Charles Morgan's Diary, 1843

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January

2nd (Monday)

Making out new tithe book. Ride with George to see Llandeilo Rhynys farm, some idea of taking it – a better house than I expected. Find a boy dead drunk in the barn, farm in bad order. Read Quarterly on bees in the evening. Fine day.

3rd

George, Henry and I and Austey shoot in Abercothi wood 2 hours. Kill 1 hare 7 rabbits. Ride with George to Alltygog to see Peg's horse, colt, 4 years old stallion, fine horse indeed. Duke of Grafton's breed. Now in strangles[1]. Ride home with Nicholls who lives in Mr Bridges house. Send letter to Mr James.

4th

George gone to the quarry. Sessions at Llandeilo. I go with Henry to Llanegwad to see boundary of property at the public house. Henry shoots, I ride. Call on Davies and see some colts, Peg's filly, fine stock. Ride back and look over Llandeilo Rhynys and take notes of the fields with W Richards, George's labourer. Offey comes to offer. George dines at the Palace with the Bishop. Copy papers and tithe book all evening.

5th

Wet drizzly rain, go with George to Llandeilo sessions. Lord Cawdor in the chair, Mr Goring Thomas goes in George's carriage also. Expect to hear something of Ynyswen bridge, exclusive, hear nothing. Another bridge proposed over the Cothi by Mr John's, new one to be built out Llandeilo, £100 cost. Walk over Lord Dynevor's park, tired of waiting for George, introduced to Mr Neville of Llangennech Park. Meet Sir J Mansel, see Mr Adams of Middleton Hall for first time, get home very late. Horses done. Wet morning, windy and cold return.

6th

Drive with George to Carmarthen. He is going to a county meeting about riots at St Clears, turnpike gate, called Becke and her children. I call on Mr Bridge and Mrs Jones and walk with the former. Call also on Dick Reese as to Brechfa trust. He says nothing. I know better, he then allows a dividend after dispute. Our want of tally is referred to an order in the book of 1839 November? Our claim then allowed, he promises to write to me in Gower and let me have what is considered due, has not done so by 15th instant. Write to Cowbridge about taxes to Mr Chadwick, appeal on the 12th at Swansea and write home to return on Monday. Horse to be sent to Pontardulais. Read Quarterly in evening, children's books. Jenkins horse in car to Abercothi, don't like him. On sale. Wet morning, dull mild day, Carmarthen mud. Ride home from Alltygog to save George's horses, kept at Alltygog.

7th

Fine dry morning, rain comes on. George and Henry go shooting at Coedsaithbren, I decline. Am at home all day about tithe book, balancing arrears etc, finish 12 at night, in bed at 1. Very showery dull day. Mrs Popkin, alias Madame P, dies in Paris, see the 10th instant. Do not hear this event, so important, till 16th and then only as rumour till 17th, HJM learns by fact at Kittle(?).

Sunday. Snow showers and very dull all day. All day at home, no church again. Henry comes here, all of us at business, write home again. to postpone return until Tuesday. Storms of wind and showery, beginning of winter. Kept in as prisoner, thought to go to the meeting, Cothi Bridge, weather too bad, give it up.

9th

Was to return home today but altered to tomorrow luckily, very wet indeed. Henry goes to Carmarthen on business, is served with a writ in suit of Robert Roberts. George and I ride to the quarry and spend day there. Make a model for troughs etc, ride to Alltygog, drive back. Quarry not worked well, too cramped up, don't pay too expensive. What's to be done is the question.

10th

Return from Abercothi with Henry, change horses at Pontardulais, home by 5.00, started at 10. Fine day till near Llythrydd, then driving wind and rain and hail. Can hardly face it, one hour would have saved it. Find on return home Adam Murray has been with his son to serve me with an ejectment: inform and has the impudance to pry into every corner of the house, it was lucky I was from home, he knew it because being at Pontardulais yesterday. It puts me and Henry on the cui vive, little are we aware that Madame Popkin died in Paris on Saturday last, the 7th inst, what a scheme of iniquity is here revealed. A claim of right to grant a lease [both feet in the grave]!

11th

Tithe day in Lower Division, ill prepared. Hunt for particulars of sale of the Popkin property for Henry without success. Mrs James calls, am very late at the meeting 2.00. Meeting not good but as good as I expected. Mr Gordon comes late and drunk and goes early in dudgeon. Tries to pick a quarrel, calls Henry a fool in general terms. Make a short speech, alluded to Adam Murray etc. Home late.

12th

Obliged to go to Swansea, income tax appeal and want to get information as to a lease of Caie Vorgan. Call on all the attorneys into town for particulars of sale in 1820 of Popkin property, fail. Meet J G Jeffreys and Mr Collins, employed by Adam Murray, who wants to get rid of a lease, doubtful if existing 99 years rent £2 10 0 and increase the rent to £50 per annum. Call also on old Mrs Popkin, no relation. Lucky in fine weather there and back. Halo round the moon, indication of evil. A tremendous night, wind, hail, rain, thunder and lightning. House flooded in the morning. No sleeping for windows rattling.

13th

At home all day, most boisterous wind and rain. Enter up some accounts in arrear in my absence, Abercothi, and get account from WR. Henry goes out to the village to get evidence as to the leasing Caie Vorgan, ejectment brought in name of Adam Murray. Q has Mrs Popkin a power to lease for 21 years, she being 85 years old and q. is there an existing term of 99 years unexpired for rent being £2 15 0 and the rents intended to be claimed £50, I won't give it. The subject engrosses conversation all day long. Is there a lease in London with the title? Yes[2]. Full of troubles, house filled with rain after a dreadful night last night and early this morning. Wind, hail, rain, thunder, lightning!!!! Were to have dined at Penmaen, could not. Can scarcely live in the house for wind.

14th

Do not sent to Swansea, messages sent by RH. Read Britannia and meditate on Adam Murray and his ejectment. A snowy stormy morning again. At 1 ride with Henry to Horton to call on old Mr J Bevan who married a Long, as to the lease of Caie Vorgan. He remembers selling it to Mr James, the attorney, but does not recollect very well the age of Hezekiah Long, his father-in-law, to whom the lease was granted, he had 6 daughters, Mrs Gordon - Cilivor, Mrs Evans - Brynhir, Mrs Long of Newton, Mrs Bowen - Leason and Mrs Bevan of Horton and ? Has lost the entry of age from his Bible. Gave 2/- and gave also to a little boy. No wet of consequence going there, find Mr George Gibbs at Caie Forgan on return. Write to the tax commissioner's for him, case of appeal. Dine late, talk of ejectments. Read No.1 of Martin Chuzzlewit. Enter diary. Weather seems to moderate.

16th

Sunday. Morning duty, Henry here, report strong that Mme Popkin is dead, how very apropos.

Monday. Very fine day, Henry and Ted go early to shoot at Cillibion. We all dine at Penmaen. Most fortunate in the weather. Drink peace to the remains of Madame Popkin and confusion to Adam Murray. What a vagabond! What a deal said on the subject! Henry all live. Beautiful moonlight on return. Henry can't ride Moselle quietly, changes ponies with Ted. Not at home till 11.00.

17th

Wet again! Misty rain, how unexpected! What numbers of calls on business etc. Mr C Collins calls, I'm not at home. Catherine, the nurse, I understand gives warning, no doubt cause Susan her sister is put out. Kill 2 pigs. Henry rides to Kittle Hill about Popkin. Alright, she's dead. Walk in wet to Crickton, Penralt, Stafell Haegr etc. My horses at road work. Mr Gordon, Mr Gwynn, Agnes Williams, C Reese and Heugate call on business and for money. Order malt, lunch at EKJ's. Again at Crickton, go round the farm. Dine late, Mr Grose calls to pay tithes and takes grog etc. Wanted to do several things preparatory to tomorrow, am thus prevented. In bed very late after writing diary etc.

18th

Fine day, tithe day at Penclawdd. Mr Gwyn of Landimore calls about accounts yesterday evening, too inconvenient to attend, appoint Tuesday. J Charles calls about road account. Ride little Rosy with Henry and RH to Penclawdd, a better meeting than I expected. Home very late. Beautiful ride home, saddle alters, bridle breaks but get home safe by 12.00. Talked to Howell John about timber grant, his daughter as servant etc.

19th

What a beautiful day after a foggy morning. About home all day. Count out my money. Mr & Mrs J call. Henry gone out with gun and dogs, no execution. Stroll out with Carree to garden, pick stones with Charlie in Lower Field, Jim ill. Cart fir firewood. Cart breaks down at stone cart. Dine late, everything badly dressed, overdone, underdone and greasy soup. Attend a meeting called about poor house rents, nothing done at all, no books, no officer there 8.00 evening. Lady Charlotte Talbot rides to Stafell Haegr about the old club.

20th

Very fine day, cold east wind. Henry and EKJ of walk out with gun and dog. Ride with Carree to Penmaen, post day. Receive letter from William, his walnut tree blown down. Ride back by south of Cefnbryn and hill. Ride alone to Crickton to see what is going on after my return from Penmaen. Enter accounts in the evening.

21st

(Accounts only)

23rd

Wet day, driving wind at night. It was dull and threatening only till past 12.00. Send WR in car to Penmain with 2 nice pigs for Mr J, dead goose and 2 hares for park and postmen. One pig gets loose on the common and not got home again till dark. Sent Jim also to Reynoldston at and about honey all day. No account of what I did further than reading Britannia paper in the evening. Dreadful accounts of narrative of Afghanistan and also of late wrecks at sea.

24th

Walk out with Henry to Crickton and over the farm, he goes to see the school and to Stafell Haegr. I return to go through some accounts with Joseph Gwynn of L. The singers all here this evening and have tea, wine etc. RH calls late this evening to arrange with Henry about Swansea tomorrow. EKJ is up here, we dine 3.00. I enter some accounts in evening while the kitchen is full of children. RH pays me Eynon tithes.

25th

Rise early in expectation of Henry leaving Gower for Abercothi but RH fails to go to Swansea so luggage can't go. Therefore HJM stays. At sixes and sevens all day about weather. Went to ride all hands to Ilston, borrow Mr Grose's mare, mist comes on and off again, all day lowery. At 2.00 Carree gives it up, wanting to ride and enquire for a servant at Ilston or Horton. It ends in Henry and I riding by Lodge to Long O and Park, nobody at home. See Mr N in turnip field, long talk about game etc, numbers of pheasants in turnips. See new road and home by Penmaen church etc. Dine at 6.00. EKJ has dined but takes tea. Canvas over Mr Perry's bill for attendances, high and mighty!!! Study a pro contra account as a pill for him, write a note to Oxwich, in bed late.

26th

Dull misty wet day, some real rain. Send early to Oxwich asking W Collins to dine. Mistake, stay for tomorrow, Henry rides over again and returns with William Collins. Dine on hare etc. Everything badly dressed. EKJ here also. I walk over to Crickton and over farm. Let off water with W Jone from turnips, how very wet. Talked to road men about stones etc.

27th

Very doubtful sort of damp morning, proves wet. Out early to set WT and Philip to prepare ground for planting new plantation. Not much done. Henry here, going tomorrow, long talked. EKJ rides to post, receive letters from Frank and WM as to Mrs Popkin. Write to Frank, WM at Southover, George Tenby, C Collins etc, Swansea commissions etc. Arrange for Henry going tomorrow. Not in bed till late.

28th

Coursing all day with Mr Camerons. Get wet through. Rise early, late in bed, Henry going back to Abercothi. Boy sent to Loughor, Henry does not go there. Leaves the pony at Penclawdd and walks across the sands with a guide and so for Llanon etc. What a day for him. 2 Mr Camerons called early and make me go coursing unwillingly. Find 5 or 6 hares however, kill one only by Prisk, walk from 11 till 5, quite enough. Get wet through, quite sick of it. Find the little donkey colt dead in ditch on return. Angry with men about it. Poor Charlie will be very sorry, do not tell him. Tired and glad to get to bed, no dinner.

Sunday. Miserable damp misty day again! How long this damp weather lasts! Morning duty sacrament but little dinner, all spoilt, butter melted upset. Read Church Magazine etc. Ted takes tea etc, this evening.

30th

New moon at noon! Bad omen! Misty, clears off, fine day but bad promise of weather tomorrow. Drive Carree and Charles and Johnny to Penmaen, dine there. Receive an epistle damnatory from Murray, demanding one year and ¼ in rent due to Mrs Popkin, impudent disappointed scoundrel! All paid surely but the last tithe quarter and doubtful even if that can be claimed. Home after dark just. Read Britannia. Poor Mr Drummond is dead, shot by McNaughton in spite to the Tories and in mistake for Sir Robert peel no doubt, hang him.

31st

Rainy morning, wind rises, clears off a little, driving wet again by sunset. New moon yesterday at noon!! Bad omen. All my men up, set them to winnow etc before breakfast, etc. Walk out to Crickton meadow, men making up the hedge. Washing week, what weather for it! Have no dinner, a sort of lunch at 1.30 and ride with Carree to Penclawdd to enquire about a servant. The one we wanted engaged at Barham Cottage. Engage the one there to come to us as housemaid. Hurry home to avoid tide and rain. Get wet, high wind gets up. Read Britannia paper and enter accounts. First lot of bricks sent to school.

February

1st (Wednesday)

A fine day but no good promise for tomorrow, so much for a change of moon at midday on Monday. Rise early and out to begin some work, open ditches in plantation before planting. Walk to Crickton meadow, Jone hedging. Return, take account of road work of George Williams, Mr Ball calls (Tim), do the civil, he dines here. EKJ comes up, go through some of his accounts against me. Write a note to Mr Perry by Mr B about Britannia papers. Ted kills a teal, Ted's boy goes to Penmaen. Receive letter from Henry, Abercothi, got over safe. Wet night after 12.00.

2nd

The common underwater after a very wet night! How very wet of late!! Not much rain after morning 9.00, men all in barn. Read an agricultural book. Ted comes up, go out shooting for an hour before dinner, find 2 couple teal, kill none, ought to have had all!! Dine at 2.00, a long business in settling more than a year's accounts with EKJ, pro and con. Some things hard to be understood.

3rd

Ink a pencil map of Llandeilo Rhynys farm, ride to George Beynon's of Bury about Swansea tomorrow and the road by the mill. Call at Stafell Haegr, dine there. Carrie comes, called also at Penralt, spoke to RH about Pwllybrag etc and promised to write to Mr Talbot for him as to that near Penrallt. Some severe hailstorms. Robert David sends to pay his tithe, receive letters from Henry and Fred. Making usual preparations for Swansea and write to Henry, Abercothi.

4th

Meant going to Swansea with Carrie. Snow on ground and frost and very stormy and unwell, cold caught yesterday. All day at home, add up tithe book. Johnny breaks parlour window. Charles, too, best dessert dish. Walk out to Crickton in the darkling for exercise. WR sent to Swansea. Feel very chilly all day and read agricultural book. WR sent to Swansea, only eggs and wheat for Abercothi not sent, frost gone, frost gone again.

Sunday. Fine day comes on damp, evening duty. Church much unroofed, gallery empty, Mr and Mrs Grose call in on return, take a glass. Wet again evening, frost at night.

6th

Sharp frost, the first this season. A cod fish, R Hopkin near Penclawdd, too dear, very good though - wanted it. Felons Association, paid to EKJ to send for me, neither of us intending to go to The Dolphin. At 6 and 7 all morning, Carree will walk and the children, pony ordered for them to go to village, all sally out. Meet EKJ, take the dogs, look for a hare. Do not go to village, meet Howell John coming. See Mary in way to Stouthall. Speak to him of Adam Murray etc and Mr Thomas Morgan as to timber charged to vessel. Busy about men in garden etc, Mr & Mrs J dine with us at 2.00 on hare and off before tea. Ted sleeps at Caie Forgan. Enter accounts etc. Bids fair for frost again.

7th

Some snow again on ground but very slight frost. Rise early, go out and cut chaff before breakfast. Walk to Crickton, ride with Carree to Pennyhitch about a servant and to call on Mrs C, Oxwich, Miss Lucas there. Pig killed, no dinner, 2 lunches, 1 supper. Tired in the evening. Enter account, read Queen's England.

8th

Frosty morning, rise early, out before breakfast, and cut chaff. Feed the machine, WT and Llewellyn cut. Work for the first day in the garden, wheel in more earth to the mound etc with WT. Replant sweet briar. Dine early. A meeting about the poor rates called for 4.00 this evening, attend at 5.00. Meet EKJ, only wait an hour and return. No one attends and go home again. Mr Cameron sends for the greyhound, sent it by one Rees in a gig. Thomas Thomas of Oldwalls was there who attended me to the meeting. He has got Pwllybrag for the last 10 days and wants possession. Hope to be good neighbour. Read Britannia in evening and am very tired after gardening.

9th

A sharp white frosty morning, fine day. Work in garden all day raising the mound and cutting away overgrown willows. The children out, it gets too greasy and sloppy. Dine early and walk in the evening to Crickton. Pound 2 of Mrs Batcock's horses from Cadennith. Add pictures to the children's scrap book. Edward Batcock comes up about 9.00 to inquire about his brother Christopher's horses, as he calls them, though Robert Batcock, who happens to be here with Susan, says they are his mother's. Edward looks and speaks as though he would kill one and perhaps will some day. Rain comes on.

10th

Sharp frost again and fine day, very. Arranged to go early riding Cillibion, Penmaen etc. EKJ calls up, intends going also. As usual prevented, Mr Thomas Morgan and Captain call about vessel account, settle this long job and take luncheon etc. Ride to Cillibion, J Hancorne gone on Thursday. Go now short way by Long O(aks) etc to Penmaen. Carree gets out of sorts and gets off road bad, I get angry and half inclined to go home but relent. We dine at Penmaen, receive letter from Jeffreys as to Adam Murray etc. Get home about 8.00, arrange for Swansea. Write to Edmund about polytechnic. Fire low and am very cold, must be off, bad plan being from home before going to Swansea.

11th

Cold frosty morning, very fine day, drive Carrie to Swansea, car also is sent. All day shopping, etc. Called on Mr G Jeffreys as to Adam Murray, all paid to the last quarter, that not due. Met Mr Samuel Davies at Castle and Mr Perry who dines at Dr Howells, we do not get home till 8.00. Drive Valliant in and Bright home again.

13th

Sunday. No duty at Llanrhidian church, out of repair. Ride to Penmaen, EKJ does duty evening at Nicholaston. Mr JJ preaches only, dine at P, … rides there too.

Monday. Very fine after frosty morning. Charles and Johnny go to Penmaen on visit, calf home. Ride with RH to Gowers Load about arrear of tithes. Agreed to take rick of hay, RH's dog kills a fowl. I return alone. J Davis of Welsh Moor there, arrange to bring it home tomorrow. Meet Mr George Gordon Cilivor Top, talk about stones for road and he pays me £5 by leaving it with J Bowen on the road. Return home, dine early, garden little in the evening and walk out with Carrie and Mr. George Harry calls and pays £4 0 6 balance of bill due to Robert Batcock who left today for Bury St Edmunds with Susan our old nurse. They are to go by packet tomorrow evening. Very busy in making out accounts of Swansea on Saturday last.

14th

Frost very sharp, the severest this winter. Carts to be off for hay to Gowers Load. Morris the son-in-law of old Edwards calls on the subject. Engaged to ride to Blaenkedy and Heol Las. EKJ calls going to Penmaen shooting. Carree resolves to accompany me, wanting ride. Start late in a shower of snow, RH accompanying us. Call for tithes in arrear of W Thomas and Lloyd's croft and Heol Las, receive nothing. Am paid for slates by Mr Griffith at Penclawdd. Settle with Jenkins Blacksmith at Blue Anchor for land to build on at 25/-. Some little time at Blaenkedy, Mrs Guy very unwell. 2nd child 9 weeks old, complains of repairs there, windows, doors etc. Howell John on the beach, promises to deliver Baultic deal soon. Dine at ½ past, settle with Morris of Gowers Load about tithes.

15th

Ride early, breakfast at Penmaen, 2 children there. Intense frost. Ted at Penmaen comes home by himself and dines at Mr Perry's. Ride with Mr J to call on J Hancorne and go to Herberts Lodge. Poor H quite a cripple but cheerful. Mr J's pony falls in returning etc Bison near the Horseshoe, improperly shod. Dine at Penmaen, return home by Pennyhitch for sake of the road, terrible riding by common. Home by 8, do nothing, quite tired. Mary Williams calls from Swansea with the idea of being servant here, won't suit. Must send to say so.

16th

Send Llewellyn for 2 cattle to Cartersford Gate. Walk early to Stafell Haegr to pay Eliza as above and enquire who wants coals by Nancy tomorrow; expected in. Half day lost nearly in preparing. Horses at forge for work, frost very sharp. Engaged about home, carpenter here to mend carts also for use. Cart earth to Upper Field, EKJ comes up to Caie Forgan, I miss him. Carrie and I in evening walk to Cillibion and take tea with Mr & Mrs Grose. No one else there. Called on Mr Lloyd about coals, home late, Jim came with pony.

17th

About home all morning except walking to Crickton. No coals come in. Meet Francis Thomas, gives me a will to look over, work for tomorrow. Arrange a little work with C Reese carting stones for road. After men have done, cart earth to Upper field at home. Mr Gordon calls to ask me to sift case of two paupers claiming to belong to parish some 80 years back and … settlement gained a way; and take minutes of the case and fear it is so, they seek relief, discharged by Sir J Morris etc. Carree comes down with 2 daughters and takes tea at Ted's, Stafell Haegr. Home lateish in dark and write commissions for Swansea. Do not send, decline taking Margaret Williams as servant and write to Mr Pearson about lodging for assizes, send by RH. Glad to get to bed.

18th

Most wintry day this season. Wind east, cold and very strong, snow comes on towards evening. Read Grey's prize essay against corn law, walk to Crickton, too stormy to cart lime and earth, all barn work. Coal vessel coming, wants easing. Send 2 men, return home and keep by fire. Study will for Francis Thomas, one Harry of Lunnon, a curious document. Read No.11 of Martin Chuzzlewit by Boz and enter accounts in evening. Ground white with snow.

Sunday. Evening duty, gentle thaw yet very cold. Lend Ted Moselle to go to Nicholaston, his own pony lamed in cart yesterday. Dine before church, some little rain comes on the evening. Do not walk to Stafell Haegr as Ted wishes to see pony. Some of the singing children up in the evening. Read a letter of Dr Venn.

20th

Monday. Regular thaw, very mild and misty. Ride rather earlier than usual, coal come in. Ride to marsh to see how it is disposed of, tide over road, help lead the horses. Send stones to the marsh by return carts. Take full account of coals as distributed. Go and see Ted's pony Stafell Haegr, lame. Borrows Moselle for tomorrow, wedding at Manselfold. Return home thinking to ride to Howell John taken ill on Saturday. Mary returned, he is better, do not go. Read Queens of England. Cathe poor. Enter accounts in evening, coal accounts etc. Paid Captain Reese balance due to him on last count Feb.10th £3.9 6 by Marsh Lane. Enter in my coal accounts. Mr Lloyd helped draw up coals, 3 turns. Receive from Penmaen Polytechnic prints, Shakespeare's songs; am honorary secretary. Letter also from Henry at Abercothi answered Wednesday.

21st

Grand marriage at Manselfold and Morris of Walter. Fine day for it, walk to Crickton, much trouble about sheep. Turnip drawing, read a little Britannia paper. Home early, garden a little. Drive Carrie to dine at Owich, Miss Lucas there and Mr Collins senior. Something about tithes and Penrice's conduct. He is very paltry. Home late in the dark. Lost at cards 2/-. EKJ come from the wedding, not hungry!! Has Moselle and wants her tomorrow for the chapel funeral of Griffiths of Gelli On.

22nd

A thorough gentle still wet day. All day in the cellar bottling beer, 3 dozen and Marsala 3 dozen and pack 1 dozen of it for George Abercothi in exchange for some claret. Write short to him and Henry, Tenby, Abercothi. Enter 2 days accounts and read paper. A troublesome day, hate bottling and corking. Cathe ill, swelled face, both youngest children have colds, 2 at Penmaen well. Make a calculation of price of flour at 2d .. to the price of wheat and do not find it so much too high as I expected. Gain about 1/- a winchester. Send to Mrs Holland, by some man from Llanmadock.

23rd

Wet again, gentle rain after breakfast. About home all day, read Britannia and English Queen's. Kill a pig but little out to work. Grand muster of ploughs at Pwllybrag. Evan Jenkins of Blue Anchor calls for a lease of land to build Blaenkedy. Draw and sign agreement articles only, being 50 years or 3 lives at £1.05 pr a. Ted comes up and departs after tea. Mr Thomas Gordon calls on return from Swansea to say something about assizes etc. He is sober.

24th

Rise early and get out to see about men's work. Walk to Crickton barn before 7.00. Breakfast at 9.00 Read Queens of England. Failed to send a letter to Swansea for Henry at Abercothi. Begin digging plantation with WT. Carree and EKJ ride to Penmaen. I do not go. Ted has Moselle. Pig to be cut and weighed. Dine early with Emma. Carrie and Ted back to tea. Give orders to Llewellyn about Swansea and Abercothi tomorrow. I must ride there to assizes too but want to go to Abercothy.

25th

Ride Moselle to Swansea to see for lodgings for the assizes etc. Engage them at R Davies painter, Butter Street. Moselle goes capitally but I seldom ride her. Was in court, nothing of interest. Mr Cameron engages to go coursing on Monday.

Sunday. Sacrament. Writing this March 13th and have not a very clear recollection about it. Met Mr Moggridge on Pengwern, talks of a farmers club at Swansea yesterday.

27th

Dull, very cold east wind. Go out coursing on the hill by engagement, 2 Mr Cameron's, Mr Lucas, Mr Grose, Mr Strick chymist, find nothing. Scud over to Penmaen for post etc and to see children there. Lose the sportsman, return and walk over Cillibion Black Ground. See nobody. Dine at Mr Grose's, Mr Strick and Mr EKJ there also. Mr Camerons go away and take the greyhound.

28th

Ride this evening to Swansea assizes and keep Moselle there, anything but well, for the purpose of Llangyfelach fair tomorrow. Meet Mr James at Castle, also Mr Perry at a Beef Steak and agreed to accompany him tomorrow to the fair. Walk in morning to Crickton to see what goes on etc and give orders. Meet Llewellyn returning from Abercothi with car – cheese, wine etc.

March

1st (Wednesday)

Go with Mr Perry to Llangyfelach Fair. Buy a bay mare, 4 years old, of a man at Llanelli, warranted, £8. Also a grey mare, 6 Fenny, off a man named Daniel of Llanarthney - £9.15 0. Dine with Mr Perry at the fair and return to Swansea together. Moses, colt bought into Swansea to breaker, Williams, Vale of N. brewery public house, Fisher St. Send my pony Moselle home again by John of Crickton.

2nd

Swansea assizes, breach of promise of marriage, Miss---, sister of Mrs Halcott. Mr James's friend, a Randell. Damages 600! EKJ came into town, promises to drive in Carree on Saturday. Q - had Tom Philip's wife corn on Tuesday. I go to Swansea. Bay colt yesterday sent by John of Crickton had at Tom Walters.

3rd

Swansea assizes. Dine at Mr Bevan's with Mr James. Meet Mr & Mrs Rees of---? and Mr Halcott, chief witness in case of yesterday. He is agent of Mr Paul Edwards of Rheola and has some interest with Lord Adare. Mr Curtis also there, brother of Mrs Rees. Lose at Cards 5/-. Dry and very cold day, Caie Forgan. A dry case of boundary between Dilwyn Llewellyn and Mr Worthington, lasts 2 days. Jury locked up all night till Sunday morning, no decision at last, a juror withdrawn.

4th

Assizes. Carree and C Teddy and baby come in driven by EKJ and ride pony. 1 doz.of Bass's ale home by EKJ in dog cart. Not room for more.

Sunday. At St Mary's church. Mrs Terry's pew, very cold. Not out in evening. Carree takes baby, Cathe goes to church.

6th

Rise early to go to court before 9.00. The great cause of the Duke of B and Gough, on the jury. Court crowded. Ladies etc all in expectation of Sir W Follett. He and Sir T Wilde there, case compromised, we as jury not sorry. I wanted sadly to hear Sir W Follett. Lose a 2nd jury case this evening. Expect Mr Powell at dinner, his son only comes. Call on him in evening. Meet Mr Worthington and go into court. See Mr Thos Thos examined, ought to have served on the jury, easy. Verdict against corporation subject to a case.

7th

Assizes finish, make various calls with Carree, just see court break up. Meet Mr Davies and go to the House of Correction with him, see the murderers, the clerk! and get on the treadmill etc. Tea at Mrs Popkin's this evening, yesterday at Mrs Terry's. Mr T very ill. Children sing there.

8h

Engaged to go to the Grange to dine. Carree too late for omnibus, do not go. Make numberless calls and inquire about a servant in evening, tea at Mr Higgs, only Mrs Flack there. Singing.

9th

Attend Trustee Road meeting, pass accounts etc. Read Queens of England. Walk to Mr Davies of Grange and dine there, Carree and Charlie in morning by omnibus. Spend a pleasant day, fail to return by omnibus and Mr D orders out his carriage for us. Polite all day to the last.

10th

Wet day unfortunately on return home from Swansea assizes. See Catherine and the baby off by the mail cart to Gower. All sorts of odd jobs, shopping etc. Pack up etc etc.

11th

Fine again, do not send to Swansea having come home late yesterday. At home for the first day for a long time. Have been at the assizes since March 1st. Walk over Crickton and collect information as to past work etc. Work a little in garden. Send WR to Penmaen for beef. Enter some arrear of daily accounts.

Sunday. Morning duty, go alone, damp ride. Return in company with Mr and Mrs Grose. At home all evening, read Cambrian and Churton English Church.

13th

Dull, coldish mild day. Ride early to Bryngwas to receive money. Returned early from Bryngwas by Crickton hill. Meet Thos Thos Oldwalls there. Mr & Mrs James and EKJ dine with us. Comes on a damp evening. Arrange with Llewellyn and EKJ about going to Carmarthen tomorrow. Fear the weather. Enter accounts long in arrears before today.

14th

After a bad night, wet and wind, a tolerable morning. Rise at 6.30. Llewellyn forwarded to Loughor with bag for coach, follow him. Do not overtake him. Take coach to Carmarthen, the Turks sale. Meet George and Henry there. All day at the sale, till 9 at night, dine at the 6 Bells. Sleep at Lewis's. George returns to dinner, Henry to supper. A fineish day, wet evening. Glad to get to bed, very tired indeed.

15th

Rise at 8, beautiful morning comes on wet again towards evening. Slept at Lewis's, write to Lewis Thomas attorney Swansea in re Beynon (sic). Discover one of the family Williams next door to Lewis's curious!!! and write to Carree long as to matters here. All day at the sale again, silver sold. George drives me to Abercothi after 6.00 and here I am after dinner. Had interview with Offey about the farms and as to things coming home from the sale tomorrow. Calculate my purchases, Henry and George both asleep.

16th

Ride early to Carmarthen on a horse on trial by Henry, a great boring beast fit only for a coach. Pack a cart load of goods from W Jones, the Turks, attend sale all day, buy more things, sale of plants, sell high. Casks etc low. George drives us home to a late dinner. Henry rides back. Fine mild day. Assizes open, Judge Maule. Finish and send my letter to Carree.

17th

Up in good time again, a beautiful day. Assizes at Carmarthen being this morning in earnest, horrid courts, nothing of interest, soon leave the place. George drove us all in and fast being on the grand jury. Meet Mr Green, walk with him to see bones crushed, he buys some. Rambling about the town all day. Dine at 6 Bells with Henry, did not pay. Send in a wagon and pack up remainder of my things purchased at the late Turks. George dines with the judge, Henry and I sit at Lewis's the painter tonight, leave Carmarthen in George's carriage at 10.00, rather damp and mild.

18th

Again all in Carmarthen later than usual, Henry walks to Alltygog for carriage and brings it to meet myself and George at Llandeilo Rhynys. We muster horses to get there. Offey at plough there, late in work, no wonder! with no horses. Harris rides Stallion, son of old Peg, to Carmarthen to show him off, much liked. Dine at 6 Bells yesterday and today, Henry pays. Leave Carmarthen about 8.00. Paid William, saddler, plough £1.13 0 harness, don't like the man, long dispute with him and Henry about repairs of carriage. Arranged with Mr Brock to look over the late Mr Jones, the Turk, papers on Monday next before they are burned. Henry engages to meet him.

Sunday. Morning. Fine, not at church, stroll to Lochgwyn after dinner to new brick yard. Ranting preacher at Cothi Bridge!

20th

Am up early, send horse to forge. Offey calls, order 2 ploughs. Walk with Henry to bridge, Cothi, ride to Nantgaredig, Henry to Alltygog, I to the farm, pay as above, pigs and cattle trespass. Phillips carpenter comes, put up furniture. Walk by fields to Alltygog, take carriage with Harris to Carmarthen. Meet Henry at Lucas's. He went to examine waste papers at the Turks, fails. No one to meet him. I am in Carmarthen 1 hour and return all together to Alltygog, thence Henry walks, I ride, dine late. Enter accounts, fine hot day, oat sowing general.

21st

Return from Abercothi to Gower. Rise early in morning to walk over Llandeilo Rhynys with Offey. George comes there, carriage meets us there, Drive to Carmarthen again, every day save Sunday have been there. Dine at 6 Bells and servant. At Loughor 6.30, meet Jones of Hunts there. Left Carmarthen at 2.30. Wet ride home with Llewellyn from Loughor to Penclawdd etc. Get a little wet.

22nd

Write to Abercothi as to new servant and about £20 George promised to pay Offey, Llandeilo Rhynys etc. About home and Crickton all day. Plant out several elms with WT and Tom Philip from pit side by haggard to new plantation.

23rd

Fine day. Carree and I ride to Ilston to inquire about Mrs Collins and W Collins child ill at Ilston. Learn its death last night, poor Collins!! Ride on to dinner at Penmaen by engagement. Ted also dines there. Leave early being led to suppose there was a parish meeting in the village this evening about parish accounts. Mistake, tis tomorrow, I learn when I get there. Leave Ted in village and return. Write a note for Mr Nicholls and send it by J Williams about hay etc.

24th

Walk early to Crickton, carting out earth in Furzeland. Stay some time, walk over the farm. Return and plant larch with WT after dinner. Meet Mr Grose at the Poor House Cilivor, portion out garden for J Harry, etc. Attend parish meeting about poor rate but little done. Accounts abominably kept. Very cold east wind. Mrs Grose takes tea at Caie Forgan. Mr Grose and I late, take coffee there.

25th

Dry and cold. Ride Moselle to Swansea with Ted and Mr Grose for the purpose of attending preliminary Farmers Club. Present - Mr Dillwyn Llewellyn, Illtyd Thomas, Mr Moggridge etc Lucas, Strick etc etc. Club formed however, have but little to do. Buy seeds at Whites, did not pay. Dine at Oxford Inn with EKJ and Mr Grose. Home to tea, called at Cross Inn about a servant. Find on return the last new one, called Virago, has quarrelled with the whole bevey and given warning after stay of one week!

27th

Sunday. Very windy and cold, Carree and I walk to church, sacrament. I walk to Crickton in evening. Read Cambrian, Carree and Ted attend singing school.

Monday. Very windy, very cold indeed. Send early to Penmaen to secure a place. Enter some accounts and take weight of pigs. Walk to Crickton, oxen tried first time. Return and pack off Virago to Swansea by WR to Gower Inn. Too late at Penmaen. Again to Crickton with EKJ to shoot crows, fail. Receive letter from George and Lincoln's Inn and Robert Batcock. Dine at 5.00, veal and firmity.

28th

Read a paper or two in the Royal Agricultural Report. A beautiful day, begin to neat up the garden. Cut down several willows and replant in plantation with T Philip. Dine early and walk late to Crickton. A messenger sent to say little Emma can't be found. Return and find all right. She lost herself in Lower Field, no danger and Johnny tumbles into a ditch and is sent to bed. Charles went to Reynoldston on donkey.

29th

Fine day and cold. WR discovers 9 young rabbits killed by weasel? over cart shed. Clean out the room with WT and make hot bed of it. WR sent for ash poles to collect them. Mr & Mrs J call and dine and leave early. EKJ immortalises himself by shooting a kite or buzzard! Secures it alive. Intends sending it to Institution. q. Will it live. EKJ has a club meeting tonight. Walk with Carree over Crickton farm, much going on. I return to tea and ride to a meeting called for a church rate, appointed time 7.00, no one there but Mr Dunn, churchwarden, till 8.30. Cold riding home, curious stormy fan shaped cloud from the west.

30th

A damp morning proves a soaking day. Confined a prisoner, want to get on with planting, getting late. Read Britannia paper, new monthly, Agricultural Journal. Enter daily accounts, no adventures. Carree copies music. WR has his box of cobbling tools etc burnt and destroyed, how? The saddle, too, placed on the fire, by whom?

31st

A busy unprofitable sort of day. Rise early and go to Crickton before breakfast. Give orders for tomorrow etc and arrange work for the day, ought to have been engaged in making road accounts for signature tomorrow at Swansea. Work behind hand. Plant out larch with men and elm in new plantation. Dine early, that is have no dinner but lunch with Mr Perry who calls. Give him an account pro and con. Again ride to Crickton to see what work is done and ride to Cillibion, Mr Grose wanting to see me about road account. He not ready and keeps me waiting to begin his account for tomorrow till 10.00. A regular meeting there. Return home, Carree very unwell. Write commissions for Swansea late. Buzzard to go to museum.

April

1st (Saturday)

Rise at 6.00, wet. Out and feed chaff cutter, hot work. Carree better, not down to breakfast. Read new monthly, trim trees, set men to work in plantation. Work myself in garden, dig flower garden. Pay a tall and lusty beggar and row him. At home all day. CEM washes his donkey cart. Winnow a lot of oats. Ted calls in the evening and takes tea etc. C Reese home late. Buzzard poisoned. New maid Fanny Rees arrives from Carmarthen. A disagreeable day, for the first time send 3 horses in cart to town.

3rd

Sunday. Evening duty, damp growing day. Carree rides Moselle, look at the school. Ted does not come up to Caie Forgan after church, singers come. Read English Church by Churton.

Fine growing day and no corn sown by me and too wet. Do nothing on it today. Garden, send for hay to Park, work in garden. Pack parcel for Bristol, write short to Park Street. Read magazine instead of making out a road account as I ought. Take up trees in garden, sow cauliflower etc. Children all ride on donkey to Stafell Haegr. Ted returns with us to tea. RH in trouble about law assault Francis Thomas's son. Walk and see who was at work at Crickton and go round by Horrod.

4th

Rise early, damp morning. Cut chaff with men before breakfast and set their work. Masons come up to repair tiles, not a day suiting and send them home again. To school. I an right, glass is falling and by noon it comes on a hurricane and slates fly. Call all hands and stay progress. Luckily was at home, just returned from Crickton, Reese at plough, first trial of white Doll mare, fidgety!!! W Jone carting off clay. Carree cleans out mangle room, what fractures! Leads to other clearances and discovering. Dine late. Francis Thomas calls about accounts, no final settlement. Nothing passes beyond paper and ink.

5th

Rise early, out in garden and use level with WR to raise ground. After breakfast give seeds to WT and order Philip to cut and plant willow and then ride with Carree to call on Mrs W Collins at Ilston, first visit after loss of child. Ride on to Penmaen and dine, colt there looking very ill and thin. Mr James brewing. Home about 8.00, cold, aurora borealis. Write to Abercothi etc and prepare for Swansea tomorrow. Ponies all brought to stable and confined. Mr Grose complains of trespass without good cause, fences.

6th

Fully meant to go to Swansea with Carree, horses ordered etc. Wet morning, a thorough wet day. Do not go, luckily, wet in evening, wind S.W. with rain. Pack up cloth for Fred and Mr Strick(?), write to both. At last give up Swansea, being meeting today of roads and guardians. Want to attend both. Get into the garden, finish altering northwest corner. Dine early and walked to Crickton to learn work of today and yesterday. Lawn mown first time, George Gordon calls and settles about tithes, see above, paid him. Hare feeding on green. Talk of farmers club established at Swansea.

7th

Wet drizzly day, about home and try to make out accounts of road for last year. Ride down in rain, no one their. Meditate adjournment and do adjourn, not properly prepared. Mr Thomas Gordon and I have a dispute about poor rates. I mean to repeal next rate. Books ill kept. Met Ted in village and rode to Stafell Haegr to pay Tom Dix in full, labour account - draining, potatoes last autumn.

8th

Fine day luckily, drive Carree to Swansea. Fine day all day, drive Carree to town; dog cart. Shopping all day. Accounts entered above, lunch at Castle, cold beef and pint bottle porter. Not home till near 10.00, cold.

Sunday. Morning duty, very warm and dull. Walk to church with Carree and children, comes on heavy rain for all the evening. Read Cambrian and Churton's Early Church. WR gets drunk again, find him in stables 11.00, push him down after kicking him up and send him to bed with a flea in his ear, monstrously annoyed and Carree very cross. Horses neither fed or bedded down.

10th

Fine day again.! How changeable. About home all day, graft apples. Ted calls from Penmaen, letters from WM and George. Walk to Crickton, Evans mole catcher with me, am at Pwllybrag. Send to Park for hay. Sow mangold. Want to get forward in the road accounts and do nothing, busy all evening in account of Swansea and enter accounts of Saturday and today and helping Carree etc in accounts. Borrow Mr Grose's Road Book. Have not WR today to speak.

11th

Heavy snow this morning for some time and sharp frost. Sent to Crickton for fire! What servants!! Ride early by appointment to Llwynybwch to make out a road rate by new survey. Lunch there. Ride to Crickton and walk over the farm. Ted rides Moses pony to Reynoldston first time, dine at 4.00. Get several plants from Pwllybrag and plant out a large syringa. Ted dines here and tea.. Nothing of my road account done for meeting tomorrow. Very cold tonight again.

12th

A most busy day, rise early, surprised to see a white world and thick snow. WT improving front garden, planted shrubs from Pwllybrag. Am busy writing out road account for meeting tonight and Swansea, Saturday. All the Collins from Ilston take an early and cold dinner with us. Disappointed in the Penmaenites, EKJ comes. We go to the road meeting in evening, much said about poor rate etc. Not home till near 12.00, very cold.

13th

Fine day but very cold. Masons come up to repair tiles, determine me not to go to Swansea, Board of Guardians the first time, and besides WT is planting and improving front garden, superintend and work hard all day. Carree comes out to sow a few seeds, little done. Mr James at Penmaen calls and takes the remnants of yesterday's dinner, particularly cold evening. Singular appearance about the moon, a sort of halo rainbow – they say a sign of bad weather but the glass is high and rising! Poor dull cold and windy day tomorrow and some misty rain. George Dix - weaving carpet. £1.6.9

14th

Good Friday badly used, Cross Inn Fair to sell cattle and eat hot cross buns. Bad arrangements. Mr W Collins does duty at Llanrhidian and Nicholaston, Ted at Cheriton and Oxwich. Walked after dinner round Crickton farm now greatly improved. Some rain as we leave church, not expected. Dull cold wind in morning, glass not falling. Prepare for Swansea in the evening and enter some road accounts to make a proposed rate and pass accounts tomorrow.

15th

First meeting of Farmers Club. Warm dull spring like day, ride with EKJ to Swansea, pass road accounts at Town Hall. Busy day there swearing in new constables. Raise £50 at bank by bill at 3 months. Attend Farmers Club meeting at Castle at 3.00, now first established. Mr Grant in the chair, a full and good meeting. Dine at Mr Bevan's. Pleasant evening, garden forward. Get promise of some cucumber plants etc. WR in Swansea with potatoes, eggs, butter first time and seven bags barley home from Days. We do not get home till 10.00, damp evening.

17th

Sunday. Beautiful mild dullish day, a.m. fine. Evening duty, Johnny and Charles Edward at church. Spend evening at Stafell Haegr, tea and walk home with lantern [first time] Carree and I.

Monday. Rise early and out to Crickton early. Some men come late, learn all the work and walk over the farm. Arrange for going all hands to Penmaen. Receive note too late to postpone it till tomorrow. Carree and I busy about seeds etc before starting. Children all in car, Carree and I ride. EKJ can't go, cause of meeting about church. Remove hydrangeas at P, calf sent home, at what price? 3 yearling colts also sent home - all very ill. 3 hours getting home, Ted comes late. All ride home together in good time before dark. Too tired to do anything, glad to get to bed.

18th

Most beautiful hot day after a thick fog. Rise early, cut chaff before breakfast. Carree and I are without children, all at Penmaen, how quiet. Ride after breakfast to Crickton to see ploughing. Doll kicks herself out of harness. Rees ploughing meadow below wh… by common. All the day after hard at work in garden digging and sowing seeds with Carree. Ted calls in the evening after a meeting of church wardens of Nicholaston. Read a volume of Martin Chuzzlewit.

19th

Sale of Dutch vessel wrecked off Rhosilly sands, do not go. Ted goes, work in garden, planting out nut trees with W Jone. Dine early. Johnny and Charlie return from Penmaen afoot. Ride with Carree in evening and make calls at Reynoldston, call at Mr Balls and find he died suddenly this morning, broke a blood vessel. Quite upsets me and Carree. Tea at Mrs Davies. Called on Perry also. Home in the darkling.

20th

Ride early to Swansea to attend Board of Guardians first time and to dine with Mr Bevan by engagement. Mr and Mrs Perry overtake me, nothing important before the Board. Inadvertently some allusion made to the Swansea rate - £1,500, 700 in arrear, how to be obtained? Call on Dr Howell, his little boy better. Unexpectedly ride home with Ted who has been up this morning to Margam about Llanrhidian club. Proves a pleasant day, expected rain because dust flies. Home lateish, write to Theake, London.

21st

Rise early and pick stones in garden. Plant some ash and filbert with W Jone after. Walked to Crickton all over it. Carree rides alone to Penmaen, Ted dines here. Mr Gordon calls, wet evening. So does F Thomas, pay both money. All evening about accounts.

22nd

After a wet night showery cold wet morning, workable but stopped ploughing - Copton for oats. At home all morning, make out a road account according to a new rate obtained of Mr Gordon of Llwynybwch. Read Britannia paper. After dinner in the garden with WT and lay turf [Carree's suggestion] by elms between yard wall and Mount Pleasant and sow some seeds in hot bed. RH calls in evening, pay for meat bought.

Sunday. Sacrament, 36 communicants. Ted has no time to stay dinner. Go to Penmaen after dinner, Carree on Moselle, I afoot by WT's. Walk back and lead pony, Carree won't ride till at Walterston Corner where I get a fall in the dark and hurt my arm.

24th

Rise early and dig in front garden. All day in garden and sow flower seeds with Carree, do not send to post. Jos Jones helps to wheel in earth. After dinner walk with Carree to Crickton by Stonyford Meadow and return and garden. Mr Thomas Gordon calls about poor rates for WT and takes a glass of grog. Mary John calls to see the children and to receive money if to be had but I have it not, but plenty due to me. Unexpectedly comes on heavy rain again about sunset and much rain in night.

25th

Cold windy day, walk to Crickton, stroll about, not very well. Garden a little. Carree takes children with Rosy to Stafell Haegr, funeral of Miss George, Nicholaston Hall. Rev. Mr Phillips examines church as Rural Dean. Carree meets Mr W Collins in village. Charlie rides his grey up, hazardous experiment. I am taken quite ill when working in garden, obliged to go to bed. Hear there is a severe storm of hail at Swansea this evening. Another Princess born! Duke of Sussex dead!!!

26th

Rise unwell but better after breakfast in bed early. Read Caleb Stukely, a 2nd breakfast. Cold dull day, walk out in evening to garden and go to Crickton in mackintosh. Obliged to attend a parish meeting at 6.00 in village to inspect rate books. Find after a long investigation several overseers in debt. All there, get an acknowledgment and they sign the book, a full meeting. Not home to till past 12.00. Mr & Mrs James come here to stay 27th

In bed late and up early. Breakfast alone. Mr & Mrs James here, ride Spotty to town, attend a Board of Guardians. Am one of a committee to examine dietary at poor house. Waste of bread, curtail it a little. Dine at W Strick's, J Hancorne there. Spotty carries me beautifully, home late and far from well. Glad to get to bed. Find Ted here on my return. Lucky in my ride without rain; hot morning, cool evening, wet night again. What variable weather, luckily sow all my oats today.

28th

Do not feel very well after the labours of yesterday, very wet morning indeed, clears off and is very fine. Lawn mown. Mr & Mrs James here, walk alone to Crickton, finish lime and earth in Furzeland. Dine early, tie up raspberries. Doll very ill after kicking herself to pieces at plough, bleed her. Jim runs away, chided for idleness. In the evening write to WM, Uckfield, as to next tithe meeting. Also to Edmund, Lewes, to speak to Mr Smith. Write commissions for Swansea. WR goes with potatoes, butter, eggs. Not in bed till 12.30.

29th

Very fine day, WR sent to Swansea. Mr & Mrs James at Caie Forgan. Walk with Mr J to and over Crickton. 6 oxen in the drag. Return and stroll all seniores and juniores in garden. Plant a few roses from Swansea half dead. Plant a little on rock stone. Am not very well all day long. Little disposed to attend to anything. Find a duck sitting dead in the rick yard, why? Ted drops in after tea from Swansea. Why is not WR home at past 10.00 - alright at last.

Sunday. Evening duty, Mr J James does duty, full congregation, text – ‘Death where is Thy Sting and Grave Where is Thy Victory' etc etc? Ted does duty at Oxwich and Penrice. Dine after church. Mrs James rode over to Penmaen in morning and returned to church here. I am uncommonly low and sleep all night.

May

1st (Monday)

Rise early and to the garden before breakfast. Walk to Crickton with Mr James after breakfast, he goes to the village, I over Crickton. All intended riding to call on the Balls after the death of the old man. I have letters to write, one to Mr Smith Lewes, one WM Uckfield, one to HJM Abercothi about tithe commission and do not ride out. Ted rides Moses with Carree and Mrs J. Dine early, WR sent to post. Spend evening at Mr & Mrs Grose's. Mrs James there and back in donkey cart, first time of its being useful. Home late; very mild all day, beginning of dry weather since Saturday. Very strong wind from east in morning till 12.00. George Gibbs calls, wants rent, gets none but he's promised some barley for seed.

2nd

Beautiful weather, quite hot. Mr & Mrs J return home after early dinner. Walk after B to Crickton to see what is doing. Return and garden, pick stones, sow mangold and set potatoes. About home all day, evening spent picking stones: all hands, children, Carree etc. Ted calls up in evening, been at Cillibion. Water flower garden in evening, quite tired.

3rd

Rise early and work in garden, pick stones before breakfast. Read Britannia. Ride with Carree to Reynoldston, call on Mrs Ball and spend a day at Mr Perry's. EKJ also dropped in there. The children also go in donkey cart, their first excursion with Jim only. They are scarcely landed safe at Mr P's when the donkey runs away and upsets the cart!! How fortunate! No damage done, they get home safe again. Threatens rain this evening and cooler.

4th

Wet morning, must go to Swansea as guardian and election of a registrar, no.4, R Jenkins elected against Thomas of Llandeilo Talybont or Llangyfelach, very full board. Ride Moselle, carried me beautifully still. Home about 8.00, receive letter from George as to sale at Causton, late Mr Leache's.

5th

Fine day, one shower only. Rise at 5.00, ride to Crickton by 6.00 and go over the farm, breakfast at 9.00. Tie raspberries, 1st duck hatches, fresh earth to rhododendrons etc. Read paper, garden again. Fuss away time, arrange for market, potatoes brought home etc. Mare Doll very ill. Charles cuts his lip, Emma breaks her head against table. Butter made. Write to George, Tenby, evening and commissions for Swansea.

6th

Walked to Crickton before breakfast, much cooler. Send note to Swansea by Willis. Dig in garden after breakfast to sow flowers, do not sow. About home all day and WT sows kidney beans and scarlets. Dine early. Ted here in evening, all walk again to Crickton, children etc and dogs. Work again in garden. WR home in good time, settle his accounts. Receive letters WM and Henry, enter diary etc

Sunday. Morning duty, Carree and I walk. Rain when in church, a beautiful spring. See nothing of Ted who serves Llanmadock. Cold dinner. In evening I walked to my Cillibion fields. Cows to go out tomorrow. Singing school, read Cambrian.

8th

Rise at 7, proves a very hot day. Dressed in cricket jacket. Sow flower seeds with WT in kitchen garden. Mr & Mrs Perry and children dine here by appointment. Mrs Davies expected, comes only to tea. Plant out geraniums, begin plant potatoes in field. Cows out to grass tonight first time per night. EKJ come to dinner and leaves early to attend a club. The omnibus from Reynoldston comes for our party, an event in Gower. Some beautiful rain in the evening. Walk to Crickton, get out and return to tea. Receive letters by Mrs James from HJM and Mrs Morgan. Paid Penclawdd clock-maker for Jack 6d.

9th

Not up early. Walked after breakfast to Crickton, help Llewellyn fill stone cart. 2 ploughs and harrows going preparing for barley. Meet Ted who rides to Penmaen. Meet Carree and children on common. Dig up heath. Dine early, washing day. Ride with Carree in evening to Penmaen about a servant at Mrs Jones'. Tea at the rectory, Mrs Pritchard comes in. Arrange for some help on Crickton for Thursday.

10th

Rise early and go to Crickton before breakfast to inform C Reese what help I shall have in ploughing from Long Oaks etc. Garden after breakfast, do not send to post till after dinner, should have sent early. Received letters from WM, Mr France, HJM, Offey; all wanting attendance. Must send expressly to Swansea tomorrow. Mr W Collins calls and takes early dinner. I write hastily to HJM. Ride in evening with Carree and Mr Collins to Landimore and on to near Cheriton, inquire for a servant at Ann, our late servant. Mr Collins returns with and takes tea. I was on Landimore Marsh and saw and talked with Edward Rees of Nancy.

11th

Most beautiful weather, begin out to sow barley Cross Lane field today, having help with borrowed ploughs besides in another field. Write a note before breakfast to Mr Mayberry, solicitor, Brecon about the tithes, commissioner etc and find private conveyance by chance to Swansea, how lucky! About home all morning in copying Williams letter about tithes. Expect Henry, does not arrive. Ted comes up, go unwillingly with him to school and to Stafell Haegr. Carree accompanying. Go by Crickton to see barley and sowing, busy scene. Borrowed ploughs. Return by Crickton alone, miss Carree. Dix in distress about water, it leaks. Give orders to remedy it. Make out account of taxes to be paid by Mr Lloyd tomorrow, papers left here.

12th

At home in the house nearly all day preparing for tithe commission on Monday, copying a letter and statement of WM. Taking an average of corn through the year from RH. Write to Offey of Llandeilo farm. David Jone, Ted's boy, goes to post. Expecting Henry, does not come or send. Dine at 6.00. Heavy rain from east comes on, will do much good. Am extremely tired in the evening, can't sit upright, not in bed till 12.00 hunting up papers, difficult to find some. Miss to get things ready for car to Swansea.

13th

Fine morning, again, WR off to Swansea. Breakfast early, Ted comes up too late, rides to Swansea. I must drive, get all my papers together. Go round to see stables etc. Poor white mare sufferers dreadfully. Carree means to go to Swansea. Start from home at 12.00. Drive Bright, nearly upset Cillibion Green, mare turns to forge. Attend Farmers Club at Institution; turnips discussed, badly, bad place for purpose. Mr Mayberry arrives from Brecon by mail in evening. Go into subject of tithes with him in evening. Ted drives Carree home and Jim takes his pony. Am at lodging, Mrs Davies the glaziers. Sent home some guano and bone dust.

Sunday. At church with the Terry's, excellent sermon., Dr Hewson ‘Understandest Thou what Thou Readest'. Engaged with papers all the evening preparing for tomorrow with Mr Mayberry who dines with me. Heavy rain in the evening. We go together to Cambrian hotel in it.

15th

Rise early, sally out to send note home by postman. Meet Henry at the door. RH and Austey. Arrange papers for meeting of tithes before commissioner Mr John's. Meeting thinly attended, amicably disposed. Again adjourned to October 16th. Moduses gone into. Henry and Mr Mayberry there. C Collins engaged for the parish. Mr Mayberry goes by mail to Carmarthen for Brecon. Captain Wheatley in Swansea again. Dine at Mr Bevan's. Major T… and Captain Lyons there. Hear Mrs B play piano for first time, good player. Am much more at ease now the tithe meeting is so far advanced, think it possible we may arrange it by taking council's opinion. Sent note home by RH who returns afoot to send ponies tomorrow.

16th

Write to William report of tithe meeting. Mr & Mrs James are coming to Swansea by omnibus. Miss to see them. Henry and I start afoot and meet WR and ponies west of Cross Inn and ride home. After dinner walked to Crickton. See a hare on clover and have the greyhound. Ted joins me in evening there etc.

17th

Engaged to meet Ted at the school by 9.00, wait there for him, settle about further quarrying for the road there. Henry walks with RH to Penrice fair, Ted and I ride, dull fair. Meet several persons who owe money to me, get none. Dine at 4.00, walk only to stables in evening. Enter accounts etc and arrange for Swansea again tomorrow. Fine dull day, hot and cold.

18th

Caroline arranges to take the children and go to Swansea, Emma's first visit there. They all go in car. Carree rides Ted's grey, I Moselle, Johnny only kept in Swansea. Charley drives Emma and Cathe home. WR takes the ponies. We all sleep at Mrs Davies, glazier, Butter Street. Bugs there, house very old but very neat. Do not attend as I intended at the Board of Guardians. Shopping with Carree and Mrs J etc etc. Wander about the street etc

19th

Attend with Mr James before the Commissioner Mr Johns about tithe commutation of Penmaen. In the evening at a party at Mrs Popkins, to tea, mostly ladies. Mr James comes in late and after Mr Terry.

20th

At Swansea, slept there. Mr & Mrs James return to Penmaen in Gower Omnibus. Wet. Johnny returns home in my market car [very wet evening] kept dry. Carree and I ride, she Moselle, I Moses for first time. Carree gets thoroughly wet on Fairwood Common. Ride fast from Cartersford gate. Moses likely to be a favourite, good action.

Sunday. Get wet through going to church. Sacrament, thin congregation, I go alone.

22nd

Poor little Caroline Agnes taken suddenly and alarmingly ill. Recovery despaired of in the evening but as suddenly a favourable change appears at night after 24 hours of anxiety and despair almost. Mr & Mrs James and EKJ all here, all sent for and all despair, a most distressing day giving us very faint hopes of amendment between 12.00 and 1.00 at night. Arose this morning at 10.00, neither shaved nor washed, nor shave nor wash all day and night; lay down with my clothes on in despair. Glad tidings came, our nurse Cathe Cornish crept finally to our room, “I think the child is better, she has awoke without a fit and will take some tea”. She was right. Signed an agreement of reference as to George and wrote to him and to Henry, Tenby, and Carmarthen.

23rd

Send cattle by RH and Llewellyn to Llandeilo Rhynys farm no.13 head. Boy Philip? comes over to assist tomorrow, too late. Keep him here, some cattle lost, find them on Thursday and send. Was up this morning at 5.00 and felt light and easy with happy prospects, God be praised. Write at 5.30 to Penmaen, see John Fisher coming and dispatch him back with glad tidings. Breakfast early, walked to Crickton. Long time since being there, all in confusion with my daily accounts. Feel much more at ease. Send early to Mr Perry to know how the child has to be treated in food. He surprised and rejoiced and comes over.

24th

Fine day after wet morning. Hunt after lost cattle, close at home near Llytheridd after all. Garden a little by experiments on guano. 5.30 attend church missionary sermon, Mr Hugh Jones, very late, 4 odd collected, all the Collins and Miss Lucas there [Mrs C no]. Circumstances prevent our seeing everybody.

25th

Drove alone to Swansea to attend Union. Bright mare. Heavy rain in Swansea, go to bank to arrange about money for cattle for Henry of Mr Hawkins. Meet Mr Terry and family going in on the way to Gower. Show Christopher Batcock's letter about a bastard at the Board. Home again by 5.00, rook pie.

26th

Carree very ill, fever, in bed all day very bad indeed. Baby continues to mend, has odd hysterical laughs as if delirious. I walked to Crickton and to Stafell Haegr repairing drain to Dix's by Lower Mill. Mackerel dinner. Ted comes up in evening to tea. Wrote to Penmaen and sent early. Transplant a few flowers, quite out of sorts. Wander about garden and field. Child ill Monday, Carree on Friday!! Arrange about Swansea tomorrow, fall asleep and forget half my Swansea errands. In bed late and sleep uncomfortably in small bed with C Teddy.

27th

C Reese goes with car to Swansea, butter eggs and 3ww. Am about home all day, can fix myself to nothing. Carree ill in bed, Agnes mends slowly. Mr and Mrs James call, return to dinner. Children very unruly. Mr Perry calls and finds a new patient. Gravel brought from Reynoldston, placed under oak tree. Help WT make rake, fit and nail down oil cloth, best room door. Wet sort of a day, Reese home in good time. Receive letters from George and Mrs Rook.

Sunday. Evening duty, am not at church, Carree ill. Send to Mr Perry who sends more … Ted calls, has dined at Penmaen. Read Lady Sale's journal. What a Sunday! Carree wakes me very early again in the morning, wants rhubarb etc. She is very ill and low.

29th

About home all day, write to George and Henry and Mrs Popkin and twice to Penmaen a.m. and p.m. Carree very ill, little Agnes better with bad cold. Johnny taken ill. Mr Perry calls, sent twice to Reynoldston. Wander about garden, discover hoppers in haws, apply essence of smoke. Quite out of sorts, expect to be ill. Bad weather. Valliant ill in evening.

30th

Mrs James rides over early, cart also from Penmaen for children to go to Penmaen -Carree and baby not being well they go. Rain coming on, Ted comes up to enquire, dines with me on lamb and spends the evening. Grey mare … up this evening, but little hopes of her ever recovering. Read Britannia paper and Lady Sale's Journal. Finish the latter, curious account of Afghan war, not over-interesting, difficulty to make out friend or foe. Great treachery thro'out. Edward Batcock committed to the treadmill, destroying plantations.

31st

Foggy damp muddy day, wet after sunset. Ride Moses with EKJ by Pennyhitch to Penmaen to see the children who went yesterday in wet. All well except Johnny complaining a little. Read Britannia paper. Wrote to Offey in answer about letters afield to one Griffiths of mill, yes, make a bargain as you can. Mr James is altering his drive up round the elm in front of his house.

June

1st (Thursday)

Very wet morning, Drive Bright alone to Swansea, attend Board of Guardians, bring forward Christopher Batcock's bastard case. Also attend road meeting but few there and but little done. I am asked to take the chair. Mr Glasbroke qualifies as treasurer, Sir J Morris's son elected. Miss Popkin very ill and also Mr W Bevan. Call on both. David Rees ill. Home by 7.00, no rain going or returning.

2nd

A most awfully quiet wet day, a flood. No possibility of sending a servant out. Set all the men to clean stables, whitewash etc. Read papers, Britannia, Gardeners Chronicle etc. Dine early, cold dinner and walk out to Crickton, rain ceasing but comes on again. Walk over Crickton. What a state the land is in!! Surely all spring corn will perish and potatoes! Get wet through in part! Finish Caleb Stukely.

3rd

Am about home all day. Read Blackwood. Not at Crickton, do not write letters as I ought. Ted goes to Penmaen and brings home Teddy. Attend to kill mice, mow of wheat taken in and help taking ash poles to stables in evening.

Sunday. Wet again, God save us! Morning duty, ride to church alone, proves fine. Walk in evening to Cillibion Field, hare on road at home. EKJ returns. RH here, long talk in stables about Stafell Haegr and Rd Gordon etc, road claim of Mr Snell, arrear of tithe etc. A Sunday not spent right.

5th

About home all day, wet before breakfast. Wet for a time, hot, thunder begins to growl. Thorough drenching wet afternoon, when will the ground be dry again?! Walked to Crickton, discover potatoes are much rotted, to be replanted. What loss of time!!! Ponies ready to ride to Penmaen with Carree. Mrs Jones of BG calls and pays money £10 on account. Mrs James calls here, no letters. Children to come if fine in evening. They come in a thunderstorm and save very well. Ted rides to Oxwich, last of hay comes in from Park, weigh it, trim hedge in garden. Settle WT's Swansea account of market.

6th

Rather a better morning, proves rather fine day. Read Britannia paper through. Walk to Crickton in evening. Potatoes obliged to be reset [rotted]. Tom Philip draws off water from potatoes 4 Acres, ground most lamentably wet. Find Edmund on my return, not exactly expected today. Meals etc put out of course. White mare much worse, evidently dying, have her throat cut, thought to use a pistol but do not. Poor creature, how she has suffered!!

7th

Rather a wet morning again! Dreadful rain from south comes on again at 1.00 all the evening!!! What alarming weather! for corn etc. Poor white mare skinned and cut up. Start to ride with Edmund to Sketty to call on Mr & Mrs Thomas, rain prevents. Call only at Ilston. Mrs C only at home. Get wet returning home, dine at 6.00. Sleep on sofa and break a tea cup! Children sent to bed before 6.00. Wet coming in at every window, awful state of things indeed.

8th

Wet again, breaks off, heavy rain again and a hurricane of wind. Most unseasonable weather. Prepared to ride with Edmund to Mrs Thomas's Sketty, storm of wind and rain prevents. Alter the place of clock, turn to turnery with Edmund, hat pegs, carpentering all play. What a day, wind a hurricane, rain heavy. Dine at 5.00. Edmund pastes picturesque map of England on canvas in evening. Wind abates at sunset, better promise of tomorrow. God grant it may be so and for many days to come. Cold and wintry for season.

9th

Fine! Dry and very high wind! Ride with Edmund to Sketty, called at Sir J Morris's, not at home, family at Southampton. Call also at the Bryn, Mr Thomas's [she late Miss Puxley] at home. Lunch there. Edmund stays there instead of returning home, intending to go tomorrow by packet to Bristol at 5.00a.m. Ted has tea here on return from Penmaen.

10th

Drive to Swansea, Bright with EKJ. Grand Trophy wager, Ward the tailor's grey from Llanelly to Swansea within 50 minutes wins, great concourse in old market place. Farmers Club drained, go late by mistake. Sell wheat and butter myself, no dinner, not home till 9.00. Some rain but may be called a fine day. Very cold night.

Sunday. Evening duty, walk with Carree and children to Cillibion field, etc. Stroll about, very warm. Carree and Johnny ride Moselle to church. The Mr Balls there. More promising weather.

12th

Ride early to Crickton, 4 calves turned out there. Begin to plough for turnips and muster potatoes. Was to have ridden with Carree to Cillibion etc. All turned upside down, out of humour. Ted calls, timber lost at school, he gets warrant. Carree calls alone on the Grose's, gone to Llanelly. I trim hedge, garden, in evening go to village and search for timber lost; find it at Batcock's mill converted to a door frame, a decided case!! Become a member of the Old Cambrian Club at Llanrhidian. Called late at Penralt to see RH, no one there, home late, the first summer's day.

13th

Monday was an eventful day, full of troubles. Bull turns wicked and gores WR nigh to have killed him indeed, some trouble in rescuing him. Mr Pritchard here wanting turnip drill. Rise early to see how matters go on. WR goes on well, Jim ill again. Busy with … for pledge to prosecute. Mild rain again. Ride to Penmaen, funeral of poor old Betty Williams. No events today but Moses loses a shoe. Rain again in the evening.

14th

Dull hot day, rain in the evening. Rise early with EKJ to breakfast, ride to Ilston 9.00 with EKJ on magisterial business regarding Batcock and timber stolen from the school. We are kept waiting 2 hours. At last constables etc come, Mrs B, the accused hus(band?), George Gordon and W Jone constables and W David carpenter. Dine at 2 and after dinner weed and plant out sunflower plants with Carree till rain overtakes us. Read Martin Chuzzlewit. Jim sent to Park for barm, none to be had. Williams sawyer came up in morning but not his partner so goes home again.

15th

Very muggy day. Rise early and out in garden ante breakfast. Sawyers here again, absent some days. Read Britannia paper, walk to Crickton. Rain comes on, steady rain all morning. Go to Penralt, inquire about lime stones etc. Meet Mr Grose. Mr R Gordon -road forming to his farm, he grumbles. Dine at 2.00, repair and alter small garden gate with W Tucker. Glazier J Edwards here, mends windows and hot bed frames. Met Roberts of Ishcoed on the road wanting money for the road & land tax. Give order on J Williams of Taycyd. Bids fair this evening for fine weather.

16th

Most beautiful hot day, at Penralt kiln, talk with RH about lime, old Batcock and Swansea tomorrow. Veal ordered, a breast and shoulder. Cutting a new road to Richard Gordon's by the kilns. Brew today, ride with Carree to Mrs Nicholls. Pay balance of accounts there, Cillibion sale. A beautiful squirrel about the parlour. Mr Nicholls sale account. The Grose's take tea with us in evening. Miss Pollard and Miss West.

17th

Send butter to Swansea by Mrs Grose's cart. Ride to Crickton. Mow clover at Newton. Talk to Mr Long. Ride to school to meet Ted and look at quarries. Light a match by the sun to blast rock and old Mr Gordon's pipe. Dine early, garden and ride to Welsh Moor. Man at work there, hunt a sheep and get in a boy, get sheep and lamb home, none of mine. Bottled beer at night.

Sunday. Sacrament. Wet evening after hot day.

19th

Doubtful morning, proves very fine day. Rise at 5.00 to look at barometer and go to bed again to 7.30. Emma better after being ill again last night. Much illness prevalent among children owing to the weather. Trim the walks of the garden. Mr & Mrs J call early before post time. Write a letter to Mr France for an opinion as to Tollard etc. Send it by Mr J. Have a horrid early dinner. Walk alone to Crickton, hay making this evening. Newton. Try experiment with guano in Upper Field with WT, circle 8 ft diameter, 3 wooded bowls full which held from 25 to 28 iron spoons full. EKJ and Mr Grose call, his party gone to Devon. After tea walk with Carree to Cillibion Green. Read papers, Ted's servants sent to Penmaen for papers and to Oxwich etc.

20th

Beautiful day most fortunately for my hay. Rise early, Charley ill. Ride to Bryngwas by 9.30 to meet Beynon thatcher and measure north side. Call at 3 different places for tithes amounting to £15, get nothing. Return and dress to dine at Ted's and meet Mr & Mrs W Collins who return and tea at Caie Forgan. Walk with him to hay field in evening for a minute. My hay carried from Newton and eat peas first time this year at Stafell Haegr. Mr Dunn calls in evening for rate borrowed of Carree - £1.

21st

Boundary of Reynoldston perambulated, accompany EKJ as far as it abuts on our parish. of Llanrhidian. Leave them on the top of Cefn Bryn. Meet Carree there on Moselle and go to Penmaen. Lunch there, Mrs Perry with a headache or temper? Mr Parry going to dine at Mr Lucas's. Had cake and wine at Fairy Hill, the first time I ever entered the gates! Quite smart party; Lucas's, Davies, cum quibis cum aliis. Recover Charley's donkey. Ride late to Penmaen and tea there. Receive letter from WM, wants accounts for reference. Home late and cold, far from well, great pain in my face.

22nd

Beautiful weather still. Am far from well, great pain in my face all day, blind boil, cannot sit down to work as I ought for WM. Walked to Crickton, begin to open drills for turnips. Carpenter and sawyers at work. Ride to Cillibion to measure Mr Grose's turnip drill and make a similar one. Dine early and work in garden with Carree, transplant flowers from hot bed all the evening. Stroll about till quite late. Contemplate alterations for cows in winter. Enter accounts. My face in considerable pain. Ann Lewis and her baby call here this evening, our old servant. Call on George Beynon about Herberts Lodge, want to complete the purchase.

23rd

Old Peggy Francis begging of EKJ. Rise early in great pain with a boil on my face for several days. Quite bewildered and out of sorts. Carree rides alone after dinner to Portinon (sic). Ted rides to Penmaen and bathes first time. I can do nothing, my head and face in great pain. Read a paper, cannot attend WM's letter. Mend Charley's barrow, help make turnip roller, giving directions and give directions to the sawyers after tea. Measure wheat and potatoes for Swansea tomorrow. Lend C Reese 2 casks. Errands and commissions for Swansea. Walked to Crickton, now ready to begin turnips.

24th

WR and Cathe go early to Swansea. Ted not expected comes to breakfast and goes to Swansea also. Extremely hot day. Lawn mown, begin to sow turnips. Drill at Long Oaks. Donkey for first time employed in farming, draw turnip will, Charlie delight and really useful the child is but it will do him mischief, I fear. Read Britannia, arrange young Tucker in garden, gooseberries, But Mr and Mrs Nicholls can't come tomorrow at last. Receive letter from Edmund to pay Leach and Co from WM and Crimp. Read in evening, in bed late. Walked Crickton at 2.00. Ted dines here, sent his peas up. Read Cambrian.

Sunday. Evening duty, I am not at church, a painful boil on my face keeps me at home. Dinner after church. Expected the Nicholls who send an excuse. Mr Grose called in, nigh to have had murder in the village.

26th

Still very fine weather for sowing turnips. About home all day except walking after dinner to Crickton to see work doing sowing turnips etc and after that Carree rides Moses first time, I leading it, to take tea at Stafell Haegr. C Teddy walked with us, not home till 11.00. Wrote to Edmund and 2 notes to Swansea regarding a debt of Edmund's to Leach of £12.12.0. for which he sends a draft which I sent to Glamorganshire Bank for Leach.

27th

At home all morning, enter some neglected accounts in pocket book. Beef steak pudding. Bull has ring put to his nose, no easy matter. Cart him and home(?) when done, done wrong, hot work. Carree and I ride in evening and take tea at Oxwich. The gentleman at Neath. Mrs C of Ilston there. EKJ rode early to Neath sessions. Batcock's cause to come in.

28th

Some gentle rain this morning soon breaks off and is dry and hot all day and very cold at night. Start on pilgrimage to Penmaen at 12.00, donkey and all the children [three] by Lodge etc to Park Place. Squirrel gone, sheep shearing. Go on to Penmaen, a 2nd dinner there, strawberries etc. Drive Polly in the carriage home again, find it very cold, a varied and pleasant day.

29th

Dry wind, north west and cold. Walk early to Crickton, meet EKJ with RH and Mr Davies of Llanellen at The Cross. Walk on with EKJ to see Agnes Williams' grass for sale, poor stuff indeed. Return by Newton etc, dine etc. Start at 5.00 in Penmaen carriage for Portinon (sic), a pretty heavy load for one horse. 4 children, mamma, myself and 2 maids and luggage. Road from Knelston horrible. Called at Rev. Mr Davies en passant. At Port by 8.00, tea and sleep there. Difficulty to get food for a horse! Carree very ill again in night at Portinon.

30th

Cold north wind. Carree not well after bad night. Nor am I very well! Walk with the children to the sands and let them pick up shells and paddle in the puddles. Look after my own horse and idle away time having more than enough to do at home after early dinner. Drive myself home again, again call on Rev. Mr Davies, home by 6.00. EKJ gone to Penmaen, calls in evening. Settle to go together to Swansea tomorrow. Take count of corn winnowed etc and walk round the garden late in the cold, round and round with EKJ and arrange for Swansea tomorrow.

July

1st (Saturday)

Ted and I ride to Swansea, he to receive money of Atwood for sessions, I to arrange money at bank. Renew a bill for £50 and I add 50 more by bill for £100 at 3 months directed to WM, write to him and to George and Henry and Polytechnic (Bunn). Home by 7.00, find it extraordinary cold. Read one article in quarterly.

Sunday. Morning duty. Foggy day, ride Moselle to Penmaen to tea, meet EKJ and Mrs Phil Morris. Home by 10, very cold and dry fog. Mr J did part duty at Oxwich.

3rd

Am alone at home. Enter accounts, ride to Penralt, RH wants to see me, tis about the stones quarried at Penralt he wanted to speak. Go over Crickton. Send W Jone for coals to Sir J Morris. Arrange to send WR to Portinon with … etc and myself ride over in the evening. Meet there Mr and Mrs Collins of Oxwich. I am late at tea, walk on the sands with them and Carree, part way to Oxwich, very cold.

4th

At Portinon, do not Charlie and I bathe in a puddle by the sea? Amuse children on the sands and ought to be hard at accounts for WM. No papers there, read some magazine. Did we not walk to Overton today and call at Gibbs and return a new way?

5th

At Portinon, EKJ calls. Borrow a horse, a brute, all children and servants contrive to get to tea at Oxwich. Some ride, some walk, come in good spirits and enjoy the difficulties. Others, chiefly servants, quite put out and out of sorts. Children and servants contrive to go back. Carree, EKJ and I ride on to our village and there sleep. Quite cold at night, fine weather.

6th

At home this morning and return with Carree to Portinon this evening. Send for Aberthaw lime to Swansea. Get about early in morning and much to do to pack up things wanted take to Portinon. … all well there however. Rode by Penrice, left my pony at Sanctuary to go back by boy, sent Polly back to Penmaen.

7th

At Portinon again, find it too cold to bathe. Wind northerly and cheerless. Read some magazine and idle time away. Did I get spar today with Samuel Gibbs at the quarry? Time mispent as usual by the sea, uselessly on the sands. Pick up stones and throw them down again.

8th

Still at Portinon, expecting Ted to exchange duties with Mr Davies. He cuts his grass so does not come till tomorrow, Sunday, early. What do I do all day, I do not bathe, tis too windy, north and cold. Tis rather wet, heavy rain in morning. We all walked to Horton to order Johnny some shoes I think.

Sunday. Ted arrives and does morning duty at Portinon. In the evening we walk along sea side sands, cliff halfway to Oxwich and find it very hot. Ted returns in the evening.

10th

At Portinon, Mrs Davies and family call early. Do the agreeable, they dine with us anyhow. I leave on Moselle at 4.00, at home by 5.00. Jim came in morning with pony and home afoot by Oxwich. Find Swansea masons come to alter front of house. EKJ calls, we go together after tea to the club at village. There till near 12.00, the club at a low ebb but reviving, Sphinx like, from its ashes.

11th

At home, Swansea masons at full work, began yesterday. Many things to attend to, to instruct and provide wants at work and stomach. Ted carries his hay, Mrs J called wanting help at hay Penmaen etc. Rise at 4.30, walk to Crickton and give directions, begin mowing at 5.00. About home all day, not in bed till 12.

12th

Rise early, breakfast early and ride early to Penmaen. Write to Carree at Portinon and to Reynoldston etc. Prevent Mr and Mrs J riding out. Bathe alone, low water, Ted calls, persuaded to dine there. Meant to return early, not back till 4.00. Gather peas and strawberries to send to Portinon. Delay return home, Jim gets wet and not home till 12.00. Wet night. Ted calls in on his return from P. Read paper and tried to amuse our idle masons - weather bound. Not in bed till 12.

13th

Wettish morning, no day for hay, about home all day. Masons, plasterers and carpenter to attend to front of the house. Read Britannia, am quite unwell with a boil on my face again. Walk over to Crickton. Turnips failed to be resown. Take WR Swansea account etc, up till 11.00 at accounts. Get rid of the mason and mortar maker, they return to Swansea.

14th

Not away from home all day, very fine and hot. EKJ comes up and helps gather peas and goes to Penmaen to bathe. No letters and returns to tea. Am in pain all day, large boil on my face. Was in hay field Cadennith and with mowers and all day with masons and altering the house. Write to George, Tenby, and commissions for Swansea. Not in bed till 12.00.

15th

Am about home all day tending masons and carpenters etc. Misty morning. Walk to farm, order hay carried. No car at home, borrow and carry it, finish late. The house begins to look more secure and better. Rubbish not cleared up till dark nor horses supped, up late at hay. Misty, hazardous day at times.

Sunday. Morning duty, do not go. Prepare to ride to Portinon. Carry strawberries and peas. Go by Penrice etc. Evening duty at Portinon. Mr Davies takes tea with us, call on a few of the people in evening. Take some grog at Gibbs etc. Threatening sort of evening.

17th

Dry misty day like November, no rain. Read Cambrian at Portinon, expect car there early, later on account of weather. Get stones at the quarry, take a round and paid debts in village. Cheat the dinner, leave Portinon for home. Car - Carree and pony by Horton, Penrice, fair there, nothing done. By Pennyhitch to Rev. Mrs Davies of Reynoldston to tea with children. Morris never makes his appearance though in the village. Manage my own horse, not home till late. See the children and call on Mr Davies the late doctor, ill.

18th

At home again, wet day, till evening. Read Britannia paper in evening, walk out to Crickton.

19th

Dry day, anything than promising fine. Some showers but move hay about. Ted calls after dinner, ride with him on Moselle and Moses to Wibley to enquire and see as to the robberies there, experienced hands no doubt[3]. A fine stone brought up from Penralt Hill, difficulty to unload it without breaking, do contrive it with many hands. Upper Field finished mowing, lawn and front neated up.

20th

Most curious weather, wild stormy looking day, dull and dry. Carry hay, wind too high, carry to Crickton and home. Send the maids out. An anxious sort of day, very threatening but no rain. Make a good day of carrying.

21st

A dry brisk not sunny day. Ride with Carree to Penmaen by Pennyhitch, send note to Oxwich, invite. Meet several gigs, how unusual. Dine there, prevents them riding to us. Leave early, hay making, hope to carry, do not. Ted joins us on return by Crickton. Look at corn. Home by hay field. Mr Balls calls in evening late, brings a book and stays to supper after looking around garden, rather cold!! Write commissions for Swansea and prevented entering daily accounts.

22nd

Rather a wet day, prevents carrying hay. Misty morning after 9.00, some heavy showers in evening. About home all day. Help Carree fix carpet next bedroom. Mrs James calls wait on carpenter who fits wainscot in best room window. Read a magazine, Mrs Abel's Napoleon, very cold. Work in garden, get wet. WR home from Swansea in good time. Family also went to Swansea. Llewellyn sent to Reynoldston, return cloaks etc and buy tea etc at the shop.

Sunday. A storm of wind, evening duty. Betsy goes to Llanmadock, send note to Mr W Collins, not there, the father does the duty. Rev. Mr Davies comes in late to church and spends the evening with us. David Evans here late. Old mare Bet can't be found, hunt on common with light, find her and save her, could not get up.

24th

Rise at 6.00, very fine day. Hay carried in Upper Field and help RH in evening. About home all the day, wanted to write to WM and send him some accounts. RH calls about tithes, talk of arrears and of whom to be collected and of Guy of Blaenkedy. Must soon distrain or get paid. Send to Oxwich by David, EKJ comes up. Mr J calls in the evening. Crimp the plasterer here again, 2nd coat to house. Emma not well, feverish.

25th

Dine at Penmaen, ride over and meet the Misses Carmichaels and Mr Worsley. Moses falls with me, weak, luckily no injury. We walked on Mr Jones … Crimp the plasterer and Williams the cooper working at Caie Forgan.

26th

Mr and Mrs Collins of O and Miss Lucas dine with us. All morning busy making preparations. Gather strawberries and other fruit and get wine etc ready. Mr & Mrs James and EKJ dine also.

27th

Drive Caroline to Swansea; I to attend Board of Guardians, Carree to hear Phillips concert. Dine at Miss Lucas's to meet Mrs Collins of Oxwich. EKJ there also. Not home till past 12.00, calling for Mr Collins of Ilston [at Mr Bevan's] who rides home with us. Had some talk with Rees the inspector of police about the burglary at Wibley and the Rebecca riots near Pontardulais where Captain Napier gets severely handled and hurt.

28th

Fine morning, threatens midday, wet evening. R Gordon calls early about tithes. Ride after breakfast to Penralt on the subject, fail to see RH. Tithe the hay at and near Cilivor. Ride back by Crickton, shall have some turnips but a good deal of failure. Meet RH on the common; can't agree with Morris of Walterston and tithes some hay. Wet evening prevents carrying it. At home all day putting on additional bolts to doors etc in consequence of the burglary at Wibley. Had given orders about tithe hay, wet comes on and stops us. EKJ calls up after tea. We go out and I kill a duck on Broad Pool just at dark. Do nothing afterwards, very tired.

29th

Wet morning comes on. George Jones calls about tithes and disputes about the last 3 years, always paying on account. Day breaks off at 11.00. One Williams, steward of Sir J Morris, calls regarding this place and the transaction with me and J James. Sir J having purchased it at the Popkin sale and doubts having sold it to James. Nous verrons. Promised to call at Sketty next week. All morning at papers and accounts, dine at 2.00. Walk in evening to Crickton, W Jone and C Reese planting cabbage, potatoes have failed. Cilivor, Richard Gordon's about tithe hay, he does not carry, cocking it. Poor little Agnes taken ill again tonight, give emetic, will she live or when have teeth. Read Swansea Journal. Very windy day.

Sunday. Morning duty, go alone, called from church, baby convulsed again. Send for Mr Perry, an anxious evening again. Leeches applied, illness not so bad as on former occasion.

31st

An early messenger from Penmaen to enquire of baby, report favourable. Mr & Mrs J call in this evening also. About home all day. Baby something better, C Teddy in a fever and Johnny (w)hooping cough, both in bed. Emma not well and Caroline breakfasts in bed. Mr Perry calls because I neglected by misunderstanding, was to send over to him in the morning. Walked with little Emma to Crickton, barley winnowing. Fussy sort of day and anxious about the children. Evening occupied with Mr and Mrs J and Mrs Grose call and take supper. Went out with gun and EKJ, no ducks, shoot at a hawk, pepper him. Go to the forge.

August

1st (Tuesday)

A fine day and hot, rains at night. About home all day, gather the remainder of red currants and pick and filly them. Baby far from well and also Johnny, Charles better. Send W Jone to Landimore for coals. EKJ comes up and spends evening at Mr Grose's, an ill spent day. Not further from home than to my Cillibion fields.

2nd

To call on Sir J Morris in way to Swansea to hear examination of Rebeccaites. Very wet morning, prepared to go but resolve not to go, EKJ calls, it clears and we go. All day in the hall to hear the case of the Rebeccaites. Speak to Sir J Morris regarding Caie Forgan, he having once possessed it thought he had never resold it but is satisfied he had. My vendor, Mr J James, his attorney having proved a rogue. Called at Sketty Park, not at home. Dine on cold beef at the castle with EKJ. Not home till late, one short shower wets us through near Llythrydd.

3rd

Wet morning, tolerable fine day. Mr James of P calls, ride with him back to Penmaen. Dine and meet Mr & Mrs Perry and Mr Pearce, the former returns by the omnibus, ‘Flying Francis'. Mr Pearce rides Mr Perry's horse with me, leave him on top of the hill above Pennyhitch. Home in good time. Walked in morning to Crickton and Mr J went to Cillibion about barley.

4th

Very wet morning threatens a wet day. Proves fine and go hay making. Children sent for to go to Penmaen, Charles Teddy and Emma, Johnny too ill, hooping cough. Very windy and showery. Walked to Marsh Meadow, Mary Thomas's hay bought. Order 3 quarts beer at Francis Thomas. Read Britannia, all accounts of the country bad, Ireland - O'Connell, Wales - Rebecca. Commissions for Swansea tomorrow.

5th

Rise early, WR off to Swansea and Ellen Redman. Hard at work all day wanting hands about hay rick. Blister my own hands, begin a small rick for purposes of tithes and carry a small meadow of Mary Thomas. Out till dark. Send for tithe to Walterston, rain comes on, not home till dark. Carree and EKJ ride my 2 ponies to Penmaen and take Johnny who has hooping cough.

Sunday. Most beautiful day after rain last night. Evening duty, Mr & Mrs Ball take tea with us and supper.

7th

An unexpected wet morning again, half the day wet. Prevented going early to Penmaen to keep Johnny's birthday. Carree and I ride late there, too late for dinner, in form. Carpenter at home altering back kitchen, discussion at Penmaen on the folly of a governess for children, given up in consequence, n'importe. Receive a bill from Carmarthen but no other letters.

8th

Masons here, obliged to be on the watch all day to prevent mistakes etc. Walk over Crickton in evening and walk with Carree to Cillibion after tea, Mrs Grose ill. See Mr Grose's wheat [“prolific”], fine field indeed. Home late enough to go to bed. Read Britannia in morning.

9th

Rise early, meaning to be off early to Penclawdd. Henry Morris calls to settle his account, no money passes. Off at 4 to take a round for money and only in luck at Blaenkedy. The blacksmith there has built a tidy house indeed. Called at Mrs Evans of Ship, had lunch of B and C and shin of ham, give a pint of beer to Guy of Portinon, did not pay. Called at Brynhir, Mr E in Pembrokeshire. Round by Poundfold gate and called in at Mr W Eaton's, some talk of Rebecca at the gate. Home by Parkyrhedin by 7.30. Carree gone to Penmaen. Had not time to call at half the places booked for arrear of tithes. Got nothing where I did call.

10th

Breakfast at 7.00 and start for Swansea on Moselle to attend Committee on Turnpike Road. Mr Vivian, Mr Moggridge, Jos Martin and Mr Benson and afterwards a most full attendance of trustees of road. Recommended to unite the two trusts, Swansea and Wych Tree and to do away with several gates, Poundfold one. Write to Lewis, Carmarthen, and enclose £5 for Offey to pay plough bill etc. Dine at Mr Samuel Davies, return home late by Penmaen to leave a bottle for children, hooping cough. Not in bed till 12.00. Fearful times, furnaces let out and thousands out of employ. Most beautiful night.

11th

Very fine day indeed, carry hay at Crickton.

12th

(accounts only)

14th

(accounts only)

15th

Invited to join a picnic with the Oxwich party, wet comes on and damps the whole. Ted rides to Swansea fair, I send ponies, none sold. Dull affair. Evening proves fine, ride with Carree to Reynoldston shop for sugar and coffee.

16th

Write to Henry, Carree takes letter. She rides over in morning, I in the evening.

17th

Ride early with Carree to Oxwich. Call at the farm about oven wood, key etc. Mr & Mrs Griffiths of Cadoxton there and Miss Stokes of Hencastle there. We lunch on a cold dinner and all return to Caie Vorgan. Go to top of Cilivor Hill, misty evening, no view, curious effect of Llanelli smoke. Tea at home in garden, foggy. Spend evening among prints and singing etc etc. Drive them the short way to the turnpike, Mrs C will walk.

18th

About home all day save riding to Crickton and Penralt about stones etc. Extremely hot. Ted comes up in the evening.

19th

Carree and I drive Bright to Swansea, attend Committee on the Roads in the hall. Mr Vivian in chair brings in report now confirmed. Mr Joseph Ma.. drives me to the market. Hear Mr C Collins is gone to Cardiff, a sale of his effects is the consequence. Hear Miss Kerr and baby is in Swansea, call on her and Mrs George Jones, Mount Pleasant, also on Mr & Mrs Woodrough. Miss Carree all day, at the castle, nurse Harris calls there. Most sultry day indeed, vivid lightning before we get home, rain and thunder soon after, how lucky.

21st

Sunday. Evening duty at Penmaen, Mr & Mrs Nicholls come to tea there. Drove dog cart by Walterston and Long Oaks.

Monday. Fine day again, beautiful till late in evening then dull and overcast and windy and cold. Special meeting of Guardians, do not go having masons at home. Tithing going on etc etc. Spread dry rubbish mortar on gravel. Ted calls and goes to Oxwich etc. Walk with Carree in evening to Crickton and collect apples, settle some Swansea account with WR. The clouds threaten, atmosphere quite changed, wet stormy night, wind and rain.

22nd

Thorough wet morning and till after midday. Read Britannia, lawn mown in evening and the sun breaks out. Old Betty Jenkins buried. Ted rides the donkey, I walked to Penralt quarry and the church to ask EKJ to tea.. Some talk about Betty Jenkin's effects, who is administrator? Charles and little Agnes both in hooping cough. Stormy clouds and lightning. Ted comes to tea and brings answer that Mr William Collins expects us at picnic tomorrow, no time to prepare.

23rd

Wet morning but proves a fine day. Carree suddenly alters her mind and prepares to go to picnic at Oxwich. Meet the party at Penrice Castle. Drive Bright, fish in the lake. Mr & Mrs Griffiths and Miss Stokes, Mr & Mrs J come. Adjourn to Oxwich to tea and cards. Home at 12.00, how late. A very pleasant picnic indeed.

24th

Ride Moselle by Sketty Park to Swansea, attend Board of Guardians. 30 colliers en mass apply for relief. Sir J Morris came in, a house pulled down near Morriston because a man agreed to work at reduced wages. Called on old Mrs Harris and Mrs Gordon. Home by 6.00, tea begun. Mr & Mrs James at Caie Forgan. Very hot, rode without a waistcoat. Very tired in the evening and can do nothing.

25th

Fine day again but cooler. Walked to Crickton to learn work done and doing after some difficulty in arranging about stones for masons. Dine early and read monthly and ride with Carree to Penmaen to tea.. Do not, as expected, meet the Voss's there. Home late, not in bed till 12.00. Find EKJ at Caie Forgan on return from Penmaen, some talk about Mary Thomas and Betty Jenkins' effects. Settled about the Book Club dinner and give notice for Wednesday next. Sent to Reynoldston, Mr Perry's, about it.

26th

Rise at 7, get out and unload fern. Tithe hay at Whitehall, mason wants stones. Rain drives him home after breakfast. Heavy rain, glass rising. Gather seed peas etc. WR rides to Swansea market. After dinner accompany Teddy on the donkey to Crickton. Linen(?) covered in the evening. Enter arrears of accounts etc, fine evening.

28th

Sunday. Morning duty, very fine. Read paper, Churton Early Church and part 119 Psalm etc.

Monday. I rise early, servants very late. Thorough wet day, read Blackwood. In barn to see barley cleaned up. Sent for to village, meet EKJ and Thomas Gordon at Mary Thomas's, wet through Take inventory of Betty Jenkins', a pauper's, effects at Mary Thomas's for parish. Mary T sets up a will. RH is at Caie Forgan and pays £2 tithes for Cefn Draw. Too wet to send to post. Mary Thomas does not shine in this business.

29th

Foggy damp morning and rain clears off. Damp close and hot all day. At Crickton before breakfast, kill 3 ducks and order clover cut etc. Read Blackwood, gather peas etc. Again at Crickton on foot with C Teddy, gather apples and mushrooms. Clean turf front of house, aftermath of masons, trim drive up over green. EKJ calls to tea. Mr Grose after tea going to kill a heifer. Agree to take a quarter. J Harry called for road money, gets none. Rose this morning at 5.00.

30th

Most beautiful today, begin making 2nd crop clover hay, Newton. Gower Book Club picnic held at Penmaen. Passes off pleasantly enough. All there save the Collins of Ilston. Buy Tom Barker and Chuzzlewit, not home till 10.00. Receive 2 letters and answer them, Mr Lewis Thomas, Swansea, Offey, Llandeilo Rhynys. Was up early this morning and over Crickton before starting on pleasure.

31st

Overheated with wine and good cheer of yesterday's picnic. Night very hot, rise at 5 and go over farm, all going on well save sow ill at home. Intended going to Cheriton to meet W Collins etc, prevented. Mr and Mrs J call. Willis sends oatmeal and for oats. Mr Grose a quarter of beef must be cut up and sorted. WR gone for tithes, why so late. Give up the excursion, again at Crickton, RH there about tithe at Leason. Read Blackwood and Britannia. Mr & Mrs Collins and Miss Stokes come later to tea from Cheriton and EKJ with them. Am very tired and go to bed early. Slept little last night.

September

1st (Friday)

Rise at 6.00. Extremely hot and fine. RH calls with Richard Gordon about tithes, he starts with Llewellyn to Upper Division. Ride after breakfast to Crickton, carry 2nd crop of clover. Finish reap 1st crop wheat. Dine early and with Carree to Ilston and tea. Mr C busy collecting tithe wheat. All alive about tithes this year. Return early, Joseph Gordon calls late about tithe, can't agree. RH promised to meet him, not returned from Upper Division. He goes away. Jim has amused himself today at Leason. Commissions for Swansea tomorrow.

2nd

Rise early to see car off to Swansea and give last orders, things forgotten last night. Several persons send and call about tithes in Upper Division, Richards Brynhir, RH in Swansea, get Llewellyn's pony and send off W Jone. Walk early to Crickton with Carree. Nothing in harvest there going on. Send to Leason for tithe, W and agree after. Send in evening to Cilifor Top for stones. Help repair drag, thin turnips, pick stones to donkey cart with C Teddy and boy John on common. RH calls in evening after tithing in Upper Division after return from Swansea. WR home very early Swansea.

Sunday. Dull and misty, glass high. Drive Carree and Charles to Penmaen and attend church there. J Hancorne there…. house the children after dinner.

4th

Most beautiful day again, about home all day. RH calls early with etc about tithes. Several call, send the cars with RH interrorum to Upper Division as to tithes with good effect. Home after dark empty. Winnow in barn. Charlie uses the donkey on common, stones? carried. Carree and children go in ditto to village for bread after dinner. Ted calls. Takes my gun and we go to Crickton. Join the children on return. Find W L Collins at Caie Forgan on return home. Arrange to go to Worms Head tomorrow.

5th

Splendid day again, carry wheat. Most busy day. Coals by RH from Landimore. About home all day, masons, carpenter and plasterer to attend to. Mrs and Lucy Davies call, why? A little mysterious. They leave rather unawares. Mr & Mrs James call and EKJ dine in the arbour. Receive invite for Ilston tomorrow. Obliged to send to Oxwich in consequence and plans altered for tomorrow.

6th

(Accounts only)

7th

Go by Flying Francis to Swansea.

8th

Go to Worms Head, picnic with Mr & Mrs W Collins, EKJ and Mrs James and make a fool of myself by boating round the head and out to sea, come home all abroad, disgusted. Wind and tide prevents tacking to make shore, land late on Rhosilly sands. Hunt a road up over burrows with Miss Stokes and EKJ. Home very late. Borrow Polly at Reynoldston.

9th

(Accounts only)

11th, 12th, no entries

13th

Accounts only

14th no entry

15th

Dine out all hands at Stafell Haegr. EKJ not over well. Several showers of rain.

16th

Rise at 5.30 and get to the garden with WT, move stones and see about tithes and WR off for Swansea with Cathe Cornish and return home about 6.00. Mend a lock in cellar. Difficult … Cart stones, donkey cart, with C Teddy and mend road by haggard. All go, children and Carree, to Crickton with donkey and gather apples, see reaping. Settle 3 market accounts with WR entered last Saturday. We all complain of heat and thirst after salt beef.

18th no entry

19th

Receive early this morning a note to invite us to tea at Oxwich, accept. Mr Pearce calls on us and takes pot luck, luckily not a bad turn out. Shoot wild tame ducks at Crickton. Drive too late to Oxwich, tea over before we get there and we have 2nd edition. Dr and Miss Higgs there, Penmaen and Ilston parties etc. We soon come home again, very dark on sand burrows.

20th

Drive over with Carree and two children to Penmaen to join a fete champetre near Pennard Castle, all the Collins, Dr and Miss Higgs, Miss Stoaks and EKJ with us. Return home in the evening.

21st

What exquisite weather for some time past. At Crickton in morning, carry spring wheat and some barley. Offey calls from Llandeilo Rhynys. George Gibbs calls and brings oysters and crabs. EKJ at Caie Forgan too. Went gathering blackberries this evening after late dinner [leveret] with children and Carree to Cillibion. Plentiful and beautiful. In bed very late, at accounts with Offey etc.

22nd

Most splendid weather, glass still rising. Rise at 7.00, read. RH called yesterday. Wrote and sent by him a letter to Samuel Eaton offering tithe Upper Division at £350 or 2/6 per acre. Offey returned home. A rat kills 10 chickens. Take hen to Crickton, at Crickton again in evening barley carrying. Enter arrears of accounts and labour in evening. Winter cow calves.

23rd

Most beautiful hot weather. Drive to Swansea with Carree and two boys and Fanny rides to market. Go to the bank. Go to see Mr Miles Smith's pictures etc who sells off next week. Lunch at Castle. Penrice talks to me by Post Office about the tithes, tell him what I lately wrote to Samuel Eaton offering to take £350 for Upper Division. Poor rate Upper Division tithes paid.

25th

Sunday. Morning duty, Carree not there. Sudden change in weather, very cold evening. Thought to go to Penmaen if Carree went to Nicholaston church. Both stay at home and walk by Cillibion, Prisk and Parkyrhedin and Crickton.

Monday. Sale at Ilston, Rev. J Collins. Go there and buy barley stack affair. Penrice forbids his tenants going there. Mr Collins has reserved price. My pony loses a shoe. Send it to forge by Lewis, walk there in dark.

26th

Sale at Mr Jones, Penmaen. Picnic on top of Cefn Bryn, Stouthall party, cold diversion, cold entertainment. Ride with Carree to Penmaen and dine there. Attend sale with Mr James, buy nothing. Tom George makes himself very foolish and conspicuous, why? Home in dark by road. Find it very cold and walk a great part of the way.

27th

Weather changed, dull cold and showery. Great Hills sale, Samuel Jones. Buy a heifer £3.15. 0, black. Walk there with EKJ across Cillibion etc, get very wet in feet. Home to dinner at 5.00, get a course on Pengwern, hare takes a drain. Richard Gordon there, q. does he get it out? by calling on Morgan Jenkins?

28th

Drive to Swansea to attend turnpike meeting, full attendance. Wych Tree gate to be moved on Saturday next. Call at bank and renew bill at 3 months for £100 and write to William enclosing it. Galloped home to be in time to attend church at 6.00, Thanksgiving for good harvest. Rev. W H Jones preaches extempore, not bad but not quite appropriate. Prepare coffee for the party but no one partakes. Tired with my day's work. Read a very little in evening, find always a difficulty to read by candlelight since seeing double 4 or 5 years ago.

29th

About home all day to Crickton before breakfast and again after with EKJ. He takes gun, WT taking up potatoes for market, all eyes. EKJ goes to Cillibion in evening and calls on his return late. I work a little in garden weeding and pick stones and weigh potatoes. Pack laver for Southover in evening and write to Mrs Mabbott, when did I ride last? Johnny better, ill yesterday. Charlie ill today in bed, Carree not well. Change of weather.

30th

WR sent to Swansea, nurse Harris to come back. No, not in Swansea. Send a goose to Penmaen and wait the return of messenger before starting for Swansea and intend going to Carmarthenshire and to avoid the Gower meeting on Tuesday. Go outside by mail to Port Rhydd. Find Offey there and 2 horses. Adam Murray on the coach at Pontardulais, give him a good rowing for impudence, he does not know me.

Sunday. At Lochwyn, not at church. George only there. Expect a visit from Rebecca according to notice, she does not come.

October

1st (Sunday)

At Lochwyn, not at church. George only there. Expect a visit from Rebecca according to notice, she does not come.

2nd

At Abercothi viz Lochwynne[4].

3rd

Lochwynne or Abercothi with George. Abergwili Fair today, ride there with George yesterday. Grand meeting in Gower to petition against poor rate for disunion or repeal of the union. Mr Talbot in the chair. Lochwynne, measure meadow for drain etc, shooting Killarthey.

4th

As yesterday at the fair or shooting, Killarthey, with George and Austin. 4 ½ brace birds, 2 brace pheasants, wet. Sale at Mr Jones of Gellyglud.

5th

At Carmarthen, cattle show. Pay Mr Grose's subscription £1.1.0. All my cattle and ponies brought over by C Reese, Llewellyn and Jim and left at Llandeilo Rhynys. All my cattle, 8 calves and colts come over from Gower to Llandeilo by C Reese, Llewellyn and and boy Jim.

6th

At Lochwynne and Llandeilo Rhynys, there very late detained by rain and lose my dinner. A long time at accounts with Offey. 2 of my Gower men there came over with cattle and return tomorrow

7th

Return from Abercothi to Gower, drive to Llanon, Moselle there. Llewellyn returned home this morning early with Reese and Jim. Dine at Loughor and a wet ride hence home, how unlucky!! Fine all the way else.

9th

All day engaged with RH making out amount of corn and cattle in Lower Division to lay before the meeting tomorrow. Hard work, in bed late.

10th

Attend a meeting at Penclawdd in regard to tithes, ask £700, get an offer of £525, my own averages, very amicable. Present to Mr Penrice Llewellyn for Mr Talbot, Mr George, C Collins and about 20 farmers. Adjourn with Mr Evans to Brynhir. Get wet returning home late with Carree. Rode to Penclawdd with RH and Carree up by Cae Cenwen and Bank and Wernffrwd. Meet Mr Thomas Gordon on marsh. What a fool.

11th

About home all day except going to Crickton and walking to Penralt after tithe books sent home by RH. C Reese rather ill. Potato drawing Upper Close. Take in a wheat mow tomorrow for seed at Llandeilo Rhynys and 20 winchesters over on the 21st by Llewellyn.

12th

About home all day expecting RH about tithes, does not come. Time short, must be prepared by Monday. RH about Upper Division ascertaining facts.

13th

All day. engaged with RH making out accounts of tithes in Upper Division as to coin hay, cattle etc. Most difficult and troublesome. RH falls asleep but we get through at a late hour in a bungling way, the matter is again adjourned and again go through it all more carefully.

14th

Drive Carree and C Teddy to Swansea to attend tithe Commission on Monday. Mr Mayberry arrives by Merthyr mail, nothing done by us tonight. WR at Swansea takes car home again. Lodge for a few days at Davies the glazier in St Mary Street late Butter Street.

Sunday. At St Mary's in Mr Higgs pew. Very cold day. Dine at 5.00, Mr Mayberry with us. Go into accounts with him and walk on the sands with him. He spends evening with us.

16th

In Swansea, attend before the tithe commission with Mr Mayberry, very little done, some examinations in regard to ... Again adjourned to December 16th. We ask £600. Not a large attendance, Penrice of course there, Mr Llewellyn and farmers. Henry arrives from Ireland by the mail and attends commission. Mr Mayberry leaves at 4.00 by mail to Carmarthen for Brecon.

17th

Mr Gwyns of St. Ishamels dines with us in Butter Street at the glaziers. What an altered man he is[!] The Gower delegates attend to petition against police force in Gower.

18th

Spend the evening with Mr & Mrs Woodrough and Mrs Dr Collins. Making calls in Swansea with Carree and HJM. Tea in evening at Mr & Mrs Woodrough's, Henry unexpectedly goes by packet to London at 2.30 in the morning, see him off.

19th

Return home from Swansea; there since Saturday to attend tithe meeting and meet Mr Mayberry of Brecon who returned on Monday, same day we were before commission. Killan sale, Hopkin Johns prevented attending. Sorry he owes money, EKJ is there by chance and buys oats. In bed late and up late, have some shopping to attend to and home late. Ted calls late on his return from Penmaen, am gone to bed.

20th

About home all day. Go to Crickton taking up potatoes. Arrange to send wheat to Carmarthenshire tomorrow. Return and dine early. Ted calls, again at Crickton with him and at Penralt, order mutton, hind quarter and head. Write in evening notes to Swansea, HJM's gun etc and commissions for Abercothi and accounts. Dull day, heavy rain after sunset. Settle with Fanny for next year at wages £4, she goes to Carmarthenshire tomorrow.

21st

Offey by 20 winchesters seed wheat sent over by Llewellyn and Fanny Rees accompanies. Beautiful day after rain, all day in house, till after dinner at accounts. Mr & Mrs W Collins call. I walk at 3.00 to Crickton, taking up potatoes. Read Blackwood and at accounts all the evening, fine day.

23rd

Robert Harry calls and pays tithe arrears and pay him for 4 cattle purchased. Decline dining at Oxwich, W Collins calls and engages us to dine at Oxwich tomorrow.

24th

Drive Carree to Penmaen, not been there are a long time, and then to dine at Oxwich; no party, meet Ted there. Wet and very dark, exchange carriages, leave dog cart there and borrow old carriage of Mr Collins for Swansea on Thursday. I was at Crickton in morning, potatoes taking up.

25th

Busy all day with RH going through tithe account for Mr Mayberry, acres of corn etc in each farm. Walk to Crickton late. C Teddy rides on donkey, potato drawing finished. Entering accounts in evening, some time in arrear owing to bustle. Fine day, prepare for Swansea tomorrow, consecration of new church. Mr Perry calls, Emma has broke her collar bone.

26th

Sharp frost, fine day, some rain. Drive Carree and Ted and boy to Swansea, consecration of the new church at Swansea. Mr Warner curate. Hullah singing. Not home till 8.30 or 9.00. Sharp frost, very cold though still. Mr and Mrs James at Talbot, landlord Bramble, late driver of ‘Age', Brighton. Knows Lewes people etc.

27th

Mr Davies of Park Place dead. At home all morning at accounts, walked to Crickton to order fowls killed for market and get apples. Carree declines sending to market for … Begin to take down posts of cow stall and remove them to open shed. Begin to carry home potatoes, a thorough wet evening comes on, wind easterly. Accounts again in the evening.

28th

High wind and some rain from west. About home all day removing posts with Reese and WT to tie up cows, failed to finish it. WR takes Mr Collins' carriage back to Oxwich and brings dog cars. Children all go for a ride, Dash lost at Reynoldston. Read gardening paper and accounts evening.

Sunday. Evening duty, have prayers … morning, dull damp weather. … ride to church and Carree and Teddy walks, EKJ not at Caie Forgan.

30th

Damp morning comes on, thorough wet day. No wind. Abercothi market cart returned, pig and fowls. All day engaged and finish altering the cow stall. J Charles came up to settle accounts, can't attend to him so he helps me and is to come tomorrow. Mr Thomas Gordon calls for poor rate.

31st

Beautiful today, all day at home copying out statistical account of this parish as to corn and sheep etc for Mr Mayberry, Brecon, preparatory to tithe meeting before commission in December. Most difficult, most troublesome. In evening walk out with EKJ to Crickton and kill a half wild duck by moonlight. RH there, some talk of sales at Howell John's and Hopkin John's. Mr James calls for a few minutes and off again.

November

1st (Wednesday)

A long time in morning occupied in settling his (J Charles) account for quarry at Penralt new road, work done last year. Preparatory made for Mr & Mrs Perry & children to dine here today. Miss Davies accompanies, I am disturbed at my accounts. Walk to Crickton, just missed Mr Perry shooting there. Dine at 5.00, four the hour named. Evening spent in commonplace way, singing and nonsense; talked about a dance next day at Caie Forgan.

2nd

Tea at Mrs Grose's, splendid day. Read special commission, Rebeccas at Cardiff guilty, serves them right. Help Charlie about mangold wurzel in pit for cows. Carree and the children walk out to fields, somewhere, delighted. Tea at Cillibion, no one else there. Stupid work.

3rd

Walked out to Crickton and set Reese and WR are to make a drain by Stonyford meadow. Fine day, drive Carree and Johnny to Penmaen. Ted also rides over with dogs. A hurricane comes in the evening and rain. Half persuaded to sleep there. Johnny stays, get home again luckily, late, rain ceasing a little.

4th

Drive Carree to Swansea, Ted was to have gone, funeral prevents. Lucky in the weather, rain in Swansea, none on the road. Attend Farmers Club, Mr Vivian in chair. Talk to him about his letter in Cambrian as to poor law etc. List of prizes settled, Farmers Club. Tea at Castle and fowl.

6th

Sunday. Sacrament, fine day, muddy. Ted calls on return late, take supper.

Monday. Attend auction sale at Walterston, W Tucker's & buy 3 cattle. Write to William, Uckfield, in answer as to moduses etc. Ride to Penmaen, Jim ill. William Collins calls, ride with Ted to dine at Mr Perry's, an evening party of young ladies singing! Lucy Davies has a fine voice. Not home and in bed till 2.00. Awfully wet night again!

7th

Fine day after very wet night. Various calls for taxes, George Jones and J Edwards, nothing paid. Carpenters to attend to, mangold wurzel to be got in. Walk to Crickton before dinner and again after. Carree also rides, get apples. RH here and dines and wants new couples for old shed at Penralt. Mrs J and EKJ make wedding call at Llanmadock.

8th

Cold brisk day, at home all day. Busy in cellar and arranging for both Mr Collins dining with us today. Roast pig and pigeon pie. Ted shoots with Mr Perry at Grose's, 3 woodcocks etc. Missy hurt. Receive letter from Mr Mayberry as to valuer for tithe.

9th

Mr James calls over early. Walk to Crickton, measure hedge made. Meet children at C Reese's, come home together. Carree brews bran beer. See to carpenters, rat trap making. Ted drives with Mr Perry to Swansea, attend parish meeting in evening. Wet after very fine day, 2 Dix's put out to relieve the parish 4 and 9 of age. Two carts of mine break down. Gronow[5] calls for poor rate, have no money, promise to meet in town on Saturday.

10th

Deplorably wet again since 6.00 last night. Wind east, prevented going to Caswell wanting money for tomorrow, account overdrawn. Tucker of Reynoldstone comes over with quarter of beef £2. Help W David stop leakage top of window, parlour, q from sill of bedroom window? which is quite decayed. Read Britannia in evening. John of Penmaen calls. Oxwich man sent for butter etc. Send also a roasting pig.

11th

Drive alone to Swansea, meet Mr Collins, finger post. Round by … Borrow of Mr James £6 wanted to go to Grove of Caswell and must pay taxes today. Meet Mr Jones of Llythrydd in Swansea, likely to lose his farm for want of severity for rent, asked to become security for him. Call with Mr Price on Mr Red.. the agent. Mr Thomas Thomas being discharged. Write long letter to Mr Mayberry at Brecon.

13th

Sunday. Evening duty, funeral of child. Fine day, cold. Read Cambrian and Arnold's sermons.

Monday. Rise early, tithe taken in. Fine day, begin cart out lime and earth preparing for wheat. Ride to marsh to see preparations in regard to bricks, Sandwell maker. Garden a little, brushing leaves and cutting shrubs. In evening after tea attend a meeting of old club in village.

14th

Ride with Carree to Penmaen meaning to go to Caswell by appointment. New plans, Mr James declines going but sends for J Grove. I ride with Mrs James up the Cwms, want to see woodman, fail, gate locked. Digress to Park to call on Mrs Nicholls, meet Mr James. Carree calls on Mrs Jones at Wildad's cottage. Grove comes, go into accounts with him but got no money, 1 ½ years due. Ride home late in dark and excessive cold wind, northerly, piercing top of the hill. Came all round by road. Mr George of Farm calls about the brick maker. I gone out

15th

Still fine and cold. Call on Mr Talbot as to the brick maker [Sandwell], the first time of being in Penrice Castle House, desultory conversation, excuses on various subjects. Am there an hour and half. Miss seeing Ted who also calls about Club money. Miss to meet EKJ who goes to Oxwich and also calls on Mr Talbot to pay Club money. He dines with us, fillets of veal. Jones of Llythrydd calls about his sale today.

16th

Ride Moses to Swansea to attend board of guardians in case of 2 Dix boys, long conversation with Mr Hancorne at Llythrydd. Meet Sir J Morris in his Park. Conversation with him on corn laws. Call at Mr William Bevan's who pays me £1 polytechnic. Terrible hard work to get home again, first time of riding the pony and journey no-go.

Mr & Mrs Nicholls expected to tea, do not come. Am glad to go to bed. Fine day.

17th

A wet day, Mr Chambers sale at Llanelli. Drive RH there, just in time, high prices for horses. Meet George and Frank Green there, people from far and near there, how wet! Buy some sheep and 2 cattle. Get home again safe at 10.00. Not in bed till 12.30. Write notes and make arrangements for Swansea tomorrow, send no car.

18th

Threatening morning, extraordinary dark clouds and a funnel like appearance, most singular. Thunder loud. Walk to village, want to see George Jones, gone to town. Fall in village, no harm as it happened. Was at Crickton. Ted at Penmaen calls to tea in evening, woodcock supper. Enter several days accounts.

Sunday. Showery, hail, morning duty. RH and Llewellyn call this evening, long talk with former. Very wet evening, ends in an awful night of wind and rain. Read some of 119 Psalm by Bridge.

What an awful night was last night, wind and rain, much damage.

20th

Fine day tho' cold. Llythrydd sale, all in uncertainty as to future tenancy. Sale for rent, Mr & Mrs James come over by appointment to the sale, come to Caie Forgan but not to sale. Do not see them. Mr Jones of Brecon arrives, sent by Mr Mayberry to value tithes, a stout man and practical and well suited I think for the purpose. At the sale Llytheridd till dark. Ride home with EKJ to pheasant supper and find Mr Jones there. Evening spent talking of tithes!!! Persuade Mr Jones to sleep here, bed night. A skeleton map wanted, find one, how lucky. Are we to pass another such a night as last night. This morning called at George Jones's about brick maker, she refuses leave to dig in her field.

21st

New moon and thorough wet windy day. Engaged with Mr Jones of B about the map, fill up references of an old one made on tracing paper, how lucky to find one. RH calls up and makes himself useful. Mr Jones after dinner rides to Penclawdd to stay at The Ship. I out to Llytheridd for cattle bought and send notice to tithe potatoes. J Charles calls, Jane Philip calls, young Sandwell calls, all for money and none get any.

22nd

Rise early, ride to village, buy Bar Jones calf. Get wheat sent to mill from Davies of Penralt, return to breakfast after calling at Crickton. About home after that all day, finish a rat trap hatch, carting manure from yard, sundry spoons. Winnow wheat in barn. Jones of Llythrydd calls, likely to leave his farm. Read Britannia, do not send to post. Mrs Simond's funeral at Penmaen, Ted goes, calls here on return. RH calls also late for map for Mr Jones at Penclawdd tomorrow.

23rd

Rise in the dark, wet morning again and all day till evening. Evening fine. Coal sent for to Landimore, else all barn work. Finish Cambrian and send to Stafell Haegr. Walked to Crickton and help Llewellyn draw turnip for cows. Paint room a little preparatory to papering tomorrow, brushing up for farmers club, day December 8.

24th

Begin papering best room, all day at it, wet weather. With Carree and nurse maid Cathe Cornish, get on very well.

25th

Finish papering best room 12.00 at night. All day papering and attending to carpenter.

27th

Sunday. Evening duty, wet all day. Ride down with EKJ, Carree can't go, too wet. Very thin congregation. Read evening.

Monday. Write long letter to William about moduses etc, letter to Mr Llewelyn and to Mr Mayberry. Send Jim late to post. Charlie also writes to Mrs James. Read Herald and Britannia in evening. Ted shoots a duck and dines at Oxwich, I thought to go but do not. Weather improving a little.

28th

Rise before daylight, go to Crickton. Mow taken in, the first of 1843. About home all morning, neat up front garden with WT. Carree rides to Crickton in evening, rather misty. Take donkey cart and children too and bring home 9w oats & apples. Copy Cheriton terrier for William in evening, enter some accounts.

29th

Most beautiful day, rise, cut chaff, get dog cart ready and give orders for the day before breakfast. Drive Carree and Johnny and Emma to Llanmadock, pay wedding visit to Mr and Mrs Pearce, first impression favourable, rather pretty and not formal. Place far from comfortable. Dine late. Mrs James calls, we are not at home. Send letter to WM as to Cheriton terrier by Fanny to Reynoldston. Settle accounts with WR.

30th

Misty dull damp morning, glass very high. Drive Carree to Swansea, wet drive and drive Mr William Collins' carriage back because tis very wet; tis on sale. Do not attend Board of Guardians, do not see Lewis Thomas in re Beynon and Caswell. Leave a note for him, he is in London. Write to Offey and George about poor rates, some £30 payable there. Am in great fuss about money matters just now. Drive home in a driving mist but call on Mrs Terry and Mr Simonds whose wife is just dead. Mr & Mrs Pearce in Swansea.

December

1st (Friday)

A dull dry, quiet day after a wet one yesterday. About home all day. Carrie not up to breakfast, 4 beggars petition, … get nothing of me. Send for plates to Park Wood. Walked to Crickton by Stoneyford Meadow, men at hedge. Reese thatching. Try for a hare. Mend C Teddy's barrow with W David. Carrie brews bran beer. Ted calls in evening from Penmaen, wants his kitchen changed. Hear Mr Talbot intends giving up farming, all the men discharged and the farm to be let, report says.

2nd

Misty drizzly rain again, paint the woodwork of best room all morning. At dusk ride to Penclawdd and call for Mr Jones of Brecon, a poor ride of it on Moses. Some talk on tithes, take some grog and return home with RH who borrows Mr Jones horse. Write commissions for Swansea this morning, do not send, nothing ready.

Sunday. Sacrament, mild pleasant dull day, call with Carrie and C Teddy in the evening to inquire how Mrs Grose and the baby are. Something said about Pennyhitch.

4th

All morning at home, RH calls for Mr Jones's horse. Ask about evidence of moduses? Tollard. Mr Jones calls, lost RH and his horse. Write to Mr Mayberry and to WM, can send no further evidence. Mr & Mrs James call and take both to post. Parsey calls, pays for calf and cleans another and some pigs. Walk late to Crickton late to see who is at work, men begin hedge in meadow above road. Dull misty wet day again, who would have thought it? It is impossible to get on with anything. Receive letter from George, disappointed in favour asked of him.

5th

Doubtful morning again proves a very wet day, all in a fuss about the ploughing match on Thursday and provisions for chance visitors. Want to send to Swansea and can't, no cart to send, can't take a mow in. Finish statistical account of Upper Division of Parish. Carree busy about house – hams, hare soup, … etc. Walk in evening to Mr Lloyd about the cow, half agree to take it for £6.10. 0 or £7 in place of tithes. Read Britannia in evening and enter diary etc. Better promise for tomorrow.

6th

Rise early, fine morning, ride Moselle to Stafell Haegr. Breakfast and have some account with George Dix about rent and work done in mill. Ride with EKJ to Crickton, he on to Penmaen. Home, neat up garden little for tomorrow, all hands busy preparing for tomorrow. House all in fuss making jelly and bluemange too, all for what?

7th

A day of great bustle, unfortunate in being a driving misty rain. Ploughing match at Cillibion, Farmers Swansea Club, 30 ploughs at work and good work too. Finish the day by a party at home to dinner, very pleasant. Receive Samuel Davis, Collins, Jones of B, EKJ. Mr & Mrs James stay with us for the night. Mr Perry, Mr Ball, quite a day for Gower.[6]

8th

Swansea cattle show and dinner. Ted and I drive in with Ball and Mrs Perry in Mr Perry's carriage. Cattle show in market, first exhibition, not bad indeed. A pleasant day and a pleasant and well attended dinner. Some 60, Mr Vivian in chair, hear for first time that my farming is extolled to a premium and praise and that a pig I send gains a prize. Not home till past 12 at night. Receive letter from Mr Mayberry as to Mr Jones leaving on return home. Answer it immediately and send it by WR tomorrow, not in bed till one.

9th

Rise as soon as light again and write a note for Swansea, my car gone. Was up early before daylight yesterday to see my pig off for Swansea. Rather off-hinges today on account of yesterday and have caught cold at the dinner or in some other way. Carrie not very well, in very low spirits, walk home alone to Crickton and over the farm and meet EKJ, there accidentally, who dines with us etc. Out again after dinner to see things go right, Fanny ill, Jim not very well, things neglected of course. All sleepy tired and ill in the evening by the fire. Enter accounts etc in the evening. Receive dividend of Herberts House from Lewis Thomas by WR. Catherine also in Swansea with WR. Cathe Cornish going to Swansea early this morning.

11th

Sunday. Evening duty, fine day. Dine after church. Ted does not come up. W Collins drops in after church on his return and in way to Swansea, an appeal against Cheriton award.

Monday. Penrice fair, fine day. Call on Mr Talbot on way there about bricks. Fair well supplied, nothing done. Attend meeting of old club in evening, ride down in dark, EKJ there etc.

12th

Very fine day indeed, rise before tis light. Meet … coming to wash 7.00. Cut chaff. Send for coals Oxwich, order work etc, all confusion. Old Tall very ill. Children make me very angry, spoiling chairs and spice box. Whip Johnny severely and send him to bed. All morning engaged on tithe papers. Wheat, barley, oats etc. Mr Jones surveyor and RH: lunch etc. Walk in evening to Crickton for turnips etc. At accounts all the evening and write to Mr Lewis Thomas. Engaged with RH tomorrow to get deed signed.

13th

Off early in morning to Frog Lane, Burry & Llandewi for signatures to deed of Caswell with RH. Home by Stouthall by 2.00, children off for Penmaen with Carrie & Cathe to stay. I ride Leicester and like her. Mare's pony very ill. Some trick played at Penclawdd on 2nd inst, never knew it till by accident, pony covered with mud and saddle. Walk in evening to Cillibion field, great trespass, 2 men now hedging. Evening taken up with tithe accounts, not in bed till 12.00. EKJ calls in late on return from Penmaen. Children over there safe. Donkey cart & Mr James's carriage sent over for them tomorrow. I go to Swansea to meet Mr Mayberry to prepare for tithe commission on Friday. Very fine dry day.

14th

Most beautiful weather. Glass high. EKJ calls at Caie Forgan before I go to Swansea. Am alone, children and Carree gone to Penmaen to stay. Prepare papers etc to Swansea, dine early. Expect RH to take them to town as agreed, does not come. Drive Mr Collins' carriage back to Swansea, take Ellen Redman with RH, the former leaves our service after 2 years stay. The old dog cart comes home with WR. Find Mr Mayberry at Mackworth, been in town all day expecting to see Mr Jones also from Brecon, has surveyed the parish of Llanrhidian. They meet at my lodgings in Butter St and settle over matters for tomorrow. Wedding cake at Mrs Milward's, discover for first time what is to happen on Tuesday next in Gower.

15th

Rise early, prepare papers etc to be ready for the commissioner at 10.00. RH calls and send the papers by him. We are all there in good time, wait more than an hour for the other and opponents party. A full meeting at last. Mr Evans of Brynhir house the first of that set there. All day examining witnesses on the question of moduses. Not finished till after 6. Dine then on goose, Mr Mayberry and Mr Jones with me. RH finishes it. Williams the postman calls in. Talk over the business of the day and agree in opinion that Tollard hay modus will be done away with, other moduses may stand. We rely on the evidence of Mr Jones as to quantity of and production quality of parish. His report very favourable and, he says, just and proper. Has been often employed in such business and often before commissioner. Go to bed quite ill, quite knocked up.

16th

Fine dull and dry all this week, most seasonable weather!!! Rise quite ill and on the sofa all day. Quiet and physic the order of the day. Mr & Mrs Collins called to invite me to Miss … can't go. Mr J Collins also calls, WR comes to market and calls. Don't see him again. RH calls wanting a few shillings, George Beynon and wife called, contrived to get to Mr Lewis Thomas with him, conveyance of Caswell Herberts House completed. Most heartily glad. Contrive rise to execute an errand for Penmaen at James James, cannot return home tonight by Gower Omnibus. Go again to bed quite ill after writing several letters to WM, my mother, Jones and Lloyd bankers and to Penmaen.

18th

Sunday. Still not well but better. Not in church this morning, Mr W Collins calls to ask me to dine at Miss Lucas, his aunts, do so at 3.00 and go to church. Mrs Flack's pew. Tea at Miss Lucas's. W Collins suffers severely from toothache. The Stouthall wedding talked of, arrangements quite unknown to the sister of Mr Wood.

Monday. Still dry, what a comfort, but seems to threaten a change. Cannot see how to get to Mumbles and back and call on Grove of Caswell. Give it up, call on Miss Lucas, W Collins still toothache. Call on Redhead as to sale Llythrydd and onto Whites nursery, get prizes of things. Sent to Llandeilo Rhynys through Lewis the painter. Call at Francis coach maker with C Collins about a dog cart; tax or no tax is the question. Spend evening with Mr & Mrs Terry, the 2 Miss Loftus there. Play whist, lose 4 points. Not home till 12.00.

19th

Damp inclined to wet. Can't find conveyance to Mumbles, convenient to go there and back and call at Caswell, give it up and write journal etc. Return from Swansea in Flying Francis to Penmaen, a great load of luggage. Only myself and Mr Davies of Sanctuary, the relieving officer, passengers. Arrive late at Penmaen, find the Rev. Mr Williams on a visit here, has been in Jamaica and in Hampshire, his mother lives in Llandybie.

20th

At Penmaen, far from well all day. Sort of influenza, chilly and weak. No appetite. Sit by fire, pain in my back, can't get comfortable. Rev. Mr Williams leaves for Pontardulais.

21st

Ride Spotty to Caie Forgan and Crickton and return to Penmaen. Begin sowing wheat today. Men are all too busy to get any accounts.

22nd

At Penmaen, go with Mr James to Long Oaks to see the horses, a sale likely to take place there, the farm is at last let. Poor tenants in my opinion!!! Dissenters from Upper Division. John goes to Swansea, get the Cambrian early and read it but little in it.

23rd

Go to Swansea in the Flying Francis from Penmaen. Settled the Caswell conveyance from George Beynon with Lewis Thomas by raising £200 on mortgage to Miss Thomas, 150 to be paid to bank, 50 balance to be settled again. Shop, buy a corn crusher at Edmund's cost £5. Drizzly wet day, intolerable mud in Swansea, with WR for stones up the Strand. Very wet driving, thick misty rain returning home. Get nearly wet through. Mrs George and Mr Bell passengers.

25th

Sunday. Evening duty at Penmaen.

Monday. Christmas Day. Evening duty, Ted calls here from Nicholaston office before dinner to late duty at Llanrhidian. Extraordinary mild season. A blue bottle fly buzzing today. We read of swallows seen, many about Arundel Castle in Sussex.

26th

Misty day, very mild, most remarkably so. Mrs Nicholls calls on us at Penmaen. Mr James goes shooting, the poor rabbits!!! Ride with Mrs J to Reynoldston shop, I on Mr J's black, the best pony in the company. Call on Mrs P, he out, see the improvements, very good. Call on Mrs Ball, they are going soon to Llythrydd. Now home with my sugar, rice etc, give orders for farm dinner on Thursday. No time to get account of work done. Go to Crickton and over the farm, Sandwell draining. Wheat sowing done at present. Give orders for work and hurry home to dine at 4.00 Penmaen. The pony goes well indeed!! Mrs James and Mrs Staunton and Carree at ... plays chip, game published as at Paris, English won. Read Britannia, Dickens Christmas Carol. Not in bed till 1.00. Carree spends a better day. Did I not pay somebody money today on labour account? Can't remember.

27th

Most beautiful morning, some sun today. Call with Mr J on Mr & Mrs Nicholls at Park. Mrs James meets us there on Spotty. I call also on Mrs Jones at New Cottage. Children go to tea there in evening. Ted dines here, haunch of mutton and too much dinner.

28th

WR comes early to Penmaen with dog cart. Return home with Carrie. Harvest dinner today, in consequence of farm prize at Swansea Club. Mr Perry and EKJ dine with us, passes off pretty well. Betsy poor cook of pudding, great plenty. Mr Ball did not come. I walked out to Crickton to Penralt. J Charles at work about new road. Day passes off pretty well considering the short notice and our absence from home till today. An affair at Llwynybwch, ominous to the parish in its consequence, who's the man, Mr Thomas Gordon?

29th

Am at Caie Forgan with Carree and return to Penmaen in car in the evening and dine at 4.30. I walk to Crickton and over farm, Hugh catching moles. Get account of work and corn sold by C Reese. Get account of work etc WR at Penmaen. Enter accounts and arrears in evening, commissions for Swansea tomorrow by John of Penmaen who goes for oysters etc.

30th

Cold and dry still, Mr J is ploughing part of one of his fields with Long Oaks horses. John goes to Swansea.

Sunday. A change in weather, colder. Wind brisk, wet evening, driving wind. Sacrament at Penmaen. Ted does duty at Ilston and dines there late and goes home again. Read Sherman. Thus ends another year, remarkable for great mildness at Christmas and for coldness at midsummer. The thermometer actually lower the latter than the former today as papers inform us. Cow calves at Penmaen, I am to have it at 12/-.

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