Charles Morgan's Diary, 1850
January
1st January 1848 George was buried at Biddlesdon after a painful and lingering illness in a most melancholy way. 1849 January I was enjoying a brief holiday with Caroline for about 6 weeks [now at Bristol on our return home] to attend a marriage. 1850 this day in London winding up the affairs of Chandos St owing to the sudden death of my mother on the 6th Dec. which brought us all up to London. Now again I am hoping to return as last year before the holidays are over.
1st (Tuesday)
In London, fine, dry, frost cold slippery, in the house all day till candlelight. Pack up books etc etc etc, examine a few accounts, a long letter to Charles, one to Mrs James Clifton and 2 on matters of business in Swansea. Post my letters and walk down Regent Street, look at the shops and resist temptation. May it continue all year! Alas! Alas, it never well. EM went to the Thames tunnel with Augustus his 2nd boy.
2nd
London, a mild thaw, thick fog comes on and a little rain. There is skating still. Examined respective accounts with WM, calculate costs of silver each buys for the family plate, add up the cost in books etc. Walk out with EM, call at several shops, Oxford Street etc. A small jug at Phillips, boys, bacchanalian, very pretty. Go down Wardour Street and up Regent Street, EM gets 2 good trunks of 12/-, goes to the play Lyceum with Augustus in evening. Write no letter, receive none!
3rd
London, frost gone, some rain. Not out of the house till dusk examining accounts
with WM as to things in Chandos St. Write to FM, Willey. Walk out to Oxford Street
with WM and call at Earles in Castle St. A few things, counterpanes, sold in evening.
Read a little of Burns. A garden of EM.
4th
Mild damp day, frost gone. Sell a few raiments and sit down to accounts. Get out a little with EM, call at Moores about the sword to be done up at Fitchews, about nickel silver, a long time there. Then to Soho Square about the Seraphine, prints chiefly, the cartoons under sale to lottery. Guinea tickets and an envelope for chance. Most beautiful prints, great temptation, not much done this evening.
5th
Very cold, frost and skating. Call with WM in Bedford Square, meet HJM there about the executorship account of my mother. Dine in Bedford Square at 6.30, all three gave two men servants 5/- having slept there a week and found them very attentive. Wrote home a hasty letter. Called about salt cellar at Fitchews nickel silver shop. Walked with WM round Regent's Park to foot of Primrose Hill etc.
Sunday. Mild frost still, at Foley church with WM and walked to the park and Kensington Gardens etc by Bayswater etc. HJM and A do not dine here, hunt over papers in the evening and find some rather of consequence.
7th
Out early with WM to Bedford Square, see Frank as to papers relative to EM etc. Some time there. Walk down Wardour St and call to see Murray piano tuner near Garden Square and home. Fred arrives after 3.00; he, WM and self walk to Regent's Park, too late, can't see the skating and return after 2 rounds of about the botanical circle like kicked dogs. In evening all at home, a few odds sold to please Alfred?
8th
Very cold and frosty, skating but the ice wet. Cold dull thaw, pack up pictures etc and walk with Frederick to Regent's Park and about the town and leave him at the Burlington Arcade to go to the Albany. At home all the evening reading Life of Burns. Murray, piano tuner, calls late and passes judgement on the piano - £14, and Seraphine - £10. Fred and A dine with Frank.
9th
Frost apparently gone but still very cold. Inclined to snow. Pack up more glass things and send one large box off by Pickford, books chiefly. Called on Miss Mitchell, no 6 Duke Street, Portland Place. How strange, first house I was ever in in London 1816 with my father and mother, never in it since till now just after the death of my mother. Booth the bookseller still just en pas, reminds me of 1816 and Old Mathew Swanell the coachman. What a contrast now, how little to be foreseen, is there fatalism in affairs? A dines out, read St. James's Chronicle and am idle and in bed tired.
10th
Cold thaw and freezing again. Not out of the house all day, make a copy of my mother's will from HJM's, write home and to Miss Griffiths of Lan to admit receipt of butter at Bedford Square and Charles Collins about money for the Poor Law Union.
11th
More packing up, W and F get out together to make some inquiry about enclosure of Llanrhidian, to see Mr Darling Commissioner of Enclosures. Do not learn much, HJM and self go to Mr France and Greys Inn to see about deeds. Send one to Tenby, failed to see Green. Call on Mr Morris 26 O.S. Lincolns Inn as to his bond to me, call on Henry Woodward, Lincoln's Inn Fields, no 3, by Covent Garden and Long Acre, home. Called at Gibson, Long Acre for EM. Muster over all the music in the house with F in the evening!!! What a business!
12th
Frost but not sharp and no wind. Very slippery in London but pleasant tho' dull and dark. Fred leaves early for Willey. A after lunch and packing and … for Sussex, no one knows where further than Sussex. Pack a little and walk with WM to see Frank, gone. See cousin Marianne to take leave. Call at Mr France for WM to sign a deed. Meet Frank in Bedford Row who has proved my mother's will. Hunt up parties representative of Day [Day and Martin] owners of a fee farm, rent on tithes of Llanrhidian, get required information of Mr Dufaur no 3 Bedford Row, referred to Henry, 3 Inner Temple Lane. Meet with great civility and patience.
14th
Sunday. At church with William in Foley place, pew opener 6d. Walked to see the skating, never saw such crowds upon ice. Copy my mother's ms ‘Continental Tour of Italy' in 1829, more than 60 years of age, marvellous.
Monday. Go on copying the same ms. All day copying mss of mother. Dine in Bedford Square, W and HJM. WM repays the £7 sent and paid to Catherine at Brighton.
15th
Finish my poor mother's mss Continental Tour, hard writing. Walk with William to law life, enquire about tithes, the sale of, call at Green's, Gray's Inn, do not see him. Call in Bedford Square to take leave. Frank in the gout. Pack up all evening. William dines at Blakelock's. Write to FM about ram. Not in bed till morning.
16th
Finish packing up, sharp frost, scarcely in time for train to Abingdon Road to dine with WL Collins, 5.30. Walk with WM and HJM to Pickford, a cab back. Hurry unpacked things into a box, cut off bread and cheese to eat by the way and off with WM to Paddington Station just in time and bid adieu, a long adieu to the great City of London. On passing Kensal Green cannot but shed a tear in remembrance of past life and the cause of being so suddenly and fatally called to London. Spend evening with Mr & Mrs Collins and Mr Harrison. The tank burst!!!
17th/18th
Cold, frosty, not severe. Awake to a new scene, the retired village of Clifton Hampden Oxon. A new parsonage, Elizabethan style, the vicarage of the Gibbs now in Gower. What a pretty little church! Norman architecture within but not kept up without. Newly repaired and beautifully fitted, a stone altar table objected to by the bishop, always covered by cloth. Call on Mr Harrison in his snuggery. Train to Oxford with Mr & Mrs C. Spend day there, dine at Dr Higgs, at St Johns, see the new Randolph Museum. Beautiful original sketches of Raphael and Michelangelo. Casts of original statues etc. Wander over all the town, call on John Lucas at ? Hall, out. Meet him afterwards. At Bristol by express from Didcot 8.00, left Oxford at 5.30. Cab to to Park Street, the same to Clifton to see Mrs James and Mrs Hughes and walk back to Park Street by 10.30, a little supper and bed at 12. A letter this morning from FM, rams not sent yet, deferred. In Bristol, cold, no snow but snow comes on about 11.00, thick and thin. Rain and a general thaw. Stop and read Britannia and write home to fix on Monday to return. Mr M drives me to Clifton, stay with Mrs James, talk of future plans. Nothing settled. Call on Mrs Hughes, walk to the city and post letter. Not out again after dinner.
19th
Bristol, very mild, frost gone. Read Illustrated News etc. Get out about 2.00, call on Leigh in College Street to get a draft cashed for EM, £3.10 0, which I cashed for him in London. By the quay to the terminus to enquire at Saracens Inn about taking in a sheep from Willey and forwarding it to Swansea, all right again. Stroll to Kings Down, there call on Mary Morgan. Such impediment in speech cannot understand. Read in the Institution after dinner, Caversham Park burnt down yesterday, Mr Crawshay.
Sunday. Frost, sharp. Blind Asylum, Mr Knight good reader, son a poor preacher. Walk to call on Mr Robert Gibson and cross over Clifton from Redland. Mrs James has dined at 10.00, dine alone and stay the evening. Tea later, Park Street again, Mr Robert Gibson drops in. I am to return home tomorrow by the Troubadour.
21st
Leave Bristol by Troubadour, Liverpool steamer, for Swansea at 10.00. Frost changes to cold thaw and sleety snow and fog. Only one more cabin passenger, a Mr Yew, a Cornishman from America doing well, several vessels of his own (Isle of France)? At the Mumbles by 5.00, can't land, wind east. In Swansea Bay till 10.00, wonderful, not ill all day. At anchor, hard work to escape. Meant to get home tonight, meet RH and Tom D at the quay. Summonsed before the magistrates tomorrow as overseer. Sleep at Mrs Davies St Mary's St, tired and annoyed.
22nd
At the magistrates room from 11.00, fined for arrear of rates £2 10 0!!! though absent to attend my mother's funeral in London and consequently detained which I consider a great hardship. Others fined less, I the scapegoat! Carree and Charles and Agnes come to meet me, not home till late tea. Roads horrible, horse ill. Glad to see the children once again and they to see me, dear little things!!!
23rd
At home, unpack London boxes, not out of the house tho' my first day at home. Mr Collins calls for private reasons and to enquire, Charles rides old Tom Brown to Oxwich etc and we are to have a juvenile party on Friday, very inconvenient but glad to amuse the children. RH comes to kill a porker. Turkeys and fowls killed etc! A thaw and so was yesterday quite mild. RH here all the evening going through accounts of poor rates paid etc and agree to go round for arrear of rates tomorrow. Such is Gower life as compared with elsewhere, all confusion and disagreeable and annoying. Prevented attending to my own private affairs and accounts, horrid work!
24th
A fine mild day rather cold and windy. Ride with RH who I meet in the village and Charles who is to ride on Grey Sam, first paying Mr George Gordon, Cilivor, property tax. George Gibbs meets us in the village, go to Stafell Haegr to see the drains and meet George Walker there. Then by Oldwalls to Trecoed etc Wimmel, Wibley etc and do not receive £1 wanting £100!! And more!! Not on a horse for a long time, sadly tired. Unpack a box in the evening to amuse the children. Mostly glass and prints, all safe! Get nothing entered of this week till Sunday next!!!! Mr Gibbs calls late, George dines.
25th
The juvenile party, Gibbs and Perry etc. Am far from well, breakfast in bed, unwell all day, shaken yesterday. A dull affair, wet for them to return home, unfortunate. Several children sleep on makeshift beds on the floor etc.
26th
Do not go to Swansea nor send. RH there. The Gibbs here who slept here last night. Austen calls for pigs and turnips. Perry sends for pigs, sold four. Send Albon to Ilston with two. Drive to Penmaen to tea. Very windy and cold. Meet all the Gibbs party at the tower and hand over the young ones. Penmaen monstrous dull and stupid. Charley with us.
28th
Sunday. Sharp frost. My first Sunday on return from London on the funeral of my mother, walked to see W Tucker, 3 months ill of a bad leg, getting about. Hear children read and read to them.
Monday. Driving mist. After poor rates with RH to Parkyrhedin, Welsh Moor, Llanellen, Wernhalog, Cilivor and drive to dine at Ilston with Johnny and Charles an hour after time. Poor and cold dinner.
29th
J Davies of Welsh Moor calls about rates and goes away ill. Was to meet RH, Bevan Wernhalog brings a bill. About poor rates with RH and accounts all day and Charles packing up to go to Swansea to meet the Gibbs at Mrs Davies. Very dark going, could not get ready. Meet Mr Collins returning and nearly run foul at Olfa (sic). Sleep at Mrs Davies, what confusion.
30th
Charles by mail to Cowbridge, can't go till tomorrow. In Swansea at Mrs Davies. Mr & Mrs Gibbs and Dolly there. George Gibbs gets off to Gloucester by mail, full. Charles can't go, must wait till tomorrow. Dine early. Mr & Mrs Gibbs go home late and wet. Leave Dolly with us. I write for the Cambrian, not in bed till 2.00 to be up again at 6.00. Called at Trev Jenkins, in London.
31st
Return home from Swansea, up before 6.00 to see Charles off by mail. Write for the Cambrian about poor rates. Difficult to get it printed but do. Wet evening, home to tea, Dolly Gibbs with us.
February
1st (Friday)
At home, bothered to death by one and another. Driving misty rain gets worse and worse. Settle accounts with Bar Jone, red book. J Richards of Blaenkedi pays some rent, paid him property tax and land tax, tithe Killan. Sally out with RH for poor rate to Cillibion, too wet, do not go to Walterston. Eliz and Sarah Lewis call to be settled wages, have no time to go through both, pay Sarah. A day at accounts, God save us.
2nd
Thoro' wet and windy and disagreeable. About the house all day. Dolly Gibbs with us, leaves after dinner, sent for. I am hanging and arranging pictures and prints brought from London and read the Cambrian. My letter in it regarding poor rates, full of errors in printing. Pay J Grant, school village £1.5 0. Christopher Batcock on account £5. Blow up Tom Phillips and discharge him, inclined to be impertinent while I employ him and 2 children.
4th
Sunday. Evening duty, a fine day. Call with Carree to see old Mrs Harry John and Frank only with us to church, Agnes swelled face. Emma bad heel.
Monday. Very fine again, send early for hay to Penmaen. Rd Jenkins calls about accounts concerning the road etc. Heifer killed, Mr & Mrs Collins call, dine and sleep. Mr & Mrs Perry call in evening and stay tea and make a pleasant evening. Mrs Perry wanting to go to Clifford.
5th
About home all day, very wet after 1.00. Prevented going for rates after cutting up beef. Mr & Mrs Collins leave, a bit about beef not 6 ½ score. Tom Eaton called about roads. EKJ rides over, he pays me 5/5 for bit of beef. What a wet stormy evening. Glass at much rain all at once. J Grant calls to make out a new rate. Receive 5 wins malt from Saml Gibbs and bill of last year, some mistake I think.
6th
Llewellyn sent to Swansea with hide, tallow etc and home by him (list of shopping). Settle this account and other things, walk to Penralt to see RH and go about for rates for cotts, he is gone, do not see him. Wait, don't come. Stormy wind, cold and damp. Return and walk to Reynoldston to dine with Perry at 5.00. Sit down half-past. Mr P sends over for Carree. Mr Collins there. Inspect road, sad condition. Buy tea… etc at Reynoldston, not paid. Home late, Thomas brings Carree.
7th
Drive to Swansea with Johnny to sign deed at Mr Beor's, Ynyswen, from Fred to be forwarded to Tenby tomorrow. Return by Penmaen. Carree there, mutton chops and beer at Castle not paid for or 2 feeds corn and home in dark by Stevenson's and leave him a pamphlet had at George's. Call on Dr Howell, pay £20 to Union and 200 to bank out of 400 sent from London. Write to EM. Very cold coming home. Roads bad indeed by Kilvrough etc.
8th
Drizzly misty day and wind. With RH collecting the rates, village, Leason, Oldwalls, get nothing among cots. Home to dine alone at 5.00, with J Grant about rate book all evening, write to Swansea by RH, to WM in answer to one received this evening etc etc. Not in bed till late. Stormy dark night.
9th
Wet morning after 10.00, stormy. Fine evening, very windy, not out of house all day, Read papers. RH from Swansea in evening. Talk of poor rates etc. Give notice for parish meeting on Wednesday. Annoyed by the Board of Guardians sending order of distress for poor rates, most unjust.
Sunday. Fine, all to church, held at the school, roof of church injured. Carree goes back with EKJ to Penmaen. Lucy J confined, daughter 2.00 in the morning tomorrow. I write a letter for editor of Cambrian in deference to Board of Guardians sending a distress, most shameful.
11th
At 2.00 this morning, infant daughter born at Penmaen, Lucy, the first of the family. Stormy wet day.
12th
Fine day, drive all the children over to Oxwich to see the Gibbs. Call with Mr G at Penrice Castle, Mr Talbot left yesterday for London and now walk to Penmaen, only just heard of the event there. Walk back to Oxwich and have had enough of walking. See the new road over the marsh, great improvement. Borrow Mr Gibbs lamp to return home. All's well, ends well. Write from Oxwich to Williams of Cambrian office about a letter for Friday, can't get it in.
13th
Thought to have gone to Swansea, am not ready. Tis a wet day, driving rain.
14th
Drive Johnny to Swansea to send parcel to Cowbridge and to see editor of Cambrian. Wet, very wet and disagreeable. Home to tea. Went to a great meeting of the Dock Company at the town hall. Marquis of Worcester expected, not there. Sent excuse that Swansea did not wish to see him. Went to see the railway etc, horrid muddy.
15th
At home all day, driving mist. Settle numerous accounts, Robert Davis etc J Davis etc. Poor old Bishop home, skinned and cut open, died, seems complaint of the heart. Wearied out of my life, arrange for Caswell by Albon who is sent up tonight. Poor Frank has swelled face. Carree at Penmaen. Thomas sent over this evening with a few things and a note.
16th
About home all today, very fine. A fox I fear. Read Cambrian and the Britannia, meet Murray on common and go with him to see a colt lame at Crickton. Poor Frank very ill, swelled face. Like being at home on a Saturday, more free of interruptions. Ride to Penmaen after dinner, see the baby, called on Stephensons, not at home, want to see him about Board of Guardians. Home in good time.
Sunday. Church, evening in the school room again. Carree comes home from Penmaen, does not go to church here, doubtful evening, does not rain. A calf, heifer, from brown cow with White Star.
18th
Frank not well, swelled face. Thick fog all day, Cathe Lloyd at work, send for thrashing machine Holfa. Breaks after all the trouble and won't go for weeks.
22nd
Felons Association dinner 2/6. Mr Perry drops in and dines with us but few there. EKJ no, sent his 2/6 by me. Mr P proposes a piece of plate for me for improving the roads. Return with Mr P to Caie Forgan to tea. I am reading Twm Shon Catty (sic). Give Mary Kneath notice to be gone tomorrow with her pigs. Fine day. Richard Jenkins calls, pay him nothing. Dines with the Felons, go with Mr P see the Balls, what misery, no bedding whatever.
23rd
Dry, pleasant day, dull though about home. Nor go nor send to Swansea. Sow vetches and rye, Upper Close, Crickton ½ Acre. Finish plough small field Pwllybrag next Caie Forgan east. Send Mary Kneath home, a difficult job with her 3 pigs. Mr Perry calls, her sister Eleanor Richards getting better. Mr Perry over to see her in the evening. Undoes the wound and reports favourably, very! Work little in the garden. Sow beans and potato onions. Walk with Carree to Crickton, meet children returning from village with potatoes etc. Enter a week's account in evening.
25th
(Margin note at top of page reads ‘ a.m. Upper Gate smashed by wickedness of /Geo/ etc. Seen by David Bowen and son'.)
In Swansea with Carree and Emma. Shopping etc with Carree all day. Mrs Jones this morning called, paid £19 on account of rent by RH. Send several letters, WM, SW Rail etc. Home to tea. about 8.00. Offey at Caie Forgan brings IW house peas.
26th
Rise early and out before breakfast, to stable, garden etc.
28th
Ride to Penrice Castle to see Mr William and George Harry. Pay no rent, reason why and go on to Penmaen. Meet Mr Collins driving Miss Stokes and Miss Popkin to Oxwich. Enquires about Mr James, tell him poor accounts. Expect he may be dead. He calls at Penmaen on return, does not come in and does not learn Mr James is dead. EKJ does not wish him to know it. Poor policy!
March
1st (Friday)
Driving mist, about stones for drain and lay same in Pwllybrag next the garden. Ride after dinner to Penmaen to meet a vestry about Penmaen living, petition to the Bishop for … In returning call on Stevenson, have long conversation about Board of Guardians, the accounts etc etc of the Board all badly conducted.
2nd
Misty, dull, day, driving misty wet returning from Swansea with Emma, Agnes and Cathe. Children sent about mourning for Grandpapa, call on Mr Trevilian Jenkins etc. At the bank draw £10, talk with Mr Stroud about Board of Guardians, the Judge V Williams arrives today. Children at Mrs Milward's upper room to see it, get wet coming home. Contrive to keep children dry and warm. Cathe comes with umbrella.
Sunday. Am not out of the house. Mr Pearce does duty a.m., Mr James dead. Dull heavy day, not wet.
6th
Drive early to Penmaen with all the children and Carree and Cathe Lloyd, Charles and Emma walked over in morning. Mr James's funeral! Arrived last night from packet, died Clifton. Mr Collins does the duty, quite private. Poor children, how they cry. First funeral they have attended. Send them home again after dinner by Thomas. Mr Morgan of Bristol there to attend the funeral. Returns to Swansea again in evening with Mr Richmond, undertaker, returning to Bristol by mail tomorrow. Carree and I stop at Penmaen.
7th
Most beautiful day, sea fog at Penmaen. Write for Mr Nicholls as to the living, call there and return to lunch dinner. Charlie came over in morning to breakfast, brought Rosy for Carree. Walk home by Long O and Lodge, call at both places about new rate. Very tired in the evening, quite a hot day. Unequal to anything when returned home and glad to get to bed and can't sleep. Spend nothing.
8th
Very fine mild quiet day, all day at home. Birds singing delightfully. Chop and neat garden a little, brush the back lawn with Charlie. Thrash oats with machine from Crickton and cart straw there. Walk after dinner with children and Carre to village, to Penralt about new rate, receive it on road going down. See the Clerk about the duty on Sunday, EKJ will not be there. Enter accounts in evening, long in arrear.
9th
In Swansea to get rate signed and had precious difficult work of it. Called on several magistrates, all out, such fine weather and released from the assizes.
11th
Very fine day, after attending to farming matters walk with Carree through the wood to Penmaen. Christening of ‘Lucy Jane' by Mr Collins who also walked there with Mrs C. Charles rode the grey, the other children all walked with Cathe Lloyd. Drive home in the evening. Very cold. Saw the cottage at Penmaen, Left poor Charlie there to return tomorrow to Cowbridge School. He returns ill, bad earache we hear afterwards and very deaf. Hope to hear better accounts.
12th
Remarkable fine mild day, white frosty morning. Rise early, no a servant up nor a labourer at 6.00. Find colts at the ricks etc. Finish ploughing for oats, 128 wins of oats winnowed after thrashing by the machine. Black O(ats) not cleaned up. Ride round by Wibley etc for poor rates, long confab with George Beynon as to Board of Guardians. Home about 5.00, no dinner. Mr Perry calls in the evening to take leave of Eleanor Kneath alias Richards of Llangennith.
13th
Frosty morning, very sharp. Ride round Walterston for rates, get not a farthing. Called to see Parsey, pig dying, cut by him, he comes over, tis dead. The Penmaenotes, nurse and child, come over to spend the day. I go back in the carriage to see Stevenson about Board of Guardians, he says the Board is illegally conducted, a committee set on Saturday. … one dissents from all their resolutions and will write to the commissioners. I return home. afoot.
14th
Rise early generally now. Morning was very frosty, sharp and white. Ride to Penralt to meet RH about rates, again by Parkyrhedin, Welsh Moor, Llanelen, Wernhalog, Cilivor etc. RH here in the evening, settled with him to take management of affairs on farm at 12/- a week. Many trifling things talked of besides parish rates and the whole system of the union.
15th
Another beautiful day but cold. Plant out quicks, go through accounts to see balance due to Elizabeth Lewis. Walk with Carree to Cilivor and see Dollin's wife ill, better, and go to Crickton to see oat sowing and there again meet Elizabeth and Thomas luckily saving of 10/- on Thomas's book. Write to Mr Benson about Blaenkedy and commissions for Swansea. Carree writes letters sent by RH in morning.
16th
What a March, how fine, mild, dry! Splendid barley sowing. Am not in Swansea nor do I I send. Horses all carting turnips home and brushing lime and earth Copton, Cadennith. About garden all day, plant out young quicks and plant out a few for trees on the back lawn and laurels, haggard and neat up front garden borders with Hannah. Like being at home on Saturday, never bothered! Salt beef and salt ketchup with fish for dinner make me horribly thirsty all the evening. Frosty mornings always.
Sunday. Very cold, very dry evening duty, Johnny only goes to church with me and ma. Walk with Carree after church in garden and to Pwllybrag.
18th
Very cold all day, sharp frost but beautiful weather. Get stones off clover, Pwllybrag, make culvert Copton Corner. Work in children's garden. Settle some account in money with RH, poor rate and Offey down in the evening. Givelin about to sell his land at Bison.
19th
Drive Carree to Swansea with Johnny and Agnes. Former meets EKJ and goes to Penmaen. One vivid flash of lightning this evening on our road home.
20th
All in confusion all day. Sent 10 wins oats to Caswell and same horse to Llangennith. Walked to see ploughing at Crickton, Lloyd mends windows and puts up blind. Mr & Mrs Perry make a morning call in the evening and take tea. A nice shower just as they arrive. Am dull and stupid all the evening and all day.
21st
Much milder after a little rain last night. Rise early and work in garden all day. Sow peas, plant cabbage, firs and rose trees. Nice growing day. EKJ rides over and dines. See nothing of ploughing work etc.
22nd
About home all day cold, dull. Garden, plant lilies of valley from Mrs Thomas Grove and neat up the border. Receive some poor rates, walk after early dinner to Crickton and Penralt. Before breakfast was out at Cillibion about the drains, the last to be dug there! Some little attempt at rain, never was a finer March, the land works beautifully! A confab with old Mr Gordon about the Union, Guardian etc.
23rd
Cold windy north west wind. Comes on a real winter, hail and snow, white world at night. Do not go but send C Reese to Swansea for some boxes etc. Hear Mr Harper will leave Cowbridge, elected to Sherbourne. Am not from home. See drain cutting at Cillibion, the last of them to be cut and ploughing at Crickton and Pwllybrag. Pay nothing and receive nothing, hear nothing. Kitchen chimney swept to avoid dreadful smoke of it. Snow on ground and some falls still. Teach children a little, read Bible a little, write to Charlie and repay to FM 100 by bank. Send Thomas to Penmaen.
25th
A good deal of snow again in night. A white world in morning and many thick showers of snow during the day. Not from home all day. RH enters on his office to see after the farm for me. Take in a mow of wheat, he leaves to go to Welsh Moor with George Harry. George Evans calls about vessel, can't get paid for stones at Penclawdd, Mr Lowe. George Williams burnt kiln, Evan John manager of works won't pay, why. George Harry and Jeffreys won't pay culm. Richard Gordon ditto, says I must pay, why? Pay Evans to get coals Gefn Gorway (sic – poss Cefn Gorwydd). Read Cambrian, Britannia etc, in no mood for work.
26th
Mr Moggridge and Mr Bates call, going on to Llangennith to explore caves etc and to meet IG Jeffreys and Mr Struve(?), the former dine with us and meet Francis Price and Miss C Andrew's who were expected though we could hardly expect, so cold and wintry. Pass a pleasant day in consequence but all leave early. I engaged to go Llangennith exploring, bear and hyena bones, to become learned in shells and fossils. Subscription to pew, Chapel Penclawdd, Phil Evans, church warden, £30.
27th
Breakfast early and ride to Llangennith as engaged, see yesterday, and spend a most pleasant day about the rocks from the Holmes to Blue Pool, to the Worms Tail not Head, to Rossily and over down to Llangennith. Bear the fatigue wonderfully. Enquire of money due to me of Wm Robin and our tailor. Dine at Gwyns, wash shells, take lessons. One Hullen an agreeable guide. Ride Grey Sam home in the evening most pleasantly. A most fortunate day, mild and pleasant.
28th
Mr Gibbs calls alone, he accompanies Carree and me to Mr Perry's, we drive there. Children go over to Mrs Womfor, Emma to music. Mr Womfor called in morning about brick duty for remission, government drawback. Send RH down to yard with him. Thomas comes to Mr Perry's in the evening to bring us home
29th (Good Friday)
Morning duty, small congregation. Windy, unpleasant day. Carree is driven by Thomas to Penmaen, baby ill there. I walk to Penralt etc, meet children there. Want to see RH about tomorrow etc. I prepare for tomorrow.
30th
Drive RH to Swansea and send Thomas for oats. In police court half the day as overseer and surveyor and jury … Rainy, cold and windy, east wind, meat left behind. Obliged to send in for it on Monday, what annoyance!
Sunday. Evening duty, all attend save Frank. Old Mrs Gordon, Cilivor, dies.
April
1st
Monday. Pass church wardens accounts at the school room. I am church warden and again elected. Cold wintry weather, very poor vestry indeed. Begin to cart out headland at Cillibion field, good day's work. Mrs and Mrs (sic) Perry and children spend evening with us and dine. Wet when they arrive and when they go away, how unlucky!
2nd
Ride with Carree, Oxwich destination, call at Perry's for Macintosh, detained by rain at Stevensons, by Penrice to Oxwich and take pot luck. Mrs G from home. Wet ride home, escape pretty well and get no colds. Receive Mr Talbot's new pamphlet on farming. Mr Gibbs pigs arrived, do not like them so well as my own but have engaged two, keep my word.
3rd
Very wet after 12.00, begins at 11.00. Hear children read and walk early to Cillibion,
carting out headland lower end after draining. Just done in time, how wet, how wet!!
Get wet through nearly and go home. Read Blackwood, an excellent article, long on
free trade as most injurious to farming.
4th
Very wet again, no men at work. Hear children read, Johnny ill, ill last night, better today. Read Britannia paper, help Thomas make a hot bed. RH gets in the pony mare from common in full. Offey comes down this evening and interrupts me. W David of mill here about poor rates. Glass rising. Carree unpacks parcels from Bristol [clothes]. Children unpack, in imitation, my wardrobe!!
5th
A fine day, not from home. Plough part of the Upper Field, dividing it with a new quick deepening drain. Across the road plant a few firs. Send notices to Lodge and to George Jones about poor rates. A jobbing sort of a day. Can't find my account of road work to take into Swansea magistrates tomorrow. Hunted over a lot of papers.
6th
Cold dull day, drive in car with Thomas to Swansea. Oats from home by ditto from Caswell, had sent there 10 wins oats. A good deal of thick rain in Swansea, lucky to escape wet coming home. Home late and dark. 2 hours in police court passing road accounts.
8th
Sunday. Morning duty. Drive down in car with children, give notice of a meeting for 11th about poor rate accounts.
Monday. Drive Carree to Penmaen in the car, get too late for dinner and go without any. No servants there. Walked to the cottage. Mr and Mrs Davies there as yet, their old farmhouse new roofed etc by Mr Michael. Busy all morning about Upper Field, new hedge made and part ploughed up.
9th
Dull damp wet day after a wettish night. Glass very low indeed. Write to Mr Benson about Blaenkedy and water course, to Mr Harper about Sherbourne school, Mr Perry about W Tucker - infirmary. Emma goes to Reynoldston music with Thomas. Settle some account poor rates with RH. David of Lodge calls about rates, can't pay.
10th
A beautiful day, quite hot. About home all day at Crickton before breakfast, 3 fat cattle went off to Swansea by RH etc. Hear children read and work in garden, gather rhubarb, broccoli etc and trim roses in front lawn etc. WT sent to Swansea Infirmary, bad leg, have no one in garden. EKJ come to a marriage, detained for a funeral, dines here. Read Britannia paper, receive letter from Frank and a legacy paper to sign.
11th
All day in the house, wet, making out accounts, poor rate book for vestry this evening preparatory to being audited and not home till past 12.00 at night. EKJ to another wedding today, dines with us. Glass rising after falling a.m. Bids fair to be fine while rain pours down. Oats sown on the Four Acres, muddy work.
12th
About home all day, sow oats in Cae Howell, graft Mr Bates scions, gilly flower (margin notes ‘Cornish Gilly Flower'), apple. Devonshire colt ill at Crickton, the best I have of four. Think it's an accident. Sow some flower seeds with Carree. Twice to Crickton about the colt, a lost case. Receive letter from Mr Harper about Sherbourne, most kind and friendly.
13th
Drive Carree, Johnny and Emma to Swansea in the Penmaen car, Kneath's, what a thing, worse than a corn car only lighter. Dull and cold, wet again after 12.00, luckily get home late without much rain. Never rode more miserably in my life. Tea at Mrs Davies and beef, went with Phil Morris to Mr Noble about taxes, found at him very civil and submitted to a wrong. Wrote to Mrs James about … of Caswell and to … Morgan about tithes etc.
15th
Sunday. Evening duty, fine, very fine after wet of yesterday. After church go to see injured colt at Crickton.
Monday. Wet morning after very wet night, bad omen of a new moon, cannot plough. Barley land not touched yet. Cover in a drain at Pwllybrag. Was at Crickton to see the dying colt, all up, some injury no doubt. Thomas mows the lawn 1st time. About drain Pwllybrag a good deal during the day. George leaves in bad humour. (Margin reads ‘ Colt dies Monday evening, evidently injured, tumbled down or fell against something, shoulder injured materially')
16th
Wet driving day, out in it all day draining at Pwllybrag. Necessary to get it done as it falls in as they are working it. Get wet through and so do men, Can't ask them to go on and skulk away to a fire myself! But if I can bear it why can't they!? Tis done and a good job. Thrashing machine taken away. Send out some hot gin and water to the men.
17th
A fine day, Johnny sent over to Penmaen and Park Mill. EKJ amd Lucy and baby come over to dine at 2.00. Garden a little with Carree in morning sowing seeds. Mr & Mrs Henry Eaton called to inquire about character of Eliz Lewis Servant. She a pretty woman (q if proud?), he agreeable. They declined to take anything. Getting on with more draining in Pwllybrag. RH to look after them. Receive several letters, Mrs Wayland, Mr Atwood.
18th
Rise early, ride to Penmaen and breakfast there before any of them are up. EKJ rides with me to Caswell, call at Kittle Hill. Very fine hot day, look in at Bishopston school. Walk over the farm, very backward. Dine at Penmaen at 5.00. Find Carree arrived and ride home by Waltestone Corner in the evening before 10.00, tired with my day's work.
19th
Wet morning again!!! but very mild. Clears off to be a dull foggy day, Carree resolves to drive to Ilston, go in Penmaen old car in evening and take tea, what a vehicle!! A wet ride home. Howell John called about tithe account, noticed by Mr Beor, a difficult account to make out. To call again on Wednesday. Feel much more at ease now that Robert Harry looks after the men since LD at 2/- a day. Draining considerably, no use to till wet land. Send road books to Mr Atwood by request by Mr Collins.
20th
Fine day but some rain towards evening and one very heavy shower. Teach the children with Carree, all at home but Charles. Work hard, dig and plant in front garden and Carree sows sunflower seed. Love being at home on Saturday, nor go nor send to market. Walk late to Pwllybrag farm, see drains digging, meet RH and walk to Crickton Top. Eno' for cows. Tea late by myself. See the first swallow this evening in my own yard. Read Agricultural New Monthly in evening, very tired.
(Sunday) Walk with Carree on turnpike, see and talk with old Edwards. Meet the children, read the Bible a little in evening with children.
22nd
Children, for an hour's silence, 6d. About home all day hunting over papers and putting them in order in the parlour preparatory to see Howell John on 24th. Carree out of humour and rides to Oxwich and Penmaen. Write to Swansea for tomorrow and to Mrs Wayland etc.
23rd
Ayrshire cow ill suddenly, can't stand. Restored by castor oil by tomorrow morning. RH drives to Swansea for vetches etc and about constable. Work a good deal in garden. Hannah up to pick stones and weed. Thomas digs etc. Much to be done, very backward. Children help and look after sick cow. Beautiful dry weather become at last, most tempting to be out.
24th
About home all day, garden, sow seeds, broccoli and flower. Howell John goes through some accounts, can't make them out, adjourned, long-standing, very. Carree upsets the economy of the parlour to clean and whitewash it. Young Robert Haynes returns to Ilston, Johnny goes with him. Sow broccoli before breakfast, do a good deal in front garden, sift earth, raise beds, weed and sow seeds. Sea roars to the west. Howell John not correct in his accounts, trusts all to memory and has been whitewashed!!! Shall suffer from him. Sky looks like a bad change.
25th
A wet day again.!!! God save us. Not from home save to the drain at Pwllybrag before breakfast with RH. The parlour ceiling is whitewashed by Thomas Davies, room turned inside out and all the house uncomfortable. Read Britannia paper. William Thomas, mason, John Hugh, call about tithes and other things. Read Mungo Park's Africa in the evening. Send for the colts strayed to Penmaen, missed since Tuesday, Llewellyn sent to find them all day.
26th
Bishopston Court Leet. Ride early by Penmaen, very fine. Mr Gibbs there, some papers to sign for EKJ in reference to the living and as administrator of his father …. He and Mr Gibbs drive to Swansea by Bison, call on the Rev. Mr Jones. Mr Beor comes, papers signed etc. Am fined for non-attendance as juror but do not pay. Leave pony at Mr Jones. Mr Hugh Watkeys attends, asks me to tea. Engaged to Mr Worsley's. Call on Mr Collins on return late. Johnny there, gone to bed. Home before 11.00 tired enough.
27th
Do not go to Swansea. RH goes for oats. Ploughmen rebel and leave, late in my work but no matter, will manage yet. C Reese also not at work, goes to Swansea. Send him by Ilston, pony for Johnny. Am all day in the garden working hard, sow cabbage and marigold, sift earth etc. Walk with Carree to Pwllybrag, see drains and the cows at grass. Sow, after tea, few seeds in hot bed. RH home late with oats etc. Very cold tonight, north wind. Lucky to be dry. Tired, hard day!
Sunday. Evening duty, Mr Evans comes up to tea. Mr Bevan with EKJ. Walk with Carree to Llythrydd, Mr Ball very ill. Nicholls and Hancornes there.
29th
Cold frosty nights, fine dry days. About home all day gardening, plant oaks etc. Men come to mend winnowing machine etc. Want to get J Evans account settled, have not time, set him to work in garden. Read Mungo Park aloud to children. J Davies begs assistance about tithes with Mr Beor. Promises to repay it and signs paper accordingly. Emma went to music with Mrs Womfor.
30th
Work in the garden and plant oaks in pit and in Upper Field and thorns also. Hard work. Mrs Collins calls, Mr Collins ditto on return from Cheriton and takes tea. Fine day, night very cold. EKJ called also and went to Llythrydd, Mr Ball ill, very ill. William Tall married to Miss Hopkin, a very pretty girl indeed.
May
1st (Wednesday)
Garden a little till 12.00, walk with Carree to dine at Ilston at 2.00. EKJ & Lucy & baby there. Call at Llythrydd, Mr Ball better a little. Thomas comes for (us) in Penmaen car, a horrid vehicle, about 9.00. Receive letters in evening from Cowbridge, Beever and Bath, Wayland Mrs. How unsatisfactorily time is spent, an arrear of time never retrieved!!!
2nd
Very fine, very cold out of the sun or in the wind. Garden a good deal, WT being in the infirmary. Thomas installed to do the office. Improving the paths, inner garden full of cooch. Carree writes to Penmaen, I walk over farm. Meet RH, Richard Hopkin comes in, horses worked hard, too hard, rolling land, working well indeed. No barley sown yet. In the evening at a vestry about an order of removal from Margam, Wm Griffiths wife and 4 children. Give notice to appeal. Our children all go to Reynoldston. Emma to music, they tea there and I tea alone. Home tired at 10.00. Get no horse to ride. J Evans works in garden tomorrow, tries Thomas Gordon's.
3rd
Still fine dry weather but very cold. Frosty nights do great injury to early potatoes etc. All day at home about the garden helping the children after hearing them read and write etc. Sow many seeds, flower seeds, sift earth etc and assist about the drain from the pantry window, badly done by WT and now re-done well. Make no arrangement for Swansea tomorrow, must go. Out late in evening sowing seeds in hot bed etc. Howell John calls, engage to see Mr Beor for him tomorrow about tithes. Tied rhubarb jam for Carree, have no time to write letters.
4th
Ride Grey Sam to Swansea. Very hot going in, ride fast, very wet and cold coming back again. Get wet through. Home about 8 or so.
6th
Sunday. Very cold, very wet, go alone to church. A very small congregation.
Monday. Bitterly cold, wind strong from north east, long in same point, what's to be done? Send horses for corn and sticks to Penrice farm. Work in garden with Thomas, Stick peas pit, Ball discharged by RH, sent to garden ½ day. J Evans ½ day garden. Work in children's garden, sow some peas.
7th
Wet again and warmer a little. Help to teach the children, read the Britannia and Cambrian, spread cockle shells in evening after dinner. Take evidence in case of Eliz Griffiths, a pauper from Margam, from Isaac Griffiths of Llandyrys. Walk after tea to Cillibion field, read Mungo Park aloud to Johnny. Carree sends Thomas to post with letters from children etc. Much confusion about a silver spoon lost on Sunday.
8th
About home all day. Garden in morning and clean up Lower Field in evening. Brush it and clean shed out there and ditch. Turn out the ponies and shut it up. Pony foaled this morning and cow calved, both males. Dull stupid wettish day, no sowing of barley. Spread cockle shells in garden walks.
9th
More pleasant weather, some heavy showers making land wet to plough. Offey here from last night, going to Carmarthen and St Clears. About home all day, garden, ivy wall etc, about drains at Pwllybrag. Carree and Emma ride to Oxwich. Mean to go to meet them in evening, send J Rees to Brynhir for a cucumber plant. Carree and Emma come home before I start from Penmaen not Oxwich!!
10th
Drive early to Penmaen, Carree and all the children. EKJ drives me to Swansea, visitation, church wardens sworn in. Go to the infirmary with EKJ to see Wat Tucker, bad leg, getting about. See Prosser jun of Ynyswen packing up furniture, go to Burchills about Cobourg, hunt up Saml Phillips of Burry, has let me in for £30, a great rogue. Dine at 4.00 at Castle with clergy and church wardens. Val Davies, Samuel Davies, J Collins and Evans of Llangyfelach, the rest church wardens, in all a snug party of 10. Pleasant meeting. Home by Penmaen, hard day's work. Very cold, tea at Penmaen, home by 11.00.
11th
About home all day chiefly in the garden. Swansea fair, RH gone to see how things go. Go to see drains and ploughing in Pwllybrag etc, there all morning and work in the garden. Sow peas in the pit late in the evening.
13th
Sunday. Very cold and dry. Dine early after assisting with children in reading etc and walked to Oxwich with Johnny. Carree on pony returned back with her brother. They all with children and Thomas come to meet me in evening at the Tower. Emma to Oxwich, adventurous walk home in the dark from top of Cefn Bryn. All's well, ends well.
Monday. Up early and over Crickton, begin sowing barley, work hard in the garden. Very cold wind, north west. Sowing seeds. At 4.00 Carree rides to Penmaen to go to Swansea tomorrow. Very tired in the evening, read aloud 40 pages of Mungo Park to Johnny. Carree rides over to Penmaen and sleeps there and off for Swansea tomorrow early. Lucy by packet 8.00.
14th
Penmaen carriage to Swansea early, Lucy off to Clifton with the baby, q if to London? I ride to Swansea to meet Carree and back by Penmaen, drive home. Thomas takes Grey Sam back.
15th
J Grant ½ year's subscription school - £2 10 0. Very cold indeed, dry nice weather for barley sowing. Walk to Crickton, sow barley at Cross Lane and rolling same. Labour account, Ann Rees £1, wanting more to pay old Williams Cil Ivor for corn, rapacious devil, shall be glad to see her gone. Work a little in the garden, walk to Cillibion field, begin to sow barley there. Dine at Oxwich, Mr Gibbs at 5.00, drive Carree in RH's cart, market cart, most easy springs!
16th
Lawn mown again. Very fine but very cold. Mr & Mrs Collins and Miss Stokes call about 2.00 and stay tea. Walk with Mr C to see barley field to Cillibion field. They leave early. Emma rode in morning to music lesson, Reynoldston. Wrote to Mr Perry going to Swansea Union to Mr Stroud, send Union orders etc. Sent by post too late. Mr Dunn, settle accounts pro and con
17th
Ride Grey Sam, rather self-willed, full gallop to the top of the hill and trot him all up the hill to the fair and puff him. Fail to get money there as expected for sale account. Dine at 3.00!!! Served up at 5.00. Meet Mr & Mrs Collins and Miss Stokers from Stouthall, wish us to go to tea this evening, all the horses engaged, can't go. Read Mungo, most tired this evening with my hard ride this morning. A summer's day at last. Nothing done at the fair.
18th
Nor go nor send to Swansea. Write to White's for swede, turnip and 5lb furze. More mild weather. Read Britannia, assist children at lessons a little. Dine early, walk to the fields, begin sow mangold w, Pwllybrag. Dig in garden in evening, flower garden. Read Mungo Park aloud to Johnny.
Sunday. Fine summer. Carree and children in evening walk to Crickton to see the colts altogether. Read Ezekiel a little in the evening, a day ill spent.
20th
Audit poor rates in Swansea. Ride in early on Grey Sam. Very warm. Through Sketty Park. Walked to Union House, back to the bank and back to Union. Home by 6.00, a hard day's work. Draft at bank 20, pay Mr Beor bill. Sarah Thomas, order removal Llandewi. Some trouble to audit accounts having left my vouchers behind. Mayor Bowen very polite and civil in the matter.
21st
A hot day, sultry, thunder, a shower. Sow nothing, not from home, read Cambrian. Washing (Peggy Heugate) 1/-. Plant a few potatoes, Dutch, HJM's. Dry the pond, put fresh gravel terrace. Walk over farm. Enter accounts this evening after reading to children and finish Mungo Park's Africa aloud to Johnny. What loads of dumblederries![1] Cockchafers this evening.
22nd
Spend day at Penmaen. Johnny rides over early to post. We drive after breakfast, difficult to get a horse, at Penmaen later than wished in consequence. Get to the sands after dinner. children all paddle in the waves and Johnny gets ill in consequence tomorrow, too much excitement altogether. EKJ grubbing stones on the glebe. Home about 9.00 over top of Cefn Bryn.
23rd
Very hot day, ride with Emma to Reynoldston, music. Call on Dr Justice, Mr Perry's proxy, a gentlemanly man, Irish from London, and so on to Penrice Castle to see Mr Llewellyn about rent. Many wanting to play. Wander about the old ruins of the castle. EKJ meets me, go together to Reynoldston for Emm, Aga accompanies us to Caie Forgan to dinner. Pond cleaned out, horses are overworked, won't do.
24th
Sultry threatening day, distant thunder. Delightful rain in the evening. Up early to see about the horses, overworked yesterday hot sultry day. Colt lost, found again on marsh. Walk to Pwllybrag, preparing for sweets. Sharp work. Pond being cleaned out by Thomas and J Evans. Read Brittania, write to nobody, owe many letters.
25th
Wet morning, fine day, most beautiful weather. Up early, write to EM, Tenby and send draft for dog cart in part and write other commissions to Swansea by RH. Mary Ann, nursemaid, goes also. Some butter sent. About home all day, pond cleaned out. W Jone there and also Thomas and J Evans. Walk a little with Carree to the road. Hurdles sent for to Kilvrough and Thomas to Willoxton. Plant some Jerusalems but omit doing many things wanted.
27th
Richard Jenkins … Mrs Jones both called here this morning, one after the other, more lucky had both been together.
28th
All day about home, fine. Look over papers for Post Office order of Charles 10/-, not found. Carree has it I think. Dr Justice calls. Thomas' brother W calls to see him. Fill in the cucumber frame. Colts sent all to the marsh. EKJ takes tea here, a funeral. Wrote and sent to Ilston and Brynhir this morning, dine 30th. Walk with Carree in evening to see Mr Lloyd, ill.
30th
Mr & Mrs Gibbs, EKJ and Dr Justice and Mrs Perry dine with us at 5.00, a good dinner and all is pleasant. Heavy rain and thundery about 1.00, clears off luckily or we begin to despair. In the evening, late, I am taken unwell, faint, passes off. The Gibbs sleep at Caie Forgan. Working in the morning in the garden at the pond. EKJ been at Swansea and gets his papers of presentation to Penmaen.
31st
Mr & Mrs Gibbs slept at Caie Forgan. Breakfast late, walk early after with Mr G to Penmaen to dine after the ceremony of an induction of EKJ, the new rector of the living. Dine with him. Saml Davies and Mr J Collins there. See Mr Michael's house and walk in evening with Mr Gibbs to Oxwich to meet Carree who arranged to go with Mrs Gibbs round by Ilston. Just meet her starting back with all the children. Grand quarrel about a horse.
June
1st (Saturday)
Nor go nor sent to Swansea. Very hot to ride, no conveyance and nothing to do particularly. Not from home all week, same yesterday, far from well owing to heat and thunder and good living. Better today.
Sunday. Very fine, less oppressive. Morning duty, EKJ in great hurry wanting to catch the Troubadour to go to Bristol this evening. Ill spent day somehow!
3rd
About home all day, wandered yesterday over Cillibion. Clover very poor, thought go to Caswell, too hot. Out in the turnip field, 42 rows sown in all, 2 days. Hookaway sees the garden in evening, have been a good deal in turnip field today, manure won't hold out, what's to be done, what a pity! Howel John here in morning with copy of accounts. Wander about garden in the heat, oppressed.
4th
About home all day, very hot, deepening the pond. Thomas and J Evans, help them garden a little tying up flowers. Drive Carree and Emma to Reynoldston, disappointed in putting up the horse and getting tea. Mrs Perry and Dr Justice gone to Swansea, return after Emma had music lesson and tea late. Wander out with Carree and talk of cutting down all the trees near the house, too much shut in. Grove down from Caswell this evening.
5th
Very hot still, glass falling, ominous of change. Ride Grey Sam to Caswell, Park Mill etc. Difficulty to get change for £5 note, horse unruly at Kilvrough, a dangerous fellow. Walk over farm Caswell, turnips sowing, dung done, guano scarce. Return by the pill and take tea at Penmaen. Lucy returned from Bristol last night. Had no dinner, feel oppressed, weak and tired. Thomas rides pony home. Drive Carree over the top of hill home. Calm and mild.
6th
Wet stormy day, heavy rain breaks off after twelve. Were to play cricket at Oxwich, go too late. Dine there after 5.00, Mr & Mrs Collins, Dr Justice, Mrs Perry, Mr Lloyd, EKJ and I and Carree. Johnny goes with us. Fine in going there, rain when there, wet and windy to return and very dark. All ends well. Mr Womfor calls about drawback on bricks. Write to Burchill, Mr Strick, Rd George etc. Not in bed till near 2.00.
7th
Stormy, windy, wet early, dull and cold all today. Not very well after irregularity of yesterday. Carree up late. Walk alone over the farm, show Dr Justice my pigs. Long account with George Jones about tithes. Corn to men etc, poor rates etc. Get angry with him, angry also with Mary Thomas about tea for George Sheppard. The Gibbs call and Milly G and Harriet come to stay. Fine days, very cold evening.
8th
Do not go to Swansea. RH goes for guano, gets none. New Cobourg comes home by him from Burchill. About home all day, walk over the farm by myself, not very promising (margin note ‘no yesterday') though some things look middling well many look bad. Mr & Mrs Gibbs call in the evening and stay tea and see the garden. He is going to England for 3 weeks. Am not very well, oppressed with weather, stomach not right and can't keep it otherwise. Sift earth and garden with J Evans. Transplant a few flowers from the hot bed. Cucumbers do not come on well, Thomas contrives to scorch them. New Cobourg comes home, seems likely to answer for the children to Swansea etc.
10th
Sunday. Drive Cobourg first time to Penmaen, Milly Gibbs, Harriet and Carree, Aga and Frank to hear EKJ read in 39 articles etc. Dine there, stay evening duty and home to tea. Mr and Mrs Collins at our church and stay tea. Mrs Perry and Mr Butler at Llanrhidian church.
Monday. About home all day, very fine and so was yesterday. Pick and bottle gooseberries. EKJ and Dolly G dine here and bring 3lb of fish … Walk with Millie G and Carree and children to Cilivor Top and return to tea at 7. RH to Llanelli for guano. Water transplanted flowers in the evening and enter accounts etc.
11th
Drive old Tom Brown in new Cobourg to Swansea, Carree and Milly Gibbs and Harriet, Johnny and Emma. It answers pretty well, tolerably easy and comfortable. Home about 9.00 safe and well.
12th
Met Mrs Gibbs and Dolly and Henry G at Swansea yesterday and dined together. Dull day but dry. About home all day today, dull and some rain, may say wet after 10.00. Till evening about the pond with Thomas and J Evans. EKJ and Lucas and baby and nurse and bruin(?) come to dinner. Miss Mantel and Dolly and Henry from Oxwich also. Dolly not well, she came from Penmaen. Walk out in evening to see turnip field, all done, no one there. Talk nonsense all day. Read about Oxford in Boydell's Thames, commemoration at Oxford today. Mr Perry there with WL Collins. Enter account in the evening. EKJ off early to go home, hurries, tea over.
13th
Dull and doubtful, Irish windy day. Drive Carree, Milly G and all the children, one rides Rosy, to the Mumbles through Sir J Morris's park. Spend day at Mr Woodruffes at Norton. Call on old Mr Price and Mrs Sylvester who was not at home. Take tea there and return, not home till 12.00 and past, not in bed till 2.00. Nothing prepared, our maids at a wedding of clerk's son and think nothing of us. Children all wanting different things, tea, gruel etc.
14th
Wet day, morning and evening, fine …. Breakfast alone late, overslept. All the house tired from yesterday. Work at the pond, nearly finished. Offey down from Caswell, get account from J Harry of carting stones for road. Read Cambrian in part. Receive letter from Cowbridge and Llanelli.
15th
Offey goes with Thomas to Swansea for guano. About home all day. Finished the pond and clear away all the boards and rubbish. Up early to write several letters and commissions for Swansea etc. Thomas sent for ½ ton of guano of White, ½ to go to Caswell by Offey. Milly Gibbs rides over alone to Penmaen, her sister Dolly not well there. We dine without her, Thomas home late. Dry and not very hot.
Sunday. Mr Sheldon did part of duty, Mr Perry returned calls with Dr Justice. I botanise with Milly Gibbs on the common. Guano arrived at Oxwich. Very cold and dull.
17th
Guano arrives by RH from Oxwich after 9.00. Not up early, hot day, not away from home. Transplant celery in pit. Milly Gibbs leaves this evening for Oxwich with Harriet. Sorry to part from her. Tea in the garden, water flower beds late. Hot work. Was wet at Crickton. Guano used for turnips.
18th
Anniversary of Waterloo and the memorable opening of the South Wales Railway opened and Cowbridge school breaks up. Charles comes home. Drive all the children to Swansea to see the fireworks. Two cars, Charles to come home, the crowds at Swansea exceeds belief, all the population turn out, the day passes off wonderfully well, a grand dejeuner in a tent in Cambrian Square, 600. Mr Talbot, Lord Vivian, etc. Fireworks at 10.30, we are not home till day break. Took Charles to the theatre, half price.
19th
In bed not till day break, no breakfast till past 10.00 and going again to an entertainment at Mr Vivian's at Singleton. Start too late, Edward … with a party of Sheldons, calls in the way to Wibley to a pic nic. Introduced to them, seem nice people, delays us. Take Charles with us to Mr Vivian's, dine there, what a wonderful place. What a liberal entertainment, even to the tailors and shoemakers of Swansea. 2 most pleasant days! Become reconciled to Mr C Collins, see end of February and much of March, who asked me to shake hands again. I have no wish to bear malice. These are memorable days in annals of Swansea. The South Wales Railway is open to Chepstow, huzza. We are home to tea and glad to get to bed early.
20th
Dry, dullish, stuffy, hot, begin to mow clover, Pwllybrag, tolerably fair crop. About home all day. CEM and Emma ride to Penmaen, we leave at 3.00, walk to see the Bevan's and go over Crickton farm. Ploughing at Newton Field for turnips, 2 fields of swedes sown, finished yesterday. Cut shrubs, overgrown the roads in garden. Read Britannia paper and lounge about doing nothing after 2 days dissipation, Swansea and Singleton. The children go all in donkey cart to the top of hill after stones before tea. Cool evening.
21st
Dry and cool, walk to see mowing at Cillibion before breakfast. Call on the Sheldons from Clifton, now lodging at Park Place, a family from near Aylesbury, Bucks. Carree and all the children go, take 2 ponies, ride in turns and gather flowers etc by Lodge and the Cwms. A very pleasant walk and homely pleasant people. Return and dine at 4.00. Walk to the hay field and meet RH and look over all the farm at Crickton, Horrod etc. Tea at 8.00 and read the Cambrian, account of the South Wales Railway opened on Tuesday. … make no arrangement about Swansea tomorrow. Very fine. Mr Beor has put in a distress for tithe arrears at Lodge.
22nd
Nor go nor send to Swansea save verbally for 1/4 of mutton by Edward of Leason. Again unexpectedly at Lodge, a distress put in for tithe arrears by Mr Beor for trustees, take 6 of his cattle at his request for £20.11 0 to guarantee the amount, half a day's work. Carry hay this evening on Pwllybrag, late at it and water the flower garden, much dried up and water scarce. At Cillibion hay field too. Carree in bed all the evening, not at all well. Ends in sending for Mr Perry tomorrow about 1.00.
Sunday. Very fine, Carree ill. Hear the children read etc. Send for Mr Perry, write to Fred, to Mrs Gibbs and Mr Beor, Dr Justice and Mrs Perry come from our church. Charles sent to Oxwich. Telescope the moon. Too late go home, few of us in church. A day badly spent. Mr Perry here all the evening and EKJ who takes my letters, intends going to Swansea tomorrow. Beautiful evening.
24th
Carree very ill, Mr Perry calls and pronounces going on favourably. Carry all my hay at Cillibion today, all done. Very hot day indeed. Splendid weather and splendid moonlight evening, am out till bed time to enjoy the cool. Nights almost as hot as days
25th
Children all off early to Penmaen, a children's party there, a sort of pic nic. Carree being ill they take nothing, I was not aware of the arrangement. Ride over later in the evening after a light dinner wishing to see Mr Perry and hear progress, favourable. Mr Collins calls to inquire, very hot, he very thirsty! I get to Penmaen and too late to dine, enjoy wine and water on the lawn, home in the car with the children, Charles rides. Pick up glow worms.
26th
Drive Charles in RH's dog cart with Brown to meet the Sheldons and EKJ at the Worms Head. Rather windy and rather cool north wind. Drive EKJ home, intended to have gone to see Captain Samuel Gibbs at Portinon. Home to tea, see the Lundy birds at Worms Head for the first time. Write all our names on paper put in a bottle, corked and committed to the sea at the Worms Head. Tide coming in, it won't take the sea and will probably not go to Ilfracombe. No time to make preparation for a picnic, take only wine and a cucumber, spent a pleasant day for the Worm's Head. Lightning and thunder in the evening and rain in the night. Send Thomas to Penmaen late Thursday.
27th
Most beautiful rain in the night and very fine day. Glass rising again, how lucky for hay and the aftermath. About home all day, drain at Cillibion. Meet RH there, try to open the drain at the spring head, something wrong, no go and walk with RH over the farm and to Crickton Top about gravel. Mr Penrice digging. Mr Perry calls and takes leave of Carree, now convalescent, God be praised!
28th
Sultry and dull, some partial rain. C and Emma ride to Ilston etc. Carree comes downstairs better. About home all day laying gravel on the haggard, filling up the ditches etc from Crickton Top. All the servants gone to Worm's Head, difficulty to get any dinner, all's well that ends well. Write to Edmund, Tenby.
29th
Irish beggar boys, with a flea in ear, 1d. Nor go nor send to Swansea, send a letter to Tenby by somebody. About home all day, trim and transplant mangold w to Newton. Walk out to Newton before dinner, to Cillibion drain after. Trim more mangold and work a little in Charles's path in the plantation.
Sunday. Morning duty, take children to church, how few there! Carree better, does not go out. Mr Perry calls in evening, thought to have called, Johnny at Oxwich.
July
1st (Monday)
Wet driving mist clears off in the evening and becomes cold. About home all day. Thomas's mother been here several days, harmless quiet woman. Mr and Mrs Collins call in the evening, fine and take tea. Very cold.
2nd
Fine, Swansea fair, RH goes and Thomas. Send a cow and two pony colts, cow only sold at a low price. Mary Ann Prance also goes and buys some fruit for Carree. Home to tea and had no dinner. Very cold night, fail to see Mr Beor, called twice there.
3rd
Drive Emma in evening in Cobourg to Oxwich to fetch home Johnny. Tea there, Mr Lloyd called, ominous of -? Call on return on Mr Perry, altering his water shoot. Supper there and not home till past 12.00. Whip broken, narrow escape at Oxwich, dogs fought there. Not home till past 12.00, dark. Leave Carree's letter at Mr Perry's. Dogs (Curly and Nut) drive a sheep into middle of Broad Pool and nigh to drown it; with difficulty and great delay save it.
4th
Driving wet clears off in evening, no men at work for me, walk over Pwllybrag and Crickton to see turnips and draw and prepare more mangold w and send Thomas and J Evans to plant them at Newton. Windy day, work with Charley all the evening after dinner and make his path through the plantation for an arbour at the end. Out late at it after tea with J Evans to help. Farmed all the path and neat it up much. Carree gets out again and goes to Pwllybrag. Only read newspapers, see nothing of RH.
5th
Garden in the morning, gather peas, pint crop first gathering. Walk to Crickton with RH, fine day and but few women come to work and much to be done. More turnips to sow today. Lambs weaned and ewes milked. Work in garden all evening. Tie up flowers and make a seat. Gather lots of strawberries for cream. Wm Thomas, tailor, calls about renting Stafell Haegr house. Hear of death of Sir Robert Peel!!! who fell from his horse on Constitution Hill.
6th
Am not in Swansea, about home. RH goes late with car for meat etc. Fine morning but doubtful, comes on wet, stops turnips sowing. Finish, however mild, next week soon enough. Finish transplant mangold from the garden to Newton. How lucky for the rain.
Sunday. Evening duty all go, fine. Read Bible etc with children in morning. Mr Evans of Brynhir calls in from church and goes with EKJ to Penmaen, won't stay tea.
8th
I do not keep my daily accounts very regular, am writing on 12th. Drive Carree to call at Llythrydd, at Ilston, all out. Park Place, Sheldons at home, lunch there and on to Penmaen to dinner. Meet the Sheldons and young Nicholls and stay the night. Very cold all day. Dry and dull. Part of way by Lodge to show the Sheldons way home. Cold and return with Charlie.
9th
Write to the Bishop in regard to this living, now vacant. Drive Mr & Mrs Sheldon and Carree from Penmaen to dine with us and walk over the farm. Ladies to top of Cilivor. Finish sowing turnips. Walk with the Sheldons in the evening by Lodge etc to show them the way home, cold return with Charlie.
10th
Tim Ball, Mrs B and Miss B come to tea and supper and a Mr Hancorne. Ride with RH to Penllwyn Robert. Distress put in for tithe by Mr Beor. Fail to see him, H John gone to Cefn Draw. Wait 2 hours, go on to Bryngwas and receive of Mrs Jones for 3 cwt 14lb of guano, £1 10 0 less than the cost. Some repairs wanted there, crops pretty good, some turnips. Return by ParkyRhedyn and gather strawberries for this evening, hard work. Fine day till night, some rain and a good wet before morning rather unexpected. It has been rather cold for some days.
11th
Ride with Johnny to Penllwyn Robert. Fail again to see Howell John. Bailiff still in, he is gone to Loughor for money. May get it, write a note and leave it. Meet Willis jun there and ride back with him over Welsh Moor and talk of Board of Guardians, increase of rates and decrease of produce and other odd things. Drive to tea! at Ilston at 6.00. Mr Wills there from London and the Sheldons. Home by 11.00, very warm and sultry. See about gravel for the road at Maddox Hill, one Morris digging for gravel. What a dissipated week!!!!!
12th
Extreme heat, dullish and quiet, at home all day. Gather raspberries for boiling down, peas and beans and help pick them. Read Ld Brougham's Dialogue, Britannia paper etc. Nanny Davis, mill, calls; bills brought. Row Llewellyn for neglecting ducks, most filthy, some dead. Bright ill in the evening, walk with RH to Pwllybrag, lock and chain stolen from the gate. Sarah Tall brings a little bill, pay nothing.
13th
Drive Carree and Charles and Johnny to Swansea. Mr and Mrs and Miss Gibbs return home from Bristol with a cousin. Write to Mr Rowland Hill(?) for Charlie, to EM, to Frank etc at Mr Beor's, children measured at Lloyd's, many things omitted to be done. Carree in a hurry to get back, leave about 6.00, Pay George Edwards 1 15 0 received of RH for rent of Mrs Gordon.
Sunday. Very fine, stroll after tea with Carree and children to the common with the donkey. Call on W Tucker and hear a long yarn about the infirmary.
15th
I am about home all day and up at 6.00 and out about the hay rick, cut it, too hot and carry more today. Gather raspberries and strawberries by myself all day. Some 10 or 12lb. Carree and all the children go to Ilston to hay and tea. Thunder and lightning after 4.00 threatens rain, we escape. Falls heavy at Swansea and Llangyfelach. Have no tea, mix gin and water for the hay rick, all done, go to meet children late, meet them at Cillibion Green.
16th
Gather and pick black and red currants. Carree all day preserving. Tea out of doors and all walk to Horrod. I on with RH to Stafell Haegr and to see the kiln at Penralt. Complaint, can't keep kiln in by Albon. Want to let Stafell Haegr to W Thomas, tailor's son, ask £4 10 0, not agreed. Drains greatly improved Stafell Haegr. Mr & Mrs Collins overtake me at 10.00 … their return from Llanmadock, wonders will never cease! An example of a true and trite saying.
17th
Pick currants for jelly all day. Hard work. The young Jones of Bison dine here, invite of CEM!!! Dine early and tea on the Beacon, children's party. The Gibbs, Mrs Woodruffe, Sheldon's Spencer children, some won't come. Go down to Penmaen, hay carrying, Home at 10.00. Charles ill, over excited. Some singing and altogether pleasant. Young Mr Anthony Gibbs there. Fine day, rather brisk on the top. Meet Mrs Wood and Maria Lucas out walking on the top. Quite agreeable and civil.
18th
About home all morning, drive Carree to Ilston, leave horse and Cobourg there and walk to Park Place. Dine at the Sheldon's, meet Mr & Mrs Collins, return by Ilston home. Dull and heavy close day, inclined to rain but hay made and carried still. EKJ comes in to tea.
19th
Very fine, ditto tomorrow. Ride to call on Mr Godwin at Mr Perry's from Winchester. Will make me dine and walk over at 6.00, dine at 7. Carree has the little Dawes to spend day and comes over to tea. Mr Godwin a pleasant man, knows Tamworth and many people Carree and I know. Not home till past 12.00 nor in bed till 1. Beautiful weather.
20th
Splendid weather. Nor go nor send to Swansea. About home all day, Mr Henry Sheldon calls, stops to dine and tea. Walk about the farm with him to Cillibion and Crickton. Children all ill and I do not feel well. Mr Perry called in his way to Swansea with Mr Godwin to catch the train for Chepstow and take George to Mr Butler's school. Sharp work to be in time, just save it!
Sunday. Walk to evening church with Emma and old Mr Sheldon, sit in pew of Manselfold, they return to Penmaen. Show EKJ the Bishop's letter that he will only induct a thorough Welshman. Stroll with Carree on the common in the evening, a Sunday ill spent, children ill.
22nd
Threatening morning, rise early. Breakfast alone, ride by appointment with young Mr Sheldon and Mr Stevenson to see Court Carne farm. Turns out a fine day, the farm in a horrible condition, filthy and run out. An excellent new house and not bad premises. Much money extravagantly and uselessly expended. What a fool must Frampton, the late tenant, have been! To give 600 for what, must have been let for £250. 2 tenements he built and never could rectify it. Made a new road to the church and was the first to use it in a hearse! Mr Sheldon will not be advised to take it and nor will he take Cillibion. Both Col Cameron's who can … otherwise than touched in the head, 70 years of age, just married to a girl of 20, his son-in-law's sister. Bread and cheese and beer and corn, no dinner. Home to tea about 7.00, tired and done up.
23rd
A wet day, beautiful rain indeed. Pick blackcurrants gathered yesterday luckily, what a quantity, 27lb. Am not out of the house. Mr Perry dines here alone at 6.00. Some talk about Mr Lloyd of Rhosilly and the living here and matters connected about it. Received a letter last night from a party elsewhere on the same subject, Simony. Close and unhealthy weather, induced to take more than does me good, not been well, a kind of bad gout? … much both had.
24th
Rise early and am taken ill, faint and sick. All the children have been ill all week pronounced convalescent yesterday. Unhealthy weather, ill all day, mostly on the bed. Begin to read 10,000 a Year! Can eat next to nothing, all day sit by a fire. Receive marriage cards, HHD a puzzler,… of Penclawdd!!!! Very impudent.
25th
Dull mild threatening morning,… morning, read 10,000 a Year.
26th
Drive Carree and all the children (Charles rides) to Oxwich to call on the Gibbs family and go the shortest way (what a road!) to Portinon and by Horton. Get a copy of Mr Samuel Gibbs account for malt had, clear to the present, turn and order 10 wins more.
27th
Drive Carree, CEM, and Johnny to Swansea. Miss Cathe Thomas returns with us and stays a week. A nice little girl. Had some lunch at Mrs Edward Thomas!
29th
Hot dull day, rise very early, can't sleep. About home all day, mason here, finish drain to the hill on the road, to the Crickton road. Children ride to Reynoldston. Miss Thomas here, dine at 3.00. Read aloud 10,000 a Year. Walk after tea with Carree and Charles towards Cillibion late in the evening. Charles sent early to Rossily about honey and about Mr Lloyd and the living. Receive a renewed Post Office order, 10/- for Charles and a letter from William as to the living. Read more of the novel. The place below cleaned out, a horrid job, Llewellyn.
30th
Washing day, hot and fine. Resolved to go out of the way and leave servants and washing to themselves. Up early, measure distance to fetch water, 200 yd over moor further? than to the drain Cillibion. Go to Crickton Lane road, widen one place. To the drain Cillibion after breakfast and after securing some dozen blackcurrant jam pots and then sally forth to answer to the children's Miss C Thomas and Carree with the pony and donkey cart to take dinner in the shade of the Cwms by Lodge. Some trouble to get water, thanks to dear Charlie for his great exertion to Park Mill, a mile!!! Read aloud 10,000 a Year and enjoy the fun. Home to tea and glad to get to bed. Weary but not tired.
31st
Most sultry dull today, I feel quite faint. Else I am not well, I think I am not but cannot say ill. Up early, RH off to the fair, £20 draft to look for sheep. Go round to the drain, Cillibion well by the road digging. Drain on the common from the house ditto choked. Meant to have gathered fruit to cheat the birds and make … for the …, prepared to ruralise in the garden and read aloud 10,000 a Year. Mr Lloyd called about the living, dines here! … EKJ calls to sign papers for him early tomorrow, takes tea. Charles and Miss T sent early to Oxwich to arrange … with the Gibbs party as to Saturday. Show Mr Lloyd the farm. Henry Davies and wife call on return late as to the living, do not ask them to tea. He very importunate, refer him to 31 Bedford Square. Carree at Pwllybrag in expectation[2]. Read Britannia etc up late!
August
1st (Thursday)
Excessive hot, bazaar at Bison school. Ride early to Penmaen, breakfast and to witness signatures of Lucy and EKJ to a deed for John Holland, family affair. Some 18 signatures required. Carree and children save Frank and Agnes come again, take early dinner, drive to Kittle Hill and walk to the bazaar. A gay affair indeed and altogether a pleasant meeting. Tea on return Mrs Hancorne at Kittle. Home across Fairwood Common by 10.00, Johnny rode to Caswell and came home by himself by Penmaen.
2nd
Another fine day, calm, hot but dull. Sort of sea fog comes on in the evening. Dine al fresco in our garden, a sort of picnic. The Gibbs family from Oxwich, his 3 nephews and all his children, Mr& Mrs Perry. Some Cricket on the common in the evening and singing and dancing after tea, a very pleasant day. Comes on a little wet in evening as the party break up, very dark! Gathered gooseberries and a fine dish of strawberries in the morning. Late for strawberries.
3rd
Excessive hot, drive Carree and Agnes and Frank to Swansea. Miss Catherine Thomas returning home after a week's visit to us in Gower. Charles rides alone, meets the Gibbs at Scurlage and joins them to the Worms Head. We at home at 9.30. He keeps us in suspense till 12, all right and all explained about … uneasiness to be in hot water so long.
5th
Sunday. Hot cloudy windy. Evening duty. Mrs Ball takes tea with us on return from church. Walk with her to top of Llythrydd Hill with Carree and Charles. Hear that Mr Morgan of Bristol has broke a blood vessel in lungs and spits blood. Hope not serious.
Monday. Mild thick rain, fussy morning. CEM making some preparation for his going to school [Sherborne] on Wednesday. Hunt for lost spectacles, two pair find neither, one lost at Hutchinsons? Send to be mended. Clears up in the evening. Carree, self and CEM drive to Mr Harris to dine, large party in the barn instead of pic nic. All the Gibbs, Mr and 2 Misses, till from (sic) Mr Davies MD he is a funny old man! and does not think himself a fool tho' foolishly agreeable. Singing, dancing etc. Not home till 1.30. Pressed again to join a party at Oxwich tomorrow, decline. Charles off early to school on Wednesday.
6th
A pleasant day, dull, sunny and warm. At accounts, cook leaves us, Ann Harry. A very fine day, about home all day. Charles going off tomorrow. Writes letters etc. Read papers, pick gooseberries, pick and boil them for preserves. Write to the Bishop about the living and to my uncle Mabbot about farm affairs etc.
7th
Rise at 6, Charlie to be off to school at Sherborne and to meet the Jones of Bison at the station. Give him £1 10 0 to fight his way with as best he can and pay his fair to Chepstow 10/-. Leaves Swansea at 2.00 and is to sleep at Bristol, all because in the morning at 10.00 we lost his passage tho' actually there and sent his luggage thinking the train did not leave till 10.30 as in July but now altered, half hour earlier. Train gone while I put up horse and car. Wet after 3.00, very! Home to tea before 7.00. Receive letters from Bristol, Mr Morgan just left home, not well. Mrs James writes to Johnny, Thursday, his birthday, a good letter, kind of her to take the trouble. Poor Charlie all alone, was to have had company with the Jones's!!!! Johnny's birthday neglected, forgotten!!!
8th
A wet day, where's poor Charlie and how does he get along? See yesterday. At accounts all day with Offey at Caie Forgan as to Caswell. Analyse and tally as far as I can, walk out to Cillibion wheat after. Tea with Carree to see corn lodged etc etc. Take shelter under hedges as the rain comes on again and again have nothing to read, 10,000 a Year, Howell John called about Bury etc. David Beynon, Cilonnen, about tithes, write to Mr Beor to forbear. George Walker called about Cilivor quarry, can say nothing. Not an idle, not an agreeable day.
9th
At home all day tallying Caswell accounts. Offey still here, do get them tallied. Anthony and Miss Mil Gibbs call going to dine at Ilston. Walk with Carree to village. Return over Crickton by Horrod. Turnips grow wonderfully. Lots of letters, EKJ at funeral, stays tea. Arrange to send to Llandeilo RH for rick of hay. Write to Griffiths of Lan. Mr Collins invites us to dine tomorrow. Windy stormy driving day. Rye cut, finished taking up.
10th
Fine morning, wet again after 12.00. At home all morning. Offey leaves for Caswell. Read 10,000 a Year, finish volume 1, read aloud 150 pages. Delightful book!! Drive Carree to dine at Ilston 4.00, arrive to the moment. Mr and Miss Protheroe there, a visit from Llandeilo. Home by 10.00, wet. Spend a pleasant evening. RH in Swansea with his sheep, mutton. Stenner, the new nursing governess, comes home and does not get out, has been 2 days in Swansea!
Sunday. Heavy showers, very, all day. Drive in the Cobourg to … Spend all day in writing letters as to the living, to Mr Lloyd, Henry Davies Penclawdd, Val Davies Carmarthen, Mrs James and HJM Bexley. He probably coming down!
12th
Expect the Penmaenites over to dinner, they come for a wonder tho' it is a precarious day, lowry and heavy showers. Mr Evans calls about the living of Llanrhidian, I do not see him though at home, am working in the garden gathering peas for seed etc. Awful thunder and lightning and rain this evening. May prove a clearing shower. They leave early and are lucky. Baby James a nice little girl, getting walk out with EKJ to see turnips getting on wonderfully. Promise well. Read 10,000 a Year, most interesting. Expecting Mr Evans to return from Fairy Hill, does not come. Walk up and down Upper Field with Carree in the evening and think of Charlie at Sherborne. Hope he's safe. Have no money to give account of.
13th
Washing day, how lucky a fine day! Servants new arranged, some discontent. About home all today, begin harvest, oats cut partially, Furzeland. Read 10,000 a Year, a capital book. Thought to ride to Caswell, I never shall get there! Don't want to tire myself, going early to Swansea tomorrow. Dine early, walk with Carree to see harvest begun at Crickton. Get books and papers ready for tomorrow at Swansea, mean to be off early. 14th
Most beautiful and hot day. All about home, meant to have gone to Swansea to meet Mr Ernest for C Reese as to Burry Farm. Howell John calls at 6.00, that he is not coming, his wife dead. Read Britannia paper and help Johnny about his lessons. Greek and dative!!!!!! Gather and pick seed peas, Carree helps fuss with servants. Work not well arranged. A new nurse (Stenner) put them all out. Jealousy prevails and they are all put out, perhaps they'll come about again. What plagues, Tittlebat Titmouse is a prototype of what ignorance and vulgarity will do when it has the power! Read bit of 10,000 a Year, all in a fuss about sending to Carmarthenshire for a rick of hay tomorrow and to the fair at Swansea. We are going to the fair. Harness repaired, horses shod, wheels looked to in readiness. Offey down from Caswell, going for hay. Mr Lloyd calls going to Swansea, can't take the living of Llanrhidian, what a pity, will it lapse?! and fall into bad hands?
15th
Drive Carree, Johnny and maid Barres niece q name Schaupe? to Swansea, fair day, see nothing of it. Engaged about the living. See Mr Morgan, Welsh curate of Swansea, declines it. Write to a Mr Evans in Radnorshire and see Jones of Court Carne at Mr Beor's on the subject (very hot). Not home till near 11.00. Called on Mrs Lewis Thomas, arrange for them coming down to Gower. The Gibbs all in town, full of trouble. Mr Anthony leaves by rail late.
16th
Very fine again, settle some account of yesterday with RH. About home all day, help Johnny about lessons etc and wander about. Carree wants to ride to Penmaen, do not go. Howell John here in the evening about his tithe arrears, write to Mr Beor about him, not to be hard. Read 10,000 a Year. Receive letter from the Bishop as to the living of Llanrhidian, very polite and also from Valentine Davis.
17th
Do not go nor send to Swansea. Wet slight rain early, carts expected with hay from Carmarthenshire. Arrive all right about 10.00p.m., just as we return from Penmaen where we drive after dinner and find Lucy ill again with inflammation, external. Busy in the morning about the garden etc. Cut oats, good day for it.
Sunday. How wet, driving small thick rain, evening duty. Carree and I do contrive to get to church and get out. Read a little of Proverbs, send Stenner to the post, she wants to post letters late in the evening.
19th
Fine day, see 16th, settled with Offey the expenses of journey to Llandeilo. Walk with RH round the farm. Strawbridge here measuring some contemplated alterations front of house in his way to Rossily. Drive Carree and Emma to Ilston, meet Mrs W Collins there and Mr Harrison and all the Gibbs party. Drive on to Penmaen and leave Emma there. Lucy better, still in bed. Not home late, very cold wind north west and strong all day. Harvest beginning pretty general.
20th
Fine morning, up at 6.00, very fine day. Gather ripe beans and gooseberry. Mr & Mrs Lewis Thomas from Swansea dine with us. Mr & Mrs Gibbs and Mr Harrison of Clifton Hampden, Oxon, Mr Perry and Lady. All confusion all the evening, some rain, some go home earlyish, some in many minds. Mr & Mrs Gibbs go on to Swansea. Arrange to meet them at the station at 10.00a.m; Georgie going to Marlborough College. They are not in town till 10.30. Difficulty to give horse and self a bed. Mr Harrison goes back to Oxwich afoot with Miss Gibbs (Milly). George Evans, captain, up about vessel account, can't attend to him except partially and write a note to Richard Gordon who says I owe him money, £20 defamation to a third party.
21st
Rise at 5.00 and walk in the garden. Breakfast early, start after 7.00 to be in Swansea for 10.00 train with George Gibbs. Luggage going to Marlborough College. Find the Gibbs at Mrs Davies not ready. Drive Mr G and luggage to the station and see the boy off in low spirits. What will become of him? Drive to the Mumbles, call on Mrs Langdon and Mrs and Miss Andrew's, Mrs Morgan Davies, the last not at home and old Mrs Sylvester. Through Newton to Merton and Caswell. Tea at Caswell, no dinner. Have not been well all day, inward pain and bowel complaint. Cause pea soup? yesterday or atmosphere, glass very low. Otherwise feel better than usual. Home by Bison and a shortcut to Ilston, call there at 10.00. See Mrs W Collins and Mr JC and home about 11.00. What a day. Work and what a day for the old horse and all without accident or loss. WR and Offey came to Collins at Kittle, the latter has a bad toothache.
22nd
A very wet morning, enter my accounts etc. About home all day, gather seed peas etc and read a little of 10,000 a Year. Not well yesterday, nurse a little today.
23rd
We dine at Mr Perry's at 5.00, not at all well. Meet Mr & Mrs Gibbs, Miss Gibbs and Mr Harrison. They have been to Rhossily visiting Mr Lloyd!!!! I do not enjoy the day at all. Rain and lightning and thunder again this evening just as we are coming away, who would have thought it, how changeable the weather!
24th
Am not in Swansea, RH sent with a very fine calf and 2 sheep. Has no commissions
but to get meat. Do not feel very well all day. Think the weather in fault. Some
very heavy showers several times during the morning. Little or none in Swansea I
hear afterwards. Cut 2nd crop of clover Cillibion, hazardous times to venture but
must carry 2nd and 3rd September. Ride in the evening to Penmaen with Carree. Great
pain in my back, can't move when I get there and have difficulty to ride back again.
Not so bad as the poor cat there getting a leg broken and nearly off, skirting of
the door, q?
Sunday. In bed nearly all day long, lumbago or something worse. Wet, very driving small rain and thick and does not break off at sunset. Promises bad for tomorrow tho' the glass does not fall much.
26th
Fine day, hot, up early. Breakfast in bed, lumbago something better. Mr and two Misses Till call as expected, am down to see them. He is very moderate in all things, contrary to report. Emma returns from Penmaen after a week there. Read the Cambrian, have no book in hand. Walk out in the evening towards Cillibion with Carree and children. Meet Mr Harrison and the tandem on return from Swansea, the Gibbs gone. Send him to top of Cilivor Hill to see the view, splendid setting sun yet rain tomorrow. He stayed tea and we hope to see him to dine tomorrow - no.
27th
Wet again!! Who'd have thought it? Nanny Davy comes up with a long account and a long face and sheds tears, has rent to pay to Mr Stroud. C Reese calls up about his account, leaving Crickton to go to Burry Farm. I must help him I suppose. Write to Mr Till, Reynoldston, and to Mr Beor as to the living. Johnny sent over in the wet, how wrong. Send to stop him luckily, Mr Perry drops in in the evening to chat, tea time, takes nothing, allows me to write to Charles at Sherborne and takes letters for me to the post and to Mr Till. Mr Perry means to shoot, has been to Llandeilo about a dog, unsuccessful.
28th
Fine again, very fine. Children and Stenner all go to Oxwich as expected by Mrs Gibbs. Drive them to the tower and go on to Penmaen with Carree. Call there, meet Mrs Gibbs and Mr Harrison who has called on me. Drove on to Ilston and take Lucy. Find Dr P Lucas and Mrs Collins at Ilston. Glad to see the former, was most civil to me at Brecknock. See his aneroid barometer, the first I have seen, very accurate he says. Very neat and simple. Asked to dine at Ilston, engaged at Penmaen and after dinner look over Mr Nicholls new farmhouse at Penmaen. Meet the children at the tower on return at 9.00. Thomas also sent to meet them there, all's well that ends well. Wait there half an hour, rather cold.
29th
Fine day, chilly and rather doubtful in evening. Model calls about the last new piano, cracked and must be repaired, cost about £3 0 0, to be sent into Swansea, what a nuisance!!!! Carry wheat and oats, ride with RH in the evening to Welsh Moor and go over his farm. What a pretty one. The road of Welsh Moor repaired a little. Mr Till called and took a little mutton with us, his daughters gone too Laugharne and Llanstephan. Read Tittlebat Titmouse last volume. Was up at 6.00.
30th
Very showery, heavy and frequent rain. Barometer rising and at fair!!!! Very extraordinary. Bad harvest time. Read Britannia and 10,000 a year. About home all day. Nanny Davy of the mill calls about her account. Copy her account since 1845, husband having died last year and she unable to find his account. Work a little in the garden. Dine early and walk to the village with Carree, the children in donkey cart to get mushrooms off Nanny Davy, a large basket full and apples and plums. Call on old Tall, 97 years old, in bed. Patriarchal, cheerful and funny. Give the old man 1/-, most thankful. Enter accounts and read in the evening. Ought to write letters, many, many!! Send and go to Swansea tomorrow.
31st
Drive Carree to Swansea. Speak to Stroud about Nanny Davies' account. Meet the two Mrs Gapes at Richmond's. Piano sent into repair to models, delayed us much in the morning. Forget to send in Henry's gun and clothes for 1st September. Have no time to write letters as intended, come home later than wished. Meet the children about Cillibion, they had been to Llythrydd. Have hot supper.
September
1st (Sunday)
Sunday. Evening duty, fine. Walked to church, sign testimonials for H H Davies, candidate as priest! Captain Gunthorpe and Mr Evans take tea. Write to the Bishop about Rees of Llanelli and the living and to … and Jones of Loughor and to Henry and pack up things to send off to Henry in London. In bed late and to be up early.
2nd
Rise early and start early for Caswell with all the children and Thomas, tandem fashion, over the hill by Penarth and Bison. Johnny rode by Ilston and took Robert Haynes. Mr Perry to meet us there and go shooting. He comes late, we all dine there. I call on Mr Moggridge at Mr Dilwyn's cottage, not at home of course, has shooting. Children bathe. Mr P has but poor sport. Not home till dark, too late for the children! All's well that ends well. 2nd crop of clover begun to be carried from Cillibion.
3rd
Very fine day, the glass falling from fair. All morning in the house, Nanny Davy up about her account but can give no answer to any question about it and I get angry about it and enough to make one, tho' it may be right enough. 2nd crop of clover carried and finished today, looks well. Mr Perry calls, goes shooting over Crickton. Go to join him, can't find him. Carree and all the children go to Crickton. 4 acres oats bound and put in mow. Over the farm with RH, turnips doing well. He is not quite well. Read Tittlebat Titmouse aloud to Carree and Johnny, most interesting!
4th
EKJ and Lucy and baby call, dine. Mr Scott calls. Mr Rees of Llanelli calls about the living will probably accept it, looks at Crickton. Mr & Mrs Collins call to tea when the rest are just gone, What unnatural and troublesome excitement. They ask us to tea. tomorrow, splendid weather indeed!!! But I am very rheumatic, great pain in my back, about the loin, liver?!
5th
Very fine still, not from home till Carree and I drive about 4.00 to take tea at Ilston, meet the Secretans and Dr and Mrs Howell. Mrs S, late Miss Higgs, nice looking children with dark hair. They all leave early, we are not late for a wonder. Our man Thomas is not well, see 10th ins. Tea again!! Nanny Davy of mill, draft £20 0 0.
6th
Very fine indeed, most splendid harvest weather. Calf killed, very fine one indeed, 35lb a quarter. Still very fine notwithstanding the new moon, how fortunate for the harvest. Write to Mr Vivian about the Chapel, Penclawdd, and the Bishop, to Fred etc.
7th
Still splendid weather, about home all day. RH to Swansea with a fat calf sold to one Price. Harvest nearly all cut. Mine I think all today, yes. Sow the 2nd time cabbage and lettuce with Thomas. Aga Perry with us since yesterday. Walk with Carree round Moor Mills and gather heath etc. Read 10,000 a Year in the evening. Aubrey reinstated at Yatton! RH home late with quarter of veal. Enter diary, spend nothing.
Sunday. Very fine. Johnny sent to Penmaen for some parchment, EKJ … and write to Mr Phillips to meet him with Mr Evans tomorrow etc. Henry Sheldon at Penmaen ICI.
9th
Mr Evans of Brynhir calls as church warden to accompany me to Fairy Hill. Ride by Manselfold, there before 11.00, settle disputes between the respective claims of the two curates of Llanrhidian. Meet Carree (not to time) at Mr Perry's and ride to call on Mrs Gibbs, Oxwich. Miss Mantel returned. Meet Mr Perry returning from Oxwich, makes us agree to dine with him on hare. Nothing loath, we do so. Dolly rode with us back for physic. Spend a pleasant day in this confused off hand way!! Refused an invitation to tea tomorrow at Ilston. Mr Perry asked to dine there on Wednesday!!!!
10th
Drive Carree, Johnny and Frank to Swansea, appeal of taxes. Meant to go to the Mumbles to see Mrs W Collins, can't find time. Were asked to tea at Ilston!!!!!! and see the 5th inst. Home about 9.30, cold.
11th
Dry and fine, east wind. Bind all the barley to Crickton. After breakfast to meet C Rees who was taken Burry Farm. Sell him 2 horses. Work a little in the garden, meaning to walk to Penmaen, children etc all driving over to dine at 1.00, we at 5.00. All start together at 12.30 with Bright in Cobourg by Long Oaks and Walterston, what a road!! Call on Mr and the Misses Till at new cottage and at Parsey's, here they lodge as yet. Mr Henry Sheldon at Penmaen, the Till family to tea at the rectory. We walk over the farm. Hancorne's cattle in the Western field, not bad ones. Emma rode over, Johnny sent on Rosy to Ilston with a note to dine with us on Friday. Mr Collins etc with Mr & Mrs Tom Grove and Mr Gibbs. Drive by Penmaen about 5.00, been to Arthur's Stone. Wind cold. We get home safe about 10.00. Poor old turkey killed having seven young ones, tho' how is this, can never learn?!!!! Rather a threatening sort of day. Killed a game cock?!!!?
12th
Still fine, dry east wind. RH goes to Neath fair to try for sheep, little done about harvest, some … carried. Offey comes down from Caswell about some accounts. Sit down with him till dinner time past 2.00. EKJ and Mr Henry Sheldon call expecting to meet Rev. George Rees of Llanelli as new vicar, does not come. Row pups, Neet has pups also, … Thomas to Swansea early for piano at Models … mended at home with … about 4.30. Walk with Carree to Pwllybrag in evening and to Crickton. Robert Haynes here with a note from Ilston. Enter accounts in the evening.
13th
Still fine and dry. Again with Offey at accounts in the morning. Dinner party, Mr & Mrs Collins, Mr & Mrs Perry and EKJ and Lucy with the unexpected addition of the Rev. George Rees of Llanelli and a Mr Tate who stay and dine and Mrs Rees. He probably the new vicar if residence can be had. Drive him to see Crickton and Cillibion, why should the house not be let separate!? A pleasant dinner table but apple sauce forgot for the goose!!! What a sad joke! Old Mrs Collins stays late without fidgeting. The Llanelli party return early as well they may. Lucy and EKJ off before tea with the everlasting baby and nurse! How it breaks up socialites!! Can't write anything for tomorrow as intended.
14th
Nor go nor send to Swansea. About home all today. Harvest finished all but a little. Linseed on Monday next. Up early and out to Cillibion with RH before breakfast, fetch barley, carry all day. Out late among it, myself at Crickton, see it ended. All I have seen nearly of harvest. Work a little in garden digging, so weak, perspiration drops like rain … up in the rick yard. Hot day and beautiful, cold at night like a Roman Christmas. Tea late, so tired and sleepy cannot keep my eyes open by candlelight.
Sunday. Hot, dry and cold. Evening duty, help to teach children to read etc till dinner time. Mrs and Miss Ball stay tea after church. Mr B goes to Park, again prevented writing letters as I wished, much in debt.
16th
Very fine, too dry, east wind, parched up. Carree by Emma going to the village 1/-, she was to give me the change but no! Cold morning, walk after breakfast to Stoneyford gate. Set fire to some furze and turf. Return and settle accounts with Offey as to Llandeilo Rhynys etc. He brings the black mare Leicester down to wean the colt. EKJ and Lucy call going to the village, only just speak to them. Mr & Mrs Collins call with Mrs WLC and Clifton and stay tea. Receive several long letters directed to Carree from Uckfield, Hadlaw, Clifton and Exeter and Bexley. The work of a day to read them. Quite mild day but order a fire.
17th
Sale at Stouthall. Cold dinner at Mr Perry's, Mr Collins and EKJ there. Write several long letters and take them to post at Mr Perry's. Carree drives some of children to Ilston to spend day. We are all home about same time in good time and no mistake. A remarkable beautiful day. 16 weeks so old Mr Collins of Ilston says, he has made a memorandum of it in his book. … up at 7.00 a.m.
18th
Drive to Stouthall about a horse and drive him afterwards to Penmaen to tea there. Mr & Mrs Collins and Mrs WLC, Henry Sheldon dropped in from Narberth. Try Mr Woods new horse, seems tender and not likely to suit though very good tempered and safe.
19th
Thomas Sheppard's woman calls about tithes to be considered set off in account for shoes mended etc and if overpaid to go against her son George, late servant, now gone away. Not from home, but little out of the house. Read Britannia etc. Sheep divided. At accounts in evening with Richard Gordon and J Lloyd.
20th
Wet at last, much wanted. At accounts with Offey, awfully hard work to make things tally, most ... work.
21st
Took dinner at Mrs Davies. Carree, Emma and Ag(a) to Swansea. Meet Mr Wood, some words about the horse returned. Mr W not over-polite but it is not in him, write several letters and back a bill for C Reese £19.10. 0. Mr Worsley's sale at 8 mo.
Sunday. Morning duty, fine day. All walk down together. Read Bible etc to the children in the evening etc.
23rd
J Grant at Caie Forgan in evening about books for road rates, make paper bags etc. Gather apples at Crickton orchard. Carree rode to the post. Walk to see the turnips at Crickton etc. Receive letter from EM and answer it tomorrow by person L Hugh going to Swansea early, he does not get it for he is here on Thursday next.
24th
About home all day. EKJ and Lucy etc call from Ilston, they don't stay. Mr Evans to dine there, he calls here in the evening about the Chapel and the Bishop to communicate with Mr Rees, the next vicar of Llanrhidian, as to the state of the new chapel as he is going there. Mr Gibbs called to excuse his children tomorrow as invited, they having a rash.
25th
Fine weather but some heavy rain at times, chiefly in night. About home all day. Caroline has a party of children, little Collins, Perrys; Gibbs prevented having a rash. I am about the garden chiefly all day, gather nuts and apples all and order all bullaces gathered. Pick them over in the evening. Mr Perry called about shooting, Parkyrhedin etc, decline going with him. Send children to the post, a letter for Mr Rees of Llanelli. Work in the garden. Mr Collins sent some young cabbage plants, send him some nuts. Read to the children Andrew Cleaves from Blackwood and the newspaper.
26th
Very heavy thunder showers this morning. An awful peal or two of thunder. Fine day. Mr Till calls, strange story about the cottage at Penmaen all on fire, effect of moonlight glaze on windows. Miss Till has hysterical fit in consequence. Drive Carree and Agnes (Frank prevented having a rash) to Brynhir, dine there to see the new church, very neat and nice indeed but not quite finished. Write to EKJ … as to the chapel and as to the Bishop at Sketty Church if opened tomorrow. Not home till 12.00 and surprised to find a EM arrived from Tenby and Carmarthenshire where he has had a sale. Not in bed till 2.00.
27th
Fine, EM here, came in 4 wheel car yesterday, rather showery. Stroll about here, garden, stables etc. Offey wants his account settled, hate to sit down to it, read Britannia. Dine early. Johnny and Emma go to post tho' it threatens rain and comes on thorough wet all the evening. Hunt through accounts to find what has been paid to Offey all long since ‘43. Receive letter from Llewellyn and Mr Harper acknowledging money paid as on Saturday last. Howl John calls about accounts, promised to meet him in Swansea tomorrow, much against my will.
28th
EM drives Carree, me and Johnny to Swansea, no expense of mine at Castle. EM's ponies and pony brake, capital go 2 hours going, same back. Went to meet Howell John about accounts and tithes, do not see him till on the road home in Oxford Street. Appoints to be at Caie Forgan on Monday morning. Dine at 6.00. Write to Oakfield, FM perhaps in Wales. EM paid gate, ostler etc. No rain. Enter for prize for turnips at Stricks. Carree buys crockery on market. RH oats, 9 wins and receives 2/6 out of it for EM's ponies.
Sunday. Evening duty, very wet day. Stroll about a little at intervals with EM. Look at swedes etc. Mr Evans of Brynhir at church about the new chapel and the school Penclawdd. The Bishop declined opening the chapel, a dissenter appointed as schoolmaster.
30th
Rise early, fine morning, showery day. Stroll about garden etc with EM expecting Offey and Howl John about accounts. Settle accounts with W Thomas, Crofty, long accounts but not difficult. An easy man to deal with. Not from home, a day of indecision and stupidity.
October
1st (Tuesday)
Drive EM in common spring car to Penclawdd and Blue Anchor and walked to Mr Evans of Brynhir to meet EKJ etc after seeing the new chapel, very neat. An appointment on Sunday to meet to call on Mr Lowe of Penclawdd about the school, the Bishop having declined opening the chapel because a dissenting master was appointed to manage the school and draw the children from the church. Mr Lowe admits his appointment that religion was an open question not to be taught further than reading the Bible, for he says he is a church man. What a drive over the marsh, enough to kill a man. Funeral of old Sarah Tall. Mr Perry dines with us solo and is pleasant and smart. Showery a.m. fine p.m.
2nd
Beautiful hot day, EM drives his pony and his brake to Oxwich and Penmaen and over hill home. I call on the Tills in a hurried way. Mr Evans, Henry Sheldon and EKJ dine with us at 5.00. What a pity Mr Perry dined with us yesterday. Wet at night again, glass does not fall. An enjoyable nice day.
3rd
Fine after wet night. EM leaves about 10.00 in his pony brake, stroll about the garden and then settle to accounts with Offey who intends leaving. Mr Pearce(?) calls and
then Mr & Mrs Gibbs, Dolly and Miss Mantell come to dinner lunch. EKJ and Lucy and Mr Sheldon, nurse and baby, all … early lunch dinner and about 6.00 leave. Sell Mr Gibbs pony, chestnut filly, granddaughter of old blind Jemmy v Charles pony. Read the Britannia in evening.
4th
Cold and dull, dry. At accounts with Offey to wind up. Walk after dinner with Carree and Frank to the village to Mary Thomas for a few things had. Not at home, nothing paid. Howell John calls about his long-standing accounts, agree to meet him in Swansea tomorrow about his notice of tithes and about Mr C Collins who appears to have received money on bills handed to me as security from Bryngwas sale and not accounted to me for the money. Call on old Mrs Harry and joke the old woman as I always do.
5th
Drive Carree to Swansea, not a very pleasant day. Meet Howell John etc at Mr Beor's who goes with former to Mr Charles Collins about money received on bills, notes of hand 1840-1841, a hobble as with me, Howell J and C Collins. Home at 9.00, some rain, not much, cold and dark. Write to Mrs James, Clifton, about coming up. I can't get away, churchwarden! and the living vacant!! Where is George Rees?! the accepted vicar!
Sunday. Will this be the last day of EKJ administering the sacrament here. Where is Mr George Rees. Wettish drive down, roads muddy, only Johnny and Carree go.
7th
Fine weather, Mr Perry calls, dine with him today and Carree comes over to tea. Meet EKJ and Mr Sheldon Hy. Ride with Johnny to Penmaen. Curly gets bit by Brewen. Johnny stays dinner with young Haynes. I ride to Nicholaston new cottage to get paid for bricks, Ellen Williams, and call and pay Mrs Jones Nicholaston Hall and hurry home to ride and dine with Perry. Home late as usual. Mr Perry sent for express to Kilvrough, broken arm, and to Llythrydd, Mr Ball worse.
8th
Ride to Major Lucas and mean to go to Stouthall to get road rates signed. Mr Wood out hunting. Mr L not in. Meet Mr Perry going to Llythrydd, Ball ill. Leave the rate books and send Thomas in the evening by Stouthall, Oxwich and help us over the hills and to thank Mr Wood for the hunted hare. Send Thomas to have a gallop on my return home and get the hare. Drive Carree to Oxwich to dine, a large farewell dinner, Mr & Mrs C, EKJ and Sheldon, Mr & Mrs P arrive at different times. Mr Lloyd the affiance. Musical talent! displayed, he is coming out! Home about 12 after spending a very pleasant evening. Flights of starlings!!
9th
Most lovely day, walk to Llythrydd, Mr Ball very ill. Drive back with Mr Perry and accompany him, at his request, shooting over Crickton and admiring the turnip crops. He and Mrs Perry dine with us on hunted hare and boiled mutton. He sent for express to Mr Ball as he begins his dinner and loses it. Mr B worse but Mr P returns to finish his dinner late by himself. Up late writing notes for tomorrow to send by the children to Clifton tomorrow. In bed past 12.00 to be up before 6.00 to pack up. How inconvenient to be delayed to the last moment. Much not done, all done badly! Lucy and EKJ and the eternal baby and nurse call. EKJ to see or call on Mr Ball. They dine on goose with the children.
10th
Rise at 5.30 to see the children off to Swansea with Stenner for packet at 9.00 for Bristol and Clifton. Most lovely morning and lucky day for them. Breakfast over by 7.00, RH takes luggage also. Alright, good news as they return 6.00. Walk early to Crickton, Renew peat fire on common. Attend to the road Crickton Lane. Garden nearly all day, plant bulbs had of White, laurel and gooseberries from best trees and transplant fuschias etc with WT. Read Britannia. Am very tired, in bed late. Mr J Collins calls to oblige us to dine at Ilston tomorrow, how inconveniently civil. Mr Ball of Llythrydd worse, dangerously ill, recovering at last. EKJ gone with children to Cefn Gelly in Pontardulais. Spend nothing, no annoyance all day to prevent me doing what I wish etc and what I did.
11th
Splendid weather with cold north wind. C Reese and George Walker call about their own affairs, Burry Farm and the brick yard. Order WT to get some black earth for Mrs Till. Potatoes drawn today. Enter accounts and begin to pack up papers etc to be off tomorrow. Drive Carree to Ilston to dine with Mr & Mrs Collins. Meet EKJ and children and Mr & Mrs Perry, a pleasant dinner party. All things good! Billy Gibbs and Harriet in the evening going to Clifton tomorrow. Goodbye to them. Home not late and call at Llythrydd to inquire of Mr Ball (better) with Mr Perry.
12th
Splendid weather still, frosty mornings. Up early, cold north wind. Write short to Clifton, to Mr Beor and Mr Stroud about silver by RH going to Swansea for seed wheat. Go out to see potatoes got in and walked to Crickton [J Smith A] light bonfire and burn peat. Mr Perry calls to say goodbye. Walk to Llythrydd with Carree, Mr Ball better, meet EKJ there. Receive letter from Clifton - children arrived safe and well, God be praised, 11 Richmond Terrace, Clifton. RH home in good time. My packing all delayed as usual. Do a little only in way of papers this evening, much to attend to besides.
Sunday. Drive to Penmaen Church morning, call on Mrs Nicholls and the Tills. Lucy ill in bed. Dine at 5, not home till 9.00, not in bed till 1. Packing all delayed, most inconveniently and want to be in Swansea to catch the 1.00 train to Chepstow. Shall never do it, just too late!
14th
Send luggage in car and drive Thomas and Prance [who leaves us] with Carree to Swansea for the rail to Clifton, too late for 1.00. Doubt what to do, another at 5, leave it too late, doubt about packet of 1.30, put the little Collins on board, it does not sail till tomorrow midday. The poor things are 2 nights on board sleeping in ‘Bristol' till breakfast tomorrow! We sleep at Mrs Davies as do Mr & Mrs Collins. On board the ‘Bristol' packet late with Mr Collins, perilous work.
15th
Slept in Swansea, Mr and Mrs Collins too at Mrs Davies, St. Mary or Butter Street. Leave by rail, first journey 2nd class for Chepstow and Clifton. Take mail on, beautiful boating across the passage, tide well in, at Clifton by 3.00 and at 11 Richmond Terrace by half past with our lot of luggage changed at the Victoria Rooms stand. Luggage kept by boots Swansea, all night. Hear of the death of Mrs Hughes' daughter, Mrs Langford, this morning unexpectedly, long ill of decline, a gloom at once on our visit. Find all our children out but all well. I walk to Park Street in the evening and go to the reading room. Death of Queen of Belgium, murders and robberies, did not go to the packet to meet the little Collins and the nurse. Too cold, too far, too late, nine(?) night.
16th
At Clifton 11 Richmond Terrace. Cold and dry. Mr Morgan calls on us and drives us to no. 3 Apsley Place to see Mrs James and Mrs Hughes. Poor Mrs Langford, her daughter died yesterday morning of decline, affliction always awaits us at Bristol! This mournful visit over and engage to go to the funeral on Tuesday. Return back by the fields and walk in the evening with Carree and Johnny to Cumberland Basin to enquire about packet and about luggage sent up [perishable] not yet delivered. Sent up late. Carriage of 3 hampers -onions, apples, preserves. Explore a pleasant walk from the Cumberland Basin over to Clifton. Trifle away the evening.
17th
A fine mild day at Clifton after some rain in night. Roads muddy. Letters sent to Tenby and Penmaen. Arthur and Ellen or Helen Langford dine and spend day with our children. Carree, children and I walk out to Post Office. Walked to College Green about a piano. Call in Park Street, Mrs M with Miss Cleave call on us, we at dinner. Again I go to College Green about piano. Beautiful moonlight. Unpack the hampers and dispose in part of the contents and arrange what will keep.
18th
Beautiful mild weather, help children about their books. Call with Carree on the Sheldons in Windsor Terrace and then away for Apsley Place, Mrs Hughes, by the fields. Call at the nursery gardens, order 2 fig trees for EM, Tenby, and walk through the greenhouses. Dine with children at Park Street. Mr Jones of Bison calls on us on his return from Cambridge. Mr and Miss Cleave come to tea, he in merchant service going to India probably.
19th
Mild pleasant day, read the Cambrian paper. Meant to go to Stratton's sale, meant to go to Cathay to pay a bill for EKJ, go to neither. Mr and Mrs Gibbs call, drive with her and Carree and shop in College Green. Meet Mr Gibbs at Cumberland Basin. Pony arrived from Gower by packet, see him landed on the sea side. Hurry home to dine alone. Children had dinner at 3.00. Oppressed with sleep in evening, dined too hastily after walking fast, bad plan.
Sunday. Fine and cold, at Trinity Church a.m., fine seat, Mr & Mrs James. In the evening go to Clifton Church, plenty of room. Church at 5.30, how late.
21st
At Bristol. Stroll out alone, early by new cut to hunt up Captain Johns of Gazelle, arrived on Friday I find, and stroll on to Stratton sale and buy a thrashing machine. Pass various ferries. EKJ arrives from Gower for the funeral of Mrs Langford tomorrow, calls on us. Fine but cold. Captain Jones calls up in evening, talks of Holland etc, storms and a lucky escape of being run down in the downs. Another vessel was by the same American vessel.
22nd
Attend the funeral of poor Mrs Langford at Durdham and hurry back to go to Sherborne. Second-class to Taunton, bus from station, 2 outside coach to Yeovil, a beautiful drive. 2 inside Yeovil to Sherborne. Tea and chops at the Angel, Sherborne, and sleep there. Met a Mr Gwatkin at Taunton going to Sherborne from Cornwall, a lively agreeable man. Invited to dine at Mr Harper's, do not go at 7.00, not ready and too tired. Charlie finds us out at the Angel Inn, he looks well.
23rd
Walk to Mr Harpers and go to the breakfast, some 250 attend, ladies etc. Speechifying amusing. Mrs Birkin wo(?) Mr Harper's sister, introduced to Mr & Mrs Fussell and Miss Hoddinot and sleep at their house after a long oration from Mr Harper on the school foundation, this the 300th anniversary. The dinner at the King's Arms in evening and more speeches. What a day of eating and drinking. What scrambling complements and happiness! And his Highness hurrahs! A day never seen afore at Sherborne!
24th
At Sherborne at Mrs Fussell's. Another exciting day. Walk with Charlie and little Fussell to Castle to and Church and back. Dine with the schoolboys on goose and am one to carve for them. What a happy set, some 80 or 90 such roaring after wine and nuts, enough to stun a horse. Spend evening at Mr Harper's, very cold room. All morning about town with Carree and Mrs Fussell looking at houses, shall I take one!? But little choice and dear! Mr McRaedy here for benefit of the school and others coming, not a disagreeable country town.
25th
Mr Fussell drives his wife and Carree and I 5 miles into the country and would have gone another road again. Carree goes shopping and ultimately stroll with Miss Hodinnot to Lord Digby's Park, very pretty road and park. At last get a quiet dinner and spend a pleasant evening at Mr Fussell's who is very agreeable and gives much information and aid, being a trustee of the school - the chief one. We must be off tomorrow, take leave of Mr Harper's etc.
26th
Cold dull day and very cold. Leave Sherborne for Clifton at 11.30 and arrive at 6.30 Richmond Terrace. Leave Sherborne 11.30 by coach for Bath through Frome and arrive there about 5.00 in time for train to Bristol and get back to 11 Richmond Terrace about 6.00 and find all children well save Frank! with a cut head, a fall for which his medical man gave him a shilling! We are tired, a heavy load by coach and a heavy hilly road.
Sunday. Fine after wet night. Morning, Trinity Church, evening church children to Clifton and Carree and I to St. George's and home to tea in time to save the rain.
28th
Dull and damp and cold after a deal of rain in the night. Read the Cambrian and settle the house accounts, Mr Morgan calls. Carree not very well, breakfast in bed. Parcels arrived from Gower, sent down to inquire. Walk with Johnny to call on Mrs Hughes and Mrs James. Wet on return. Tea in Park Street and meet Miss Grey, niece of Copley Fielding, a pleasant person and Mr Fred M… who is very agreeable, a great traveller or wanderer. A fine night again.
29th
A fine day. Read a Bristol paper and write a long letter home to RH about thrashing machine and new fence by the common etc. Posted before 2 in general post office and I go on to Stratton's sale. All the implements sold, selling timber. Return and dine at 3.00. Walk with Carree in evening, buy grocery and walk in the Upper Crescent home to tea and write. Fine for the season, very!
30th
Dine in Park Street, meet Rev? Frederick Morgan, the uncle of WFM, and meet the 2 Mr Brittans, a surgeon and a solicitor, the former supposed to have made discovery of cause of cholera, miasma. Damp doubtful day, walked to Strattons and arrange about the thrashing machine to be sent by the ‘Beresford' on Saturday. Can't agree for freight to Swansea and for carriage on-board (Stratton). Give Stratton a draft £28.15. 0 in name of Barnard and Thomas auctioneers. Stroll by the quays and lose myself hunting for the Gazelle, no go. Write to WM about going to Uckfield. Spend a pleasant evening in 15 Park Street.
31st
An excursion to Bath. Dine at Mrs Marcon's, 3 Paragon. Meet Mr Richard Edwards. Call on Mr Wayland with Johnny to see his old school fellows, 21 Park Street. Try to find Mr, Mrs and Miss Langdon in Brock Street, cannot. The Miss Scroggs, 17 Catherine Place, not in Bath - gone to Dawlish? Mrs Scroggs there, aunt just dead. Dull and dirty day, gloomy but pleasant. Home again about 8.00 to tea, no accidents or adventures. Children delighted by the trains, just excursion for some.
November
1st (Friday)
Dull, damp and windy after rain in night. Mrs James sleeps at 11 Richmond Terrace. Get out to Clifton to order what is required for dinner. Mr and Mrs Morgan dine with us. Contemplate moving from Clifton to Uckfield and arranging about children. Miss Martha Morgan calls, engaged. Mr & Mrs Morgan of Park Street dine with us and Mrs James, Mr and Miss Cleave to tea in the evening. Wet again. Take a long walk before dinner over the downs by gate and to the Hot Wells to see captain of steamer about thrashing machine to go down tomorrow but is not yet arrived.
2nd
Receive letter from Fred returned from his German tour. Read Cambrian. Fine morning, rain comes on with the tide. Examine Stenner's book. Write to the Rev. Mr Gibbs, received one from him. Walk with Johnny to the Post Office late and stroll for an hour by gas light. Fine night. Mr Peace calls this evening. I forgot to call on his friend in Sherborne.
Sunday. Very fine day, morning cathedral service, Mr Elliot. Dine early, go with Mrs J to Mrs Hughes and go on the downs. Take children to late duty at the blind asylum. Good singing. Give children for charity box 2/2.
4th
Wet morning and stormy but fine day. Cold and windy. Write to HJM Bexley and to EM Tenby. Mr Jos Gibbs and William Gibbs and their sister call, we are to go there tomorrow. Walk with our children and Jos Gibbs to the ferry and return by zig zag etc. Carree walked to Park Street and returns later after 6.00. Write to RH, children all busy writing letters about cats and dogs. Read Queens of England, Mary.
5th
Start early for the ferry and for a fly there, to go to Belmont to see Mr Gibbs. Lunch at Tyntisfield, Mr William Gibbs, near Flax Bourton. Return before 5.00 to dine at Mrs Hughes no.3 Apsley Place, Durdham. More than ordinary display of fireworks this evening owing to the new Bill of English Roman C Bishops, one of Clifton. Walk home with Carree, all quiet in the street. Dull lowering day, warm. Fine starlight night.
6th
Splendid day for time of year. Carree in bad humour and vents unfounded accusations. Walk with her and all the children to call in Kingsdown, the Misses Morgan and Mrs Shute. Dine at 5, how building in the villa style has extended in Kingsdown and about Cotham Park. Mrs James called and Mrs Hughes called. Spend nothing all day. Read but little except the Bristol paper and try to help the children to get on.
7th
A lovely fine day! What beautiful November weather! Study Bradshaw's Railway Guide to little purpose for a cross country … to Sussex. Mrs James calls. Walk with Carree and the children to the Institution. Meet Mr Bowden in Park Street and some of the Gibbs family we least know. Dine at 4.30. Gave Carree for new dress £2. She spends something at Lewis's fancy shop in College Green. Parry's concert this evening, could not get tickets. All the better. Help the children a little at their lessons morning and evening, our lodgings out here.
8th
Fine but very cold, call with Carree on the Sheldons in Windsor Terrace, poor Mrs Sheldon going tomorrow to Dr Fax's. Old Mr S sadly cut up. Meet some of the younger family and walk to the down. Buy some spar and specimens in two places and walk with Carree to dine with Mrs Hughes and Mrs James at 3 Apsley Place and walk home. Read the Times there, capital letter of Lord J Russell on the appointment of popeish bishops and state of the church in reply to the Bishop of Durham. A serious letter from Penmaen, charge against the children, poor Emma. (Margin note – ‘unpleasant letter from EKJ, see 9th Acklom')
9th
Fine morning, damp wet misty evening. Arthur and Helen Langford come. I write to Brighton and Lewis and read Cambrian after getting meat and fish meaning to dine early and getting only fish dinner for all party. Walk with Carree and children on the ferry to Bedminster to call on Captain Johns, gone to Cardiff for Holland. Wet, send children home in a fly and walk myself. Tea and meat for all the party and dancing and rioting. Examine Emma and Johnny as to the charge against them for impurity of language with Mildred Acklom. Get Johnny's explanation, I believe the truth, if so all cry and little wool(?).
11th
Sunday. Damp. Clifton Church, go alone with the children. Carree at Christ Church evening and with children to blind asylum. Johnny and I at St George's to hear Mr Hopkin, a good sermon on the rich man's feast. Tea in Park Street. Posted letters in the city to Gower.
Monday. Dull and damp and wind. At Shepherd's in Clifton and signed an address by the Bishop about the Pope. Write to Llanelli and Brighton etc. Mrs J calls. Read Mr Clifford pamphlet. Drive Johnny to Queenshead Redcliff Street. Shop on returning with Carree, College Green etc. Evening at home, write letters.
12th
Beautiful morning, receive letter from Brighton. Begin to pack up for Sussex, out with Carree to get gown altered. Stuckeys Bank, receive on Mrs Hoare £25. Very warm, close, return and pack up and dine at Mr Morgan's, Park Street. Meet Mrs James and give her £10 for expenses in Richmond Terrace. Mrs James drives us. Finish packing in morning. Wake luckily and rise early.
13th
Leave Clifton at 7.30 to get express train to Reading, just nick it. Call on Mrs Loring, blind 30 years, very cheerful, gives us lunch but lunch was ordered at hotel. Omnibus to Aunt Woodward's in Devonshire Place, find her very well and Mary, Fanny and Jane there. Arrive at 4.00, not bad from Clifton - changing the rail at Reading and Reigate station. Mr J Mabbot calls in about 5.00, been to see … at the Bedford, this is tomorrow is it not, I forget. I am writing at Uckfield from memory on Monday next.
14th
Very fine day indeed, mild and still. Sea calm as a lake, setting sun most beautiful. Walk with Caroline etc to call on Mr Woodward etc in Carmen Street and see the children. Accompany him to a public meeting on the subject of the Pope and the Catholic Bishops of Westminster, Clifton, Northampton. Rather boisterous but an excellent address to the Queen ultimately carried. Mrs Doyley and daughter and Mr Roberts etc come in evening to tea. Mr Mabbot called, returned at 7 by train.
15th
Dull and cold day, wet at Bristol but not at Brighton. Take a long walk with Carree and family to the end of the west of Brighton, fine place indeed but few butterflies and pedestrians compared with yesterday. Mrs Mabbot calls in the carriage. Do not remember spending anything. Money goes fast enough.
16th
Dull morning promises a very wet evening and am out in it with Mary to call on Wm Woodward in Cannon Street and to shop. What a contrast on the West Cliff from yesterday, no one out today. Windy, wet and wintry looking. Spend quiet evening.
Sunday. Go to Lady Huntingdon's Chapel to hear Mr Sortain preach with my Aunt W, an inaudible voice but an eloquent, extraordinary man, on, toleration and intolerance against the Roman Catholics, strong. Walk with Aunt to Kemptown, what an elegant terrace. Walk grand indeed. Attend church again in the evening, a Mr Langridge? A good but odd preacher, does not know when to finish. Read Old Man's Home, good book by Adams.
18th
Brighton, 16 Devonshire Place, Marine Parade, my aunt Woodward's. Leave at 11.00 for Lewes and Uckfield. Fanny comes with (us), expenses divided into 3. Wet day, there is a coach, 11 inside, 4 out. Could not book. At Lewis above half hour, at Uckfield 1.30. Mr and Mrs Mabbot there, William at the Union. Call on Phil Woodward, receive letters from home. EKJ as to Acklom, offended with me. Petition to Bishop about the chapel signed and returned to Mr Evans of Brynhir, Gower, and write to him. Letter from RH, my ploughs gain the prize at ploughing match. Petition sent to Phil Evans, Gower, as to the opening Chapel for Bishop.
19th
At Uckfield, nothing much done. Stroll out with the ladies towards the turnpike gate and go to see the new school. Unpack and take a glimpse of William's garden and wilderness. Read the papers in evening.
20th
Uckfield new National School opened, a grand day, near 300 children fed on beef and pudding. At church in morning, a good sermon on marriage etc, dutiful children, by the Rev. Mr Streatfield. Stroll out a little and call on Captain Hurdis, I suppose … yesterday. Stroll by the rocks after the school dinner and noise, such a noise!!! Hurrahing and such heat. Reports of Dr Wiseman dismissal from England in 24 hours or 48, too good to be true.
21st
A fine and pleasant day, at papers all the morning in my dressing room, starved with cold. WM works in his garden at the turnip. I walk with the 3 ladies to Buxted, Lord Liverpool's, I and Fanny prolong ours by Hog House and return another way. On return walk to the Taylor's, called at Cameron's garden, think to order Manningtons new apple tree [Pear Main] said to be a very good one. Read paper and children's books in evening.
22nd
Wet day, all day at papers by myself, so much talking with Fanny, Carree and Cathe and police work. Can do but little. Dine at Philadelphia Woodward's at 5.15. Alfred calls in most unexpectedly from Southover, returned from the Rhine and burying Tom Woodward at Coblenz. Receive letter from Gower, Mr Perry, Fred Woodward calls!!!
23rd
All morning sorting paper and entering accounts of Gower. Others walk out. I get out late to meet Fred and Fanny W gone to Framfield. Walk to the church. Meet Mr the rector there, has seen nothing of my cousins. Return to Uckfield in 35 minutes to dinner, they return after me, can't be explained how we met not. Fred drops in in the evening. Read and talk. Wet morning.
Sunday. Awful wet and windy, go to church in the morning. Can hear nothing, very dark, church not sealed. Rev. Mr Streatfield quick and nasal. Write to Sherborne, Mr Rutter and Mr Fussell, about a sale. None go to church in evening, too wet, can't get out. 1 ½ in. of rain falls in 24 hours by Mr C Prince. Look over Blome's pictorial Bible.
25th
Fred Woodward did duty at Uckfield yesterday, Mr Gainant(?) gone to Suffolk. Fine morning, read Cambrian and railway report on proposed lease of SW to GWR Company, too stringent. Captain Hurdis calls, FW and Mr C Prince, Union Day for WM. Take a walk with Fanny and F Woodward to Maresfield and back by the rocks. The Miss Farncombe's house. Took shelter from a shower. Read quarterly, death of … Philip, ex King. FW comes in to talk in evening and does talk etc.
26th
Wet again, all day in the house about papers and newspapers. Do not walk out at all. Read quarterly in the evening in the best drawing room, a pleasant quiet room.
27th
Rather wet after midday. Read papers and about accounts. Meant to call on Mr Streatfield of the Rocks with the ladies. Get part of way, afraid of rain and return without any object. Call on Phil Woodward. Meet Uncle M and Mr Glead there quite unexpected. Quite a levy. Someone else calls, called with Carree on the Misses Cil or Kilgaw at Sir Thomas Wilson's house. She knows Mr Lundy who married Mary Ord and lives in Scotland. They pay only for this house at Uckfield with a good garden, two fields, 5 or 6 acres, only £50, how cheap!! I walk to Buxted church to see the yew tree and walk on to see Ld Liverpool's cows and talk with his herdsman, a sensible man, can't keep cows too clean etc.
28th
A beautiful morning, bids fair to be fine. White frost, glass rises much. Attend to papers, called at the Rocks, beautiful house, much land. Out by Mr Streatfield in it and the garden etc etc. New instrument from Paris, ‘orgue and percussion', don't much like it. Carree, Cathe and Fanny with us and Mr H? Croft been to Australia. Married a Mr Dodson. Call on the other Mr Rev Mr Streatfield on Cwm bank and round by the Farmcombe's and the gate. Captain and Mrs Eddington to tea and Rev Mr Streatfield. No suppers at Uckfield.
29th
Sharp frost, fine day. Read papers and at accounts. Walk to and over Uckfield Union with WM, Fanny and Carree. Beautiful situation, clean house. West side damp, well regulated. Mats made, straw hats, oakham (sic). Never saw so many plain people, men and women and particularly children. Many idiots, blind, deaf and dumb. Faggot making for lighting fires. Caught a wrinkle how to make and tie. Walk to Hampsted Mill and back by rock walk. Take name of Mr & Mrs Hurdis. Tea at … Philly W and star gaze at Mr C Princes. See Saturn and his ring for the first time. Carree and family there. Sharp frost.
30th
Sharp frosty morning, dulls over. Less frosty, very fine but cold day. At Uckfield, pack up, leave at 2.00 and arrive at Uncle and Aunt Mabbot's 4.15. Alfred here and Fred Woodward. Fanny, her sister with us. Here we are overpowered with civility(?) and heat of fire.
December
1st (Sunday)
Cold and dull. Southover church, Mrs Scobell. Evening the curate Mr Phillipson engaged on dit to one of his rector's daughters. Walk with Fanny late towards Kingsdown.
2nd
Dull and cold, drive in the carriage to Plumpton to see W Woodward's alterations and additions, great improvement. Meet Fred and Fanny there who had previously walked over. W Woodward also comes over to dinner and leaves before 8.00 by train for Brighton. Read Quarterly Review. Read Cambrian paper, what a fool Pearce makes of himself at a public meeting trying to speak, can't talk, the object of the meeting defeated by dissenters!!!! No address to the Queen, so Hurrah for the Pope they say!?
3rd
Not very cold but very dull and quiet. Read paper and write early and hastily to HJM about London, direct Bexley, had letter from him yesterday. Various calls interrupt, 2 clergymen, one of Overdean and Mr Tomlinson about my tithe book, the 1845. Windsor down from the farm. Call with Carree on Miss Lawe and Mrs Smith and walk up town and round Southover. Finish Quarterly Review on the Welsh Church and education. Alfred going tomorrow early to Mrs Tom Woodward's, Winchinhurst.
4th
Drive with my uncle and Carree to Brighton. Wet there and in coming back. Try to find Mr Dighton the portrait painter in West Street (no 11 ….). Failed to do so, so fail to get a likeness to please Carree. How posterity will grieve. Read Quarterly in evening. Saw Anna W in Brighton, a nice lively young woman.
5th
Foggy morning but fine day. Not out of the house, at tithe books and write letters to HJM and Fred both in answer to (one) received today. Ladies go up to Gundred's tomb etc etc. Mr and Mrs Smith dine here. Some music in the evening, Miss S sings, no voice, better left alone. Read Rev Mr Bennett's long letter to Lord John Russell as to St Barnabas, Knightsbridge, great exposure of … and Puseyism and Roman Catholics in the cradle. Reading newspapers now quite a business with letters 6 columns long!!!
6th
Very foggy, about tithe books, the year 1845 made out. J Hoper calls for 5 minutes. Write and sent early to Mrs James at Clifton. Am not down to prayers. Call with Carree at Mrs Green's to see the boys. Carree drives with Wm M to Malling to call on another Mrs Green and I walk with Fanny on the Brighton road after going to see Gundred's tomb in Southover church. Wrote to Mrs James, Clifton, before breakfast. Dull damp warmish day. Am leaving Southover tomorrow.
7th
Most beautiful morning. No Henry! In London, we not expected. Met Fredk Woodard from Brighton to London at Haywards Heath and travel with him. Mutton chops at Henry's and return back to the London Bridge Station. Miss the 5.00 train and come on by 6.00. Late at Bexley Heath at 8.00. Have not been at Bexley Heath for above 20 years!!! … in London to bank, train to Erith where I fell at the station and might have been hurt or killed, escaped unhurt. HJM paid all my share and refuses to be repaid.
Sunday. At Bexley Heath, a small cottage and small belonging to it. HJM sleeps at the villa on shavings? Very foggy and cold. Church at 11, new district church on the Heath. Walk, all of us, round by Crayford and into the churchyard etc etc. Can see nothing of the country. Dine at 5 and to evening church to hear Mr Harding the vicar at 6.30, a good sermon on ‘Abide in Him'. Went over the new villa, a good sort of house indeed, enlarged on old Lee's.
9th
Foggy cold morning at Bexley. Fly to Erith at 11.00 for train to London at 12. Lots of French. HJM pays all expenses. Dine all of us at a chop house in Oxford Street, infra dig but in company!! Tea at lodgings, 32 Castle Street, where we to get beds for a few nights only. Name Collard. HJM has his bed at 37, same street, Mrs Ridges. The day badly managed, nothing done after all. Wrote and send to Richard at Lewis and wrote, not sent, to Johnny tonight. Wrote at intervals since yesterday.
10th
Thick fog, London, and cold. Breakfast at 32 Great Castle Street, Regent Street. Carree taken ill and can't go out with HJM. Call in Bedford Square and see Mary Ann etc. Arrange with FM about some money to Sherborne, £100, call on Mr Morris 26 OS Lincoln's Inn, a Sherbonian! Receive Law Life dividend to … last, £18, what a good investment for 10 share at £10 each. Call at the bank, find Collinson dead! Invited to dine in Bedford Square, Carree unwell, declines, better and might have gone also. Dine and tea at home and forego good wine.
11th
In London, 32 Great Castle Street, Regent Street, Mrs Collard's, no 37 Mrs Ridges HJM lodges. Call in Bedford Square with Carree and HJM to see Mary Ann who was very kind. At no 37 Mrs Ridges, gave trouble and found very civil. Had chops there, who paid? Left 2.45 at Paddington, at Bristol Station about 7.15 and in Clifton 8.15. Find children not very well.
12th
At Clifton again, 11 Richmond Terrace. Mrs James calls. Write to Charles about holidays, expected Monday, and write to Wm Strick, Swansea, about Farmers Club etc over I find on Tuesday. Do not find children well, influenza and cough.
13th
Dull and lowery, walk out with Carree and children with unsettled plans but Carree will have her way for once she says. Go to tailors in College Green, see tomorrow. Returned, children home to dinner. We to call at Apsley Place and return to get what we may. Get enough for satisfy nature. Busy writing and reading papers all the evening. Thought to get oranges, did not go. Buy some tomorrow. Mr WFM expected.
14th
At home till 11.00, Mr Morgan drives Carree to the infirmary to see Penmaen servant etc and to Portland Square to call on the Stiffs. One gone to Gower, Penmaen. Walk back, caught in the rain, escape the heaviest. Return before heavy rain comes on. Dine with Mrs Hughes at 3 Apsley Place at 5.00.
Sunday. Very wet all day. Morning to church by myself to St. George's, Park Street, in the evening with Carree only, Clifton Church at 6.30.
16th
Mrs James comes early and spends the day, engaged to dine. Mr & Mrs Morgan send an excuse. At home all morning writing letters, Evans Brynhir and EM Tenby. Heavy rain and wind comes on all the evening. Can't get out. Read the paper, Cambrian. A turkey for dinner, no bread sauce, forgotten. Old Mrs Miles, Mrs Miles Miles! Write again in the evening to Mr Perry and home. Charles arrived safe from Sherborne in time for dinner at 6.00, just as we sit down. A noisy evening the necessary consequence. Prevented calling on the Sheldons or anyone.
17th
Wet again all morning after a clear night. Wet and hurricane yesterday. Write to Mr Perry and Thomas at Caie Forgan. A letter to SW Bank for 150 at 3 months, with Charles and Johnny to the city. Post letters there for Gower. Meet the other children on the Green in returning. Go to a dressmaker, want altering cloaks. Home to dress, dine at 15 Park St with Carree and Charles. Meet Mrs James and Lieut Norman. No fly going or on return.
18th
Very fine morning, sally out with the children early to call and shop. Call on Mr Sheldon and Miss Cleave. Borrow of Mr Morgan £5. All evening packing up, I and Charles up all night. Wet evening prevented my going out about several things. Up all night with Charles packing to be off tomorrow. Children to be up at 5.00.
19th
At the White Lion Bristol on Tuesday [paid for] coach, 1 in, 1 outside, to Chepstow on road to Swansea. A Miss Stiff with us. In Swansea late about 3.45. Charles by the packet landing at Mumbles before us. Packet not in till 2 hours after. Tea and meat at the Castle and get home about 9.00. Sharp frost and very cold morning and across the Aust passage and on the coach.
20th
A most beautiful day, how lucky, wonderful on return to Gower. Unpack and arrange luggage etc. Find the house and everything in better order than usual and walk round the farm with RH. See the cattle and sheep all doing pretty well and cattle of Swansea Cattle Show etc. Read Cambrian in the evening, first time of getting it by this evening mail. I have some capital pigs at home indeed.
21st
Quite a wet day, RH goes to Swansea for a parcel from Lewes with a letter from Mrs James etc. About home all today, read the Cambrian, Carree in bed - very bad cold. See the new thrashing machine in the evening, a stone gets in and breaks it, does but little damage luckily. Enter accounts in the evening since leaving Clifton.
Sunday. Dull but healthy fine day. Carree not well still. Evening duty. Drive with all the children to church, hear the new vicar Mr Rees for first time. Distinct and clear, not strong but good in reading, preaching. Dine after church. Heard children read the lessons and in the morning. In evening do nothing.
23rd
Very foggy but fine, glass high. RH kills one of the prize pigs. Hear the children read etc a little. Mr J Price of Norton calls. RH failed to see him on Saturday.
24th
Walk over Crickton with RH. Read first number of Copperfield aloud to children. Fine day, RH and Jane off to Swansea market early, a pig and 6 geese and giblets.
25th
Beautiful day, drive Carree in Cobourg to church at Penmaen. Are rather late for 10.30. The both with Miss Stiff return with us to dine on beef and pudding by way of spending Christmas. Had not seen them till today. Mr Perry calls when we are out.
26th
Fine day, drive Carree early in Cobourg to Brynhir. Pay Mr P Evans a promise for opening of new chapel on 17th, £1. Take dinner there as we speculated. Attend a vestry unexpectedly at the Chapel, 3.00, take the chair, very amicable. 1/- rate agreed to on new survey. Mr Dunkin returns to tea with Evans, too late to call at Ilston as intended on return home before 11.00. Bad roads, slow driving. Sun sets heavily but Evans predicts fine settled weather but not altogether correctly.
27th
Rise before 6.00, beautiful morning, ride to Penmaen on Grey Sam and in the dark. Breakfast at EKJ who drives us to Swansea for 10.00 train to Bridgend, company meeting. Popery, no good speeches, just nicked the train and just all run to return by it at 2, in Swansea about 3. Return to Penmaen, find all together there and drive them home, very dark, by finger-post Cillibion, Bright. CEM rides home the grey, rather damp. A tolerable day of travelling and no accident. Comes on damp and rainy about 1 or 2.00, not incessant.
28th
Beautiful day, ride and call on Mr Talbot, very affable. S Wales railway and Great Western, latter wants to annihilate former. Swansea Club ill managed, poaching Leasonwick. George comes and brother and Jenkins of Pen G. Call on Mr Perry, not at home. Ride to Crickton and call on new vicar George Rees at Llwynderry by Wernhalog to see the marsh road, in wretched order. Dine at Ilston 5.00. Cobourg very heavy, slow work. Meet WLC, Carree, EKJ and Mrs Lucy and Miss Stiff. Home by 11.00. RH went early to Swansea, 2 pigs 2 sheep and with commissions for Monday.
Sunday. Wet, CEM drives all children and mamma down. I walk, very wet and muddy. Sacrament, do not stay, too wet and cold and stayed at Penmaen last Sunday. Good sermon on ‘How Old Art Thou' from Genesis. Read a little to children in Bible. Sleepy, tired and unwell, cold increased.
30th
Monday. Wet rainy mist as yesterday. Tom Eaton calls about roads. Henry Morris ditto. RH pays him the balance of a bill 13/9 Welshmoor. George Walker calls about compensation for George Gordon, Courthouse. Abram Jones calls and pays balance of rent, Lady day last. John Davy of Welsh Moor calls about 4 wheat mows in limbo for tithes, release 1 by order to William Tall. All our party come to dine, even old Mrs Collins and Lucy, WLC. Very late, not much before 7.00. Dinner 6.30, and Mr Evans. All goes off pretty well. A poor cod and splendid boiled leg of Lewes! mutton. Mr & Mrs C and WLC sleep here, a sad derangement of comfort in the house. 2 children sleep at Kitty Lloyds. (Presumably Cathe Lloyd – their old servant at Pwllybrag.)
31st
Tuesday more wet than yesterday. Mr and Mrs C and WLC breakfast here and can't get away. The stag can't be let out to hunt on Ryers Down. Charles and Thomas go to see wet as it is, the former in top boots and shorts!!!! His own making!!!!!!!! Hunt up the trial of Rush murder on 30th November '48. Am not well all day, oppressed, cold increased, wet going to church on Sunday. Read several numbers of Copperfield. Out but little all day, up early and out before breakfast and rain begins. Send Mr Perry the Cobourg to bring Mrs Perry from Swansea: his man to buy a new Cambrian (lost). Write to Mr Fussell, Sherborne to give notice about CEM and JMM taking advantage of foundation.
Thus ends a year, a most checkered(sic) one to me. In January in London!! A break up. RH engaged to manage the farm at LD. Spend some time in Clifton, take a house at Sherborne, visit in Sussex. A disturbance with the Pope and his English cardinals!!!! Break up the establishment at Llanrhidian for Sherborne, an important move, most troublesome and disagreeable. Doubtful how to carry it out fully and best, at least loss and escape the Harpies in Gower. This has been a most expensive year to me but have paid off many debts but can't get my own debts paid. What will another year do for us!!!?