Bennett calls about Club money and writs. Write to Llewellyn, he promises to pay. Read part of Nemesis and Britannia in the evening. Why have I done nothing with tithe book? Clements in evening takes up my time about brick account. Washing day, bed late.

7th

Foggy damp morning, glass rising. Promise of better day. About accounts, J Jenkins finds a Soho greyhound kills the hare. EKJ dines etc here and agrees to go to Swansea tomorrow. Receive Pictorial Times and receipts and answer same. Enter accounts all day. Children return home from Penmaen late and wet.

8th

Most misty and even rainy day. Glass high and rising, strange weather. Drive EKJ and Ruth to Swansea. Am at Board of Guardians till 3.30. Ruth gets a place at Mrs Williams. Call on Mrs Popkin, Miss Williams of Duffryn dead, burnt. Bread and cheese at Castle, half pint porter, not home till 9.00.

9th

About home all today. Drain cutting across road, Upper Field, from Morgan Jenkins. RH sends 2 hind quarters mutton, very good at -/7, for tithe dinner. About tithe book copying out new one, write to F Woodward and commissions for Swansea. Many things wanted for tithe dinner. In bed late. Children very troublesome.

10th

Mild, dull, glass falling gets misty again. Make out tithe book, mason about chimney, little nursery smokes horribly. No use. Carree complaining all day. Miss Cole rides to Penmaen and C Teddy, donkey back. Settle accounts of markets and write about receipts ready for Tuesday.

Sunday. Morning duty by WL Collins, lunches at Caie Forgan and does Ilston. EKJ here late in evening.

12th

Very dull cold and windy day, likely snow coming up and coming down. All day at home, mason here. Preparing for tithe dinner tomorrow. Carpenter here, all the men neating up a little. Llewellyn, mare and car to Blaenkedy: spars, spun yarn for fowls, ladder of RH Cillibion late.

13th

Tithe day at home, 1st day Upper Division, pretty good meeting. Dull and threatening but dry. Mr and Mrs James come over to stay.

14th

2nd tithe day, Lower Division, not a bad meeting but some very late. Mr and Mrs James here. Mr Collins comes and Mr and Mrs Perry, Captain Gunthorpe. I have no enjoyment at all, they come to pay so late.

15th

Read Britannia and send it to EKJ. Carree rides, I walk to Penralt to see cavern found by Bar Jones near the school on line of new road. Play casino with children in evening. Very mild and most beautiful day. Is spring coming, is winter over!!! EKJ here in evening.

16th

How cold again and how dull, see yesterday. Mr and Mrs James will not go to Brynhir and go home. Ride the young pony first time, promises very well. Carree rides to top of hill, go to meet her. Call on WT, wife ill, wild wart and under cure or death. Evening, enter accounts and count money. Write to Road Office, returns of parish expenses, London. Mr Hancorne calls about Cillibion, agree to continuing tithes at same price as before. Mr Grose acts fair in my opinion.

Robert Batcock for glass at Dix near part of shed as by bill paid 16/6

17th

Wet in night and wet morning. EKJ calls off going to Swansea. Carree goes instead. Drive to the bank, place £305 in bank, minus -/6 by mistake. Call on Mrs W Collins, lunch there. Home by 7.00, Carree meets Mrs Tow, nurse of Clapham Hollands.

Sunday. Evening duty, go in car and 3 children. Do not see EKJ after church.

19th

What a wet night again, what a wet day. How awfully low the glass, almost getting around to very dry!!! Mild and not very windy. Clean out the rabbit room. John Philip runs away home, won't obey. C Reese to go for straw. Nothing happens, can't send for letters, too wet. Read 1st number of Knights of Gwynn and Cambrian. No one asks for money of me today!!

20th

School Penclawdd Batcock £1.10. 0.

About home, plantation road iron fence begun. Dine early, Caroline quarrels. Drive her and EKJ to Penmaen over hill. Tea there. Dark and rainy coming home. Write to WM and Mr France, urgent letter, postponed call to London on the 24th. Write to bank about SW rail shares. In bed after 1.00.

21st

Meant to have gone up to Blaenkedy, RH can't go. Luckily comes on very wet late in evening and high wind. Ride young pony first time to Penralt and to Stafell Haegr. Read Lewes Corn Meeting, Uncle M speaks. Return home, about home in evening at plantation fence. Very angry this morning, a letter sent too late for post, sent Tom Philip to overtake mail cart, does at Black Boy.

22nd

Ride with RH to Blaenkedy to see what wants doing to building, what Guy has done and what claim he has. Settle a sale bill at Penclawdd for ditto and bricks at Colliery Works [Davies]. Company's bricks not settled.

23rd

Survey Ilston roads with Mr J Collins and Mr Gape and dine with the latter at Park Place. Lunched with Mr Ball, Llythrydd. Home in dark on May colt, 3rd time of riding, over top of Cefn Bryn, no adventures. Not in bed till 1.00. Write to WM about journey to London, ought to be there now. Swansea commissions.

24th

Glass very low, dull and foggy and showery and a twinkling of ice. Not from home all day expecting Phil Guy of Blaenkedy about accounts. Does not come. Have yard cleaned up. WR Swansea. Had Cambrian in evening, Queen's speech! Parliament opened on Thursday.

Sunday. Morning duty, wet, sacrament.

26th

Wet, wet, wet. Receive notice of actions from Phil Guy by Cook. Write out statement for Mr Beor, write to him and Mr Tripp. RH call(s), sale of land by fields at Cillibion, can't go. EKJ calls in from Penmaen. Walk with the RH to Cillibion field about draining same, how wet! Tom Thos of P calls, words about Guy. Read Pictorial Times. Enter accounts.

27th

Fine day. Drive Carree and Emma, long threatened a visit to Brynhir. No Britannia received today or yesterday as promised. In evening read Club books and Pictorial Times. Tired and in bed early. An eventful day in London, Sir R Peel's abolition speech of protection to agriculture. Brick yard account, Mrs Batcock for George Walker 15/9

28th

About home all day, garden a little, plant laurels by hot bed. Carree and children in garden. EKJ to Penmaen, calls in in evening and brings paper and stays to gossip. Enter day accounts late.

29th

Drive tandem to Swansea, self, Carree, F Thomas and Cathe, Rees Thomas postillion. Attend Board of Guardians, can't attend to Thomas's business. J Beynon gone from home. Left ostler unpaid till Saturday. Called at Mr & Mrs Woodruffe's and dine there, ergo not home very soon. Wet morning becomes fineish. Go and return to and from Swansea and no wet, lucky and no accident. Call on Tripp and arrange to meet on later date to settle accounts with Guy. Most extraordinary high tide, great damage done. Boats in Swansea streets.

30th

Foggy day again, glass rising. About home all day. RH comes up in the evening. Settle about Swansea tomorrow.

31st

Drive EKJ to Swansea, he to saving bank and I too swear to General Grose's(?) accounts, do so before Mr Beor and make out accounts afresh for P Guy to explain before Mr Tripp has brought an action, take witnesses. Make offer to compromise at 15/- £. EKJ there, he demands £24. Home very late. Tea at Castle. Misty driving, dark ride home.

February

1st (Sunday)

Evening duty. Read Mr Bunbary pamphlet in answer to Mr Brock. Quite conclusive. EKJ up in the evening, read Cambrian.

2nd

Fine day, mason about geese houses. Not from home, am a little in garden at work. In evening not over well, forerunner of bad weather. Can do but little and that little bad.

3rd

All day at home, read last week's Britannia. Enter accounts all morning till dusk … dull misty and stormy. An accident with farmer horse by front door, nearly serious though no consequence. At last get him free. Choked by load of coal and piece of wood, he fell and might have broke a leg.

4th

Fine day for a wonder. Read Sir R Peel's the new code of law for agriculture etc. A dangerous measure I think if it pass. Ride with Carree to Llythrydd and Pengwern. Mrs Jenkins ill, not cancer. Mr Collins meets us at Mrs Balls. Ride back together, he dines and sleeps at Caie Forgan.

5th

Drive C Teddy and Rev. J Collins to Swansea, at Board of Guardians short time. Lunch at W Collins. Home about 7.30.

6th

At home all day. Read Morning Herald Times, critical, yet all things prospering. Write various letters. EKJ calls, dines and stays. Two Miss Balls call and stay tea. Settle accounts with W Thomas, mason. Take account of corn winnowed at Cillibion and arrange for market tomorrow.

7th

About home all day except riding with Carree to brick yard after dinner and calling on old Mrs Harry, ill. Trim a few trees in front garden. Read paper and Dickens Cricket. Williams and C Reese to Swansea.

Sunday. Morning duty, beautiful day. Do not see EKJ, does duty at Chapel.

9th

A very sharp frost. Walk out to Cillibion. Mow of oats taken in, RH assists. Send in evening to post and to Mr Llewellyn at Penrice Castle. Old Beynon and of Thistleboon calls to see the map. All evening taken up reading letters, a budget and making arrangement with Mr Ball about property tax. Most troublesome business.

10th

Another very sharp frost indeed, how late in the year after a most mild winter. About home all day. Called at Pwll y Brag to see Thomas Thomas about tub of cart. Help W Tucker in garden and see how things are fed. Llewellyn and new hand has care of them. Read Britannia, country in an uproar about corn law. Read Knight of Gwynn aloud. Carree not well, bad cold.

11th

Very sharp frost, cold thaw. Snowy, frost going. Ride young pony Phenomena by 3 Crosses to Blaenkedy, WR whom I want to see, gone by marsh to Caie Forgan. Lunch and corn, Penclawdd. Return by marsh, and home to dinner early. Pony a very good one. WR here waiting to take things up to Blaenkedy, is to be married tomorrow. Now living with Fanny Rees, not married. I do not approve of it; is to get licence tomorrow at Ilston. EKJ here and all arranged for chapel.

12th

Mild and pleasant, frost gone. Am not very well today. Get out and get exercise. Work in plantation with men clothing and earthing back to plant quick, new road west of stables. Mr & Mrs Nicholls were to have dined today with us, put off till tomorrow on account of Board of Guardians. Busy all day about home, barn cleaned up. Sawyers finish for present. Road men here about Manselfold road.

13th

Very mild, read a paper. Mr & Mrs Nicholls send over, prevented dining here today, her mother very ill in Devon. I am not at all well, moping about out of spirits. Mr Perry only comes to partake of a dinner. EKJ dines at Penmaen, is not very well, means to leave Stafell Haegr, sits down with us. An accident by fire, a snuff of a candle sets sofa smouldering, luckily discovered by Mr P and put out before we retire.

14th

Start late, drive Carree and Johnny to Swansea, Farmers Club. Stevenson on turnips. Home late, meant to be early, Drive over a heap put of stones in dark on Fairwood Common, nearly thrown out.

Sunday. Evening duty, fine enough and dry enough at last for all to walk. Morgan Jenkins and George Gordon call in evening … about infirmary for Mrs J. Write to Mr Long enquiring for vacancy.

16th

Mild dull weather, about home all day. Coals landed. Carree and EKJ ride to Penmaen. David Heugate calls about old accounts not settled, promised to see to it in a fortnight, shall I? Will try to ride over to Penmaen in evening to return with Carree. Ride to Penmaen over hill, home in dark with Carree. Mr James not very well. Receive letter from WM about arbitration, George etc.

2 load stone coal, Landimore, Batcock. Mrs Batcock junr 4/-.

17th

Drive Mr Ball to Swansea about taxes. Meet Mrs James and EKJ from Penmaen. Called at Mr Beor, notice of action rent Guy. Home before dark for once and meet Carree and Agnes between Llythrid and Cillibion. Read Herald in evening, corn question.

18th

About home all day, not very well, low spirits. Could not sleep well last night, dream, very unusual. Rise very early, out before men come to work. Read debates on Corn question, Herald and Britannia, disheartening prospects. Poor dinner, everything done, bacon finished, beer, cheese etc. Walk with Carree to Cillibion, Mr Grose's potatoes taking up, poor work. In evening enter accounts of 2 days. Emma has a swelled foot like gout, how odd.

19th

Very dull gloomy day, calm. Drive Carree to Swansea by 12.00 to attend anniversary meeting of Christian Knowledge Society, what a scene!!! The very reverse of its intention, clergy quarrelling and losing their tempers and dealing in invective and recrimination. Originating in the new vicar, Mr Bunbury, wishing to displace the actuary and secretary. Dr Bird accused of Sociniduism[1]. He denies it but attends the service. We dine at WL Collins! and come home in the dark by 9.30. Llewellyn neglects mare, an adventurous day. Mare very troublesome to drive, seems on one side of on the road.

20th

Sign bill for £454 timber accepted, Benj(?) Howell. Send it to Howell John's for Swansea, walk to Penralt, see RH, he to go to Swansea for me and sell pigs and see Mr Beor as to Guy. Rent of Crickton he tells me is to be raised to £50. Two opinions on that. About home else all day. Read Herald, Emma's foot very bad, much swollen. She is very patient.

21st

Fine day, rise at 7.00 to see pigs off to Swansea by RH. Send 5. Help WT cut a few things down in front garden and plant abele. Read Blackwood and walk to Cillibion, drawing Mr Grose's potatoes, just pays the labour. Send letter to Frederick at Willey. Charlie goes to Penmaen and back. Shoot at a duck and miss it, too far.

Sunday. Sacrament, wet drive, Carree, Miss Cole and Teddy. EKJ goes to Penmaen and stays. I call on Mrs Harry senior who is very ill. Write to Mr Beor and to WM in the evening.

23rd

Wet morning, workable day, wet evening. About home all day, men about a drain by stables, about a drain at Cillibion. Go to give directions, meet RH who accompanies us. Return and hunt for papers and most fortunately find. Learn of Blaenkedy to Guy, just what I wanted. George Gibbs calls to complain of repairs at Crickton. Get angry and advise him to give notice to quit, send him off in dungeon. Mr Perry calls and takes tea and has a wet and dark ride home.

24th

Read Blackwood, very wet a.m. Meant to have gone to Swansea, Mr Woodruffe's sale. Drive, com. car to Penmaen with Carree and C Teddy, call on Mrs and Mr Hankin, horrid road. Dine at Penmaen and leave early. EKJ staying there. Receive letter from George, write to him and to Mr Beor. Wet ride home.

25th

Felons Association dinner at Francis Thomas, two years 5/6.

At home all morning, read Britannia, Sir RP's speech on Corn Law. Dine at Felons Club. Notice to quit Crickton by George Williams Overton, in consequence of inquest last May. Near suspicion of case of poison. At Penclawdd write to Mr C Collins and write to Mr Beor. Carree quite angry about it. Was at brick yard this evening, Clement and George Walker can't agree.

26th

Not at Board of Guardians, do not go to Swansea, Frank's birthday. Mr and Mrs James come over from Penmaen to stay a few days. Mr and Mrs Perry also come over to dine with us, a fine turkey two years old nearly.

27th

Wet, obliged to ride to Blaenkedy to serve subpoenas. See Hopkin John and get copy of accounts of his out going farm. Walk over farm, miserable plight in wet clothes all day. Dinner half finished, sit down in wet clothes. See about barn and arrange for Swansea tomorrow. Send nothing but 2 little pigs by RH who has my horse to go, I do not send.

28th

Drive alone to Swansea assizes, Judge Whiteman. Guy, plot one draft about Blaenkedy. Tripp crosses street to ask me now to refer it, I had long ago proposed it, now refuse in consequence. On Wednesday next, action withdrawn, an attempt to extort money!!!!

March

1st (Sunday)

Evening duty, Mr J does duty. Long sermon, Attalanta introduced. Story too quaint applo (application?) etc good.

2nd

Leave Mr and Mrs J at home, pack up and drive Miss Cole and 2 children to assizes. RH, Williams, Llewellyn and C Teddy went this morning by car. Children all come home, I stay in town. Dine at Mr Terry's, hunt for a bed late, difficult to fit one, succeed.

3rd

Swansea assizes, slept at Mr Bipperts, Heathfield Terrace. Dine with Mr Beor, Robert Hancorne there. Read papers at Commercial Rooms, tea and lodgings.

4th

Abrupt termination of assize for me, Guy withdraws his action. Carree and Mrs J come to town. Drive home with them and lend RH and Llewellyn my car to go home. Sleep at Penmaen.

Paid Thomas Hopkin witness 7/6

5th

At Penmaen, came there from Swansea yesterday. Dine at Mr Perry's, read Britannia, Peel's Bill likely to become law, free of duty. John Fisher drives us to Perry's, our car brought by Llewellyn there, only ourselves and EKJ. Home late but fine.

6th

At home again.

7th

Very fine day, do not go to Swansea or send, RH goes. Prune shrubberies, walk with Carree to Crickton, have not been over the farm some long-time. Shall plough all up. Long talk with C Reese about stories he tells me as regards his wife and lies, Jane Jone Horrod etc and about Crickton rent etc. Enter accounts in evening, in arrear during assizes etc.

Sunday. Morning duty, fine. EKJ does duty and goes to stay at Penmaen. Go to the school with Carree.

9th

Start early with Carree to Swansea to see Mr Beor & sign affidavit as to Guy and his second action, claim against me for compensation £12. 9. 6. Application for judge's order to stay[2] proceedings till expenses of assizes are paid - action withdrawn. Call on Mr and Mrs Woodruffe, Mrs W Collins returned from Tenby, goes to Oxwich. Get home by 7.00, cold after very fine day. Am quite tired. Took up Mr Maxwell at Killay, talk about P and swearing among clergymen.

10th

Sharp frost, ice, very fine day indeed. Mr Hankin calls. Carree and I gardening, altering flower beds. R Harry kills a pig. Gilbert, crockery man, calls by and pay 9/-. Thomas Gordon calls this evening about Crickton rent, drunk, to be settled tomorrow. Notice received he says, only a form, I am to have first chance. Rosy runs away with Miss Cole from Green Pits home, how laughable.

11th

A beautiful day, garden. Howell John calls, talk about Crickton etc. Timber, EKJ come from P to hear what follows. RH present, came to cut up a pig. Tom Gordon, S Bevan, George Gibbs call about Crickton farm, long affair, agree to retake it at an increase of rent … and to be allowed improvements on quitting, have a cold and hurried dinner. Carree and I quarrel about Penmaen, we go at last together and tea there and have a delightful ride home, full moon. Receive letter from EM.

12th

Most beautiful day, from home only to walk to Cillibion turnip field and on to see ploughing it in field taken of Mr Grose. Hunt for deeds of EM's, find nothing. Write to him in London, send letter by Susan J to Penmaen. EKJ here, dine on turkey. Enter accounts, garden but little.

13th

Dull morning, comes on misty, not to be called wet hardly. Am not well, great pain in my head some time since, pills not a remedy. Read Britannia, Indian War, Sikhs. Garden little, dig front border. Walk in evening to Crickton, spring wheat sown.

14th

Dull misty colder, dry and wet, about home all day, garden little. Mrs J brings home Agnes and Frank. Dine here, read Times and new monthly aloud to Mrs J. RH here in evening, settle with him and talk of Crickton, about letting Blaenkedy. Can WR take it? I doubt. Williams mentions her intention to go home again.

16th

Sunday. Carree goes to the school and children go with her to teach. Dine after church, cold.

Monday. Wet, prevented going to Penmaen as engaged. Read magazines in arrear.

17th

Dine at Penmaen to keep birthday yesterday of EKJ who is there too. Call at Penrice farm, see Mr Stephenson about spring wheat and oats, home late. Leave 2 children at Penmaen. Dark and very cold. Thunder very loud at Penrice Castle.

18th

Very cold, dry and comfortable. RH bleeds cow and calf. Settle with Mrs Thomas about cask of butter. Walked to Crickton after Mrs James brought home 2 children from Penmaen. Send by her two letters, one for Offey, one for Mayberry. Wrote them hastily. Walk over Crickton having retaken it at increased rent and settle what is to be done. Walk with Carree and Miss Cole to Llythrydd and tea there. Car comes for us in the evening, some snow and sharp frost.

19th

Cold, tolerable morning. Dark about 11.00, deep snow comes on, at home all day after a short spell at gardening. Kept in the house by heavy and deep snow. Mr Gordon of Wibley calls about appeal case, Eliz Griffiths, write about distress and mortgage, asks advice and Abraham Jones calls about parochial parliament .. returns. Read new monthly.

20th

At home all day. Read new monthly, fine day, frost and snow going. Right to WM in evening and to Mr Beor about Guy etc. Commissions for Swansea, RH and C Reese to go. Llewellyn and Albon sit up, car to start very early before light, in bed very late.

21st

Sharp frost, turns to cold rain. At home all day. Enter accounts, arrears from pocket book. Receive basket of Firmity, Mr Morgan Bristol.

Sunday. Sacrament.

23rd

Showery morning and all day, help WT place iron rails by plantation west of stable.

24th

Parish meeting, case of appeal, do appeal. Showery, take a ride with Carree to Manselfold and to see road. Ted comes over from Penmaen and go with him to the parish meeting settlement case, an appeal ordered.

25th

About home all morning, read paper and magazine. Dine at Stafell Haegr with Carree and C Teddy to eat firmity. Dark coming home with donkey. Batcock turned out of the mill, George Jones put in.

26th

At home all morning, fine day. Calf killed, porkers killed. Enter accounts, settle with Williams cook, carpenter here. Walk after dinner to Cillibion with Carree, EKJ and Agnes. Mark out drains at Cillibion Field. Up at 6.00 and to Crickton before breakfast.

27th

Tithe meeting at Swansea, likely to be the last, no opposition in Lower Division, a feeble one in Upper. Drive in Carree and EKJ, a fine day in Swansea before 10.00, home tandem by dark.

28th

Showery, at home all day. Walk to Cillibion field about drain. Garden, plant roses and sow a few seed. Plant primroses and place stones by garden rickyard hedge. WT sows carrots. Plant cuttings, roses, Mrs Strick's.

30th

Ride with Carree to Blaenkedy. Dine at Penclawdd, Cornish pie 2/10. Very cold east wind. What is to be done with that farm, took possession of it thinking to lose Crickton, had notice to quit, agreed to increase of rent and retake it. W Eaton of The Farm wants to take Blaenkedy for her son-in-law Richards of Brynhir. Thinks the rent high.

31st

Magistrates at Swansea, Road accounts passed. Do not go to Swansea as surveyor as I ought. Walk to Cillibion drain, hedge cut through, wet comes on. Were to dine at Penmaen, doubtful what to do so secure an early dinner. EKJ with us. Another glorious and dearly bought victory against the Sikhs in the East. It breaks off and we go. Kept them waiting and put them out of humour. No rain coming home, how lucky.

Christopher Batcock lent for rent to be repaid £1.12. 4.

April

1st (Wednesday)

Wet about 10.00 clears off again. Rise at 6.00, walk to Crickton. Settle some accounts with C Reese. Walked twice today to drain at Cillibion, mean to get water to Caie Vorgan si pos. Work in garden, stones by haggard hedge. Enter accounts in evening. Children very troublesome. Two days arrear above to fill up.

2nd

Thorough wet from east after 10.00 after a very wet night. Barometer falling awfully. Rise at 6.30, get out and settle work and work in garden. Heavy rain after breakfast, walk to drain at Cillibion, men at work. Cart stones there, comes on thorough wet, get wet through, come home and change. Sanguinetti sends for orders by traveller, order a good deal. Expect the Nicholls and Balls to tea, no-go, no come. Thrown out in consequence, in all our finery fine evening.

3rd

Very windy indeed, some heavy rain in evening after fineish morning. All day at a drain at Cillibion, undermine the hedge 8 or 9 ft deep. Have no dinner, determined to see it made safe. Nothing from breakfast till tea 8.00. Rise the level with WT. EKJ at Caie Forgan stays to eat. Story of Rev. S Phillips and W Collins about Fairy Hill road. Indicted. Am very tired, worked hard all day. This drain is a great undertaking to bring water to the house as well as draining the field.

4th

At home all day, comes on thorough wet after breakfast, luckily I secured my drain just on time. Have my harness cleaned, all men sent out to work, all go home again. Read and enter accounts. Agnes unwell, sick. I am none the worse for no dinner yesterday. Walked to Crickton, winnowed oats.

Sunday. Morning duty, drive and Carree to school in evening. Read paper at Penralt.

6th

Comes on wet, monstrous wet. Walked early to Crickton and to Cillibion, wet comes on. Got pigs in evening.

7th

About home, Cillibion drain. Mows at ditto taken in. EKJ and Carree ride to Reynoldston. EKJ brought over letters. Albon goes without mine to Tenby.

8th

Go over Blaenkedy farm, in deplorable state.

9th

Fine day, ride young pony first time to Swansea through the Park. Go to the bank, renew a bill for 100 at 2 months WM and write to him. Do not go to Board of Guardians, dine at Terry's. Return by Penmaen and meet Carree there, tea. Very cold returning over hill. Mr James James, present for Susan Cornish CEM etc. 9/9 ½

10th

Morning duty, in good time. Walk with Carree and C Reese in evening to Cillibion drain and round common road. Dogs find a duck's nest. Am very tired in the evening, some rain, weather oppressive. Glass falling. Wet in night again and wet again tomorrow. Mr Perry calls in passing to take what is going.

11th

Walk to Crickton to see if anyone there, only the boy. Hedge done at Stoneyford inadvertently J Davies. See wheat spilt on the road, all the way, proves my own going to mill by Albon. Comes on wet, get wet. Send my men to Cillibion and come home and stay at home. Read Cambrian etc etc. Send Llewellyn to meet C Reese at Killay Hill, at 6.00.

Sunday. Evening duty. Drive Carree and 3 children. Miss Cole at Park. EKJ does not come up.

13th

The Balls expected to late dinner yesterday did not come. Mrs B taken unwell. Monday fine, not very, tis cold. Read Knight of Gwynn. At drain to Cillibion. Carree and EKJ ride to Ilston and by Penmaen. Dine early with children and walk with them to Crickton Top and to Cross Lane…. corner, Crickton and again to drain Cillibion. In evening to parish meeting of church warden's accounts. Nothing passed, not home till late 12.00. Home and enter accounts tomorrow to start for Llandeilo Rhynys. Nothing ready, club night also, am not there.

14th

Drive Carree and EKJ to Swansea, I to meet mail, if room, yes, outside to Portrydd. Meet Offey and at Llandeilo Rhynys by 4.00. Walk over farm with him till dusk, looking well, much improved indeed. Rather inclined to rain all today. Wet at night. W Collins and his father in Swansea want me to attend petty sessions about Fairy Hill road, cannot.

15th

Carmarthen fair, at Llandeilo Rhynys. Send two cattle, not sold, wrong sort. All day hard at work removing shrubs and beginning garden being part of old yard at Llandeilo Rhynys. A good beginning, promises well. Extraordinary dull slatey weather, like thunder. River rises, so does the glass. Land very wet, sowing very late, no touching the land.

16th

Again all day as yesterday forming a garden. Offey carting off the stones, hard work. There will be a good garden in time, a great improvement the present alterations make. Receive letter from WM enclosing accepted bill of 100 for Swansea Bank. In evening write home and to Mr Stroud. Defer my return home. Not in bed till 12.00, fine day but still dull. Wet again at night, glass rising tho'. Sold 3 sheep and 2 pigs today and stole a calf from the butcher.

17th

Wet morning, who would have thought it. What a late time for sowing it will be!! Mason at Llandilo finishing to enclose yard from garden. Man also about garden giving various directions and walk off to Salutation and to Davies of Killarthey and Austey's young Davies, a good farmer improving his farm and a good sort of young man, son of Castle Howell. Walk over my farm and go to see ploughing by Morgan of Castle. 3 ploughs. Fine day after wet only half day, plough.

18th

Cold fine and dry. Glass rising, God be praised. Ride the little pony [Nicholls] Gower 6 Bells. Dined there. Go to a brick yard about drain tiles. Called on Colonel Love Alltygog, ditto Major Scott Carmarthen. Mr Tardrew at Bideford in Devon. Receive letter from Carree, poor Robert Batcock dead. Susan at Bury St. Edmunds. Ride home with Davies of Killarthy.

Sunday. At Llanegwad church. Walk there, write letter home and ride little pony to dine at Alltygog, Colonel Love 6.30.

20th

Very unwell, ill all night, influenza. Walk round farm with Offey, glad to get home again. Can eat nothing, try, cannot, get worse. Colonel Love and Miss Wilson call, what a bore. Make effort to show them the garden and be civil, hard work indeed. Was on the bed when they called and obliged to be down again. Young Davies of Killarthy calls with trees as I expected. Effort to talk to him, do for some time and obliged to give in and go to bed. Took neither tea nor dinner nor breakfast, give some vague orders about the garden.

21st

Rise late, ill all yesterday and still unwell. Eat no breakfast, drink effervescent draft, stroll round the farm and home again. Am better and work a little in garden. Colonel and Mrs Love call to inquire, kind and civil of them, how different from Gower people! Plant things in garden, oaks brought yesterday, the produce of the royal oak Llanegwad. Take some to Gower, Caie Vorgan, and the flowers also sent from Castle Howell. Many not worth the planting, some good.

22nd

To be off on my return to Gower by mail from Portrydd 8.00a.m. Return by mail to Swansea from Portrydd. Rode old Moselle there, time to spare. See old servant Margaret Williams, now Taylor, he is in police. By mail cart to Penmaen, dine and sleep there. Expected Carree, does not come, has a bad cold. EKJ comes late, has dined with Mrs Hankin.

23rd

At Penmaen, walk home with EKJ over the hill, very cold. Dine early and walk out to see what is going on at Cillibion drain etc and walk to Crickton. EKJ goes home from there.

24th

Walk with Carree to village about Robert Batcock's box etc. Call at the Dolphin, see Christopher and Mrs Batcock, get key and authority as to box in Swansea, Gordon's. Spring like day at last. RH, EKJ, Samuel Phillips, brickman and a lady called about all sorts of things. Copy in the evening labour account during my absence to my day book. Bothered out my life and glad to get to sleep to be off for Swansea early in the morning.

25th

Drive Carree, C Teddy and Emma to Swansea, hot chops at Castle. Comes on wet, borrow umbrellas and macintosh of Clarke etc. Home at 8, no rain going or returning, made a bad start in the morning left £10 behind RH's - charges regarding a bill at 3 months for £30 to J Collins. Frank fell in the water at home.

Sunday. Evening duty, Mr Collins. Calls on return and takes tea. Carree and I call on old Mrs Harry and walk by Crickton.

27th

Rise early and get a barley mow in. Sharp frost, ice. Walk to Crickton after breakfast, ride with Carree to Oxwich after turning out the grey colts on Upper Field, such pranks! RH calls in evening and EKJ who leave together. Carree sadly troubled with toothache.

28th

Showery, beautiful spring day. Walk to Crickton after breakfast, to barn and give orders. Ride with Carree on ponies to Penmaen and dine and home just at darkling. Susan gone to village and nobody in kitchen to attend to orders for tomorrow. See to it myself and go round the yard and stables to see if all be right.

29th

Rise early and out before breakfast. RH calls up about the bull. Work in garden after breakfast. Sow seed in front, sift earth a little, W Tucker helps. Davies of Llanellan calls about an order of removal, appeal. Howell John calls about land at Cillibion, Blackground, ride out with him and engage 20 acres at £15 til Michaelmas. Return and enter accounts. Letter sent from Penmaen by Eliza Williams.

30th

Drive Carree and EKJ to Swansea, attend Board of Guardians. Enter appeal with Mr Beor, … order removal Turner. No dinner, not home till near 8.00. A turkey, if not two, stolen off the nest in the stables, by whom?

May

1st (Friday)

Llangefelach Fair, a most beautiful mild foggy day, no sun after a mild rainy night. About home all day, walk to Crickton. Plant a few things in front garden. Dine early and walk to Cillibion and home to tea. RH and W Jone return from the fair in the evening. Read Britannia, receive letter from George, Cheltenham.

2nd

Rise early, drive early to Swansea. Take Johnny and take up Mr Ball also. Meet Fanny Woodward at mail and bring her back, wedding visit at Mr Wrigglesworth's. Close damp day, beautiful weather after the cold dry winds. Home by 6.00 to tea. Went through Sir J M's park beating Mr Grose by the other road.

Sunday. Morning duty. Old Prussian sailor, give him dinner. Walk to Stafell Haegr in evening, Fanny and Carree to school. Return on donkey, meet all the children.

4th

Fine day, mild and dry east wind. Mr T Gordon calls early about the Nancy with Jos Edwards and J Lewis. Walk out to end of pill, vessel repairing. Look at windings of the pill, may be cut straighter. Agree to let the Nancy for 8/- a voyage. Walk after dinner to Cillibion to see ploughing, Fanny and Carree accompanying. Find Mr and Mrs James at Caie Forgan on return, they stay tea. Mr James was very ill on Saturday. J Grant calls up about the school, I agree to subscribe £5 per annum. Enter accounts, glass falling. Am to ride to Swansea tomorrow to a court leet.

Beer for Prussian at Dolphin – 2 ½ d

5th

Ride to Swansea, comes on wet, very wet at 11.00 for all day. Attend as a juror at court leet. Duke of Beaufort at townhall, J G Jeffreys steward. Get wet, in wet clothes all day. Dine at 5.00, start home about 8.00. New pony goes well, one hour and half. Like her, very safe but shall try to sell her.

6th

Not well this morning owing to ride and getting wet yesterday. Beautiful morning, very fine weather. About home all today not very well after wetting yesterday. Transplant Indian corn. Walk with EKJ to Cillibion. Call on J Edwards ill. RH and the Prussian beggar at Caie Forgan in evening about a quarrel. Write to Mrs Jones of Bryngwas about a wedding etc, Kittle Hill about drill, Singleton ditto.

7th

Ride to a court baron at Bison, call at Ilston. Dine at the court. Message to Singleton about drill. Call on return at Kittle Hill, ditto at Ilston and tea there, meet Carree and Fanny Woodward. Wet greatly comes on, detains us there. Lucky at last, get home without wet. Carree rides W Jones pony.

8th

Drive Carree, Fanny and EKJ to Penmaen. C Teddy rides Rosy. Dine at Penmaen to meet J Ord and Cressy his wife, an introduction. Cold affair, Eastern Princess! No heart apparently, real still life, holds us cheap.

9th

Drive Carree to Swansea, fair there, try to sell Boy pony. Vaughan butcher bids me within £1 of my offer, I want £14. Cattle sell high, a poor fair, bad lots, cattle poor. Get things for party on Wednesday. Home to tea. Mr Robert Collins dead at his brother Charles.

Sunday. Evening duty. Miss Ball calls on return. Fine day. WR from Blaenkedy to Caie Forgan about seed barley and general orders.

11th

Beautiful day, send early for drill to Kilvrough. Begin to drill barley. Work in garden with Carree. Fanny rides Rosy, children in donkey cart to Reynoldston. Send barley to Blaenkedy, walk to Cillibion drain.

12th

Rise at 6.00, walk to Mr Lloyds, get him to fetch my roller. RH rolls former Furzeland etc. Meet RH at Furzeland, oxen stubborn at plough. C Reese round country with horse. EKJ up to dinner etc. Most busy day, Allen maltster and Griffith, Gellion, after barley. Work on lawn with children, mown again. Walk to Crickton to see drill, arranged to put away drill at Cillibion. Sent to Llythrydd for key. Enter accounts etc in evening. Write to WM about money and other letters to send early off in morning to post. Not in bed till 1.00. Barley all sown at home and at Blaenkedy.

13th

Rise with bad swelled and inflamed face, irritable and disagreeable. Bathe it in hot water several times. A dinner party at home. Penmaenites - J Ord, Fanny, Mr Owen, Phil Evans, Perry. Showery day after wet night, how lucky, beautiful indeed. Singing and magic in evening, pleasant pastime. I am quite out of tone, rainy evening, party late.

14th

About home all today, not well. Face swelled, eyelids bunged again, face burns. erisypalas?[3] Receive letter from EM coming here tomorrow. Garden a little. Out of spirit, read Britannia. Carree and Fanny walk out to Leason Wood. Disappointed in not riding to Penmaen. I walked to Crickton after dinner and Cillibion drain. Settle market account Reese in evening, enter accounts.

15th

Fine and dry, glass falling. At home and about home all day. Send Llewellyn with pony to Swansea for EM who arrives about 8.00. I walk to Cillibion drain and to Crickton potato setting, far from well, face and eyes swelled for some days. J Grant and Abram Jones call about rates, go through them, find mistake and set all right as agreed parish meeting. Write to George, Offey and Bristol about money and about money and eye infirmary. Carree and Fanny write to Penmaen. Am not in bed till near 1.00. Commissions for Swansea and talking to EM about envelopes etc.

16th

Such a day as yesterday, up at 6.00 to see C Reese before he starts for Swansea, lucky! EM at Caie Forgan, walk with him to Crickton, take Agnes and Frank, potato setting, see the farm, stroll about home. Dine at 2.00, loiter about, not well, face getting better. Walk with Carree and family to Cillibion, look over the house and see people on return from market. Tea late, after children. Far from well all evening. Reese home late. Enter day accounts 2 days and diary

Sunday. Sacrament. Stroll on common in evening with EM and family. Find a plover's nest, eggs not good. How unlucky, how difficult to find! Yet how often.

18th

Penrice fair, go there with EM. Meet Mr Collins, talk of roads, receive notice.

19th

Drive only to Penmaen and EM rides my pony. Picnic above Park Mill, some go fishing, no sport. J and Fanny to the old castle and collect plants. Home late, wet in evening. Fanny stays the night, play whist and win against J Ord and EM.

20th

Kept at home till 2.00 expecting Penmaenites by engagement, Mrs and Mr Ord etc. Plans altered. Fanny comes over to say so; thrown out, dinner hour altered. EM and I walked to Penralt, Stafell Haegr to brick yard and Cilivor. Dine 5.30. Buy envelopes in evening and arrange for EM going tomorrow. Wet morning, EM's harryman started for Tenby today, will he get there?

21st

Edmund leaves this morning for Alltygog and Tenby, all the ponies and colts got in, confusion! Ride with Carree and family to Penclawdd and Blaenkedy. Beautiful day, a little rain on return,. Home to tea about 7.00. Mr and Mrs Ord and Mrs J call, not expecting to find us from home. 2 horses stifled in stables this week at new works Penclawdd. Tired in the evening, do but little, far from being quite well.

22nd

Fine sultry growing day. Walk early to Cillibion barn and Blackground to see cattle and round by drain in my own field. Meet Carree, EKJ and Fanny on road after dinner. Walk with EKJ to sale of Cillibion pasture fields, small attendance. Return and go to Crickton Hill, Davies of Llanellen calls about appeal against rates, Evan John. RH calls, calf killed. Receive various letters, WM, Bristol etc.

23rd

Drive Carree and Fanny to Swansea and Agnes. Misty rainy dull morning, with all the signs of fine weather as I tell Fanny who wanted to go home again; I promise a fine evening, so it is and not summer … (interpolation – ‘no rain from now to call rain to 22nd June').

30th

Drive Carree, Agnes and Fanny W to Swansea, latter off to Newport,(interpolation – ‘never to see her more').

June

6th

Most sultry hot day and ever since 23rd May vide. Do not go to Swansea. John and Mrs Ord do and leave Gower for Vale Towy.

8th

Sunday. Evening duty. Glass falling, weather changing, a little misty rain after more than fortnight's hot and drought. Tea at Stafell Haegr, Carree and 2 boys.

Monday. Cloudy and some slight short showers, enough to wet stones. Mr James Penmaen has hay out. Sent early to post to Mr Mayberry and EM, J Ord etc. At the drain till dinner, C Reese lays it, Tom Philip taken ill. In evening cut trees down on lawn and show J Smith how to lower the road by cart shed and help place stones there for edge of the road. Feel better today than for some time.

9th

We dine at Penmaen to eat green peas and carry hay. Drive Carree and 2 children over. C Teddy rides Rosy, EKJ returns with us. 2 children left there. George Harry canvasses for relieving officer, W Llewellyn recommends. Doubtful morning, fine day, doubtful evening, wet at night a little. Mr James carries some hay, wonderful for him so early. Get home early. Miss Gape called at Penmaen. Was at Cillibion drain a.m.

10th

Dull misty damp day, about home all day at drain. Read Britannia, trim garden and other hedges. Mr Perry calls, Tom Philip ill, bled and will soon get well. Arranged to go with Perry to Swansea tomorrow. Out late about hedges cutting. C Teddy sent to Penmaen on donkey. Too wet for Johnny and Emma to return. EKJ came up with Perry from village. WR here from Blaenkedy, takes 2 mares back. Send note for money by him to Penclawdd works.

11th

Mr Perry drives me to Board of Guardians by Mumbles, election of Daniel as new returning officer. Introduced to Mrs Parkin, dine at Mr Bates with Perry and Mr Parkin. Home about 11.00. Hot day, mild evening. Mr and Mrs James spent day at Caie Forgan. Emma and Johnny come home.

12th

Far from well all day, should not drink wine. Always so weak after it and not myself. Great heat, Mr Perry drives me, Carree and EKJ to his house, dine there and see his farm, good order. Unwell all evening, home late on ponies. Commissions for tomorrow. Susan rides in, nothing sent. Johnny not well, in bed.

13th

Extreme heat, about home all day. Am better, twice to drain. Begin sow swede turnips. Walk over Crickton farm, most things look well. Difficulty to set drill going, spoiled being … plant out some geraniums. How hot all day!!

Sunday. Sacrament. How hot! All walk, Mr Evans of B at church, takes pot luck. Walk over to Penmaen late, Carree rides, I ride pony back lent to EKJ. Meet Mr Peace 1st time.

15th

Excessive heat, drought also. Mr and Mrs Evans spend day with us and all the children. Twice at drain, order grass, seeds cut tomorrow. Hear from EM in evening. How hot, how hot!!!! We are all melting. Am under Mr Perry's care and feel better already.

18th

Dine at Brynhir with Carree and children, drove by marsh and Blaenkedy. Vestry at the chapel in regard to rebuilding it, 1/- rate agreed to. Home by Cartersford, Mr and Mrs James dine also. Most fearfully hot. Mr Evans at vestry sine coat. Mr J in shooting jacket!!! Question if clerical?

19th

Am quite ill all day, overcome with heat of weather. Like oven night and day. Can do nothing, make various attempts in vain. Mrs Batcock 3 w malt.

20th

Extreme heat, nor go nor send to Swansea save Susan J rides for her pleasure and to show horse to Simonds, should be last Saturday … RH goes to Swansea. About home all day, ride to Llythrydd for turnip seed. Finish sowing, all got ready. Walk with Carree late, how dusty the road. Brisk wind, a change of weather near.

Sunday. Evening duty, visit old and sick after church, write letters in evening late.

22nd

Huzza. rain at last, mild beautiful steady rain towards night. Fine morning, yardman begins watering. Distant thunder draws nearer, continues all day. See rain around us and have it at last, God be praised!!! Pools dry, ground parched and cracked. Corn going off except wheat, prevented riding to Ilston. Copy arrear of tithe for RH. Charlie off early to Penmaen in car alone to carry hay! I think succeeded (interpolation reads – ‘only half'). At Crickton to see my own hay. Strawed up safe. Huzza Huzza Huzza!!!

23rd

Ride with Carree to call at Ilston, take pot luck, leg of lamb. Ride to Mr Collins farm Bryncoch, back to tea. Showery. Mr C in midst of his hay, can't carry. Am taken very unwell, get better, ride home in evening. Bat my feet hot water, take gruel, very chilly, like a fire, what changeable weather. Was it getting damp yesterday upsets me or port wine today, always unwell after port wine.

24th

Breakfast in bed, unwell all night, far from well all day. Stroll about and garden a little neating up front and cutting down trees etc. EKJ calls, mad dog at Stafell Haegr bites pigs and at Leason, Mr Davies horse etc. Engaged to take Mr Collins to Swansea tomorrow early and to meet Mr Perry at Board of Guardians, he sends Club books.

25th

Drive to Swansea and take up Mr Collins who returns to Caie Forgan and sleeps there and Mrs Collins comes from Oxwich in evening. Attend Board of Guardians, much to do, nine contracts, entry into motions of salaries increased, master of workhouse and Mr Perry both thrown out. Home at 6.30.

26th

Wet day, Mr and Mrs Collins spend day at Caie Forgan!!!!! How unfortunate, make effort to ride before dinner to Stafell Haegr, meet EKJ and return. Go see the drain at Cillibion. Mr Perry and Parker dine also at Caie Forgan. Write commissions for Swansea. Not in bed till 2.00. Write to Offey.

27th

A better day. About home all day, gather fruit, peas etc. Carree goes and I follow, ride to Penmaen, tea there. C Teddy returns on donkey having left Miss Cole at Park on visit to Mrs W. We get wet just as we get home.

Sunday. Morning duty. C Teddy not there, singers up in evening. Miss Cole returns suddenly to be off tomorrow, no packet on Wednesday, excursion to Lundi (sic), decline sending to Swansea by 7 a.m.

29th

About home all day at Cillibion drain and Crickton thinking to cut hay. Weather too hazardous. EKJ gives a party at Stafell Haegr, shooting ducks. Parry, Parker, W Collins, no life lost. Join them at dinner. Farewell of Stafell Haegr. Home about 10.30. Mr Dunn dropped in late, has ox bit by mad dog.

30th

Fine but some showers. Ride with Carree after going to drain at Cillibion, to Oxwich, call on Rev. W Collins, Miss Wood and Miss Vaughan there. They drive to Penrice gardens, we to shop Reynoldston, sugar … and tea, not paid. Dine at Mr Perry's, wild duck. See his grassland. Speak to Mr D Davis about culvert Stoppers Mill. Home about 10.30. Mr P sent for to Aberlogy, George B ill. EKJ dines at Oxwich, arrange to drive with Mr P, Mumbles, tomorrow.

July

1st (Wednesday)

Wet morning, out at drain before breakfast. Caught in wet. Enter accounts after breakfast, can't go to the Mumbles. Driving misty day ceasing at intervals, thorough hard rain in evening and towards night. Glass not falling. The Ords come to Penmaen from Mumbles, can't return. About home all day, see nothing of Mr Perry, twice at drain Cillibion. Get wet through last time. Men work all day, more laid and some cross drains covered. When can it be finished?!! Sir R Peel defeated and ousted.

2nd

Drive Carree and 2 children early to Penmaen to meet J Ord and Cressy who return early to Mumbles. WC to meet them there tomorrow. We walk to Park Place and call on Mrs Gape to inquire about Southampton school, Mr Crabbe's. Think to send C Teddy. Ministry (Sir R Peel's) about to resign, driven from office by new corn law and Irish coercion. Serves them right. EKJ returns home with us. Children stay at Penmaen till tomorrow.

3rd

A most beautiful day, drive through Sir JM's park to Mumbles to dine with John Ord and Mr Munro. Place all alive, new omnibus started. Meet all the Collins party, Miss Wood and Miss Vaughan of Cardiff, make various calls and inquire the lodgings for next week. A most pleasant day. Home about 11.00, it was a most thick foggy morning.

4th

Rise early to see Miss Cole off, Cathe goes to Swansea also. Most beautiful hot day. Walk to Crickton, shoot jackdaws on peas. In evening walk to Cillibion with Carree, come home in our return car and RH's.

Sunday. Wet heavy thunder and l(ightning). EKJ borrows pony cart etc. Evening duty, clears off and we walk down.

6th

No hay day, showery, almost wet. Engaged at Oxwich and Stembridge, former cricket, latter about culvert. Meet Mr D Davies surveyor of R, call on Mr Perry and take shelter. Meet J Collins, Miss Wood of C and Miss Vaughan of C and Mr Gape dine, dinner postponed, 5 not 2. Played cards in evening. Home about 12.00.

7th

Dry, no sun, hay making. About accounts and writing all morning. George Gape spends the day with Charles, ride with Carree p.m. to Cillibion and Stafell Haegr etc. Talk to RH and EKJ about offer to compromise tithes Upper Division at £354. Begin to write to Mr Mayberry.

8th

Labour Account. Mary Batcock 5/-

At home all morning in house. George Gape returns home and Charles goes with him to Park Place to stay overnight. Write to Mayberry, Brecon, long as to Upper Division, some talk with C Reese in evening about Cillibion oats, guano etc. Rain ceases in evening, walk out in garden etc.

9th

A wet morning, breaks off about 2.00 and off we start for the Mumbles. Carree and I ride by Penmaen, Bison, Caswell where I leave my pony. Send all the children in spring car with all luggage by Llewellyn and 2 horses through Sketty Park to Mumbles, all safe and no rain. Was busy in morning moving stones [flat] by yard gate to haggard. Doubtful if we could venture to start for Mumbles, so showery. Prepared bottom for hay rick, interfere about a quarrel with George Tucker and J Hughes, a distress for rent, advise them to make it up. A Constable Lewis of Cartersford takes former prisoner warrants of J Collins. Spend evening at Mrs Woodruffe's, a tea party.

10th

Carree, I and C Teddy start at 9.00 by Townrow's bus to Swansea to shop and return by same bus at 3.00 which leaves the Cameron Arms Swansea and George Mumbles. Mr and Mrs James drive to Mumbles, find them there on our return. My dogs, Nep and Dash, take no notice of me and walk about with strangers.

11th

At the Mumbles staying, ride up to Groves of Caswell and ride on home. Lunch at Penmaen. All my hay about, just not fit to carry. Go over the farm, geese been in wheat. C Reese at Swansea, meet him at Cillibion in the evening. Rode through wood, Long Oaks and Lodge from Penmaen. Carry a sewin for dinner, dine at 6.00.

Carree by Susan Cornish for Jane, sugar 6/-.

Sunday. Very hot, ride by Lodge, Cwms, Park Mill to Kittle, breakfast with Hancorne and ride on to Mumbles by Norton and in church by 11.00. Comfortable pew, Mr Thomas Grove. Church again in evening and supper and spend evening at Mr Woodruffe's. Rode from Caie Forgan to Mumbles, George, here in one hour 20 minutes. Mr Shepperd did duty, good sermon.

13th

Carree, I and Mrs Woodruffe take a ride. Call on Mr and Mrs Thomas Grove and go and see Singleton grounds and farm yard. Dine at 3.00. Mr and Mrs Woodruffe and Mr Bowen take tea with us, oysters for supper, a pleasant day.

14th

A very beautiful day. Muster a strong picnic party to Bison valley from the Mumbles. Ponies and donkeys and good walking shoes in great requisition. Mrs Rogers, Miss Sylvester, Mr and Mrs Woodruffe, Mr Purchase, Rev. Mr Bowen, Terry, Michael Williams, 4 Miss Carmichaels, several children, Wrigglesworth etc go down the valley to Pwlldu, return by the hill. Tea at Mr Worsley, our party scattered. Meet Mr and Mrs Illtyd Thomas. Kill a polecat on the road, how odd, injured somehow. Not home till past 10.00. No adventure save Carree spilling a currant tart into her lap riding!!!

15th

A more dull morning but calm and pleasant, fine after. Mr & Mrs James and EKJ drive over and spend the day with us. Call on Mrs Sylvester, stroll about. St Swithin's day and it actually comes onto wet evening!!! We drive and Mumbles party in an omnibus to tea. and at Mr & Mrs Thomas Grove, Danycoed. A nice place. Cards, whist and singing. Leave off, neither win or lose. Pay Mr Woodruffe for self and Carree in Townrow's omnibus 2/-. Not home till 12.00. Mr and Mrs James drive home again, how unlucky for them.

16th

A thorough wet day, very wet!!! All day at the Board of Guardians till 3.00, an election of relieving officer district Llandeilo Talybont.

17th

Showery morning, ride home, very windy. Call at Ilston, see Mrs Collins, called at Llythrydd, dine there. Ride about the farm and get account of work in my absence. Garden looking well and neat. Call at Penralt, see RH, arrange about corn for Swansea tomorrow. Enter accounts of … scold all servants for negligence and inattention and mean to be up early tomorrow. Rode by Norton, Kittle Hill, Barlands, Ilston , Llythrydd, Cillibion. No wet after leaving the Mumbles, how lucky. Write to Mr Evans, Brynhir, about celery etc and in answer about tithe commission, Upper Division.

18th

Ride early for Mumbles, threatening morning, some rain, go by Llythrydd Cwm, Parkmill, Kittle, Norton. Time myself, 1 hour 15 minutes from home to the George, farthest end of Mumbles. Breakfast, change, get out of dress and start Carree, children, all in omnibus for Swansea at 9.00.

20th

Sunday. At Mumbles Church. Mr Davies does duty, a stranger did it last Sunday.

Monday. Showery morning, fine day. Ride to Caswell with Carree, Frank Price and Mr Jones of Brecon and his daughter. He thinks highly of Caswell capability, lunch at the farm, Grove's, wretched farmer! Walk back, F Price has my pony to go to Mr Worsley's, we return and dine at 4.00, they spend evening. Mr and Miss J returned to Swansea in omnibus. Walk out in evening late with F Price towards Norton. Call at the Woodruffe's late. J Davies of Welsh Moor calls about tithes and pays £1.10 0 part of arrears and to give a new bill 3 months for £10. Give him and to agree again for w & b, hard work to deal with him. Children out in boat 1 hour - 1/6.

21st

Wet morning again, gloomy day and windy. Read Knight of Gwynn, call on Mr Bowen Thistleboon. Dine early, call altogether on Mrs Stoneyforth of Rose Hill, Mr Bath's house, a pretty place and very good garden. What curious people. Children very ungenteel but they say clever. She is so and thoughtless I should think and easily led away. We have a party in the evening, Woodruffe's, Mrs Rogers, Miss Terry, Mr Sylvester and supper. Play round game and Fright, win at the latter, not in bed till 2.00. Talked with Simmonds the butcher and astonished at the price of rent and ground rent at the Mumbles. Some good purchases made at the Duke of Beauforts sale some few years ago.

22nd

A better morning, a good deal, some sun. Breakfast later than usual. Mrs Davies of Grange call and brings 2 cucumbers. Mr D not very well, this was yesterday again, he sent over a note in evening about calling on him today and seeing his farm, all yesterday. Ride with Carree to call on Rev. S Davies, Grange, see farm and house improvements and go to Castle, Mumbles, in evening. Mrs Woodruffe, Miss Terry etc, find EKJ at Mumbles. Spend evening at Mr Sylvester's. Small party, played cards, lose. Won yesterday same amount and gave it C Teddy.

23rd

Omnibus to Swansea to attend tithe meeting appeal against award, nothing done. Lunch with Mr Jones of Brecon who is in Swansea for change of air, his daughter not well. Return at 4.00, wet evening, very wet. EKJ returned home this evening. Leave Mumbles for home, start at 8 after wet, home at 11 through Park. Carree and I ride, car for children, lucky in no rain. Carree knocked up.

24th

First day after return home from Mumbles, go round the farm and arrange for sending to Swansea tomorrow.

25th

Send C Reese to Swansea, load of oats, no butter, I do not go. About home all day, at Crickton to see the mowing. Ride to Stafell Haegr, inquire of Tom Philip and take tea with EKJ. Carree comes, agree with EKJ his after grass at £5.5 0. C Teddy brought pony down for Carree late.

Sunday. Morning duty. I am alone at church with servants. Carree does not go, tired after her journey home. Fine day till evening and misty rain.

27th

Dull and damp and misty rain. Settle accounts with C Reese about home all morning, I forget what at. After early dinner ride with C Teddy by Cwms to Park Place as to young Gape going to Mr Crabbe's, Shirley Common, Southampton School opens 30th. George Gape going tomorrow to have company. Tea at Llythrydd on return. Misty evening.

28th

A Mr Griffiths, tithe surveyor, calls about map etc. Mr George Francis and an artist called about Arthur's Stone. Davies of Llanellen about poor rate. Was up early to send C Teddy to Penmaen, Swansea. Go only to Crickton, peas cut. All these people to attend to prevents my going to Penmaen. … to dinner at home till 2.00 writing, sending notes, letters etc. Ride at 4 by Crickton to Penmaen. Come in for odds and ends and enjoy the evening. Children all went to Penmaen in car. C Teddy drives home, too much for him. Meet Mr Perry and go together over hill.

29th

Very hot fine day, distant thunder and most splendid lightning at night in the north. Drive Carree and Frank to Llanmadock to see Mrs Pearce's 2nd baby. Dine at 4, walk to Crickton in the evening to see hay carried, in good order. Walk in garden late with Carree to look at most splendid lightning in the north, how hot and calm. See a good deal of wheat cut.

30th

Distant thunder, fine morning, wet after 11 in heavy showers. About home all day, out of sorts. Read Britannia. Mr Grove calls before dinner, go through his sale account of Cillibion sale. EKJ comes up, Mr Perry calls and makes an evening. I am not up to the mark, yet not unwell yet still not well.

31st

Beautiful hot morning, dull, muggy. Send C Teddy early to post with letter to Mr Lewis Thomas as to his will, now due to renew it. Work in garden, transplant turnips and enter day and other accounts. Mark C Teddy's clothes. Mr Griffiths surveyor calls, stays the night. Thunder, lightning, rain. Carry my peas to barn, just in time!! Mr Griffiths returning to Llandilo tomorrow. Mr Jones has left Swansea today.

August

1st (Saturday)

Drive Carree and Cathe Cornish to town. Settle amount of account with Mr Grose at Cross Keys, see my end of book. JG Hancorne, George Strick and J Nicholls there. Meet Mr Parry, leave town about 8.00 and get home safe. Wet driving in a.m, fine p.m. to come home wet in Swansea.

4th (Tuesday)

Attend distress sale with RH, Killan; bills say 10.00, nothing done till past 2.00. Cheating as to tithes, no dinner today. Tea at the Ship and beer Leyshon 1/6. Ride by marsh, call at lower engine by Howell John's, Bryngwas, Llythrydd. Not home till near 10.00. Very hot day, mild night.

5th

Splendid weather, how lucky. Pack up and help Charlie, starts tomorrow for school. Mrs James calls, so much to do, can't tell how to begin. Walk to Crickton reaping and to Penralt. Borrow £6 18 6? of RH, receive tithe of him. Carree rides to Penmaen. EKJ calls in evening late, write and pack all night, not in bed, off at 3.00.

6th

Start at 3.00 from home for Bristol packet at 6.00. Go in spring car, luggage and all. Drive Brown, beautiful morning, fine day. Calm, not ill by packet, breakfast and dinner in consequence. Parish affair, Isaac Hullin, WFM pauper to the eye infirmary.

Drive with Mr M round Clifton, Durdham and Kingsdown, call on Elton and Mrs M, see zoological. Am very tired, not in bed last night, glad to get to bed.

7th

At Bristol, breakfast and stroll out before starting for London. Arrive at 4 Chandos Street, Cavendish Square by 5.00. My mother quite well, Alfred there, gracious reception.

8th

Walk out with EM, C Teddy, Carree to see London. Embark at Hungerford Bridge for the Thames tunnel and back to Hungerford stairs and home to Chandos Street.

10th

In London, out with EM about envelopes etc. Take account and go with Anna and Carree, C Teddy and Frank to the Exchange. Walk through it and to Post Office to get Post Office order cashed for Anna. Home at 3.00, met Mr Mabbot when going in Oxford Street, stop and speak to him and arrange to go to Lewes this week. In evening all at theatre in Oxford Street, Princess, to see Charles Matthews Used Up etc. Much entertained, particularly the children. My mother paid for Carree and me.

11th

Rise early and breakfast, London. Leave Green Man, Oxford Street, for South W terminus at 9.00, take C Teddy and Cousin Frank to Mr Crabbe's Shirley Common, near Southampton and return to London by 6.00. Stroll to Chandos Street, Portland place and join a dinner party at Mr Smith's, Mortimer Street.

12th

In London, read a paper. Lunch; my mother, Carree, EM and self walk out, call on bride Mrs Devigne's late Moreau in Golden Square 2 … at home, a stupid affair. Shop at Dickins and Smith's, Call at Sanguinetti's, dine at 6.00. Polytechnic in evening with Carree, amusement and instruction. Hot and dry day.

13th

In London, 4 Chandos Street, Cavendish square, left home all week with Carree and C Teddy who is gone to school at Mr Crabbe's Shirley Com. Southampton. Mrs Hughes and Mrs Langford call only. Rain comes on about 12. Write to Mr James, nothing entered in diary since 5th. Walk with him to Schoolbreds establishment, carpets, oil cloth etc very cheap. Call in Bedford Square, at Mortimer Street meet HJM. Called at Dawson's altogether, go to Lincoln's Inn, see H Woodward, drop card on Mr Barratt, Lincoln's Inn. Old Square turned to a garden!!! Mother and EM dine out, Alfred goes to Sussex. Walk with Carree and HJM Oxford Street to see shops, bazaars shut, stroll into Burton's, Sheffield House. Fine evening after wet day till 3 or 4. Write to Offey in the evening.

14th

Fine morning again after wet yesterday. Charlie writes from school, first letter, most unhappy!! Carree writes to him, I to WM Uckfield. Very hot, call on F Fielding and lady, 23 Upper Brook Street. Walk into Hyde Park and round ring of Regent's park, were to have gone to Botanical Gardens with EM, he gone to Mr Dawson's to … Henry about Brett's affairs and money. In evening at Drury Lane; play, Brussels Company Opera, not very good, pretty well, good house, can't understand it, prefer plain English.

15th

Pack up and start at 2.00 for Brighton and Lewes, arrived at 4.30, meet EM at the London Bridge Station. Find my Uncle and Aunt Mabbot quite well, Alfred and Edward Woodward at the Priory also, how delightful is such a place after Gower.

Sunday. Twice at church a.m., in the town p.m. at the lower church, Southover church under repair, new pewing etc, remains of Gundrida to be deposited.

17th

At Lewes Priory, delightful day. My uncle drives me in dog cart gig to the farm. Carree and Edward Woodward up in the carriage. Meet there W Woodward, Mary and Anna and Henry Woodward, walk over the farm, botanise farm, joke etc etc. Spend most delightful day with them, not having met my cousins for 10 years. Find the Dodder parasite plant on heath and furze, not I but Anna, she is a bit of a botanist. Phil Woodward comes to the Priory to stay short time, Alfred gone to an archery at St Leonards to stay. Rain at night, how do they fare in Wales?

18th

A fine windy day after a wettish night. Rained early this morning. Mrs Mabbot drives Carree, Phil Woodward and me to Brighton. Carree and I call on Mrs Causton in Sussex Place, Kemptown. See her and one daughter just in time, they are about starting for Chichester etc. Pastry cooks, buns on Marine Parade. Call also on Mrs Trelawtrey no 7 New Stein, almost blind, had not seen either of them for 10 or 15 years, the latter 78. Never expect see her again. Home by 5.00, dine at 6. Mr John Hoper calls in in the evening, complimentary call, glad to see him. Wet evening again!!! How catching on the harvest! Fear it is worse in Wales, call this morning on Mr & Mrs J Smith, they are getting on in the world, why should they not?

19th

Fine morning again, glass won't rise, wind in bad quarter, shall have more rain. Walk in garden, try the potatoes, much affected by murrain? Are going to drive to Uckfield, have no letters and no account of home and children, no news good news surely. Carree and I, Miss Phil Woodward drive carriage to go to Uckfield, start at 12 after heavy rain and have a pleasant drive. See WM and Cathe, former engaged with the police about geese, confab about affairs afterwards, see new church and the garden. Call on Captain and Mrs Hardis (?), great alterations at south end of Uckfield. Home at 6.00 to a whole shoulder of venison, Lord Liverpool's, very fat, not fine. Had honour of a bow from his Lordship at Uckfield. Mr Jane Hoper called in at tea at Southover, talk of Gundrida etc.

20th

Southover Priory, thorough wet day after 12.00. Walked with Carree and my uncle to see the ancient remains and discoveries (Gundrida's Tomb etc) in making a railroad from Priory grounds and thence to the castle, dull and hazy to see the view!! Get Lewis guide there. At 3 start to dine at Uckfield. Mrs Mabbot's birthday who is too unwell, very unwell and can't go. Heavy rain, meet 2 Misses ..odsons and Miss Brooke and cousin Phil Woodward, singing etc

21st

Dull morning, new moon, no rain today. Walk with Carree and Uncle to see the house of Ann of Cleeves, curious old building in Southover now inhabited by paupers. Uncle goes riding, Carree and I walk to Kingston? and over the hills home. We few sit down to dinner alone, no, aunt is too unwell, under care of Dr Turner but is getting better. What do we do all the evening, I forget.

22nd

In Sussex, fine day, read Morning Herald and Sussex Gazette. Carriage with Carree to call at Plumpton, only Mrs WW home. First introduction, pleasing woman, 4 children, one boy only. Uncle at the farm. Dinner party, Mrs and Mr Smith and 2 daughters and Mr Green and Alfred, Carree and I. Top and bottom of table, how out of character, what honours heaped on us for one day!!! Spoiling us for the rough of Gower!!! Long conversation with Mr Smith about Wales, Sussex Downs, Corn Bill and the etc etc. Write to WM, receive poor accounts from home of weather etc, farm account etc.

Sunday. Most dull morning, fine day, my aunt well again. Letter from home full of annoyances, ponies sold under value, Tripp and Hopkin John, must take these matters quietly, write to Mr Beor Swansea and to EKJ and am not at church p.m.

24th

Glass up, most dull morning, wind east. Received late last night Lord George Bentick's reply to Lord Lyndhurst's, both cutting speeches. Lord George the best of it. Pack up to leave Lewes Priory, alas alas!

27th

In London, very hot. Walk with Carree and HJM to Lincoln's Inn, see the Hall, Temple Church, Temple Hall. Call on Mr Bennett, all my old chambers.

28th

Leave London for Willey, at Rugby by 1.30, get on the Leicester line for Ullesthorpe where Fred, Clara and Clara junior meet us. 2 miles to Willey, what a rich country. Nigh tableland, flat, apparently low. Luxuriant in trees, chiefly elm and oak.

29th

Walk out, call on a Mr and Mrs Bond, his sheep very ill. Malady among cattle too about the country. The peculiarities of the country are rich pasture, high sided, no prospects, hemmed in by trees. No variety, no distant grey scenes. Very hot, harvest nearly over.

31st

At Willey, drive to Lutterworth. Most beautiful weather.

September

1st (Tuesday)

Out shooting over Mr Hind's farm with Fred and Mr Benn, both shoot well, I only mark. Not many birds. Lunch at farmer Hind's, wine etc. Shift over to the Glebe for more shooting. Mr Perin dines at Willey, a good brick house in a very dull situation.

2nd

Shoot again on other parts of the Glebe, only Fred's gun, fair sport. The tenant comes blustering up to see who shoots, find half a hare!!! on a stubble.

3rd

Most beautiful weather. Leave Willey for Rugby. Fred and Clara in the carriage with me and Carree. A party of 10 at dinner. Fred returns early. My mother at my aunt Woodward's. All walk to explore the school playground etc and see cricket. I am delighted with the recollection of old scenes and associations. One of the master's buried today, died of typhus fever.

4th

At Rugby, wish I was living here to send the boys to school. Walk with Carree, Fred W, Fanny and Jane to Bilton, see Addisons house and garden, the latter neat and pretty and very secluded. Too many trees about the old gable ended house. An old (or young?) white bulldog there, not friendly looking but was not uncivil. The houses on the Bilton road near Rugby, now quite a street, what a change in 50 years. Old Farr's house, the refuge of the destitute in former years, still a low thatched house or hovel at the corner of the Lawford road. A freehold gained from the waste. Recollection of old haunts quite interesting but I cannot say with Grey "I feel a second spring". Very hot day.

5th

Still splendid hot weather. Call on Mr Thomas Bloxain, what an odd, gaunt man! My mother and Aunt W join us, see the chapel and school rooms and library, give old Thomas 2/6. Call alone on Mr Austey the master. Miss my party who return to see Fred W off for Aston Abbotts. Walk on the Kilmorton road, what alterations in building there again! How much more habitable is Rugby now than formerly and how much more gentlemanly and civil are the boys than in my time. An evening party at my aunt's, Mrs Cheese, General Smith who … taking advantage of the foundation of old Lawrence Sheriff. I hope to do the same for Charlie and Johnny.

7th

Sunday. Fine, attend church, psalms chanted, no sermon. Sacrament. In the evening, with difficulty, through Mr Austey get Carree and my mother into the chapel at the school, myself in the gallery. A funeral sermon on Mr Mayor by headmaster Dr Tait. Thunder and lightning in evening … rain at a distance only.

Monday. At Rugby, misty morning, fine day. Distant thunder and vivid lightning in evening but little rain. Hear on road tomorrow there is heavy rain at Brecon, q if not wet in Gower for tis wet tomorrow as we learn by letter afterwards from Mrs James. The book pick nick been fixed for tomorrow and put off. Walk out with Carree (shop). Walk with Carree, Jane and Fanny on Dunhurch Road, how built on, a Catholic chapel too!!! Walk and see the cricket. Little Patch takes tea at my aunt's in the evening.

8th

Leave Rugby at 9.30 for Birmingham, Gloucester and Bristol, changing trains at each place - most troublesome and hurried and difficult. Arrive in about 6 hours, all's well that ends well. Busy packing up in morning, things not returned from the wash obliged to be taken out and have nothing clean. Adventure one: poked into a 2nd class carriage full of Jews playing cards. Adventure 2nd: (various expenses cited) a sandwich, very small -/3, had paid for it and altered my mind, man not civil. Adventure 3rd: omnibus to Park Street, take my mother by surprise not having first the exact day but welcomed, all's well,

9th

At Bristol, fine day after wet morning and a good deal of rain in the night. Walk out with Carree and Mrs WFM. Buy papers for rooms in Gower near the draw bridge. Return to dine. In the evening walk all 3 on Brandon Hill, beautiful effects of grey light, mist and fires, lamps etc a bold foreground. Read Punch in the evening and talk small talk etc WFM and all at home all the evening.

10th

At Bristol, coldish dull morning. Read Chambers Miscellany. Receive letters; Mr Grose about Cillibion sale, wants the money for Brecon fairs. Mr James of Penmaen, all well, and about railways, money at 5%.

15th

Leave Bristol at 2.00 by Troubadoor, land at Mumbles between 7.00 and 8.00 and home about 12. EKJ meets us and Francis Thomas and W Davies Penralt happen to be at Mumbles for Bird the shoemaker who brings home luggage most civilly.

16th

Children arrive to see us at home from Penmaen.

23rd

Dine at Penmaen, meet Mr and Mrs Perry. WFM there.

24th

Club Book dinner, Gower Inn. Wet morning, what a fuss

26th

Drive alone to Swansea

28th

Sunday. Mr James does duty, an excellent sermon. Mrs J and WF Morgan dine with us. Showery day.

Monday. Most showery wet day. Expended commission RH. Not very good. About home all day, enter accounts with C Reese, ditto RH evening. WT mows lawn. Read Knight of Gwyn. Cillibion drain all free. Barn clear at one end. Enter up lots of accounts and lots more to enter.

29th

Fair morning, very wet after 12.00, fine in evening again. Children in car and 2 maids, Carree and I in dog cart, dine at Penmaen. Spend day there, fine return and do not get wet going.

30th

Very fine day, about accounts. Mr WF Morgan spends day at Caie Forgan, drive him to Cheriton and Wibley, he returns with EKJ to Penmaen in evening. Stoppard(?) tells me I can't have Cillibion barn, Mr Grose to repair first.

October

5th (Monday)

Margin note reads "Go to Llandeilo Rhynys for about a week, see next Tuesday"

12th (Monday)

Leave Llandeilo Rhynys and go to Llanelli. EM leaves ditto for Tenby. Sleep at Llanelli and go through accounts of Watchful cargo of timber with Benjamin Howell.

13th

Return home from Llanelli across the sands and meet Howell John at the ferry boat, Penclawdd.

15th

Drive to Swansea.

17th

Splendid day, hot, will it last? About home all day, read Cambrian, unpack portmanteau, overland travelling case. Walk with Carree. Write to Offey. Cut away in garden and in plantation.

19th

Ride with RH to Blaenkedy to meet Henry Richards as to entry out the farm, can't agree. Ride by Ilston to Penmaen to dine. 3 hours too late.

20th

Ride with EKJ to Caswell, call at Kittle on old Mrs Rowland and on Parry about bits of land not enclosed on the flat by Tucker's. Home by 5.00, receive of Grove £17, what a lot. Look over Caswell and inquire about owners of land there. Wet to ride home after dining at Penmaen, reach home at 10.00.

21st

Charles 10th Birthday, first half year of school at Mr Crabbe's, Shirley. God bless the boy, good accounts of him so far. We have a dinner party to drink his health. What a stormy day, rain and wind.

Mrs Batcock, Dolphin, cheese 9/8.

31st

Meant to go to Swansea, do not. Up early, see car off. Cathe goes. W Collins and 3 pupils call: Owen, Hoare, Booker. Go shooting snipes, no sport. Lots of dogs, no game. Give luncheon. A bothery sort of day, dull and fine. Nancy sails brought up. Straw from Cillibion, water won't run from the yard. Write to Mr Crabb and to Alltygog.

November

5th (Thursday)

Wet, at home all day, read. RH calls a.m. about sheep bought and heifer sold. W Thomas Crofte calls about slates and Bryngwas, difference of slates 200, how is this? Fine p.m. Walk to Crickton, get cattle tied up.

7th

Beautiful weather, drive Carree to Llandeilo Rhynys, start at 10, arrive at 5. Send to Loughor by Llewellyn. Drive Valiant there and Bright in without stopping. Go by Llanelli, no mishaps, really the road from Three Crosses in Poundfold … bad to Loughor, it ought to be indicted.

Sunday. At Llandeilo Rhynys, not at church. George sends too late that English service is at Abergwili and offers to take us, no-go. A Sunday ill spent. George and EM dine with us and bring some rabbits etc pheasant.

9th

Shoot at Coedsaithbryn, Carree walked with me across the farm as far as Killarthey and calls on Mrs Davies. She returns alone and is insulted on the road from Nantgaredig. 2 woodcock killed, pheasants, hare and rabbits.

10th

At Llandeilo Rhynys all day expecting George a.m., comes late. Ride over the farm with him and Carree, very cold and then ride EM's pony with George to the mill, now set a going. See the sawing mill works bad. Read in evening, Colburn's magazine. Nights cold.

11th

At Llandeilo Rhynys. Shoot with George and EM to Killarthey wood and find only one woodcock not shot. Killed 10 pheasants, 6 hares, 11 rabbits, 1 wood pigeon.

12th

What splendid weather!!! Carree and I have been since Saturday last at Llandeilo Rhynys and no rain but most splendid weather. Today we walked over hill between Alltygog and Nantgaredig to Llan to call on Mrs Griffiths late Mrs Jones. What splendid scenery! George and Edward dine here at 7.00, a pick nick. Colonel Love's servant calls with a puppy to be called Silver or Gog or Magog. Pay him for a regular rat catcher 10 weeks old called Scrap alias Nipper 5/-. Inquire about Tom Davies as a servant. Plant laurels etc in the garden. Williams mason here in morning about shed, end of pig sty.

13th

At Llandeilo Rhynys, was to have gone shooting at Abercothi Wood. EM and George M there, good sport. Plant and plan in the garden. Offey at a sale (Timmins) Laugharne, buy nothing. Drive Carree to Alltygog, dine there. Colonel and Mrs Love coming to call on us. Home late, not in bed till 2.00. Make agreements with men servants for next year wages, much raised. Will Welsh farming play? Leave all packing up for the morning and a long journey, all's well that ends well.

14th

Leave Llandeilo Rhynys for home, start about 10.00, in Swansea 3.30. Send mare Bright on to Cross Hands, have Valiant to meet at Swansea, postilion tandem. In Swansea 2 hours, home about 8.00. Children all in bed, no accidents. Very dark, light won't keep in. Dry and dull, not so very cold.

16th

Sunday. Morning duty, sermon ‘Non-attendance at Church'. Walk out to Crickton in the evening, very cold east wind all day.

Monday. About home all morning, extremely cold east wind, dry and dismal till towards night. Rain makes effort to begin. Drain opened in yard choked, begin plough for Wheat Hill. Ride with Carree in the evening to Penmaen, tea there and home in the dark. Wrote a few lines to George Alltygog and Offey. Lose a crupper, it begins to rain about night. Glass been falling 2 days, very high after more than week dry, fine weather for time of year.

17th

Fine evening after wet morning. At home all morning. Enter some accounts and papers. Ride to Penmaen in evening after dinner to hunt for a crupper, EKJ found it. Meet RH at Penmaen bargaining for grass. Return home together to tea., at accounts in evening with J Grant about brick yard. Read Dombey and Son.

18th

Farmers Club plough match, Cillibion. Read Dombey and Son. 12 ploughs, mine the worst owing to stallion and want of practice. Beer for the ploughers, subscribe 1/-. Find a Soho and kill the hare one dog!!! Dine at 5.00, Rev. J Collins & 3 pupils and Mr Hankin, Parry, EKJ and spend a pleasant evening; engaged to dine at Ilston tomorrow, prevented by an unlucky and shocking accident tomorrow.

19th

About home all day, were to have dined at Ilston, how unfortunately prevented, accident of a gun!! J Collins shot by Mr Hoare[4]. Davies of Penmaen calls with ferrets for the ricks, can't get them. Mr Owen here for Parry, mason here. Very showery day, all one's ideas thrown out of gear by this accident. EKJ slept here, was to have dined at Mr Perry's, all deranged also.

20th

Most stormy day wind and rain, about home all day. Nailed down and nailed bit to windows to prevent rain and wind. House deluged last night and today. Write to Ilston and Kittle Hill for a pair of ferrets, write to Penmaen. Bricks wanted for chancel window, write to RH about Crickton rent if he goes to Swansea. Mr Perry calls to inform us about Mr Collins and reports favourably.

21st

Very showery. Drive Carree to Ilston, see Mr Collins in bed, shot, doing well. His son in bed, a bad cold. By Lunnon to Penmaen, dine there and home to tea.. Twice met Mr Perry on road. Met Oxwich pupils top of hill after day's shooting, no sport. Read Cambrian, full of Swansea docks.

Sunday. Damp, not wet, cold, very brisk wind. Carree rides to church, evening duty. We all walk, all children, no sermon. EKJ serves 3 churches, both Collins unable. Funeral of old Mrs Harris aged 93 or 5. Read Bible, History of Ruth and lessons of morning service. EKJ serves Penrice at 6.00.

23rd

Dull damp day, comes onto misty rain about midday and all evening. Am about home, RH calls about Gibbs rent, borrow of him £13, balance for sheep etc £1 total £14. Sent David Jones to Overton with the money, walk to Crickton top, do not send to post. Attend to mason, J Williams, enter some accounts during my absence in London etc. Begin to make nets for currant and fruit trees in summer. 2 Irish beggars - 1, a Spanish volunteer under Sir De L Evans wounded in shoulder badly, at all events a crippled arm, charity 6d. Read Blackwood.

24th

Foggy and mild, not bad day for the month. About home all day. Horses working for brick yard, mare Madam not very well but sent out. Read Blackwood. Net began yesterday for fruit garden. Mason here. Washing day, no such thing as dry. Children up to all sorts of mischief and romps, unable to get out, very irritable and huffy!!!!! Coals, brick yard, from Penclawdd. Write to Carmarthenshire, new servant and to Mr Illtyd Thomas about Dix cloth.

25th

Proves a wet misty day, rainy after breakfast. About home all day. Meant to have called on Mr Talbot, weather prevents. Send early to Penmaen and Oxwich. Mason here, attend to him and attend parish meeting about 7.00. Get wet. Inspect the rate books.

26th

Wet about 9 after fine morning, fine day afterwards. Drive Carree to Swansea, attend Board of Guardians. Very long sitting till candlelight. Long talk with Llewellyn of Penllergaer as to Caswell. Not home till 11.00, not in bed till 1.00.

27th

About home all day, very fine. Take in old wheat rick. Kill rats, mice and weasel. Mr & Mrs James spend day out Caie Forgan and EKJ. Wet after sunset, settle with Mary Thomas about butter? Grant here in evening about brick yard. Can't enter it this evening, engaged.

28th

Very cold, fine a.m., thick fall of snow about 12.00, fine p.m. About home all morning. Ride with Carree to call on Mr Talbot, meet him near stable. Short conversation, he was engaged. Ride on to Oxwich, all more or less ill there. Mrs C very unwell, colds all. Home to tea, very cold. Net in evening. Enter account of day. Robert Peters the pauper boy arrives by C Reese late in evening, now I am in for it!!!

Sunday. Sacrament. Sharpish frost, roads still muddy. All children walked down, Carree attends school in evening (EKJ, Ilston duty). I walk to meet her.

30th

Sharp frost, about home till dinner. Drive Carree and Johnny to Penmaen, dine there, very slippery, ice. Can hardly break it for geese to wash. Sleep at Penmaen to go to Caswell tomorrow.

December

1st (Tuesday)

Slept at Penmaen, frost very severe. Drive EKJ to Bison, dangerous walk and difficult, mare shod at Bison. Walk to Caswell, meet Parry and Grove, call on Mr Worsley, lunch. Call on Hancorne, call on Carmichaels. Dine at 5. Carree in Penmaen carriage brings Mrs Swinburne from Swansea. Discover foundation of wall at Caswell waste, shall I be allowed to reenclose it? Rent day at Kilvrough, the young heir called a trump, nous verrons. Thaw at night, rain still cold.

2nd

Frost going fast, milder. Drive home to dinner; Mrs Swinburne, late Mary Powell, with us. Drive by the finger post going and returning, never did so before. Walk to Crickton in the evening, see work, see cattle. Net in evening and enter accounts etc since Saturday. Rain at night again.

3rd

Sharp frost again after rain last night. Very fine mild sunny day. Walk to Crickton, see cattle, see work. Horses gone to Penclawdd works with squares. Walk to Cillibion barn, look at drain Cillibion, turnips sadly fallen in. Bothered with many calls in evening about bills, Tom Eaton, W David, J Grant comes up about brick yard account. Go through it with him.

4th

What a beautiful mild frost. Rise by moonlight and walk out before men come to work, up the field and about the garden. Men all late, 8.00!!!!! About home all today, carry straw from Cillibion to rick and cars. Walk with Carree, children etc etc to finger post, forge etc etc and again about rick. EKJ here in evening; funeral Penclawdd, old Bevan, Cefndraw. Send to post late. Net, read Blackwood a little. Enter accounts and prepare for tomorrow.

5th

Sharp frost, roads all ice. Drive Carree and Mrs Swinburne to Swansea, road meeting, no, dinner. Tea at Mrs Swinburne's. Wet to start home, lucky but little of it. Overtake RH on Pengwern. Tom Davies, new servant, arrives. Mr J Collins in town first time since gun accident.

Sunday. Evening duty. Drive all children in hay car, EKJ sleeps at Caie Forgan. Spend a poor Sunday, attend to children a.m.

7th

Frost again, fine day, walk to Crickton, dine at Oxwich. Hear of the death of old Sir Charles Morgan the Prince of Wales, his grandson [Owen] a pupil at Oxwich. EKJ and Mr Collins also at Oxwich.

8th

Ride with RH to Blaenkedy, call at Penclawdd works. Lunch at Brynhir, meet EKJ, funeral of old Bevan, Cefndraw. Not home till 10.00, fine weather! Some prospect of letting Blaenkedy. Write notices for tithe Upper Division and distribute.

9th

Very dull day, EKJ slept here. Can't find a hare, take in a mow, no rats as expected. Begin to sow wheat. Quiet weather, was in the field and give direction about men at the top hedge. J Grant calls in the evening about a will, Furzehill. RH calls and pays me tithes of Colonel Cameron, they sup here. Long talk about many things, preachers etc. W David calls about his mill accounts, he must wait a bit, payments too heavy.

10th

Glass falling, some misty rain clears off again, cold. Walk to see wheat sowing and to Cillibion barn and back to wheat field. Plant potato onions. Have pigs washed, straw thatched and sundry etc etc. Rheumatism in elbow several days, stomach affection? Have done little I proposed today, read Britannia. Enter accounts in the evening and diary. Snow at night.

11th

A white world, heavy fall snow last night. In the house about accounts and read last week's Cambrian. Can we get to Ilston? Engaged to dine there.

12th

About home all day fully occupied in and out of doors. Brewing kitchen cleaned, mangle room cleaned, such discoveries! Such filth. Ashes hole fitted up. Winnow some tithe. Messages Penmaen etc, children some not well. Mr Owen calls to take leave. Sir C Morgan's funeral next Tuesday. His grandfather,he lunches.

Sunday. More snow, very sharp frost. Johnny and Frank ill, I only walk to church, very small congregation. Ill spent day, quite off-hinges, do nothing all evening.

14th

More snow still, this is winter indeed. Very cold, rise early to send to Mr Perry, 2 children ill. He does not come but sends a draught, message from Penmaen about cow. Henry Richards in Brynhir and son here about Blaenkedy farm. Agree he takes it and a regular agreement drawn up, RH attends also, he in difficulty with J Edward carpenter about a bill, promissory note, in … David Rees. Rogues all against RH. Mr Thomas Gordon Junior calls about property tax. Write and send p.m. to Penmaen. Arrange about sending pigs to show at Swansea, a difficult task. Mr Gordon refunds property tax for Crickton account of George Gibbs.
15th

Swansea Farmers Club, drive in tolerably early with Thomas Davies, new servant. Sent 2 pigs by RH and C Reese very early, geese by WR, prizes for both. Children all ill and Mr Perry never calls in going in Swansea but chooses the other road, thinking only of his grievances about turnips now arrived. Carree finding children worse sends to Mr Perry, not at home and sends to Swansea. Mr P meaning to stay the night is obliged to go home, bleeds Johnny and physics all. I am also taken ill. The roads all ice, horrid driving, home very fast.

16th

A good deal of snow, winter in earnest. I am in bed all day, Mr Perry calls, sees the children, more physic and doses me. He came late having a straw case down a long!! EKJ by coach to Cardiff and Bristol to fetch Charlie, meets him in Bath on Friday evening and goes to Park Street.

17th

Wettish cold rain, thaw. Up late, not well, in bed all yesterday ill. Mr P calls to see children, all ill but better, thank God. Read Britannia. Write to my mother, also to Bodmin Bank about bill of Grose's dishonoured. Enter day account by David Jone. Talk with WR who is brewing, about Blaencedi and geese etc. Mr P calls, sees children and has broth, the last of it to my sorrow.

18th

In the house all day, not over well, children ill. Mr Perry not here tho' nor tomorrow. Busy all day about new tithe book, writing letters etc. Commissions to Swansea, write to my mother and enclosed for HJM as to … £5 and as to £15 bill. Mr Grose's not paid.

19th

In the house all day, wet misty thaw, rain last night. Snow disappeared. Finish rule tithe book. Read Cambrian, fire in best room. Children all upstairs, better thank God.

Sunday. Am not at church, not been out all the week. Mr Collins does the duty, not Mr Pearce. Takes pot luck with us and is agreeable about his adventures shooting, shot and so on. Cold thaw.

21st

Cold thaw, get out a little, perhaps too much, not been well. Attend drain taken up in yard, relaid. Walk to Crickton etc, stir up workmen, try to get a little older before tithe day. Ride with Carree to Penmaen for post and to inquire of Mr J [ill in church yesterday] how he is, quite as usual! What a horrid road to Penmaen over the common.

22nd

Roads in sad state after the frost. Drive Carree to Swansea to meet EKJ and Charlie, his first holidays. Packet will be in about 7.00. Start too early to dine, get no dinner there. Tea at Terry's, home about 11.00, some rain. Wet at night. Cow killed for tithe dinner. Barometer awfully low yet no other appearance of bad weather!! Without any fall it comes again to frost and the glass gets quite high. See next Tuesday. When has there been a storm!?

23rd

Mild again, frost gone, ground can be ploughed and hedges made.

24th

Beef cut up and 2 pigs!!! What a business to attend to all day!! Give some to the poor. Picking geese etc for market on Saturday. all confusion!! Selling and weighing meat, pork and beef. Some men, workmen have beer and toast in evening. To crown all J Grant calls about more brick accounts and prevents my attending to arrears of entries. I want arrear of bricks sold brought to book.

25th

Carree, I and Charlie attend church in evening, small congregation. Very cold, intense frost! Miss Balls call in the evening on return from church. EKJ teas and returns to Penmaen.

26th

Frost and very fine day, even hot! About home all day, mow taken in. Calf, kill a rat, all in a mess about work. Can't get things in order. Wanted to cart out on grass, back garden, only a little done. Walk out to Crickton in evening. Do not go to Penmaen and Mr Ball sends up to go over, disappointed! Can't help it, frost again.

Sunday. How unusual! We drive to Penmaen to morning church, in good time for church with Carree and 3 children by 10.30. Sacrament first time. Call on Davies, relieving officer, walk with Carree and Agnes. Beautiful day, mild frost. Leave all the children, beautiful drive home.

28th

Frost departing?! Cold thaw, foggy. How little was this foreseen yesterday except by gulls inland, for yesterday was a most beautiful day and frost. Some attempt to rain today, the glass high and not falling, foggy, very at night. Will it change to frost again! Carree rides early to Penmaen to see after children left unwell there yesterday. Pain in side Johnny and Agnes too there. Johnny only left behind, car sent over. Mr Talbot and his dogs met on the road in return, Dash meets Mr Talbot's dog and with an adventure, all get home safe. I walked to Crickton and after reading Cambrian and read also Chambers Journal.

29th

Thick fog, at home all day. Send 2 pigs to Blaenkedy, sent 2 colts ditto, receive 2 ditto WR brings old white mare down, a confused sort of day. Write to Oxwich, invite, send after oysters, get none. Write to Willey and to Mr Crabb and read through Dickens Battle Of Life brought by Mr Perry. Do something in preparation of tithe papers. Charlie helps net for currant trees. Men not idle but nothing serious done.

30th

Another fog, less so than yesterday. Rise early and walk to Crickton before breakfast and settle work and learn all that goes on. Hot bed to be made. Prepare tithe books. Attend to Charlie's lessons. Net. Both Mr Collins and Mr Hoare dine with us, Mr and Mrs James won't come. Not in bed till one. Some rain. EKJ sleeps here.

31st

Still foggy and rainy a little a.m. About home all day. Read Britannia, EKJ returns to Penmaen, make up old tithe book preparatory to new one. How little I have been bothered today on business affairs, only the old road man about roads in bad order, brick man about fire brick, saddle room, brick yard, brewing kitchen, Robert Peters a thorough …. The tailor here. Thus ends the year, provisions high and scarce, Ireland starving, trade flourishing.

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