Charles Morgan's Diary, 1847

◀ Previous year         ▲ Back to the list         ▶ Next year

This book not received thro' the Cambrian Office, Swansea, till 28th January tho' ordered in November and repeatedly promised week after week – fault thrown on agents in London. Order it elsewhere in future!!!

January

1st (Friday)

6th (Wednesday)

2nd Tithe Day, Lower Division. A party besides Mr Collins, W Collins, Perry and friend Edward etc etc etc. Music, a fiddler Penclawdd, an Italian fiddlededee, dancing and all passes off well. No quarrelling, no drunkenness but all merry.

28th (Thursday)

At Llanelli, slept there. Nancy under repairs at Mr Leyshon's. Walk to see her with Benjamin Howell, to be lengthened and carry 2 tons more and put in complete order. BH draws a bill of 3 months 100 out at Wilkins … Start about 3 for the bridge Loughor after receiving rigging of a wreck for sale, Captain Couvert's. Stop at Blaenkedy and get account of corn etc thrashed by WR and pays accounts out of it. Taylor of Highways about malt, … from me and a colt by horse. Home about 10.00 rather tired, glad to get safe over all the bad roads.

29th

Beautiful morning and day, q of fox of a day? It was a frosty morning and promises frost again, walk with gun to Crickton, crows shy and wary. Two young Gapes call. Carrie and children drive to Penmaen and back. Winnowing machine out of order. At accounts a great deal, great arrear because of not getting this account book till today. Thomas sent to post this evening.

February

4th (Thursday)

Drive at 6.00, Carree and C Teddy to meet packet, Captain Rose, at 9.00. Poor Charlie going to school. At Board of Guardians, call on Mrs Popkin, Mr Collins there. Leave cards on Mrs Tom Grove. Lunch at Aldersons. Home by 7.30, Mr Perry fathers carriage, 2 greys in company to finger post. Very tired tonight, bed at 8.00.

5th

Mild dull day, all day about home and help WT dig hole in pit, make fences, plant quick and ash. Walk to Crickton in the evening late, at accounts in evening. Feel ourselves with loss of C Teddy, dull. God grant he may be clean and good and have good health.

6th

About home all today, message from Penmaen by a Abram Jones, did not send yesterday by Cambrian, read death of Mr Jones our tithe surveyor of Brecon, am very sorry, a good sort of a man. Draining and dig pit in pit of garden. Walk to Crickton in evening, hedging and ploughing. In evening at accounts. W Jones of Bank, making out and analysing. Rather wet day, very dull and damp.

Sunday. Morning duty. Cold and wet comes on to snow, white world in evening, frosty night.

8th

Sharp frost, snow on ground. Heavy snow comes on, about home all day at accounts for W Jone of Bank. Men can't be kept to work. RH calls in evening, settle some running account with him, no money passes.

9th

Snowed up, no moving, no work. At accounts all day. Mr Perry calls and takes dinner. Go through accounts with him, balance more favourable than I expected, no money passes. He leaves before tea, we are obliged to send to the village for water, no getting at it at Holywell for drifts of snow. What times. Sharp frost tonight.

10th

About home all day. In evening attend parish meeting about pauper boys Robert Peters and John Lucas, both natural children. Dix will take the latter having just set up a steam engine and wanting more hands. Not home till 10.30 when probably saved a cow having her leg over the chain.

11th

About home all day carting manure over Lower Field. Difficulty to get water[1]. Receive a doleful letter from poor Charlie at Shirley, just returned to school. Take in a mow of wheat this morning, kill rats and mice in it.

12th

About home all day, mason begins a division in the cart shed. Superintend and explain what is wanted. A hare caught, found in the garden. Such a row, poor pup quite puzzled, can't run in the snow. Susan Jeffreys leaves us, a cook. Go through accounts and write by her for Swansea tomorrow. Felt quite unwell this evening and quiet unequal to attend to anything. Write to Prisk, Mr Long, about the benefit club affairs for EKJ. A change of weather near.

13th

Neither go nor send to Swansea, very sharp frost, very fine day even hot. Try to find a hare with Thomas, no-go, no course. Sheep in my turnips. Read the Cambrian after dinner.

Sunday. A rapid thaw last night, a flood of wet and a wet day. I go alone to evening church, Mr Pearce does duty, a good sermon "I am the Bread of Life etc" inaudibly and badly delivered. Am very sleepy all day except in church.

15th

About home all day, not from the house and yard. Analyse and enter David Jones account, RH calls and pays money, tithes of Cil Ivor and change of Mr Woods draft bricks. Wet morning, strong west wind. Sun shines towards evening, wind does not abate.

16th

Carree not well, not out too late. Add up much of the tithe book. Comes on wet and clears off p.m. Drive Carree to Penmaen, dine and sleep. Mr Perry and Mr Nicholls there. Surprising and not surprising news of a birth at Kilvrough, who's the father? Ball? Out of Miss Holt the dress maker. He's done for, will he marry her?! What a topic for the monotony of Gower?!!

17th

At Penmaen, dull damp wet. Read Britannia and Blackwood. Look at cattle and a dead pig. Wait for post, no letters. Wet evening and persuaded not to return home. No difficulty, Carree not over well.

18th

Wet again, worse than last night, shall we get home from Penmaen. Parsey cuts up a pig. Lunch and do contrive to get home a little wetted. Rain comes on worse when home. No dinner, early tea. Children all pretty well, no better news.

19th

A fine day, walk to Crickton, mow taking in. Mason making geese houses, had first walked to Cillibion turnips, return back from Crickton to the turnips, sheep in, take them all up and cart them home. RH here in evening, cut up beef. Settle with Susan Jeffreys; new servant from Reynoldston comes as cook, Betsy Davies. First specimen of her learning at Stouthall - salts all the roasting bits of beef!!! In the evening writing for post tomorrow. Thomas going, one for EM, HJM, Shirley etc. Send old carriage wheels to Morris wheelwright. In bed late.

20th

Another fine day, not from home. Read book called Farmer. Go to turnip field, use bill hook in garden and get WT to front. Thomas late from Swansea, his first journey, bad omen. I like being at home on Saturday, no one calls to bother me.

Sunday. Generally wet very damp. Sacrament but few walk after dinner with Carree to the school. In evening write to Llanelli and Llandeilo Rhynys etc.

22nd

Walk to Crickton, mason working there and to Cillibion turnips etc. Felons Association dinner at 2.00. Not home until 8.00 very unwell all the evening. Many members not there, EKJ gone to Swansea with letters from the wreck on the Helwicks, an Australian vessel, copper ore and wool and mail bags. Mr and Mrs Winterbottom and 2 children passengers.

23rd

Dry and cold east wind, ride to Crickton to Llwynybwch road, Phil Matthew bricking wants 2/- a day. Agree to give 1/9 only, making a week 7 days instead of 6 days. Labourers at Penrice have only 1/10 per day from Mr Talbot. Return to go with RH to Blaenkedy. He keeps me an hour waiting. See Mr Perry there at F Thomas's, invite him for Friday expecting EM and Frank's birthday. Call at 5 or 6 places for money, get none. Settle some accounts with WR Blaenkedy. Lunch at the Ship, bacon and cheese. WR twice to Swansea, home just too late for tea.

24th

Very cold fine day for the season. Go to Crickton, read book Farmer. Ride with Carree to Penmaen to tea. Very cold north wind, home by 11.00.

25th

Very cold sharp frost, drive to Swansea Board of Guardians. EM arrives by the Lord Beresford about 1.00. Home about 8.30. I at Board of Guardians from 11.00 to 4.00, no Board if I leave; chairman, vice and myself only attending. Left money at Mr Beor's for overseer Evan John. Fail to see Mr Beor to talk to him and ditto Mr James James, EM wanting to get home.

26th

Very sharp frost again stops ploughing. Walk to Stafell Haegr, steam machine out of order. See Mr Dunn in his meadows, he won't let his meadows by Horrod this year. Mr Perry shoots at Llanellen etc and dines with us.

27th

Sharp frost again, about home all day. EM here, walk to Crickton, look at cattle etc. Carting at Caie Forgan to and fro from common. Read Britannia. Very chilly and not over well.

 March

1st (Monday)

Sunday. Evening duty, drive EM and Carree to Penmaen Church, Mr J Collins does duty at Llanrhidian. EKJ not very well.

Monday. Very fine, mild frost, not from home. Building up breakwind east corner of house with EM and 3 labourers, a good day's work. Dine at 6.00, extraordinary disappearance of a note in answer from Penmaen by Thomas, not very account (sic) to be given of it!!!!!. Robert Peter or Peter Simple must be the culprit, he is idiot enough for anything.

2nd

Drive EM by Swansea to Llandeilo Rhynys, send horse on to Cross … by Llewellyn, do not again stop on the road. At end of journey about 6.00, bought 17lb of good beef of W Jenkins, Swansea. EM had his pony and gig sent up to the farm yesterday and his man returned by steam. Called at Mr Beor's and James James, matters stand over till my return.

3rd

EM drives me in his pony gig, a most capital pony!! to Carmarthen to see about his new gig on new fashion at Collins! Left by his man wrongly at Evans & Son, Lammas Street. Went also to the fat cattle market, old Mr Saunders called Jacks there. Sellers don't like the thing, it won't keep up Cooks … at Carmarthen. Swansea assizes.

4th

Drive EM in my dog cart to quarry and walk together to Cwm Rappor farm, the whole day there. The drains have done great good. Settle about the cropping and return to the quarry and drive home.

5th

About home [ie] the farm all today. Set-to vigourously to put the garden in order. Daniel Jones [cousin of Daniel Davies, medical man, Reynoldston, Gower] and heir at law, if he can make it out and gain his point, to a large estate - Wadden Chase, Selby Lownds in Bucks, is a gardener by trade, been in London, Covent garden etc. My head man for a time at 2/- a day and bread and board, he is a good but slow man of business as a gardener. Promises me 1,000 when he can afford it, I wish I may get it.

6th

Another delay of gardening or rather levelling for the purpose and forming a wilderness to a healthy look. Converting an good house outwardly from a Welsh farm to an English appearance of comfort in the exterior. Changing a quantum waste yard to a productive useful garden. Send J Philip off early to Gower about carts. Write to Carree.

Sunday. Cold and dry for a long time, do not seek a church. Dine early and walk with EM, the Cothi on our right, to Allt y Ferin to see Mrs G the widow. Take tea at Mr Prosser's of Ynyswen and not home till dark. Sunday in Wales!!

8th

EM leaves me for Tenby. I drive him to Carmarthen. See the new turnout, neat enough. Not finished till he starts, his axletree breaks (bad iron!) just as he is reaching Tenby, no mischief of great consequence! Fortunate. Call in returning on Mrs Lewis, Abergwili, a sensible old lady. Meet Col. Love in tandem. Meant to have called and asked to dine there are after dinner 5.30 for 6.30, can't go. Call at Ystrad, Mr and Mrs Bales, she is rather pretty. Up late weighing cheese and butter to send to Gower tomorrow. Write home.

9th

At Llandeilo Rhynys alone. Cart off early with cheese and butter to Pontardulais to meet Tom Philip with cart bringing seed wheat and peas. Returns about 8.00 here. Little Tom Philip comes to Llandeilo Rhynys, all's well at home, thank God! About home here all today improving or making the garden, make the yard. It will make a very nice one in time.

10th

At Llandeilo Rhynys. Sow grey peas at Llandeilo Rhynys. Sadly full of cooch, must have it picked. Offey called it clean or cleanest bit he had!!!!! Read Royal Agricultural Journal and Britannia paper. What fine weather for work and how well the land works.

11th

At Llandeilo Rhynys alone. A very sharp frost indeed prevents picking and rolling the peas and getting cooch off till late in evening. Uncommonly cold for the time of year and no appearance of any vegetation except catkins of nuts. Even willows not moving.

12th

About the garden, 2 men at work and a mason and man. Walked to Alltygog by the river. Leave card on Colonel Love, he at Mr Goring Thomas[2] . Look at his garden, Holleorke onions or, my gardener says, real Welsh onions. There are also Welsh leeks, both stand the winter and are raised like chives. Very useful. Am told they are common, never saw them to know them before.

13th

About home Llandeilo Rhynys all day, make out arrears of my tithe book and attend to Jones making the garden. Williams mason a wall from corner of dairy to road, finishing sow spring wheat here. Cooch from peas to cart home to burn. Jones the gardener goes home to Carmarthen. Write by him to Carree. To bed late, at accounts. Extraordinary dry and cold. How well the land works. Cooch set to burn in garden.

Sunday. More cold still but splendid weather. Walk to Llanegwad church. Alas! the high silver fir is gone, cut down, was it necessary? What a pleasant neat place is the Royal Oak to assemble at before service. The old clerk is dead too, a son succeeds.

15th

Sunday. Received letter from Tenby and etc by Eliza of Alltygog by Cothi bridge. Am going to church, write in evening! A black heifer calves, as usual on a Sunday.

Monday. Received yesterday a letter from EM and expected one from George M. Drive to Carmarthen by left bank of river and return the other and usual way. Very fine day, expected to have letter to write, no. Expected EM, errands and buy grass seeds of Mr Tardrew. Grass seeds for front lawn Llandeilo Rhynys, does not send me the bill. Home at about 3.00. Garden a little, mow oats taken in, burn cooch, wind fair for rain.

16th

Start after 10.00 from bridge, horse helps first 2 miles up the hill by Pontardulais … Cross Inn, meet Thomas with Aurora pony, 1st time in harness, tandem great use. Home before 6.00

17th

Wet morning, read Dombey and Son. See what is sown etc in garden. Dine early, Firmity, and walked to Crickton. Not satisfied with work in my absence. At accounts in evening, enter arrears and write to Mr WTM Bristol. EKJ calls, christening Manselfold, burial of old Samuel Eaton.

18th

Very fine day, meant to have gone with Carree to Ilston; a sweep engaged by Carree comes. House turned upside down for him, a thorough lying scoundrel. Never went up the chimney, all done over again with holly and rope. Do a little in front garden partly to watch the fellow with WT. Remove the hydrangea in front and quarrel with a sweep. Enter arrear of accounts, labour, C Reese, in the evening. Walked with Carree and children to Cillibion and see over the house, under great alterations.

19th

Sweep, a rascal yesterday, 6 chimneys at 1/- each.

Read Knight of Gwyn, one number. Walked over Crickton farm and twice to Cillibion field. Drain going on again, RH in the evening kills a pig for me. Master Gordon calls to see state of lead and gutters, he is a plumber. Enter accounts in the evening.

20th

Doubtful morning, tolerable day. Drive Carree and Emma to Swansea. All day with Carree shopping. Receive letter from George, Cheltenham, as to increase of stock at Llandeilo Rhynys, domestic stock!!!!q.

Sunday. Sacrament. Queen's proclamation for a fast on 24th. Carree rides down, no church. Walk out in evening alone to Crickton etc. Read Line on Line, children's book [Elijah] an excellent book. Too sleepy for any good purpose in the evening.

22nd

Fine mild day after wettish night. Land very wet, about home all day expecting various persons on various matters. Work in garden trimming hedges and planting cuttings etc in answer. Dine early, Mr Ball comes, pays tithes £15. Workmen call from Cillibion about repairs of dining room. Enter accounts in evening.

23rd

Very wet about breakfast time. All men up, some sent home. Am about home all day. RH settles accounts about oxen sold to Jenkins. Gordon of Wibley settles tithes, settle with old David Williams for sawing in full.

24th

A national fast by Royal proclamation, famine in Ireland. Fine day. Morning Service, large congregation. Eat nothing but bread, eggs, rice all day and drink water. Wheat 11/- a winnow, barley 7/6 oats 5/-, a great prospect of being still dearer. It has been a long and severe winter. Wheats were sown generally at Michaelmas in excellent order but promise badly now. A most backward spring but Providence can restore all things. Do we deserve it?!! Or shall we be further afflicted? Thousands and thousands have died of starvation!!!

25th

Wettish a.m., EKJ drives over from Penmaen and we all 2 children drive to Mr Pearce's and walk westward to the sands and cliff. Mr Perry dines there too, the history of his horse sent to and returned from Bright … case. Sell him my Gip for £14. Home in good time. Cold east wind for time of year.

26th

Wet comes on breakfast to dinner. EKJ slept at Caie Forgan, I walk out to Crickton, caught in the rain. Settle some accounts with T Gordon.

27th

Thorough wet day, drive with Mr Perry to Swansea and drive his new horse home.Get wet going and returning. Cold meat lunch at Castle for both not paid. Vessel account ‘Nancy' now ‘Sweepstakes'.

29th

Sunday. Thoro' wet day, evening duty. Go alone to church. EKJ sleeps here.

Monday. Beautiful today, cold and frosty morning. Ride with Carree to Ilston, call on Mr & Mrs Collins, the latter very unwell. Rode to Crickton on return, had an account with RH. In morning at accounts about bricks and roads with J Grant in evening. Mr Perry called and exchanged carriages.

30th

A fine day but cold and even some snow. Work all the evening in flower garden. Dig and sow seeds, ground in poor temper after the heavy rain of Saturday and Sunday. In the evening attend parish meeting, Robert Peters at last off my hands, goes to Cil Ivor. A man, most shabby genteel, seeking place as a butler, asks a trifle - 4d.

31st

Fine day again but glass falling. Very cold in evening. Plumber comes to repair roof, Martin Gordon. 2 Leason men pay tithes. Walk to Cillibion house to see Smith about painting and papering. Walked to Crickton, gather turnip tops, excellent boiled. See drain, finished laying Lower Field. Sow seeds front with Carree. Receive budget of letters in evening. EM another son. Enter accounts in evening and write to Offey. Tomorrow to be off to Llanelly early.

April

1st (Thursday)

Start early for Llanelli, ride to Penclawdd. Difficulty in passing the tide, get over in Gammon's vessel with Evan John going for culm. Breakfast at Llanelli and dine then at Mr Stanley's. ‘Nancy' vessel almost new, renamed ‘Emma Jane', an expensive job. Call on Messrs Morgan and Messrs Neville about cargoes - culm and coal on credit. Return by the tide in Mr Christopher's government sailing boat, most pleasant passage. Paid him for measuring vessel, gratuity customary. Mr Dunkin and son accompanied us. Take a glass of grog with latter at Penclawdd, think him a schemer and humbug, over-civil, manoeuvering. Delayed by tide, get home about 9.00. Tea at Penclawdd, not paid. Carrie rides to Penmaen, her father far from well. Snow shower in crossing to Llanelli.

2nd

Evening duty, ride in morning to Penmaen to inquire of Mr James, find him well as usual. Cold dinner there. Sharp frosts evening, morning. Return to church at Llanrhidian, call on several poor people ill with Carrie - William David, Mrs Jones boy, Christopher Batcock. EKJ sleeps at Caie Forgan, Thomas sent to post. Read Press of Day to children in evening.

3rd

Drive Carrie to Swansea. Colder all day than all winter! A winter not mild, several wintry showers of snow and hail but all together dry. Excessively cold returning home.

Sunday. Cold again, wind changes. Misty evening. Sacrament, good sermon, EKJ 3 duties, Chapel at 6.00. Wet prevents our going to Penmaen this evening.

5th

Drive Carrie and Emma to Mumbles, Mrs Rogers sale. Dine and sleep at Mr Woodruffe's. At the sale all day till dinner time. Horse at Townrows of the George Inn.

6th

At the Mumbles, drive Carrie and Emma to Swansea 9.30 to go to Bristol. Back alone to Mumbles by 11.00, Mrs Rogers sale. EKJ drives over to the sale from Penmaen, sleeps at Townrows. Play evingt-un in evening, lose. Mr Bowen at tea. Mr Davies of the Grange invites us to dine there tomorrow, can't go.

7th

At Mrs Rogers sale. Walk with EKJ. Petition - one Williams, loss of a horse; would rather have given it to a poor boy with a bad knee at Davies the shoemaker, his leg likely to be taken off. No other cause than the neglecting a trifling fall. EKJ returns home, carries filter for me. Read part of Dombey and Son no.VII. Two letters sent.

8th

Very cold day again, drive to town from Mumbles, Minny Jeffreys married to Mr Wrotesby. Call on Mr Davies at Grange, gone to the wedding. Get a cock, Dorking!! Fine bird! Attend Board of Guardians, question motion for increase of guardians of Swansea. Thrown out, only the mover and seconder for it. At Mr Beor's about his money, bill on demand 400. Mr James James 164 paid, 207 Lewis Thomas. Write to sell Chambers Lincolns Inn. Mr Beor accompanied me to Cross In, pick up George Edwards, Leason, on the road.

9th

Fine but cold day, walk to Crickton to see what's doing and done. Sowing oats Newton. George Evans brings bill from Loughor, vessel repairs. Large amount!!! Send him to Gordon's and ride down there after dinner. Write to Leyshon by Evans, take accounts of C Reese and Thomas of work done this week and write to arrange for Swansea tomorrow. Chimneys smoke, have fire upstairs. Write to Carree at Bristol.

10th

Old Batcock 8/10

Mild damp day, rainy morning, beautiful. Thomas to Swansea. Set to work with WT and graft 11 apples, 2 pears Hacon and WT grafts 11 more, total 24. Dine early, walk to Cillibion field and then to Crickton and home to see corn disposed of. Winnowed and from Blaenkedy. Amuse my two children till they go to bed. Stop Thomas children burning furze, idle vixens. Elizabeth sent to Penmaen.

Sunday. Damp dull misty day. Wet evening, evening duty - solitary. At home all day except church. Thomas drunk? Yesterday. Black eye.

12th

Arrange about work for horses, too wet to plough. Wet all last night, moist day again and some mild rain at times. George Jones calls to try to buy heifers. Walk to Crickton with him to be about work. Reese gone round Gower about the house. Ride to Oxwich, Mrs Collins confined, a daughter. Give up key of Penrice Castle gates before asked to do so, just in time, paltry work!! W Collins will leave Oxwich, his privilege withdrawn, shameful. Meet EKJ, meet Mr & Mrs Collins on road to Oxwich by Coxes. Horrid road. Dine at Penmaen, meet Perry and take him there. Mr James far from well, ride home with Parry who was called off to Llanmadock at 10.00pm. How pleasant, so dark nearly lose my way crossing the moor to the house from the road. Am getting tired of the ways of Gower!

13th

Wet again, glass rising. Send Perry the dog cart and arrange work. All undone by rain. Ride with RH who comes up to clean the calves. To Penclawdd, can't get money at the new works, don't like their dealings, sh(all) cease to make bricks for them. Account with WR about corn at Blaenkedy. Call at various places for tithes, get none. Received £12 of Mrs J of Bryngwas, home by 2 to tea. Grant calls in evening about road rate. Have no fire, nothing done. Enter accounts in evening.

14th

Leave home with Thomas Davies for Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, 2 horses, 2 dogs. Cross the sands, settle vessel account by bill at 5 months, 154 odd. Ride on by Llanon to Llandeilo Rhynys. At Penclawdd at 12.00, leave Llanelli at 5, past Portrydd at 6.30. Expect EM, not arrived, no accident. Find him at fair at Carmarthen tomorrow.

15th

At Llandeilo Rhynys, ride to Carmarthen fair, meet EM and his boy Gustus, go by one road return by the other. Dine at 6.00, dry and cold, very cold.

16th

At Llandeilo Rhynys, EM and his boy to Cwm Rappor, I go over the farm, see the work and give some directions. Dine early, work a little in garden, cut a beech down by the river. Very cold indeed, dry.

17th

A wet day, very wet. EM returns to Tenby, I to Gower. EM off first, tackle makeshift, two strange horses to a carriage by hook or crook. Do not start till 1.00 and get home safe wet and cold via Cross Inn by 8.00 without an accident. Both horses go admirably. Bait at Pontardulais, find no one at home. Carree comes by packet from Bristol with Emma. Penmaenites at Swansea, the car arrives with luggage and then Carrie and EKJ, house like an hotel of arrivals, all complain of wet and cold.

19th

Sunday. Evening duty, self and Johnny only there at church. Good practical sermon on duty of Christianity. Cold but dry.

Monday. Fine, less cold a great deal. Take in 2 ricks and kill rats. Make hot bed, broken day for horses. EKJ calls in evening. Smith, house painter, calls to begin tomorrow. RH calls going to Swansea tomorrow, gives account of coals by ‘Emma Jane'. Accounts in the evening.

20th

Received a letter last night from Mr Beor and resolved to ride into town. Mr and Mrs James there in regard to land at Caswell; Mr Llewellyn of Penllergaer wishing to buy a bit and about mortgage of ditto. Mr Jeffreys the steward, the mother absent from home, nothing done. Dine with Mr and Mrs J in Butter Street. Mr Collins there, WR ill, Collins comes in evening going to Carmarthen tomorrow to the bishop respecting Mr Talbot and the key of the grounds, privilege withdrawn. All the talk of the day. Rode by Penmaen and breakfast there, home with Mr Collins. Not home till 11.00, almost a useless journey to Swansea, showed my readiness not to retard.

21st

Mild pleasant day, Carrie not well. Cold, bad sore throat, not up. Walk with children to Crickton. Work in garden a little transplanting flowers etc. Sow peas. Was up early this morning, took account with C Reese, at accounts this evening. Carpenter from Cillibion at work in parlour at Caie Forgan - door out of order.

22nd

Off early morning for Penmaen and Caswell by appointment. Invade a gypsy camp at Crickton on the corn, all civil, promised to decamp. EKJ accompanies me to Merton and goes to Swansea. Meet Rees on part of Mr Llewellyn at Caswell as to purchase a piece of land. Reference to Mr Beor, return by the cliff. Dine at Penmaen, meet Mr & Mrs Pearce and home by 9.00. Receive road money on my return of J Grant £14. Measure a grate and write to Rogers about a chimney piece. Thunder and lightning today. Some mild rain in the evening.

23rd

Old Batcock by Boy Francis, pit garden 10/-.

Very fine day, not from home. Walk over Crickton, getting fast into order, ploughing 3rd time for barley. Work a little in garden and walk with Johnny to look at Cillibion field in evening. Thunder again and a little rain. Accounts in evening. Carrie in bed. Write to EM and to Llanelli.

24th

A very fine day, at home. Thomas sent to Swansea. Walk to Crickton and work in the front garden sowing seeds all the evening. Thomas home early, Emma's new desk arrives and all the Bristol things in it. Carree up and better. Receive letter from George, HJM has stumped a horse of his and ruined it, wants money.

Sunday. Fine but colder. Windy at night, rain coming on. Evening duty. Eliz and Mary go home to Llanmadock. Miss Ball takes tea at Caie Forgan. EKJ sleeps at Caie Forgan. Carrie and I have words about Caswell letter to Mr Beor as to Llewellyn.

26th

Send letters early to Mr Beor and Llanelli. Ride to Stoppers Mill, Willis out.Call at Manselfold about road money, at Trecoed about poor rates. Dine early and help WT in garden to make a culvert from the road to pit. C Reese in evening summoned to Swansea tomorrow about his father, who is to support the old man? RH calls also about heifers for sale and cows. Enter daily accounts. Hear from Charlie.

27th

Dry but very stormy south west wind after rainy night. Bad for barley sowing, not begun yet at Crickton. C Reese goes to Swansea, send and ride to Penclawdd about trees and shrubs alone. Heel them at home. Carrie and Johnny in bed all day. WR comes from Blaenkedy with pigs, miss him, meaning to go to Blaenkedy.

28th

About home all day planting trees. WT and David Jones helping. Firs planted to be replanted if they grow. Laurels planted out and rhododendrons by the driving road in good shelter. Very cold day, J Ord and his wife arrive at Penmaen.

29th

Less cold, more wet. About home all today, Carrie still unwell, Johnny inflamed eye. All the children very cross and pesting and crying. Save seeds for Carrie in hot bed. Walk to Cillibion drain, walk to Crickton. Do not plant trees, read Britannia. Do not see J Ord and wife. Corn winnowed, prospect of better weather. Read trial and confession of Cathe Foster for poisoning her husband Bury St. Edmunds and enter accounts.

30th

Showery and not warm. About home all day expecting them from Penmaen, no arrivals. Am at Crickton to learn exactly how work goes on, ditto Cillibion and in evening plant remainder of trees and laurels had from Penclawdd. Carree comes down to tea, poor Johnny has a very bad eye, weak and inflamed. May God in His great mercy not afflict him with bad sight or loss of it, he is a most patient child in illness and most unruly well. Send bottles off for Bristol Kent's, and write letters in evening and … of tomorrow for Swansea.

May

1st (Saturday)

An appointment to be in Swansea, ride Aurora, get wet thro'. Mr Beor about Caswell, JG Jeffreys in London. No answer from Penllergaer. Marble home from Mr Rogers and slate £4 5 0? Not paid. Leave town 5.30 still wet, home by 7.00 wet through. Change all. Tea and supper and dinner one meal.

Sunday. Fine, Sacrament, a funeral. Text "I know my people". Mrs James and Mr & Mrs Ord drive over to tea etc, nothing of EKJ after church. Read the Bible aloud to Carree.

3rd

Fine day, have increased my cold since Saturday, my eyes swelled again. About home all day. Mrs Batcock a little bill, old Batcock ditto. John Ord and EKJ call and lunch, about accounts all day as far as fit for anything.

4th

Ride with Carree to Oxwich. Call on the W Collins, Mr Hoare and Mr Booker also there. Called on Mr Dawe, his daughter and Miss Rowlands, very cold but fine. Ride to Crickton on my return and to Cillibion field. No regular dinner, unfit for anything all evening. Not at all well, eyes swelled, usual complaint in cold and wet.

5th

Old Batcock on account, pit £1

6th

Drive Carree and Johnny to Swansea, dine in Butter Street. Mr and Mrs James, meet J Ord and wife.

7th

At home all day, take physic. Far from well but not ill. New carpet placed in new drawing-room and fitted out. Calf killed, the first this season. Walk with RH to Cillibion field and back to Crickton. A fussy sort of day. Corn from Blaenkedy, cooch from barley land etc etc. Very tired and out of tune. Showery day, rather warmer, very dull.

8th

Very wet day, ride to Swansea and get wet through going and returning, last Saturday not today. Go early in with RH and Thomas. Escape rain, fair day at Swansea, quite wet. Home late without rain, how lucky. Dine in Butter Street with Mr and Mrs James.

10th

Beautiful spring day, first this year. Much warmer all at once, spring, walk out Crickton.

11th

A most beautiful day, quite a dinner party. Walk with RH and all the children over Cillibion farm to see if more… to be let. Mr Lucas gone to Swansea, Mr WL Collins, Mr Hoare, Mr Booker, Mr & Mrs Pearce, J Ord and Cressy dine with us. The curate also.

12th

Walk over Crickton farm and to Cillibion, dine early and ride with Carree to Penmaen. Spend evening there, Mr Perry drops in and dines, his adventures to Lampeter and fairs in search of a horse.

13th

Heavy showers this morning. A grand mistake; start in heavy rain for Bison court leet, take shelter at Mr Ball's, learn it is tomorrow!!!! Was intending going to Swansea, foundation of National School. Ride with Carree in evening to see Mrs Jenkins, Manselfold, and see men on road. RH here about the law again, several persons call for money, have none. Fine evening.

14th

Ride early for Bison court by Ilston for Kittle. Meant to present the lane, the court no power. Call on the Carmichaels and Mr Worsley. Tea at the latter. Home by Llythrydd Cwms before dark. Tolerable fine day.

15th

Do not go to Swansea, send Thomas. Nothing to sell, pigs home. Fine morning, wet evening, deluge at night, how unlucky on change of moon and barley not sown all. Walk to Crickton to see work and to Cillibion for ditto and good deal about home, Thomas being absent. Plant some beans in pit myself. Pigs arrived safe from Sussex.

17th

Monday. Ride to Penrice fair with Carree, join the Ords round by Oxwich sands and dine at Penmaen. Sell an old cow for £8, the same I got it for and sold her calf too £2. Feel quite unwell in evening, lie on sofa, come home before dark. Cefn Bryn cloud capped, foggy, forerunner of bad weather. Was a wet night again.

18th

Rise early, walk to Cillibion drain and Crickton before breakfast.

19th

About home all today, Irish beggars called, set them to work. Children in perfect ignorance. All day with Rees about horse account. Walk with Carree to drain, children beat the goslings and kill one. Johnny rides with Thomas on Rosy to Penmaen, received 2 letters from Brecon and 1 from Lincoln's inn, the latter gives no chance to sell chambers, what's to be done?! In evening enter accounts and read Britannia paper, invite to dine at Ilston. Lewis the sail maker, Llanelli, calls for a small bill.

20th

Drive Carree and all the children to Swansea. Pick nick dinner at Mrs Davies at Butter Street.

21st

Attend a tithe meeting at Penclawdd at the village (no-go) to appoint an apportioner. Gooding, Haverfordwest, appointed at 6d per acre, 8d for cultivated 4d for waste. I proposed Jones of Brecon, very few attend. Jeffreys and Llewellyn have it all their own way for Mr Talbot and Colonel Cameron etc. Lose my dinner at Ilston, go there to tea and to drink W Collins health on his birthday. Mr Davies and Gape there. Win at cards 2/6, 1/6 not paid by Mr J Collins. Not home till past 12.00. Spring car, Carree went with Thomas.
22nd

Thomas sent to Swansea, I at home. Go to the tithe apportionment meeting, waste an hour, no one comes and come home again. Finish sow barley. Work in garden, weed, read Knight of Gwyn. Most beautiful hot day. Walk with Carree and Johnny to the drain Cillibion.

Sunday. Evening duty. Old Mrs Bevan and her daughter, Mrs Jenkins of Manselfold, take tea. Surprised at the shelter of Caie Forgan.

24th

Very fine hot day, heavy rain comes on about 4.00. Walked to Crickton farm and again to Cillibion field, get wet there. Meant to have walked with Carree to Mr Perry's, rain prevents and get there late owing to altered plans and doubtful weather. Drive there in the carriage. Carree the only lady, Mrs Ord comes in the evening to tea good-naturedly. Very fine and beautiful night. The Collins there too.

25th

Very fine, walk out with Carree to the drain. About home all day else except going with RH to Cillibion to see the castle. Carree rides to Oxwich in … Susan Jeffreys home ill, cook there.

26th

Very hot, expect the Ords all day to spend the day, come only to dinner and also Mr Perry. Go to the drain as usual, help Carree about weeding the garden and cutting away to let air in. Heat overpowering, transplant a few dahlias and neat a few flower beds.

27th

Rise early in the morning, most splendid hot sun, am taken ill. Return to bed and very ill, all day in bed till evening. Take only tea and toast, bilious attack, used to be accompanied with headaches, now free of headaches but always great weakness and debility. Walk late with Carree to the upper gate, glad to go back again.

28th

Very hot, about home all day. Read Britannia, very unwell ill yesterday. Call on Mrs Henry Lucas at Cillibion, first call, seemed agreeable. Wood there, Mr HL gone to Swansea. See the men at the drain. WL Collins just en passant tells me Miss Terry to be married tomorrow, he going early. Poor Agnes has a fall in the kitchen and hurts her face. Children walk out late.

29th

Fine mild shower about breakfast time looks like wet day, breaks off fine again. Read Cambrian, sort papers, set bookcase in my sanctum in better order. Go with Carree to sow seeds after a barn dinner. Walk to Cillibion with Carree and all children, no one at the drain. Plough and harrow going. Walk alone to Crickton late to see all is right. Children very unruly at bed time. Emma actually kills young sparrows herself!!! I am surprised, has she no feeling! Write in evening to Bristol and enter diary.

31st

Sunday. Sacrament, 1st time Henry Lucas family attend. Ride to Penmaen with Carree, 6.00 service. Dine again there and tea, home late.

Monday. Awfully hot, sheep washing up Moormills. Carree and children off early to Penmaen to bathe. I walked to Crickton and Cillibion about work and many things and ride to Penmaen about 3.00 to dine there. Mr Perry and Mr Hankin dine also. EKJ and Mr Perry spar in fun in the evening. The Ords keep house, home very late.

June

1st (Tuesday)

Dine at Oxwich, very hot. Cricket, only a few. EKJ not well, came late and the Ords. Spend morning at Cillibion, begin sow turnips, not home till past 1.00, horrid work. But a pleasant party and comfortable dinner, what a scramble by the hill at Cox's Underhill!! Far too steep for any road! EKJ not very well, comes late to Oxwich, dines and falls asleep, is ill tomorrow and bled. The consequence of fishing in the sea? after dinner and good living imprudent imprudent.

2nd

Old Batcock balance in full, Chancel window.

Rise late, in bed late. Walk to Cillibion about turnip sowing. At accounts as above. EKJ unwell, Carrie rides over to Penmaen. He is bled. Missionary meeting, Mr Pinhom, a small attendance. I ride to see road work, Mr Thomas Gordon's gate. Call at Penralt, receive money of Mr Thomas, butter. C Reese horse money, church at 7.30, tea at 9. Mr Pearce reads, Pinhom preaches, £ 2 19 6 collected.

3rd

Hot and dry, off early, ride with Carree to Penmaen and Oxwich. Children go also in car, picnic and cricket. Ord, Perry etc, a pleasant day. Tea at Oxwich and cards. Not home till 1.00. Rode with Mr Collins over the sands by Nicholaston. W Collins and Thomas fall out.

4th

Hot hot hot. About home all day, not up early. At Cillibion drain twice, opened again at last to the old level and the water subdued. Hurrah. Read Blackwood in the shade of the garden, discover 4 ducks nests destroyed, q if a dog? And one at Crickton, upwards of 50 eggs, great loss, only corn is dear and scarce. Walk with Carree late to Crickton in the evening. Enter accounts and make a butter book. No longer send it to Swansea, quantity too small.

5th

Drive Carrie, Johnny and Eliz to Swansea, quite cold. Return home, perfect winter west wind. Dine at Mrs Woodruffe's, home late. Still stiff with cricket.

7th

Sunday. Churches at 6 and 7s. EKJ ill, Mr James at Bristol, J Collins duty at Llanrhidian. Carrie walked to Penmaen, I ditto, both alone. Write to Henry Lucas about his note of yesterday, thorns at Cillibion.

Monday. Call with RH at Mr H Lucas about Saturday, not at home. Spent some hours at the drain, begin to lay more tiles. Walk with Carrie in evening to Crickton.

8th

Less hot, rather threatening rain. Walk up to the drain at Cillibion, begun to be covered in and levelled. J Ord comes up, all the Collins party call and lunch and spend a morning. Walk with J Collins to Copton, drills beginning to be opened, fallow in good order. J Ord dines with us. Mr James cuts grass at Penmaen merely to be the first to make hay. Grass not at all ripe.

9th

Duller colder, a little rain in evening about 5 till dark. At Cillibion drain, garden, transplant flowers. Mr and Mrs Henry Lucas call, Carrie rides to Penmaen. Brew by WR. Sow turnips Copton. Old George Tucker charity 2d. Mr Thomas Gordon called about the vessel etc etc, bad affair. Richards at Blaenkedy for windows, water casks breaks down. Began to lay more tiles in the main drain yesterday, an omen of good or bad luck.

10th

Dry windy north west cold, glass rising. Read Britannia, hear children read a little. Go to the drain as usual progressing, more laid. Weed in front garden. Labour accounts. Nanny Batcock at Copton Corner 4/-. Miss the right dinner hour again and dine alone. Help Carrie set house in order, pictures hung, fussy day as usual. Beer tunned.

11th

Calmer, warm, dry dry dry. About home all morning Mr and Mrs Ord come over and dine. The latter stays the night. We ride after dinner to Manselfold and Wibley. Meet Phil Matthew about the road, near Oldwalls for beer 1/-. Gave Richard Jenkins of Manselfold … to offer and have an idea of … there with Carrie etc. Commissions for Swansea. Observed in our Wibley ride the corn looking remarkably well but rain wanted. Fence the pigs against eating chickens!

12th

About home at Cillibion field and twice to Crickton, turnips and ploughing. EKJ to carry hay. Wet p.m. stops him, fine turnip day. J Ord comes over and stays. Settle accounts with RH and enter butter account. Trim hedges with hook.

14th

Sunday. Wet. Drive in car, Carrie and J Ord and Johnny, Mr J Collins does duty and lunches after. Mr Perry drops in and Georgy in evening and spend evening. Very wet. Write by Mr Perry to Bristol etc.

Monday. Fine seasonable day, land too heavy to drill. Nothing done at drain but hunt in 2 colts from common, a difficult task. EKJ comes over and stays, calls at Cillibion. Ladies ride out. J Ord rides with me to Crickton, ride with Mrs Ord to Walterston Corner to look for lost feather, no find. Read Dombey in evening, great noise, can't understand it. Richard Jones of W calls and pays on account of tithes.

15th

Very showery day, some heavy rain. Brisk wind and some pleasant sun. The drain going on again, there some time. All ride out, Mr & Mrs Ord and EKJ and Carrie, Arthur's Stone etc. I am disappointed, pony at forge. Read Dombey and Britannia. Dine at 5.00, much colder. Ground very wet now, a stop to ploughing and turnips. Play at whist this evening

16th

Thoro' wet, all prevented a drive to Swansea as intended. Analyse and enter an end of this book. Thomas, account of moneys sent and paid, long morning's work. Rain ceases about 1.00, what's to be done. In the house all day. Mr & Mrs Ord and EKJ here. Nothing to be done, so wet. In evening before dinner catch mice at mow taken in and played cards, whist, in the evening. Receive letter that poor Charlie has the measles at Mr Crabb's and loses his holidays.

17th

Drive Carrie and Emma to Swansea yet no rain, heavy rain in Gower. Dine at Mrs Woodruffe's, first green peas. Not home till 10.00. Mrs Woodruffe and Johnny return home with us and stay till Monday. Mr Woodruffe goes to Pembroke etc with his heavy boxes.

18th

About home all morning. Plant in rock work, lots of chicken hatched, contrive for them. Walk to the drain, lots of water. Walk with the ladies and children to Penralt, dine early. I walk out to Crickton and inquire about work. Drive in car to Penmaen, in evening home after 10.00 and enter diary etc. Carrie writes to Bristol. Letters too late for Gower post. Send express to Swansea and too late again by Llewellyn. What a shame, what regular Gower conduct!!!

19th

Very fine, no commissions for Swansea, liver and calves head of RH. At the drain. Ride with Carrie and Mrs Woodruffe to call on Mrs Perry returned from Bath. Children much improved, youngest very pretty. Dine at 2.00 and again at drain and walk with ladies and all the children to finger post. Home to tea. Read Knight of Gwyn. Enter diary etc etc.

21st

Sunday. Expecting Mr Woodruffe. Evening duty, J Collins officiates, dines with us. Find Mr Woodruffe and Mrs Dr Collins arrived, they all return in the evening. Fine day till evening then fogs over and glass falls.

Monday. Very threatening, very showery a.m. Fine evening till 1.00. Carrie not down to breakfast, nor Agnes. Colds delay going to Swansea till tomorrow. At the drain all morning, get wettish and get dry again. This everlasting drain getting on, the field getting neat again. Am late at dinner, dine alone. Walk, Carrie rides, to Stafell Haegr. Hunt for money, Mary Thomas pays balance due, George Dix very little. Get horsehound and sedum and plant them at home. Dix wants all manner of things, stable, privy, dairy and pig sty. Two former long promised.

22nd

Drive Carrie to Swansea.

26th

Drive Carrie to the Mumbles to meet EM, just in time, and then to Swansea. Very fine day.

28th

Sunday. Hot and dry. Sacrament, EM with us, EKJ resumed his duty. We go over to Penmaen in the evening to strawberries and cream etc. J Collins and EKJ come late from Oxwich Church. EM and I walk and ride, ride and…

Monday. Rise early for a wonder and out before breakfast to see mason etc. Pick out stones for him. Repairing window sashes with EM all morning. Stroll to Cillibion field, to see black barley. Burn cooch, assist mason and place tank by cart shed. J Ord call to dinner. Mrs O comes over to tea.. Heat too great. EKJ had a funeral, Webb. Very warm summer's evening. Quite oppressive day.

29th

Charlie comes home with Mr and Mrs James by Troubadour and arrived at Penmaen late. Caroline not well. Inquire about the loss of poor Nipper, Kneath Cartersford shot him. How I could horse whip him. Thomas sent over to Llandeilo Rhynys at a moment's notice to fetch his pony cart and pony. Little Eddie expected to be there. Returns tomorrow but no Eddie who arrives on Thursday from Tenby, via Port Eynon.

30th

Picnic to meet the Woodruffes at Crawley Wood, very pleasant. Quite ill in the evening and glad to get to bed. Horses put up at Mr Voss.

July

1st (Thursday)

EM adventures to Rhossili and Port Eynon for his boy Teddy from Tenby, succeeds. Loses his dinner, imposition at Rhossili. Civility of Mr Stoat at Port Eynon. Mr James, the Ords and EKJ at Mr Pearce's also. Liberal supply of host. Very hot indeed, can hardly stand it.

2nd

Less hot, less fine, still dry. About home all morning, mason at Caie Forgan, dine early. Drive up to the Beacon to take tea, take elder children. Meet the Penmaenites, burn furze, mighty cool. Home at 9.00.

3rd

Very hot again, glass falling. Nor go nor send to Swansea. About home all day, mason here, cooper here. Mr and Mrs Ord call and Mrs James, proposal to drive to Llandeilo Rhynys next week. Walk with EM to Cillibion and to Crickton. Trimmed trees in the garden a.m. Enter accounts in the evening. Pig very ill, drench her. Kill a small pig and mark one for Mr Evans of B.

Sunday. Evening duty, ride, some walk, EM and I, to Penmaen. Phil Morris bull. Very hot. Home late, Charlie and Eddie go.

5th

Very hot sultry, about home all day. Mason here, fix gate post. WR fix gate post. EM helps about many things. RH calls and skins the pig. Sawyer and cooper both at work. Walk alone to Crickton and with Carree and EM to Cillibion after tea in the garden. Work in the garden.

6th

Start for Llandeilo Rhynys with John Ord, Charlie and Johnny for fishing by Swansea. EM and little Eddie in their pony cart of the same party, very dusty indeed. Not off before 9.30. Lunch Pontardulais. Very hot and to save the horses, Bright and Aurora, do not leave till past 4. At the bridge easy about 7.00 in time to arrange about bed and makeshift business. Go with EM to the Strand to pay James Strick and see one Wilkins.

7th

At Llandeilo Rhynys, a pleasant party for fishing. J Ord flying trout, children eels. Go round the farm with Offey and EM, crops look well. Sheep and stock well, all well. A little rain a.m. Carry a little hay in evening. Bobbing for eels the order of the evening. Lightning last night foretold change.

8th

EM and I ride to Cwm Raffon call on Colonel Love just come back from London. Look round his improvements in the plantation. Return over the hills to Llan and Nantgaredig, dine at 4.30 for order at 3. Wet showery early, fine evening. Hay mustered a little. Williams mason calls to consult about repairs, alterations and roofing of the house etc.

9th

Drive to Simpson's of Glantowy for fishing, a pleasant day. EM and I call on Mr & Mrs Nicholls at Pont Dulais, not at home. No great sport fishing. I catch an eel, am no fisher, patience a virtue. Dine at 3, EM, Eddie and Charlie tea at Mrs Griffiths, Llan. I do not go with Johnny. Evening turns out quite wet. Square accounts with EM, expenses of journey and money borrowed of him in Gower.

10th

EM and Eddie leave the party for Tenby. Carmarthen fair, nor go nor send. Receive of EM 10/- for corn for pony. Damp rainy day, very sultry. Glass not low and rising. Work in garden, plant cabbage and clean out cess pool for manure. Garden produces wonderfully, peas, onions, cabbage and everything. J Ord rides to Llanathney and meets Mr Simpson and brings home a salmon 4 ½ lbs. Did he buy it or catch it? Try eel fishing in evening, very damp, not pleasant, no sport.

Sunday. Unlike a Sunday, no church. Very wet all morning, very muddy all day. Tea at Llan.

12th

Leave Carmarthenshire without going to Carmarthen or seeing Mr Tardrew, quite a wonder. Drive J Ord and 2 boys home by Swansea, meet Carree and the 3 other children at Swansea. Tea in Butter Street at Mrs Davies. Start at 10.30, in Swansea by 4.00. Very hot day, not home till past 9.00, all well.

13th

Very fine indeed, begin to cut hay at Crickton. No haymakers, all left in swathes, carried in good order afterwards without much expense.

14th

Pick-nick Gower Book Club at Penmaen, very hot fine day for it. Beautiful situation for it. Mr Perry nearly fell over the cliff, his man Wilson gets drunk and nearly gets drowned bathing and nearly killed, driven over on the road in the dark; he is a horrid blackguard! Thick fog at night, have a dance at night at Penmaen. Mr & Mrs Parker of the club, Mr & Mrs Wood join us and the Terry's.

15th

Very hot, extreme heat, not a cloud save one pyramid of one in northeast after a thick foggy morning. About home all day, hay carried at Crickton in excellent order. Call on Mr Lloyd about his son and Cathe, late hours etc. Ride with Thomas Davies at night to join Mr Ord fishing on the sands. Write some letters, they are all gone to dine with Perry. Start fishing with nets at 12.00 at night, come home by daylight tired carrying a lot of trustworthy(?) fish and get wet through the long grass, a very heavy dew. Dawn of day very interesting on the coast. Old scenes assume a perfectly new and altered appearance.

16th

Was out fishing on the sands with J Ord and EKJ and Mrs O who failed. Slept a few hours on the sofa. Breakfast at 10.00, caught few fish. Ride home with Mrs Ord and EKJ and dine with us and Mr & Mrs James and Mr O also. A race with Mrs Ord on Rosy to my gate against Badger, a good part of the day's sport, she beat me, Rosy over weighted. Dull lowering day, sultry thunder and lightning and rain in the night.

17th

A dull day, very hot and lowering. Good for everything but hay after a night of thunder, lightning and rain. Dine at Penmaen, Mr and Mrs Ord gone to Swansea, returned to tea.

21st

A christening dinner at Mr Perry's. Odd conduct of Mr Davies clerk, speaks to nobody. A pleasant dinner party out of doors in garden.

24th

No record of this week owing to going to Penmaen sands fishing at night and home several mornings before daylight.

26th

About home all day, Carree and children omnes gone early to Penmaen sands. Accounts with Reese and Thomas and Thomas Gordon vessel account settled and pay him on account of Sam Philip and received his share of vessel repairs etc. J Leyshon and George Palmer call as to bill, given former for £154 odd. Pay money received of Mr Gordon, his share paid and give new bill for £131 at 2 months. Gather currants for jelly. Walk to Crickton, enter day accounts and bothered all day about accounts. Ride to Penmaen with Thomas late to go fishing on sands.

31st

Nor go nor send to Swansea, grocery at Reynoldston.

August

1st (Sunday)

Sunday. Evening duty, Carree stays at the school to teach singing.

2nd

Go to Crickton, get 5 duck and chicks killed for tomorrow and walk to Cillibion about turnips, dine early. Ride with Carree after early dinner to Reynoldston to call on the Perry's, both at home, we go in. Home to tea, J Grant calls about accounts, road rate etc. Up with him late, much said and little done because of his odd way in entering cash paid over.

3rd

Very fine after threatening morning. Hay making at Stoneyford etc. Walk out to Crickton, see them finish mowing there. Return, gather gooseberries and currants and neat of garden a little. The Evans of Brynhir and children [Mrs E absent not well] and the Terry's from Mrs Jones dine with us. EKJ and Mrs Ord come to tea, Mrs O was also over early to breakfast! and back. J Ord gone to Swansea to sell his pony. Perrys expected in evening, do not come. Very hot midday, change sudden in evening, quite cool.

4th

Wet after 12.00 threatening a.m., will do great good to turnips if harm to hay. Walk over to Crickton to see about hay, nothing doing there but at Cil Ivor, old Boatman's. Get a little wet. Read Britannia and Cambrian about elections. About accounts all evening and played cards with children a little at their request.

5th

See after turnips thinning. Drive Carree and 2 boys to dine at Penmaen. Mr & Mrs Ord are to leave tomorrow after staying at Penmaen 3 months! How dull we shall be. The Terry's come in in evening. I have several letters to write and do not play cards. Write to Bristol about C Teddy's return on Tuesday, to Tripp about Francis, Beor about Llewellyn and Caswell etc. Dark returning home at 1.00!!! Thomas fishes in the pill and catches a lot of mullet, small. Wet evening unluckily, glass falls awfully.

6th

Fine day, glass rising again. Carpenter and cooper here and brewing and painting. At Cillibion and Crickton about turnips, fine crops!! Work in garden, potatoes taken up, a good crop. Cabbage planted there, dig some ground, want physic. Try to avoid it by work. Walk with Carree to Horrod and take the little dog, Btyn in my pocket, one from C Collins, Weight 1 ¼ lbs. Children all very naughty. Charles fetched Johnny from Penmaen, donkey worked hard. View the crops of Crickton with Carree, what a wonder!!!

7th

Do not go or send car to Swansea. Betsy [Cook] rides there for her pleasure. Shin and other beef from W Jenkins by RH and after dinner ride with Carree and 2 boys to the marsh to fish. Williams and Thomas drag, 2 Mr Howells tithe commissiones apportioners with us, never out on marsh sands before. Carree with Rosie out, 1 and 2 children, not home till 9.00. Carree more prudent, very cold on the marsh. Not fine, wet morning.

Sunday. Morning duty, Carree and I attend school. Penralt, a little wet, comes on. Talk to J Grant about his house for EKJ.

9th

Fine day, very fine till night. Weather most changeable. Mr & Mrs James and EKJ dine with us and spend morning and we adjourn to Penmaen to tea. Carree, I and C Teddy ride over, Charlie's last ride this summer, poor boy, am sorry to lose him.. He is very troublesome, very useful! Hay carried today from Cil Ivor, corn Horrod, both bought and the meadow at Stoneyford. Busy with hay, looking at turnips Crickton and carting tops off with children for pigs., Carpenter and cooper both at work. Occupied in the evening reading and packing, poor Charlie's box and portmanteau, getting ready for tomorrow. Not in bed till past 12.00, up again before 4.00.

10th

Wet drizzly day, drive to Swansea, in by 6.00, started 4.30. Packets sails at 7, Poor C Teddy with a heavy heart, off alone to school. Breakfast in Butter Street. JG Jeffreys not in town tho' he appointed Woolicot to meet him as steward of Manor of Bison. I leave Caswell deeds with Mr Beor, 2 only. Agreed to sell a portion to Mr Llewellyn, £150, east end.

11th

Wettish, misty after midday. About home all day. Garden a little, at Cillibion to see after turnips, Crickton for same purpose. Grey peas cut, read number XI of Dombey, carpenter and cooper here. Door hung, garden pit entrance, garden now quite secure.

12th

Wet again, misty driving, glass not falling. In the house all day, enter accounts and write letters to Carmarthen, Mr Francis etc. Send to Penmaen, walk to Cillibion field after tea, all safe. The Stouthall gardener calls with geranium cuttings. RH calls and buys a pig. It promises to be fine tomorrow, read a little of new monthly.

13th

Very fine day as the sun at bedtime promised last night. See about work going on on farm. Plant cuttings of geraniums etc sent by gardener from Stouthall. Cut a thorn hedge in garden and try to stop fowls from garden. Ride in evening to the village and walk to brick yard and to fish on the marsh. J Grant, Thomas, David Jones and 2 Mr Howells, the tide overtakes us in the pill and is too rapid to draw out, out, all gone, quite full. Drag the sands and were near to catch a great quantity. Stop a pill and wait 2 hours the ebb of the tide, no-go, fish all gone. The worst walking I ever experienced was now on the marsh of Llanrhidian in the dark and when on the main road but little better. Not home and in bed till past 12.00.

14th

Another fine day, nor go not send to Swansea, busy about turnips at Cillibion and Crickton. Sow cabbage seed, walk with Carree and children to Crickton to get apples.

Sunday. Evening duty, heat most oppressive. William Collins and Mr Booker call en passant for Nicholaston, have not seen them long time. Walk to Penralt late to arrange about Swansea fair tomorrow, to be off early.

16th

Swansea fair, sent two steers not sold. Receive tithe money and £10 of Grove, total £20. Settle purchase of land of Woolacot in Bison. Drive RH in in his spring cart. Morris has finished nearly my spring wagon. Dine with Mr Dawe at 2.00, leave with EKJ in his gig, change at finger post. Wet evening foretold this bright morning by a weasel crossing the turnpike!!! Sure sign of change of weather. Order suit of clothes for George Shepperd at Lloyd's.

17th

Walk in evening to Crickton and to Cillibion, learned work of yesterday and today. Enter accounts today and yesterday. Monstrous tired! What is brewing up?

21st

Drive Carree and children to Swansea to hear … Scotch soup. Meet Dr and Miss Higgs.

23rd

Sunday. Sacrament.

Monday. Dine at Penmaen, drive over Carree only to see Lucy Holland. Walk on Morris Hill to Pennard castle, very beautiful. Mr & Mrs W Collins walk to tea from Ilston.

24th

I and George Holland with us and Lucy and the Penmaenites walk out to Crickton and to Cillibion also to see the turnips. They come early.

25th

Rise early, 5.30. Old David Williams, sawyer's, mare dead on common. Am at Crickton at 6.00, doubtful morning, foggy. Keeps fine and carry oats. Begin to cut barley, ride in evening with Carree and Johnny to Penmaen, tea there. Johnny sleeps there. Not home till 11.

26th

Not from home all day except to walk to Crickton with Carree and children. Read Britannia paper. Corn abundant, likely to be cheap. Manufacturers out of employ building a staddle for corn. Thomas goes fishing to Penmaen. Enter accounts in evening, much in arrear since 17th. Lucy Holland leaves Gower.

27th

Leave Caie Forgan at 8.30 for Llanelli. Call on RH about sheep. Ride to Penclawdd with Mr Thomas Gordon, cross in boat, Webb swims the horses. Attend the custom house etc and return for first time direct across the sands for Aberlogin. Water broad but shallow, sands safe. Call in brick yard, call at Crickton, home by 4.00. Easy journey from Llanelli in an hour. Walk to turnpike on common to meet children, send Cathe on pony to post at Penmaen.

28th

Dull misty damp today, almost rain. Glass very high, hot. Read Cambrian, poor John Grove dead, how sudden. I work a little in garden, mark out a rick staddle. Thomas sent to town with apples, I ought to have gone to town but tired with yesterday. Shall go early in week. Dine at 2.00. Walk with Carree and children to Crickton and by Crickton road to turnpike. Gather peas and round home. Read Blackwood in evening, Thomas home late.

Sunday. Evening duty. Very fine, very cold in evening. Walk out with Carree on the road, read Bible afterwards. Betsy late as usual.

30th

Rise at 5.00, at Crickton by 6.00. Men pretty punctual at work. Carry wheat from hill, misty rain after 6.00, just in time with wheat. EKJ calls to go through accounts, Mr Booker, Mr Hoare call. Mists prevent our attention to accounts. Carree and EKJ call at Llythrydd. I remain at home at accounts with EKJ till 2 in morning involving years 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, rent of Stafell Haegr, Benefit Club, school money lent and sundries various. Tedious. … unsatisfactory work.

31st

Fine again, EKJ off early, home sick. Read Britannia paper, full account of the French murder, Duchess de Praslin by her husband, horrible. He in custody and poisons himself. Children in car to tea on top of Hill. Carree rides to Penmaen. I walk and sleep there to be ready to shoot tomorrow after walking around farm to see about harvest etc. Am sadly off for money just now, wiped out quite.

September

1st (Wednedsay)

Slept at Penmaen, off at 6.00 in EKJ's gig. Meet Mr Booker and Mr Hoare at Bison to shoot at Caswell, tolerable sport. Warned off by W Evans, Hugh Watkins tenant. Breakfast at Herberts Lodge. Warned off by Thomas Edward Thomas's tenant, not home to Penmaen till dusk. No dinner, not tired, how wonderful. Mrs James having parlour papered and painted by Davies.

2nd

Leave Penmaen with EKJ early and breakfast at home. Meet Mrs K, Mrs Woodruffe there. Shoot about home and Oldwalls, tolerable sport for the country. Dine at 6.00, not tired. Mr & Mrs W return to Swansea. EKJ to Penmaen. Receive letter from Mr Green about money, Llandeilo Rhynys. Turnips much grown now in Gower, a change in agriculture. A brisk day, cool. Hear ‘Great Britain' is taken from Ireland Dundrum Bay to Liverpool, a great triumph after being stranded on sands for a year!!! (Interpolation here reads "and in August 1852 sails for Australia, a successful trip, and back to Liverpool 1853, early in April, what a turn in the tide of affairs. Now in possession of Gibbs Bright and Company of Bristol where she was built.)

3rd

Wet day a.m. fine p.m. Read Blackwood and get out to see what's doing. Dine early, walk with Carree to Penralt and Crickton. Accounts in evening and write letters; Mr Green, Offey nulling order about repairs.

4th

Drive to Swansea, Carree and Cathy. EKJ is there, dine at Woodruffe's. Introduced to Mr Penrice at the Castle.

6th

A little showery a.m. fine day. Rose early, shoot with Booker, Hall and EKJ by Leason etc. Lunch at Mr Dunn's, shoot badly, dog bad. Find plenty of birds. Dine at 6.00.

7th

Rise early, go after breakfast to brick yard to see damage to Thomas's wheat. Agree for a peck. Call at RH, not at home. Go to Crickton, carrying barley. Weather threatens, order corn mowed. Drizzly driving rain comes on, prevented dining at Penmaen. Sit down to papers and enter accounts. Wet tonight but make patterns for Carree's worsted ottoman.

8th

Fine day after wet at night. Bothered to death all morning, glazier and painter Davies here, cut lead to window sill which takes wet. Mrs James calls, RH calls by appointment to give account of tithes collected in kind. Engaged to dine at Penmaen 4.00. EKJ at a funeral at Chapel. Receive a letter from Mr Halliwell, Bristol, as to Gawcott near Buckingham. Write to him in answer. Sleep at Penmaen, present of figs from Mrs Nicholls.

9th

A fine day, slept at Penmaen. Ride with EKJ to Kilvrough, first call on Mr Penrice. Ride Mr Ord's mare, return by Park and call on Mrs Nicholls to thank her for figs. Penmaen Church, fast towards being completed. Lunch at Penmaen, home to dinner, leave Johnny and Emma at Penmaen. Read Britannia, details of horrid Praslin tragedy etc. Corn falling. See a little of what goes on at home. Take Reese's account of work and give orders about tomorrow etc. Carree writes to Charlie. God grant he may have health and application to improve, he has great quickness and ability according to his age. I pray he may turn them to account and be a credit to us.

10th

Plant strawberries before breakfast. EKJ to breakfast. We shoot about Cillibion, Prisk and Crickton. Begin well, end badly. A messenger, the excise officer, calls most consequentially about brick duty unpaid. Send Thomas to Swansea to pay it. Wrote to Sayers yesterday to pay for me, why did he not? EKJ off tomorrow for Surrey etc and Epsom. Wet evening, RH up about mutton and to see EKJ. Read Cambrian and enter diary. Did not see old Mrs Harry as intended about will and about Mrs … Mrs Jones post woman, pay brick duty for me.

11th

C Reese sent to Swansea with apples, a very fine day indeed. Drive Carree to Swansea and stay over Sunday. Ride early to Mrs Harry's about her will for EKJ and about savings bank. Start for Swansea about 11.00, 1 ½ hours going.

Sunday. In Swansea at Mrs Terry's. Twice to church, first time since alterations. First time of hearing Mr Squire the vicar, do not like him. Wet misty day, meant to have returned, easily persuaded to stay.

13th

Call on Mr Beor's. At bank £50, draw 20. Leave Swansea 10.30, home before 3.00, find Mr and Mrs James and Mr Collins, Mrs Dr Collins and Miss Stokes. All stay dinner, agreeable surprise. The Oxwich party leave early, former sleep here. Wet yesterday all night and this morning, clears off at midday and fine night. Agnes 5 years old today, God bless her. A dear interesting little child. Enter accounts.

14th

Mr and Mrs James slept here. Fine, cold. Dine at Oxwich at 3.00. Mr and Mrs James walk from the tower. Meet Mr Perry and arrange for tomorrow. Walk to Oxwich glebe with W Collins. Mr and Mrs Woodruffe and Mrs Dr Collins, Miss Stokes of the party. Home in good time, all's well that ends well.

15th

Mr Perry comes over to shoot, tried Cillibion, Parkyrhedin, part of Prisk, Penralt, Leason etc. 1 Brace by Mr P only, disgusting work. I only get 2 shots, snapshots. Carry wheat, doubt if in order. Rain comes on unexpectedly about 5.00. Wet evening and a hurricane of wind. Mr and Mrs Perry dine here, weather-bound by dark. Wet windy night, not in bed till 2.00. Receive letter from my mother, George been alarmingly and suddenly ill, bled and saved. His life now most precarious I think. Harvest home supper, WT sings tolerably well, quite strong. How unlike harvest weather.

16th

About home all day, most stormy high wind, no rain. Mr and Mrs Perry slept here, weather-bound. Read Dombey, walk to Cillibion and Crickton. Dig in garden for exercise and health. Enter accounts in the evening, write to Llanelli for tomorrow. Carree goes through some of the servants' wages.

17th

Most stormy and wet again till the evening. Read Britannia. Get out after dinner, walk to Cillibion, set beans Upper Field, stones in order ditto. Pick stones a little in garden for drain. Enter accounts in evening, write to my mother in answer about poor George who has had a fit. Give orders about tomorrow. Killed geese for Swansea not fat.

18th

Fine after wet night, ride in market car to Swansea, very cold particularly returning. Call at Woodruffe's coming out, meet Mr Parsons, home about 8.30. Mr and Mrs James at Caie Forgan.

Sunday. Sacrament, Mr J James does duty, EKJ at Epsom. Gets through the duty well, a host of the Lady Lucas.

20th

A fineish day not without rain. Settled to drive to Ilston to call on Mr & Mrs W Collins. Carree loses a veil, return to find it. Meet on Pengwern Mr and Mrs C coming to call on us, persuade them to come and taken early dinner. Turn the horses homeward again and make an evening of it as Mr Perry calls it. They leave early, Mr & Mrs James with us.

21st

A wet day, at home all day. Mr & Mrs J here. Read Britannia and Cambrian. Stormy driving misty day, most unexpected. Dry slatey evening. Get out for fresh air, go through Williams account of 5 years tithe allowed, as above paid out, balance agreed to as £10!!! Promise of an instalment on Saturday!! These running accounts most troublesome and unavoidable on my part!

22nd

A dry dull pleasant day. Mr & Mrs James return home early. Write out account of bricks etc against Penclawdd Company, mean to go there today. RH calls with a shoulder of mutton ordered Saturday 3 ¾ lbs. Accompany him to see the cattle at Cillibion [Lucas], walk to Crickton after dinner. Mr Wood out with his hounds today, kills near Crickton and rides over the hedges. Send Johnny to see the hounds on Rosy with Thomas, in at death. Read Quarterly etc.

23rd

Wet again a.m. fine evening, sun shines a little. Read Quarterly, at home all morning, sadly out of humour all day. Thomas cuts my black barley before ripe and spoils it. WT wastes the potatoes, maids in the house industrious? in idleness and most careless and wasteful. Here to mend sacks which ought to be done in the house. Walk after dinner to Stafell Haegr and Penralt, get brick count of J Grant, called at Upper Mill, corn short of weight. (Batcock) Read to children in evening. Enter accounts etc. Mary Thomas calls with bills, totals, no items.

24th

Ride to Llanelli by the sands Aberlogy. Most beautiful day and return by the sands opposite Penclawdd. The course of the river quite altered and also the fords. Benjamin Howell with me to the bank uselessly, just in time to save the tide. Meet George Walker at the Ship and have long interview with Mr Waters about brick account, not satisfactory. Ride to Ilston to dinner in half an hour from Penclawdd. Dress and sit down in ¾ hour, good work. Ride pony Aurora.

25th

Drive Carree to Swansea. Threatening morning, proves very fine. Pay Insurance Alliance at bank by B cheque. Call on Mr Tripp about George Francis, account postponed for a week. He mighty civil, wanted to write letters, no time. Home early, Mr and Mrs James at home for church tomorrow. Up early this morning and got barley at last all secured. Receive most melancholy accounts of poor George at Biddlesden, deeply regret to hear it, always kind to me.

Sunday. Evening duty by JJ, very full attendance, all the Cillibionites. Very fine day, God be praised.

27th

Monday, very fine day. Mr & Mrs J go home again. Carree and Johnny ride to Penmaen, I to Brynhowell sale, buy nothing, too dear! No dinner, tea at Ilston. W Collins at sale at Baglan Keys, odd report on mystery of servant at Stouthall and lost child. Arrange with Mr Booker for shooting tomorrow at Caswell. Same with Mr Perry. Ride to Penmaen with old Mr Collins and home with Carree and Johnny. Write to EM and for lime, to Mr Woodruffe about an Irish promissory note. Home 10.30. Kill a rat in the garden, dug out with 10 young ones. Catch her by strategem in hutch trap.

28th

Most beautiful weather. Fine day, brisk cold east wind. About home, write to Frederick and to Mr Patch as to former's visit to Gower, as to latter Law Life shares and to Mr Perry about tomorrow. Enter some accounts, walk out with gun in evening to Crickton and get account of work. See no game. Attend to accounts again in evening, enter in Red Book.

29th

Fine day, cold east wind early. Rise early to ride to Caswell. Mr Perry can't go, breakfast at Penmaen. Mr Perry unexpectedly arrives late, accompany him in dog cart, meet Mr Booker at Herberts Lodge. Lucky in finding birds and having them marked, kill 3 ½ brace, lose one. Dine at Penmaen at 6.00. Carree there, bed at 12.00.

30th

At Penmaen, slept there. See fatting oxen. See Church under alterations, read paper. Write to Woodruffe and Mrs Nicholls, home by 5.00. Teal on Broad Pool, kill 2 to Thomas. Walk to Crickton, give orders and see what's done in my absence. Enter accounts in evening. Glass begins to fall.

October

1st (Friday)

Drive to Llandeilo Rhynys by Swansea, Carree, Johnny, Emma and Thomas. Start 8.30, at Swansea 1 hour and more. At Llandeilo quarter before 5, in time to go around the farm. Nothing to send to fair, Abergwili, tomorrow. Letters sent and paper. Mr Perry and Mr Booker came to Caie Forgan to shoot, before we started, to try Prisk.

2nd

At Llandeilo Rhynys, Abergwili fair, send nothing. Drive through and to Carmarthen, cattle falling. Inquire about a new servant, engage Dinah Thomas at £7. Character of Mrs Waters as to honesty and brews and mange a dairy qy bad-tempered!!!

Sunday. Fine, disappointed about horses for parish church, drive in evening at 3 to Court Henry and call on Mr & Mrs Nicholls and see the new house, rather dashy!! Nice situation.

4th

Fine day, glass beginning to fall a little. Drive a cross road to make a call on Mr Saunders and Listers at Llanrwdw near Llangedern[3], a neat, heathy, pretty country and good farming. One Evans, the best farmer in the county, Carreed off 6 prizes at the Carmarthen show. All through by Carmarthen home, lunch at Mr Saunders serves for dinner. Sold a calf in morning to Jacky for £2. Receive letters at Carmarthen and again obliged to send late to receive Swansea's by today from Penmaen and Britannia paper. Expected by letter received Fred and Charlotte from Warwickshire tomorrow and obliged return home tomorrow.

5th

Off at 9.00, after packing unexpectedly on return home. At Swansea 1.30. Sent horses on early, drive Bishop and Tudor to Cross Hands, send corn on. Change and lose as little time as possible, post a letter about Chambers to Mr Morris of Beverly at Pontardulais, do not bait there. Meet Fred and Charlotte at the Castle, Swansea, landed at the Mumbles. Cold lunch for all, Johnny and Emma there at the Castle and home by dark.

6th

Showery day, drive after lunch and over the hill to Penmaen and home to dinner at 5.00. Out in morning about corn with Fred, after 2 teal, escape us oddly. This should be tomorrow.

This a thorough wet day, how pleasant for visitors. Come to see a new place, philosophy required!! and exercised. Fred and Charlotte at Caie Forgan, we can only stroll out to the stables etc a little.

7th

See yesterday mistake in entering. Return from Penmaen by the road, the farm, one horse only, Farmer, was at Crickton in the morning with Fred. Capital turnips he says, none in England. Cattle falling in price, in consequence no demand! Dine at 5.00 and spend evening in talk and sleep!!!

8th

Showery morning, some heavy rain. Fred strolled to corn with gun, I write accounts etc. Mr & Mrs James call, return call of etiquette. Irish schawl man calls, sells nothing. Walk all hands to Penralt about mutton, call at school. Fred gives children 1/2 holiday in name of Prince Albert and goes shooting on marsh with J Grant. Kills 4 snipe. Show Charlotte the factory and call at old Tall's on return. Dine at 6. Thomas goes fishing to Penmaen. Coal arrives to be landed tomorrow, lots of geese killed for market.

9th

Drive Fred and Charlotte and Caroline to Swansea, meet Edmund there by accident and all home to dinner. Very wet day. C Reese in market with geese.

Sunday. Evening duty, Fred does the duty, dine after church.

11th

Undecided day, Mrs James sent over for beef had from Swansea on Saturday. We are to go there tomorrow, plans altered and we all go there today to dine and sleep. Was to have been fishing, too windy, no-go. Carriage and horses sent home by Thomas.

12th

Drive Fred early to Caswell, EM walked over cliff. I meet Mr Llewellyn to mark out land bought Caswell bay, rest of party shoot, Robert Hancorne there. Most splendid hot day, home to dine at 6.00. Wet again at night. Servants go fishing in bay, good sport till 4.00 a.m.

13th

Fine day again, walk with Charlotte, FM and EM to Crawley, how very beautiful through the wood by cliff, walk to the sands and round the Great Tor by Morris Hill home to Penmaen. Lunch and home to dinner. FM and EM shoot home. At Reynoldston drive round by shop, not home till dark to dinner.

14th

Cold day, dry. Dinner party, the Collins and Perrys, FM, EM and the pupils all went shooting, marsh, no sport. Ride towards Wibley, a failure. Go to Crickton and to Cillibion. Cards and music, not in bed to almost 3.00.

15th

Mr Collins sale at Ilston. Drive Charlotte and EM there. FM and Carree ride, go round by Penmaen, home to tea.

16th

Very fine day. Drive Fred and Charlotte and EM to Swansea and home to dine at 6.00. Mr Beor receives 100 of Mr Llewellyn of Penllergaer, part of 154, Caswell purchase.

Sunday. Sacrament, Fred and J James, latter preaches. Mr Dunn for shame bad bread, deficient wine at the sacrament feast!! EKJ from home.

18th

The record of this day neglected and forgotten at Llandeilo Rhynys 25th inst, came on 21st, the remainder of the week entered. Fred and I meet about Crickton, he has shot an owl and land rail or snipe. Work up to Prisk to look for pheasants, no-go, and review the haggard for the sale on Thursday. Depute RH or C Reese to attend. Wet comes on and sends us home to dinner.

19th

Engaged to dine at Ilston, Miss Neville there, Perry, Fred, Charlotte etc go round by Penmaen over hill. Stop at Park Mill and walk to Pennard Castle. Gather the peculiar native plant. Review Ilston Church and plan improvements in Collins plantations, some approved, some not. Perhaps none Carreed out. Home with Mr Perry together, fine night. Fred out on corn kills a land rail!! Very fine one indeed.

20th

Not a very fine day but not wet till late in evening. Fred shoots to Penmaen, Carree and Charlotte and Emma drive, Johnny rides to Penmaen to see rocks and sand. I engaged all morning, Crickton, Penralt etc. Get RH to go to Penclawdd for brick money, no-go, and ride Rosy to Penmaen to dine at 3.00. Meet Booker and Hoare, am late. Drive home, Leicester, no speed. Rain just beginning, get a soaking before reaching home. Wipe my gun and prepared to be off tomorrow but am wet and go to bed.

21st

Start for Llandeilo Rhynys with Charlotte and Frederick at 10.00. Send horses onto Loughor by Tom Philip. Fred paid all, do not stop again between Loughor and journey's end. A mostly lovely day, [proves a Fox, tomorrow wet] very fortunate. Enter the Vale of Towy just in good time and see it to great advantage, the sun declining, the river full. Spend a pleasant day at the dilapidated farm, EM there all right. South Wales railway in progress on Loughor marsh, hurrah. A new era for Wales, an epoch or full stop to former times?!

22nd

Rather wet but does not prevent intended plans. Dry early, rain p.m. EM and his cart off early for Tenby, rise to see him off. FM and Charlotte and I walk and ride to Ynyswen bridge to show her the Cothi and make enquiries etc. Rain mars its beauty, the river very fine and full. Lunch at Mr Prosser's, quiet people. Inquiring as to the bridge toll etc. Time lost in morning about a side saddle, my fault. Mr & Mrs Bales from home, send to Llan. Charlotte rides Moselle, that everlasting pony.

23rd

Thorough wet heavy rain. Llandeilo Rhynys. Fred and Charlotte preventing starting in good time for Tenby and do not see Alltygog as intended; they leave Carmarthen in open fly about 2.00. Read Agricultural Journal in evening, spend a solitary evening after a gay and pleasant fortnight.

Sunday. Very showery, not at church. Read Agricultural Journal, potato disease etc. Write letters, stroll out a little before dark. Selby Jones calls, gardener at Mr Adams. Ill spent day, usual record of Sunday in Carmarthenshire.

25th

Very fine day at Llandeilo Rhynys. Write and finish letters to WM, Charlie, my mother and Benjamin Howell. Send to post by Tommy Philip. Walk over all the farm with Offey, much improved, improving still, will it pay rent and expenses? A grand question. I think it would with capital I lack! Read Royal Agricultural Journal, potato disease … and botritis infections; cause - sudden transition of heat and cold, dry and wet. Enter accounts. Partial flood subsiding fast. Cart returns from Tenby about 7.00

26th

Dry dull day, Llandeilo Rhynys, finish a field of wheat, sow rye, poor seed after potatoes for sheep feed. Enter accounts for last week and read Royal Agricultural Journal. Walk to Llan, local conversation, gossip and general review of management and neglect. See a little of the farm, dine at 5.00. Painful sleep all evening, can't resist. Henry Williams don't come, gone to Carmarthen. Read in evening late and settle about management of farm for the year. Can't get to sleep, retire late, a little rain.

27th

Wet again, dull and showery, finishing a quarterly Royal Agricultural Journal. Look over some papers, receive letter from home enclosing one from Dr Charlie, had I money to spend in his instruction, he is well worth it. He has knowledge of many twice his age. Henry Williams about the farm accounts brought to bear as a balance except the rent.

28th

Return home from Llandeilo Rhynys by Swansea. Send horses on to Mansell Arms. At Pontardulais at 11.00, meet Mr Evans of Brynhir. Leave at 12 and in Swansea before 1.00, not bad work. Capital little horses! Bright and Aurora. Meet Carree, Mr James, EKJ, J Ord and Mrs O, go to Penmaen. Settled purchase to Mr Llewellyn. Lunch again at J Ord's, Cambrian Place, after a beautiful day. Wet drive home before 8.00.

29th

At home again, dull fine day. Go to Crickton to see what's going on after succeeding in getting off the water from yard at Caie Forgan by making a straw dam. Miss to see J Ord and EKJ who shoot for hares on hill etc. Dine at 3.00 and get to Cillibion to see Philip at the hedge east of Well Park on Jenkins side. Horrid, wet and muddy. Write letters in evening, 26 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, Howell and Motley, Mr Beor re Penclawdd Company etc. Not in bed till 12.00. Thomas to go to Swansea tomorrow, plant Rastock raspberry from Tenby.

30th

About home all day, fine. Rise early and out. Work in garden. WT prepares to place stone for bridge by pond and improve the walk round the boundary hedge. J Ord calls again, Mr Scott also. Dine early, walk with Carree and children evening, meet and join the Miss Lucas and the ponies, go and see how Tom Phillips gets on with the hedge. Enter accounts in evening after reading a little history of early times in England to children, Johnny has a turn for history!! Thomas home late.

Sunday. Dull and damp, not wet. Drive to church, morning duty. EKJ resumed duty at Chapel. Send rent to Mr Gordon for Crickton by Thomas. Walked to Crickton, cattle taken in. Carree gone to the school, go to meet her, too late! Some talk with RH about Wilson etc etc. Home to tea, read a little of Bible history to the children and do little else.

November

1st (Monday)

Fine day, glass rising and do not sow wheat. Walk to Crickton and to Cillibion, drive Carree in car to dine at Penmaen. J Ord and Cristina there, not home till after 12.00. Some itinerant Sheffield men called, buy a toast rack, small teapot and ink stand and give Carree. Very dear, great cheats no doubt.

2nd

Splendid fine hot day!!! Rise early though to bed late. Early after breakfast to Cillibion carting out lime and earth and help WT build in rough stones, falling hedge west of north stable door. WR building walls there. p.m. ride to Wernhalog, road man working there and try to plan how water can be kept off. Go to Crickton and home again, work at the wall a little. Carree and children walked to Cillibion to make a call.

3rd

Dull misty morning clears off pretty well. J Ord, EKJ and Mr Perry rendezvous twixt 9 and 10 for shooting. EKJ after time, marriage at Chapel, Perry ditto. Mrs Ball dead. To meet at Prisk, forestalled by Rev. S Phillips, daily poacher. Shift ground, Penralt, Leason and Landimore Wood. Mr Pearce joins us, 4 guns not enough!!! Such lots of game, not a woodcock. Kill 3 birds, 2 rabbits, 3 snipe. Dine at Mr Perry's and make an evening of it till 1. Rather tired, a long walk this morning for me!!

4th

Very beautiful today after misty morning, not up early etc, bed late. About sorting papers all morning, walk to Cillibion, carting out headland, try to dry the land. Join the children and mamma on return from airing, home to dinner, walk to Crickton, carting out headland Long Acre, Stoneyford, try to dry the land. Read to the children. Enter day's accounts etc. Very tired, in bed late last night. Glass begins to fall again.

5th

Very windy driving thick heavy misty rain comes on about 1.00, goes off again about 3. Ride to Bryngwas by Llythrydd. Receive on account of rent £5 only, look over premises, new barn etc. Stall bulging, call on Matthew Stevens and J Davies for arrear of tithes, get promises. Ride to Penralt and pay RH 1/3 of £7 10 0. ½ years rent to Harry Lucas for 2 fields Cillibion. Call at Crickton and home, change my dress and sit by fire, read Britannia etc. Carree writes to Charlie, hear from Willey, all safe home again.

6th

Doubtful day, proves fine. Drive Carree and Frank to Swansea, home at 6.30. Call on Mrs Woodruffe, go to market.

Sunday. Evening duty, read Cambrian and read Line on Line to children, rainy day. EKJ has duty at Chapel, Sacrament, and does not stay Caie Forgan to tea.

8th

Very windy, rain in night drives into the rooms. Coals come in, some strong showers. Clears up in evening. Sale at the Lower Mill, J and Mrs Ord come on visit to us from Penmaen in evening. Level road by hedge, stable and haggard. Walked to Cillibion fields to see what good more drains will do and then to Crickton. Read 1st chapter of Miss Sinclair on modern fashions or etiquette. Ride with Carree late to the sale at Lower Mill. Refused to pay poor rates in the Upper Division raised to £300 from 73 and 62 =135. Lewis John collector. Receive letter from Llanelli that must be attended to by 10th. Long discussion about merits of cheese; old, new, English, Welsh, skim and fresh milk.

9th.

Tuesday most splendid day. Mr Ord shoots with Mr Perry. All morning at accounts. Crickton laying tiles behind fat cattle etc and Cillibion mangold. Read to children Swiss Robinson and Miss Sinclair.

10th

At Crickton before breakfast, J Ord rides to Swansea, walk to Cillibion, prepared to sow vetches after tatos. Shoot with EKJ at Prisk, only see a rabbit killed by him. In evening attend parish meeting, few there, adjourned for a week. Enter day accounts in evening. EKJ gone home. Vetches and rye sown. Funeral of Mrs Ball at R.

11th

Thorough wet after 11.00, ride early with JO to Caswell to meet Booker to shoot. I to go into accounts with Grove, go through them, he in arrear and only pays £2 in addition to 10 played lately but on promises. Weather-bound and sleep by the fire. Oysters and tea. Home in wet to dine at Ilston, all the party wet through one way or another. Fireworks and home by 10.00!!!! Receive letter from mother and 2 Llanelli.

12th

All morning about accounts, Betty Davis cook paid off, en famille! Beef cut up, Carree not very well. Mrs O rides to post, JO shoots to Penmaen. Dine at 5.00, walk to Cillibion, to Crickton to get account of work. J Davies of Welsh Moor calls in evening. Nothing done.

13th

Wet and misty Day, J Ord shoots Prisk? Woodcock, h(en) pheasant, rabbit. Dine at 2.00, I get out and get wet to Cillibion turnips and Crickton. Home, change and read Britannia. Send notice of funeral to Penmaen today. EKJ drops in and drops out. Glass does not fall, promise of fine tomorrow.

Sunday. Misty foggy rainy. Funeral sermon for old Mrs Ball. Drive Carree and Mrs and Mr Ord to Penmaen. Church altered opened, collection made, £2 for Carree and self. Colation at the rectory. W Collins and parties, 3 pupils go with W Collins to Nicholaston. Sermon ‘Transfiguration', spend evening at Penmaen. Home late and in fog. Difficult driving, get home safe about 1.00!!!! Example for Sunday!!!

15th

Dull and dry and mild, glass steady. Read Cambrian, walk to Cillibion, to Crickton, back to Cillibion home. Cut up pig, walk with RH to see the fat cows for sale, Parkyrhedin, Llanellen, agree for one at £9. 9. 0 or as it kills at £10 price asked when killed if it so pays. Return by will of the Woods by Wernhalog, what wretchedness and misery, retirement, dirt, mud, filth, squalor wretchedness and vermin! By Cil Ivor from Wernhalog, by Crickton giving orders about the cow. Home a little too late for dinner. EKJ here. An Arab, charity, 6d. Read to children Swiss Robinson. Enter accounts etc. Mrs Ord draws portraits, having a decided talent for the pencil though not very happy in likenesses!! Ought to write letters on business, do not. Great neglect!!

16th

Very wet morning, clears off and J Ord and I drive in spring car to Llanmadock to shoot rabbits and dine at Pearce's. Very cold northwest wind. Not much sport with rabbits, warned off of Mr Holland's land in a mild way where we found a pheasant. Mr Perry joins us late, prevented professionally. EKJ comes only to dinner and purposely avoids shooting. Dine at 6.00. Supper of partridges very superfluous!! Not home till 1.30 nor in bed till 2.30!! EKJ sleeps on sofa under cloaks! Breakfast tomorrow as usual.

17th

Up as usual but tired rather! The Ords leave us for Nicholaston Hall, J Ord not very well, toothache. EKJ shoots home. I get to the turnip field, Cillibion, carting home to clear off for wheat. Meet Mrs W Collins when going to Crickton! Astonishing!! Return with her and accompany her and Carree to Llythrydd, we call on the Balls after loss of her mother. Dine 3.30, send all Ord's luggage to Nicholaston and meat and hare to Perry. Walk late to Crickton to inquire of work and arrange for tomorrow, very tired this evening. Read to children, enter journal and glad to get to bed.

18th

Sharp frost, beautiful today. Drive Carree, Johnny and Emma to Swansea. Mr & Mrs Ord go and meet Mr W and Mrs W Collins. Call on Beor in regard to the Penclawdd Company, speak to Mr Llewellyn about Caswell and Mr Hancorne, sale of land. He tells me he has a bag fox tomorrow for Fairwood Common. Captain Jennings advises to press the Penclawdd Company who are selling off.

19th

Sharp frost, mild pleasant day. Join a fox chase on Fairwood, bag fox. Mr Llewellyn's hounds, he asked me to come to the meet or I should not have done so, perhaps not have heard of it. Sharp short run and kill within sight of the turnout!!! In half an hour!! A horrid country to ride over!!! Danger of bogs and perpetual fences! Only 3 red coats! Call at Kittle Hill, Hancorne out, much recovered. Call at Ilston, they are going to dine at Stouthall. Home about 3.00 and look after my own affairs. Carree ridden to Penmaen. Read Britannia, enter accounts and write letters to WM and Sanguinetti.

20th

Most mild dull chilly day, no frost. At home, love being at home on Saturdays. Thomas and Cathe gone to Swansea, a few geese sold only. Read Cambrian and Read Dombey. Walk to Cillibion, cart out lime and earth and sow wheat. Walk to Crickton and home to dinner. Wheat coming up Long Acre. Work little in my garden and see that all things are looked after. Read in evening and amuse the children. Car home very late, why?

Sunday. Drive Carree to Ilston, the church there reopened. A cold dinner and a collection. Mr & Mrs Wood and Miss Penrice there. Weather-bound in evening, heavy rain. W Collins preached a.m. John C in evening 6.00. I am asked to hand round the plate. Not home till 11.00.

22nd

Fineish day again after heavy rain yesterday evening. Carry turnips and hay Stafell Haegr, damp evening again and glass again falling. Break up at Cillibion, Henry Lucas!!! Short reign and not a merry one!? Old Stephens calls to pay tithes in part £5. Read Mrs Sinclair, Modern Accomplishments, very clever, and read to children Swiss Robinson, Miss Lucas's books. Sow a little Australian wheat in garden and a few grains of black barley. Colt taken in hand a little first time. RH called up and had the Cambrian.

23rd

Wet morning after wet night clears off showery, glass rises. Cold wind, unsteady. At home all morning routing out chest of drawers, nest of drawers, nick nacks. Dine early, walk to Cillibion and Crickton. Read a little, J Grant calls up about the brick yard account. Hear that Captain Jennings of Penclawdd is dead this morning after a few hours illness, q the cause of death? The company all at loggerheads.

24th

At Crickton and Cillibion and ride after dinner with Carree to call on J Ord at the Hall and on to Penmaen for letters. Later tea there and home by Walterston. Much said about our servants and our house at Penmaen. Carree lectures all servants on her return, reports if not wrong our charged (?).

25th

Wet morning till 12.00, dull all day. Wet again at night on return from Ilston with children who went invited to spend the day with Clifton and Edith Collins. A new pupil arrives, Mr Buckland from Oxford, to be polished up in Gower. He sings, plays the horn, have fireworks etc. Write to EM from Ilston, went to Crickton in the morning. Poor rate Upper Division tithe, Lewis John paid £10 2 6 on the old rate altered from a new one making tithes at 1/6 in £. £22 10 0. George Walker comes up about his account, wants it settled. About to rent house and land of Gordon, Cil Ivor, and to go on with brick yard.

26th

Rise earlier than usual and before breakfast walk to Crickton and arrange work. Read Miss Sinclair, walk to Cillibion, Well Park, plough headland. Turnips in mire, Mr Gape calls and Miss Eliz, poor George Gape came home, not in favour. More of Miss Sinclair and read to children Swiss Robinson. Receive letter from WM, can't assist me as to poor rates. Carree writes letters, do not send to Swansea tomorrow, send Groves coat of Caswell to RH to return to Grove by Llewellyn.

27th

Thorough wet day, gentle and mild. Glass very low, falling all yesterday. Foreseeing wet do not go to Swansea tho' I have business there. At home all day, read, mend a bed, mend a towel horse, rout best bedroom and read to the children, attend to work in stalls and stables. Enter some accounts in evening and examine some bills sent in etc etc.

Sunday. Wet, not very tho' the glass fallen to much rain. Morning duty, read in Bible with Carree - Isaiah. Write letters to 4 Chandos Street, mother and Mr Morris, 26 Old Square, Lincoln's inn.

29th

A fine day, glass rising. Ride to Swansea, ‘Aurora', just in time for post by guard. 2 letters. Call on Mrs Popkin, meet Mr & Mrs Collins there. W Collins wife and son in town. Home by 5.30, do not feel well, cannot learn to live without physic nor keep thoro' well with it. Have only bread and cheese and porter at the Castle. Read Swiss Robinson to the children. Called at Mr Beor's about the Penclawdd Company, fear them! Bad lot!

30th

Wet driving mist. Sale at Cillibion, Henry Lucas sold up. What a pity, the house just made most comfortable. Cattle, horses etc sold. Many people there. We have a cold colation. Mr Perry, Booker, Buckland, J Collins, and spend the evening. Evans of Brynhir put my name for new chapel, Upper Division, £30. Mr & Mrs James come over, send for them, they stay night. Settled accounts with George Dix in morning.

December

1st (Wednesday)

Very fine indeed, walk to Crickton before breakfast. Most beautiful day, at the sale at Cillibion all day. Harness etc sold, find nothing.

2nd

A thorough wet driving mist and rain, again at Cillibion, sale of furniture. Received letters by EKJ, one from Llanelli answered by B Howell. … at the sale going to Fairy Hill, called in wet and take shelter at Mr Lloyd's. Home late from sale, Mr & Mrs James with us. Horrid employment attending sales.

3rd

Another wet day for Cillibion sale, day spent there, William Collins and Mr Perry, great purchasers. Too late for dinner, Mr & Mrs James returned home from the sale. Distribute veal at the sale, calf killed yesterday.

4th

No sale at Cillibion today, walk early to Crickton to Cillibion fields to see what has been done and who's at work. Wet comes on again. Read Cambrian and Miss Sinclair's book. Enter accounts, wet and stormy. Awfully wet and stormy towards night. Dreadfully bad returning from market, lucky nor go nor send.

Sunday. Evening duty, most stormy. Walk with Carree to Cillibion to talk and pass time with Miss James and the orphans, how desolate and solitary. Tim and Miss Ball and their niece spend evening with us on return from church as does EKJ. They get home before wet again comes on, what stormy weather!!!

6th

Stormy morning, dreadful towards night. At Cillibion sale all day with Carree. Pass some time upstairs with the orphans and Miss James. Obliged to send for car to get home again. Most windy, house drowned with wet. Glass as low as it can for. Chimney won't burn, obliged to go to bed early. Best carpet flooded with rain, what a nuisance, what destruction.

7th

A better day, still windy and wild. Cillibion sale ends, get all things home. Less rain, very cold. Ride to Cil Ivor and Wernhalog to see the road and meet Mr Gordon at Court House. Agree for rent for brick man in my name at 13 0 0 free of rates, tithes only excepted. Gordon to repair and pay for drain tiles. Walker expected to lay them down. House not a bad one. Call at Penralt, RH out. Call at Crickton, most peculiar light, like eclipse. Sleet clouds from north west, very peculiar so as to frighten the horses. Get home just in time to escape storm. Enter accounts and read to children in evening.

8th

Hancorne's sale of land in Bison. Ride to Penmaen to breakfast. EKJ drives me in, attend sale at Macworth Arms. By one lot £135. Payments at LD. TE Thomas, Illtyd T, farmers only besides present except Mr Beor the sol(icitor), 6 lots only sold out of 16. Lunch at Castle, cold chicken only and glass of brandy grog. Home to tea at Penmaen and ride round road. Road (sic) home by 10.00, receive letter from mother, poor George a little better again, hopeless of recovery. Rainy night again, just as I get home, how lucky!!

9th

Wet and windy still. About home all day. Write to Llanelli bank, B Howell and Richard Morgan. Carpenter here about box for pig to Farmers Club show. Read Dombey. Dine at 2.00. In evening walk to Penralt. RH out, see Grant at school.

10th

Stormy, foggy and rain. Rooms full of water, carpet ruining. Obliged to dismantle room. New carpet!!! How disgusting!!! At home all day in barn, help lease wheat for Farmers Club and for seed after the dinner. Walk to Penralt. Borrow of RH £2 and receive for skin of calf. Call at Crickton on return home. Uneasy all day till receipt of a letter from Willey, how kind of Frederick to meet my wishes in an emergency, released me from temporary difficulty owing to the times. Sent to the post early this morning and again late this evening. How inconvenient! Read Cambrian in evening and read to children.

11th

Fine day, bids fair to change bad again this evening late for a wet Sunday! No go nor send to Swansea. Tried to shoot ducks on common, too wary! Lease wheat in barn. Ride with Carree and Johnny to Reynoldston to buy fustian for Georgy. Mr Lucas overtakes us, who plays for veal and returns cloth. Call at Perry's, don't get off, he not there - is cleaning wheat for Farmers Club. Get a sample and try experiment in small scales. Mine is best. Read Miss Sinclair, Modern Society, aloud to Carree. Do not read to children.

Sunday. Wet, morning duty, sacrament. Read Bible to the children etc in the evening.

13th

Clears off, barn leasing wheat, all hands. Ride to Stafell Haegr to meet mason about stables. Thomas Gordon there, ricks in way, nothing done. Meet Carree at Cillibion and visit with the Misses Lucas till 2.00. Arrange about tomorrow. Up very late to get ready the quantity of wheat wanted.

14th

Very fine, Swansea Farmers Club. Exhibit a boar and wheat, no prize. The boar, J Strick's, a very poor one, gained the prize - his brother secretary. Mr and Mrs James in town, Butter Street. Take tea there, Mrs Falkin very ill. Not home till 12.00, Carree and Johnny go and also Thomas. Harmony of meeting marred by dispute of prize awarded according to rules. Mr Talbot in chair, one swallow does not make a summer, one Strick an agricultural district! Plough mended Olfa bridge by C Reese.

15th

Driving rain again a.m. and clears off fine p.m.. At home all day reading papers etc. Walk to Crickton, meet RH, sheep strayed. Walk to forge about chaff cutter. Read Britannia in evening and enter accounts. Carree not very well.

16th

Wet again after midday. Read Britannia. Walk to Crickton and Cillibion, repairing roof of stable Crickton. Detained by rain, heavy rain. Return home and dine alone, too late. Write to Llanelli, Willey, Bedford Square, Mumbles and for David Jones to police force. He Carrees letters to Swansea tomorrow. Rain ceases towards night.

17th

Threatening weather again after a dry cold night.. Rain after 1.00, am at Penralt. All my sheep killed by RH, 5. A hurricane of wind and rain in the evening, in alarm about Charlie leaving Bristol at 2.00a.m. Deluge all night, never saw rain equal to it. Moor Mills doubly full. Read Modern Society, very clever. Conclude Charlie will not leave Park Street, a correct conclusion learn tomorrow.

18th

Dry and dull after a soaking night. Drive Carree to Swansea expecting to meet Charlie and Newman. Bad weather keeps them in Bristol. Call on Mr Beor about Penclawdd

Company. See Mr Brown, chief partner, promises payment. Becomes sadly taken ill. Call at Kern's about alarm, go to the market, see RH about meat. He has left me a sheep, kills all mine. Tea at Butter Street, Carree paid, 2 feeds of corn and glass of brandy at Castle not paid. Home about 8.00 disappointing the children, Charlie not come home. Enter accounts same evening and reward Carree for spelling well because she never does.

20th

Sunday. Not wet, drive car to church. Cold. Evening duty, young J Lucas dines with us after church. Write to Offey and to Tenby by EKJ to Penmaen.

Monday. Really a fine day!!! About home all day, begin a drain at Well Park. J Ord and EKJ come shooting there. Walk to Crickton, old cow takes to turnips at last. Mrs Ord calls, do not see her. The Misses Lucas, 2, spend the day with us. Christopher Batcock by J Richardson £10 on account. J Richards of Blaenkedy calls about rent and pays half year to LD. J Jenkins calls for poor rate, gets nothing. Enter accounts in the evening and write 26 O(ld) S(quare), Lincoln's Inn and Bedford Square.

21st

Another fine day, God be praised! Expecting Charles and his friend Henry Newman home from school. Walked to Cillibion, drain Well Park and to Cillibion forge and Cillibion yard. See D Howell auctioneer, pay him for C Reese and buy 1 ton straw of him for 14 cwt, send for it. After dinner take up dahlia roots. Very cold east wind. The holiday boys arrive about 6.30. Evening spent in noise and excitement. Chemical box, toys and tales. Write to WFM Bristol.

22nd

Very sharp frost, drive Carree and take Johnny, Charles and Master Newman. Ride to Penmaen, dine and not home till past 12.00. Played at casino with the children. Walked to Cillibion drain in the morning. Use carriage with only Valiant, too heavy for him. Cart straw from Cillibion. Extremely cold and unpleasant coming home.

23rd

Frost going or gone, yet very cold, inclined to snow and rain. Walk to Cillibion drain and across country to Wernhalog by Whitehall to see J Harry on the road. Return by Crickton and home to dinner at 2.00, a goose. Children rode to the village tailor. In evening read Britannia and pack bottles to return to Clarke, 7 dozen and 3 hampers with Thomas. Enter day accounts etc and write to Swansea. Some little wet in evening late.

24th

Very fine day, wind gets to north east and is very cold p.m. Charles and Newman ride to Ilston. All the rest drive car to call on Mrs Ord at the Hall, ill with influenza, can't speak audibly. Meet JO shooting on common, ask him to take pot luck at 3.00. W Collins drops in after dinner, a bachelor, Mrs WC at Tenby - her sister ill, in danger. Arrangements made, we dine at Penmaen Monday, Tuesday to dine at Ilston, Wednesday a family party at home. Nothing spent, have no money except market accounts.

25th

Evening duty, Christmas Day. Dine after church, EKJ leaves us for tea at Nicholaston Hall. RH up in the evening. Day, not well spent.

Sunday. Morning duty, good congregation. Cold, mild, dry and dull, very nice weather indeed. Read Bible in evening and some of Miss Sinclair's Modern Society, a very good book. Carree writes to my mother by EKJ.

27th

Drive carriage, Carree, Johnny, Charlie and Henry Newman to dine at Penmaen. Go early to shoot rabbits etc. Meet John and EKJ on moor, take puppy Bryn and new single gun. Beautiful, dry and mild, yet cold. Sale of wreck Miriam on Rhossili Bay, do not send. Receive letter from my mother to announce death of brother George. Alas poor George, ever kind to me, who never made an enemy but of one who deserved it, however it injured himself. Such results he often felt and has left a large property in a very confused state, greatly involved. Many will lose him and regret his loss. Even many who hated him when alive. Up till 3.00, late home and write letters, disappointed of sending them at last.

28th

At home, read Cambrian, annoyed by Francis Thomas not going to Swansea as promised. Walked to Penralt and village, settle with RH about sheep all killed and sold. Call at Crickton on return and home, dine alone and prepare for tomorrow. Mean to leave to attend poor George's funeral. Am very low, feel a great void in the death of George.

29th

Start from home before 9.00 with Carree and 2 boys for Swansea. By mail to Gloucester and … of Rugby in way to attend the funeral of my brother George. Wet through and perishing with cold at Gloucester. Box seat, inside full. Rain, snow or sleet all way from Bridgend. Not in bed till 12.30, up again before 6.00, a melancholy meeting this, the circumstances together making it far more, mysterious proceedings!

30th

In London to attend poor George's funeral. Arrived from Gloucester at Paddington 11.00. Wet. Meet there Fred, WM and A. Take breakfast at 12.00. Walk with WM to my tailors, to Mr France, Lincoln's Inn, Law Life Insurance and received 2 years £15 dividend and dividend for WM and Law and Legal and pay him. Ride home. Much conversation about poor George and all circumstances in connection with him. Most ill used by somebody.

31st

Not wet this morning, most stormy conversation as usual among us all. Letters received this morning causing it.

No rain today in London, write to Caroline, walk with WM to the city, call on Mr Terrell, barrister in Hall St, City, executor of Mr Barrett, about rent of Chambers not prepared. Nothing done, return by Strand, Bond Street etc. This ends a year, the new one will begin bad indeed. Tomorrow four brothers start from London to attend a funeral of their elder brother, aged 53 only, at Biddlesden near Buckingham. Much lamented, sadly used, may he rest in heaven.

◀ Previous year         ▲ Back to the list         ▶ Next year