July 9, 1764

1764 July 9 (Monday).  Breck mows the Balks at the Island Field.  I walked over to Capt. Maynards partly to visit him as very lame, and partly upon the Affair he is So uneasy about, respecting Mr. Bruce’s denying to have Beeton come into the House.  But Captain was gone from home.  Mrs. Maynard has much to say of how vast the Dammage to them if Beeton does not go into the House and that it lies very much with me to make Bruce Consent; whereas it is far from me.  But my then Present Business was to See whether Bruce would consent to Beetons Setting his shop on the Land, and where it will accommodate.  Mr. Beeton came and I had Discourse with him upon it.  He tells me he is freely willing to give any Security to pay what Dammages Shall come by his Setting his Shop there.  I went to Mr. Bruce’s — talked with him and her — as to Beetons coming into the House, Mr. Bruce said he would speak at once and plainly, for he was altogether determined upon it, that That minute, that Beeton came in, he would go out.  However, after a great deal of Discourse, Bruce consents that if Capt. Maynard will declare before Witnesses that he or Beeton shall pay Dammages that may come by the Shop’s being Set there, it may.  I dined there; and there were two young Women, Martha Warrin and Jemima Warrin, who being at Dinner also, heard Mr. Bruce say, he consented to it.  I returned to Capt. Maynards who was not come home — but at length came.  I told him I had succeeded, and Mr. Beeton, only on his declaring before Witness, he would pay for Dammage etc., might set up his Shop.  The Captain did not receive it as I expected, but answered roughly — viz., that there was no Example of the like — no man to be found who buying a place could not do any thing upon it, nor have any Benefit but upon so hard Terms etc.  Whereas the Case was quite the Contrary, for this what I had done to gratifie him and he offered himself and Beeton did repeatedly, to give any security — and as to any Perplexitys he was brought into, it was entirely by his own Doing, to my Sad Disquietment: and now his proceeding was inconsistent — for I might conclude that a rational either would or would not — but here in this Case, when I would fain have had him take the place into his own Hands intirely, but he utterly refused it, and said he would have nothing to do with it — yet upon which much against my Will, I was obliged to go and tell Mr. Bruce that now all things Should be as they used to be, and no body Should molest him, but with his own Consent, Yet now Captain wants to have such part of it as was the most difficult to grant, the House, and not for himself but for another etc.  In fine, Captain, at my Desire, gave me my Note to Mrs. Maynard for 50£ old Tenor in the Year 1757; and I took leave.  Visit Mr. Benjamin How.  Mrs. How presents me another Sash or Gown-string.  Visit Mr. Hannaniah Parker after the Death of his Mother.  Visit Neighbour Batherick — but told him I did not come to dunn.  However, he did paid me 30£ old Tenor.  Returning home, paid Mrs. Rolf in full 6£ old tenor.  In the Eve Mr. Bowman — asks advice about Oxford.  N.B. Lt. Baker breaks up part of his Land before the Burying place, with 21 Creatures.