JAMES BUTLER MOODY DIARY - 1888

1 Wednesday Analysed some more beer to find original gravity. 2 Thursday Went skating in morning with Blyth, Purkis & Miss Daniell. In the aft walked over to Mr Cuddon’s with Purkis, went over his malting & took a sample of some. 3 Friday Analysed some malt. Went to Heath House to tea & played billiards all the evening. 4 Saturday In aft went in to Colchester. Had a game of billiards & tea at the Conservative Club. Ordered a new coat. 5 Sunday Went to Church in morning. 11 Saturday Went in to Colchester to get some gloves etc. Helped get the room ready for the dance. Had game of billiards, drove back at 10 o’clock. 12 Sunday Went in to Colchester to Mr Daniell’s to dinner with Blyth. In evening took Miss Annie Blyth & Ada Blyth to church & drove back at 10, went to Mr Blyth’s at East Hill to supper. 13 Monday In evening went to a dance at St Martin’s Club given by Mrs Daniell. A very jolly dance, all waltzes except 4. Had some very good partners & drove to Heath House & walked down here in the snow, home at 5 o’clock. 14 Tuesday Got in to the brewery by 9 o’clock & took the brewing this week. Not very tired. 17 Friday Went up to Heath House to tea & billiards. 18 Saturday Purkis away. I went in to Colchester with Blyth. Got a new small overcoat at Allen’s, £2.5. Brown. Had tea at Conservative Club & played billiards at the Fleece. Drove back at 11 o’clock 19 Sunday Blyth came down & spent the day with me. Went to Wivenhoe in evening. 21 Tuesday Mashed this week with Blyth. In aft. walked in to Colchester with Mr Bartlett & bought a banjo at Aggio’s for 15/-. Had tea at Conservative Club & I signed my name for a member, not because I am a Conservative but to play billiards there. Bartlett said it did not matter so long as I did not run them down. 25 Saturday Got some new pants, 2 prs at 8/- each & two vests at Brown’s, these were woollen as it is awfully cold. Drove home with Mr Daniell & had supper at Heath House. Had tea at Welton’s with Blyth. 27 Monday I took the brewing this week.  29 Wednesday Had letter from Caldecott who is going in for Matric, Dublin University little go (sic) & 1 or 2 more exams. A school friend from Basingstoke (see 1887 diary)

2 Friday Had rather a bad cold on my chest for a day or two; but I got a bottle of Elliman’s Embrocation which apparently cured it 5 Monday I mashed this week with Purkis & did some Chemistry. 6 Tuesday Had game of billiards at Heath House. 7 Wednesday Purkis scalded his eyes over the top sparge back, so I mashed quite alone the rest of the week. 8 Thursday In aft. went in to football practice. Had a good game, the last of this season. Called on Sydney Davies about some Banjo lessons. Paid for my new coat at Allen’s £2.5 & 1/- off for discount. 10 Saturday In the morning drove in to Colchester with Mr Robert D. to hear a case against Mrs Doyland. Mrs Doyland of the “Greyhound” was prosecuted by Supt. Akers for selling whiskey with 28 % of water, 25 % being the allowed quantity; but witnesses were called to show that there were notices in the bar that all spirits were sold diluted & the case was dismissed. (3s/3d for witnesses each, £1 guinea [not clear] for solicitor) with costs. In aft had my first banjo lesson at Mr Sydney Davies’s, he charges me 1 1/2 guineas for 13 lessons. Had dinner at the old guvnor’s, back by the (not clear). 11 Sunday Went to Church in morning. Went to Nunn’s to spend the afternoon. 12 Monday I mashed with Blyth this week & did some Chemistry Beer analysis. 13 Tuesday Had Dan Green in to tea, & Nunn, Bartlett & Havens in afterwards. Played cards till 3 o’clock. Did not loose or win. 17 Saturday Went in to Colchester. Did not have a banjo lesson as I forgot my book. 18 Sunday Purkiss & I went up to Heath House & had dinner with Welton & Blyth, came down here in evening. 19 Monday Welton & Blyth came in to tea with us. We had oysters, 2 dozen for 2/-. I went in to Colchester with Welton. Mr Daniell went to our house in Basingstoke & slept the night. 20 Tuesday He came back this morning & enjoyed his visit. I went up to Heath House in evening. 23 Friday Went up to Heath House in evening & had a game of bezique with Mrs Blyth. In aft. went to Brightlingsea with Mr Robert D. – had a game of billiards. 24 Saturday In aft drove in with Mrs Blyth, had my 2nd banjo lesson. Boat race Cambridge won by 7 lengths. 26 Monday Had a letter from Uncle Richard. I mashed this week. Richard Knight was married to Jane, JBM’s mother’s sister. They lived in Basingstoke. 27 Tuesday Had a letter from Blanche. Arthur sent a cheque for 2nd quarter for £15.6. £1 for vests & pants. £1.6 for P.money. £13 for board & lodging.  28 Wednesday Walked in to Colchester to see Welton. Had tea with him & brought back his banjo on approval for a few weeks. Came back by train. 29 Thursday Went in to Colchester in aft with Purkis. Had a game of billiards at the Club. Cashed my cheque. Ordered some grocery & walked back by 6.0. Purkis went home for Easter. Miss Shave bought my 1st banjo for 15/-, the same price I gave for it at Aggio’s. 30 Friday Went up to Heath House to tea & went to the Fête on the Heath. 31 Saturday In aft went in to Colchester & had my 3rd banjo lesson. Had tea at old Mr Daniell’s & went to the theatre after & Blyth & I walked home. Paid my bill at Brown’s for vests etc. A

1 Sunday Went up to Heath House to dinner & then drove over to Barn Hall with Blyth, stopped to tea & supper, got home at 12.30. 2 Monday Had a game of billiards at Heath House in aft & drove in to Colchester to Mr Daniell’s to tea & went to the Theatre with Basil & Blyth. 7 Saturday Went in to Colchester, had my banjo lesson. Went to Allen’s & met Willie. Had tea there. Came back by the 7 o’clock train. Went in to Dr Nowell’s for 2 or 3 hrs. 9 Monday Walked in to Colchester with Blyth. Had a game of billiards. Bought ½ doz ties, 1/2 at Brown’s & a trousers’ stretcher 3/6. Walked back to Heath House & had dinner there & played bezique. 10 Tuesday I brewed this week 5 days. 11 Wednesday Went over the “Phiona”, a splendid yacht. 14 Saturday Had a banjo lesson. Had tea at the Conservative Club & went to the theatre with Blyth & Dr Nowell. “My Sweetheart” was acted very well. Drove home at 11 o’clock. 15 Sunday Spent the day up at Heath House. Purkis went away till Monday. 16 Monday Mashed this week. Marked a lot of casks on the pasture. Had a letter from G. Powell. Gerald Powell: husband to be of JBM’s sister, Blanche. See jamesmoodyandsons.co.uk 17 Tuesday Blyth went to Graham’s to learn chemistry for 2 or 3 months. 21 Saturday I mashed at 6.30. Had a banjo lesson. Ordered pair of flannel trousers at Allen’s. 15/-. 23 Monday Analysed some malt. Brewed 3 days this week.  29 Sunday Went up to Heath House to tea. Took Flo. Spooner out. Oh Bliss! Oh Rapture unforeseen!

1 Tuesday Interest £4.2 on New Zealand Inscribed. Arthur paid me at the end of this month. For details of investments see 25 March 1887. 5 May Had banjo lesson. 12 Saturday Went out with Purkiss in Jones’s boat in aft. 19 Saturday Had banjo lesson. 26 Saturday Went up to Twickenham to stay for the wedding; called at Hammersmith & went for a row down past Richmond in aft with Blanche & Fred. Wedding of cousin Edith Sophia Paice to Dr Arthur Pearce. Fred Paice was one of Edith’s brothers. 27 Sunday Went for walk in the Terrace Gardens, Richmond. 28 May Went up to London to see Blyth at University College. Had dinner with him at the “Horseshoe”. Went to Uncle William’s & met Mr Alfred Pearce there. 29 Tuesday Went to Edith’s wedding at St Peter’s Church, Ham’smith. I was one of the groomsmen. Splendid breakfast. Dance in evening. 30 Wednesday Went to the Academy in the aft. with Arthur. Very good. Went back to Basingstoke in evening with Blanche & Ethel. Ayrshire won the Derby. Ethel, another sister, aged 14: my paternal grandmother.  31 Thursday In aft went to Mrs Clift’s, Sherborne, to tea & tennis.

5 Tuesday Went to Allen’s to tennis. 6 Wednesday Went to the Club lawn to tennis. I & Harry Tyrell played Loader & May & beat them 2 sets to one. 7 Thursday Had the Allens & Powells in to tea. I played my banjo & Blanche P. sang. The Powells were a very musical family. Blanche Powell was a talented singer (see jamesmoodyandsons.co.uk) 8 Friday Had the Loes & Minnie in to tennis. Minnie Rush 9 Saturday In eve went to Loe’s to tennis. 10 Sunday In aft, walked over to Sherborne with Blanche. Said goodbye to Mr Clift. 11 Monday Came back to Rowhedge. Came down in the train with Watson Caldecott. 12 Tuesday In evening I went to a dinner at Wivenhoe with Mr Rob. Daniell. I sang a song & made a speech. Got back at 12.30. 13 Wednesday Went eel fishing with Bartlett. 18 Monday Went to Heath House to tennis. 19 Tuesday Went to Dr Nowell’s at Wivenhoe & took my banjo. 20 Wednesday Went to tennis party at Heath House. 21 Thursday Tennis. 22 Friday In morning I rowed Mrs Daniell & Florrie Blyth down the river. We had lunch at Welm’s Hard. Got back at 4 – went up to Heath House to tennis all evening. Coming back met Flo Spooner & took her for a walk etc etc. Glorious Day. 23 Saturday Colchester, 24 Sunday Went to Heath House to tea. 25 Monday In aft helped Havens poison his dog “Lion”, a mastiff. I shot it twice through the head with my pistol. Poisoned it with stricnine (sic) in pieces of meat. 26 Tuesday Very heavy thunderstorm all last night. Mr Daniell Senior very ill. 27 Wednesday Started making out the draymen’s tickets before breakfast; for which Mr Robert is going to give me 10/- per week. 28 Thursday Went up to moat at Donyland Hall fishing. 29 Friday Caught a carp in the moat.  30 Saturday Received my first payment of money 6s 8d from Wednesday. Went in to Mr Daniell’s to dinner & went on the market in aft. Went to a rose show.

1 Sunday In aft went up to the moat & fished & read. 2 Monday Had Green in to tea & Bartlett to spend evening. 3 Tuesday Had letter from Arthur with cheque for £5 due 21st, £4 for lodge & board, £1 pocket money June. 4 Wednesday Went up to Green’s to tea & tennis. 5 Thursday Watson Caldecott came down in aft, had tea with me & walked back to Colchester with him. In evening went in to Haven’s, played cards & banjo. Lost 2/-. 14 Saturday Saw Mr & Mrs Allen in Colchester. 16 Monday Went for a jolly sail in Levett’s smack. Sent Rev (sic) Chadwick 5/- towards School Sports. Walter Levett, ferryman, in local 1874 directory. 23 Monday In aft went down to Britlingsea with Bartlett in a dingy. Had a jolly sail back. 24 Tuesday Went to an awfully jolly Tennis Party at Heath House. The Blyths, Mrs Francis etc were there. Nowell went with me. 25 Wednesday Nowell came in to tea with me. I lent him £1.  31 Tuesday Had a letter from Ma & a cheque for £9.6.

1 Wednesday Walked to Colchester with Nowell. Had tea at Club. 2 Thursday Had a game of cards on Hurst’s yacht till 12.30, lost 2/6 3 Friday Had a game of tennis at Green’s, took my songs. Blyth came to live at the “Shaveries”. A private joke? 4 Saturday In aft. went up to Hammersmith, having had an invitation from Julia. Fred was at Cherbourg. 5 Sunday Went for a long walk with Uncle George & Charles & to Chiswick Church in evening. 6 Monday Went for a very jolly picnic up the Thames. Had lunch at Bitton & went on 2 boats to Hampton Court. The Bulls went. 7 Tuesday Went to our bottled beer store at Chelsea, called at the Distillery & came back at 5 o’clock. Probably the Tanquery Gin Distillery, Vine Street, Bloomsbury, where his Uncle William worked. 9 Thursday Very busy all this week. 11 Saturday Went to Clacton with Blyth in aft, had some jolly sets of tennis. Lent Nowell 10/-. 12 Sunday Went to Clacton again. Had tea with Mrs Daniell there. 14 Tuesday Went for a paddle in Nowell’s canoe. Flo came back. 19 Sunday Stayed at the Brewery & paid the men their wages. 20 Monday Walked to Elmstead & called on Rev. W. Godden, whom Paul Bull had very kindly given me an introduction to – they are very nice people & the 2 Misses Godden walked partly home with me. Nothing but my humble birth to prevent a very enjoyable friendship arising. Rev William Worcester Godden MA, Vicar of Elmstead. 22 Wednesday I get to the Brewery now at 6.30 almost every morning & have felt rather tired of business this week, but a rest on the following Saturday & Sunday has put me right again. 25 Saturday We went up to Heath House to play tennis. Mr Frank Daniell was there. Had some fencing & billiards & spent the evening there. 26 Sunday Had Nowell & Bartlett in to dinner. Walked with Flo thro’ the woods.  30 Thursday Went to an awfully jolly tennis party at Mrs Francis’s with Mr & Mrs Daniell

1 Sunday In aft. went up to Mr Daniell’s. After tea, Blyth & I came down to Wyvenhoe (sic) church. 2 Monday Down at the Brewery all day. Wrote home. In eve. Blythe came in to tea with me & I went up to Heath House to dinner at 7.30. Had a jolly evening. JBM had lodgings at a Miss Shave’s in the village of Rowhedge. Heath House was the Daniells’ home. Mr Daniell’s father lived in Colchester. 3 Tuesday Got down to the Brewery at 9 o’clock to set taps & I did the brewing in the morning. Started a brewing book of my own. In eve went for walk. 8 Sunday Went out with Flo. Spooner. Nice girl. 10 Tuesday I took the brewing myself this week. Went up to Heath House in evening: Miss Annie Blyth was there. 11 Wednesday Awfully foggy this week. 12 Thursday Went in to Mr Daniell’s at Colchester to dine. 14 Saturday Went in to Colchester at 6. Bought some hat pegs & ordered grocery. Had “ma première” at Colchester. Drove back with Dan Green at 11 o’clock. Daniel A Green, farmer, Donyland Place, listed in 1874 16 Monday Went in to Colchester with Blyth to play for 2nd X1 against Mr Parson’s X1. Lost 3 to nil. Had Bartlett, Nunn & Havens in to spend evening till 5.30. 17 Tuesday I got up to mash this week & did not brew. 18 Wednesday In evening went in to Mr Haven’s to spend evening. Had a jolly evening till 12. Wm Havens junior, farmer, Donyland Heath, listed 1874 19 Thursday Mashed myself for the 1st time quite alone, this morning. Did it all right. Wrote to Arthur. Went in to Colchester to a football practice. Had a jolly game. Mashing: combining a mix of milled grain with supplementary grains and water and heating. 20 Friday In evening we had Blyth in to tea & Arthur Green & Mr Bartlett to spend the evening till 12 o’clock. I lost 7s/6d this week on cards. 22 Sunday Went up to Heath House to spend aft. To Wivenhoe church in evening & afterwards for a walk avec la petite Flo. 23 Monday Brewed today, Thursday & Friday. I took the brewing this week. In eve. went up to Heath House & had a jolly game of billiards with Blyth. 24 Tuesday Had a long letter from Blanche. Went for walk with Flo. 26 Thursday Went to Heath House & played Billiards. 28 Saturday Drove in with Mr Robert D. at 1 o’clock to Colchester, had dinner with the old gov’nor & went on the market all aft. Came back by the 7 o’clock. Went for long walk with Flo’ & saw the Eclipse. An eclipse of the moon. 29 Sunday Walk in aft with Purkis & Havens. JBM is inconsistent in his spelling of Purkiss.  30 Monday It snowed a lot last night. 31 Tuesday I mashed this week with Blyth. Analysed some beer with Blyth. Went in to the “Crowns” with Flo Spooner in the evening. FEBRUARNew Paragraph

2 Tuesday Arthur sent me cheque for £15.12.6 for quarter. £13 Board & Lodge. £1.6.0 P. Money. £-.16.6 boots. 10/- for week he stayed with me. 3 Wednesday Went to Bartlett’s in eve. Brewing 5 times this week. I am Brewing. Nowell repaid me the 30/- I lent him. I paid Mrs Pitt 11/-. 4 Thursday Went in to Colchester to Football Practice. Saw Ada Allen. 7 Sunday Had an invitation from Miss Godden to Elmstead Harvest Thanksgiving & to tea. Blyth & I went. Very nice. Walked back with Blyth. 8 Monday Went in to Colchester Theatre to see the “Mikado”, D’Oyly Carte’s Company. Very Good. Drove back with Guv’nor. 13 Saturday I went in to Colchester & went on the market with Mr Robert. Bought several lots barley. I drove Guv’nor’s mare home & slept at Heath House as he was out. Bought football boots 12/6. 14 Sunday Went for long walk in morning. Did not go out (sic) Blyth had bad cold. 17 Wednesday Took the brewing & mashed all this week. Brewed 5 times. Blyth was away all the week with bad cold. So I had enough to do. 20 Saturday My Father died this morning in bed. I am glad to say without any suffering. 21 Sunday I went to Dan Green’s. 22 Monday Went home. 23 Tuesday Had new black suit. 26 Friday The Funeral. I went with Arthur & Frank By his will Pa left £200 to ...(name not clear, Janie?), £100 to Alice & his entire business & property to Mother, to be divided among us children at her death or marriage. Mr Bayley & Uncle William Trustees. Aged 62 years. 28 Sunday Went to St. Michael’s in morning. Went to the school in afternoon & had a talk with Mr Chadwick.  30 Tuesday Came back to Donyland & hard work. Brewed 5 times this week.

4 Sunday Went to Heath House to tea & St Marys in evening. 6 Tuesday Did some chemistry this week. 8 Thursday Played in football practice at Colchester. Paid 15/- for pr flannel trousers. Paid 12/6 for football boots. Paid 4/- for repairs. Called in at Mr Allen’s. Went up to Heath House in evening. This is the last diary entry for 1888. On a page at the end of the diary is written: W. Allen Walduck’s Hotel Warrick (sic)  Court Holborn W.C.

1 Sunday In aft. went up to Mr Daniell’s. After tea, Blyth & I came down to Wyvenhoe (sic) church. 2 Monday Down at the Brewery all day. Wrote home. In eve. Blythe came in to tea with me & I went up to Heath House to dinner at 7.30. Had a jolly evening. JBM had lodgings at a Miss Shave’s in the village of Rowhedge. Heath House was the Daniells’ home. Mr Daniell’s father lived in Colchester. 3 Tuesday Got down to the Brewery at 9 o’clock to set taps & I did the brewing in the morning. Started a brewing book of my own. In eve went for walk. 8 Sunday Went out with Flo. Spooner. Nice girl. 10 Tuesday I took the brewing myself this week. Went up to Heath House in evening: Miss Annie Blyth was there. 11 Wednesday Awfully foggy this week. 12 Thursday Went in to Mr Daniell’s at Colchester to dine. 14 Saturday Went in to Colchester at 6. Bought some hat pegs & ordered grocery. Had “ma première” at Colchester. Drove back with Dan Green at 11 o’clock. Daniel A Green, farmer, Donyland Place, listed in 1874 16 Monday Went in to Colchester with Blyth to play for 2nd X1 against Mr Parson’s X1. Lost 3 to nil. Had Bartlett, Nunn & Havens in to spend evening till 5.30. 17 Tuesday I got up to mash this week & did not brew. 18 Wednesday In evening went in to Mr Haven’s to spend evening. Had a jolly evening till 12. Wm Havens junior, farmer, Donyland Heath, listed 1874 19 Thursday Mashed myself for the 1st time quite alone, this morning. Did it all right. Wrote to Arthur. Went in to Colchester to a football practice. Had a jolly game. Mashing: combining a mix of milled grain with supplementary grains and water and heating. 20 Friday In evening we had Blyth in to tea & Arthur Green & Mr Bartlett to spend the evening till 12 o’clock. I lost 7s/6d this week on cards. 22 Sunday Went up to Heath House to spend aft. To Wivenhoe church in evening & afterwards for a walk avec la petite Flo. 23 Monday Brewed today, Thursday & Friday. I took the brewing this week. In eve. went up to Heath House & had a jolly game of billiards with Blyth. 24 Tuesday Had a long letter from Blanche. Went for walk with Flo. 26 Thursday Went to Heath House & played Billiards. 28 Saturday Drove in with Mr Robert D. at 1 o’clock to Colchester, had dinner with the old gov’nor & went on the market all aft. Came back by the 7 o’clock. Went for long walk with Flo’ & saw the Eclipse. An eclipse of the moon. 29 Sunday Walk in aft with Purkis & Havens. JBM is inconsistent in his spelling of Purkiss.  30 Monday It snowed a lot last night. 31 Tuesday I mashed this week with Blyth. Analysed some beer with Blyth. Went in to the “Crowns” with Flo Spooner in the evening. FEBRUARNew Paragraph