Thomas spent the next few months in Retford, travelling to collect money due to him and his sisters, that bond that is mentioned in the last post, in particular.

So much of Thomas's life is totally different from today but some things have not changed

29 Jan 1743/4
Paid for Carriage of my Trunk from Hull to Retford which was nearly 4 months in the comeing 3/-

(Thomas paid for the trunk to go from London to Hull in early September!)

Food must have been poor in London (unless you were very rich, of course) as this next entry shows

6 Aprill 1744
Sent Tim Mitchell of London a pott Butter and Cariage as a present 5/9

That's a huge sum of money for butter, don't you think?

Spent from March 10 to Aprill 22 in Ale 9s 3d

Thomas drinks "Bear" when in London.

12 May
Went to Market Rasin & staid at Mr Scotts to 15 May & gave maids and spent their 5/6
Mr Camplin Came over and Paid me in part of Bond for Self & Sister 5.0.0
Went that Day to Caster to see his Uncle Scott and stayed to 17 May and gave Man and Maid
2/0
and went to Hull the same day 17th and got home to Retford from Hull 22 May and Cost me in Expences at Hull & Comeing Back again for my share 6/4
had Brothers Horse so Cost nothing in Horse Hire --- They Grumbled at the Expences and said I had Spent a Deal.

What ungrateful sisters Thomas has!

To Hull by Sea

Thomas's sisters went home to Retford on the 17th August 1743

20th August
Paid Carriage of my Box to Retford 3/-

24th August
Paid Mr Woring in half Moon Court Cheap Side for a Grizel Wigg and gave me a Receipt. £1


I'm not sure that I have the name of the wigmaker correct - the writing is not clear - the wig is a grey one. Then Thomas does a lot more shopping which is all pretty routine, followed by this journey...

3rd September
Gave a man 2/3 to Take my Trunk on Board a Ship going to Hull & Spent this Day before I went on Board in punch, Bear & Fish 5/- (Thomas means beer)
Paid Lodgings & Washing in full 3/2
Sett forwards thisEvening and got to Hull the 9 September at 2 oClock in the afternoon and paid the Capt. for our passidge my Self & a Dutch Dog and my Trunk £1.1s
we was in a storme for 4 Days and was Drove near Hambourge I was sick for 3 Days and Could not Eat or Drink all that time.

(Poor Thomas! and what about the Dog? He doesn't mention buying it)

Left Hull & got to Barton the 12 September
Spent at Hull 6s

That must be Barton-upon-Humber. It's the other side of the Humber Estuary, but there is no mention of paying a Ferryman.