Evelyn's Diary. 1627. My grandfather, Standsfield (age 60), died this year, on the 5th of February: I remember perfectly the solemnity at his funeral. He was buried in the parish church of All Souls, where my grandmother, his second wife, erected him a pious monument. About this time, was the consecration of the Church of South Malling, near Lewes [Map], by Dr. Field, Bishop of Oxford (one Mr. Coxhall preached, who was afterward minister); the building whereof was chiefly procured by my grandfather (age 60), who having the impropriation, gave £20 a year out of it to this church. I afterward sold the impropriation. I laid one of the first stones at the building of the church.

Evelyn's Diary. 1628 to 1630. It was not till the year 1628, that I was put to learn my Latin rudiments, and to write, of one Citolin, a Frenchman, in Lewes [Map]. I very well remember that general muster previous to the Isle of Rhè's expedition, and that I was one day awakened in the morning with the news of the Duke of Buckingham being slain by that wretch, Felton, after our disgrace before La Rochelle. And I now took so extraordinary a fancy to drawing and designing, that I could never after wean my inclinations from it, to the expense of much precious time, which might have been more advantageously employed. I was now put to school to one Mr. Potts, in the Cliff at Lewes [Map], from whom, on the 7th of January 1630, being the day after Epiphany, I went to the free-school at Southover, near the town, of which one Agnes Morley had been the foundress, and now Edward Snatt was the master, under whom I remained till I was sent to the University. This year, my grandmother (with whom I sojourned) being married to one Mr. Newton, a learned and most religious gentleman, we went from the Cliff to dwell at his house in Southover. I do most perfectly remember the jubilee which was universally expressed for the happy birth of the Prince of Wales, 29th of May, now Charles II, our most gracious Sovereign.

Evelyn's Diary. 1632. My eldest sister (age 17) was married to Edward Darcy, Esq, who little deserved so excellent a person, a woman of so rare virtue. I was not present at the nuptials; but I was soon afterward sent for into Surrey, and my father (age 45) would willingly have weaned me from my fondness of my too indulgent grandmother, intending to have placed me at Eton College [Map]; but, not being so provident for my own benefit, and unreasonably terrified with the report of the severe discipline there, I was sent back to Lewes [Map]; which perverseness of mine I have since a thousand times deplored. This was the first time that ever my parents had seen all their children together in prosperity. While I was now trifling at home, I saw London, where I lay one night only. The next day, I dined at Beddington, Surrey, where I was much delighted with the gardens and curiosities. Thence, we returned to the Baroness Darcy's (age 17), at Sutton; thence to Wotton, Surrey [Map]; and, on the 16th of August following, 1633, back to Lewes [Map].

Evelyn's Diary. 1635. But my dear mother (age 36) being now dangerously sick, I was, on the 3d of September following, sent for to Wotton, Surrey [Map]. Whom I found so far spent, that, all human assistance failing, she in a most heavenly manner departed this life upon the 29th of the same month, about eight in the evening of Michaelmas-day. It was a malignant fever which took her away, about the 37th of her age, and 22d of her marriage, to our irreparable loss and the regret of all that knew her. Certain it is, that the visible cause of her indisposition proceeded from grief upon the loss of her daughter, and the infant that followed it; and it is as certain, that when she perceived the peril whereto its excess had engaged her, she strove to compose herself and allay it; but it was too late, and she was forced to succumb. Therefore summoning all her children then living (I shall never forget it), she expressed herself in a manner so heavenly, with instructions so pious and Christian, as made us strangely sensible of the extraordinary loss then imminent; after which, embracing every one of us she gave to each a ring with her blessing and dismissed us. Then, taking my father (age 48) by the hand, she recommended us to his care; and, because she was extremely zealous for the education of my younger brother (age 12), she requested my father (age 48) that he might be sent with me to Lewes [Map]; and so having importuned him that what he designed to bestow on her funeral, he would rather dispose among the poor, she labored to compose herself for the blessed change which she now expected. There was not a servant in the house whom she did not expressly send for, advise, and infinitely affect with her counsel. Thus she continued to employ her intervals, either instructing her relations, or preparing of herself.

Evelyn's Diary. 03 Nov 1635. It was the 3d of the ensuing November, after my brother George (age 18) was gone back to Oxford, ere I returned to Lewes [Map], when I made way, according to instructions received of my father (age 48), for my brother Richard (age 13), who was sent the 12th after.

Evelyn's Diary. 18 Jul 1637. I accompanied my eldest brother (age 20), who then quitted Oxford, into the country; and, on the 9th of August, went to visit my friends at Lewes [Map], whence I returned the 12th to Wotton, Surrey [Map]. On the 17th of September, I received the blessed Sacrament at Wotton church, and 23d of October went back to Oxford.

Evelyn's Diary. 09 Jul 1638. I went home to visit my friends, and, on the 26th, with my brother (age 21) and sister to Lewes [Map], where we abode till the 31st; and thence to one Mr. Michael's, of Houghton, near Arundel [Map], where we were very well treated; and, on the 2d of August, to Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map], and thence, having surveyed the fortifications (a great rarity in that blessed halcyon time in England), we passed into the Isle of Wight [Map], to the house of my Baroness Richards, in a place called Yaverland; but were turned the following day to Chichester [Map], where, having viewed the city and fair cathedral [Map], we returned home.

Evelyn's Diary. 04 May 1648. Came up the Essex petitioners for an agreement between his Majesty and the rebels. The 16th, the Surrey men addressed the Parliament for the same; of which some of them were slain and murdered by Oliver Cromwell's (age 49) guards, in the new palace yard [Map]. I now sold the impropriation of South Malling, near Lewes [Map], in Sussex, to Messrs. Kemp and Alcock, for £3,000.