January 29. 1778
The weather has improved since earlier this week. With the good weather the prison was again smoked today to rid us of the vermin that inhabit this place. Another 60 blankets were received in the prison and Mr. Heath distributed our allowance of cash. Mr. Rowe, the superintendent of the prison was here yesterday to oversee the masonry work to be completed in the officers’ apartment.

A newspaper was brought in and passed about that describes the bad conditions in America. Prices for goods are high and sometimes the goods cannot be had for any price. This makes me worry concerning the welfare of my family at home and how they are getting along. Another paper brought here tells us of Lord North’s desire to and plan to reconcile with America.

January 24. 1778
We understand that our officers are now allowed candles in their apartment after dark until gunshot. This privilege however comes at their own expense.

January 23. 1778
Rainy weather. Since the beginning of this New Year we are allowed many more indulgences than during this past year. As example, we now may go in groups of six at a time to wash ourselves at a trough in another yard. I believe this is the first time most of us have been clean in more than twelve month.

January 21. 1778
Rainy weather. Handing out of clothes finished today and we sent a letter of thanks to our donors.

January 20. 1778
Rainy weather continues. The masons have been in the prison these past two days to build chimneys in the main prison and in the officer’s apartment. We hear the officers are dissatisfied with this plan as there will be no distinction between their living quarters and the rest of the people. We have news that the British and the Continental armies have gone into their winter quarters in America. Mr. Heath and Mr. Sorrey are here again today to serve out clothing and a number of disputes have arisen as not all the people are happy at what they have received. Our fare continues to improve as we have oatmeal and greens to add to the broth of our soup.

January 18. 1778 Sunday
Rainy weather. Cornwallis’ ship came into Plymouth today returning from America. This is the Queen’s birthday and salutes were fired by ships in the harbor in her honor. Each of the people’s messes were served with an extra half pound of beef while the officers were served a leg of mutton

January 17. 1778
Rainy weather. Today we begin to see benefit from our donation as clothing was handed out to some of us. I received to shirts, two pairs of trousers, two pairs of stockings, a pair of shoes, a cap and a coat. The officers received white shirts while the people received checked shirts. We also received a pound of pork per mess and more tobacco.

January 16. 1778
Rainy and warm. Yesterday each mess received one yard of tobacco and shall receive this amount every other day. Each mess also received a four penny loaf. Shoes were handed out to those in need given by the government and not by our donation. We now receive tracts from those well meaning people from without that urge us to avoid cursing, to remain sober and to not take the name of the Lord in vain. This request truly is in vain for many of the seafaring men in our company.

January 14. 1778
Rainy. The Rev. Mr. Heath and Mr. Sorrey are appointed to manage our donation. We are told the officers’ allowance will be 5 shillings per week and to the people 2 shillings per week.

Jan 13. 1778
Rainy weather. Captain Henry Johnson’s brother brings word to us that we shall be exchanged in the Spring which has caused much celebration. Some of our guards have been sent into the country side as press gangs for the navy.

Jan 10. 1778
Being pleasant weather today we were turned out into the yard and the prison was smoked.

January 9. 1778
A gentleman from the subscription committee at Bristol visited us today with news of 200£ having been contributed towards our benefit in Bristol and 2660£ in London. He also brought news of 140 Americans likewise held prisoner at Portsmouth. We received 300 red herring and a 3 penny loaf extra to each mess.

Sunday January 4. 1778
Rainy weather again today. Captain Lee was sent to the prison hospital as he suffers from gout.

January 3. 1778
It is raining and windy today. A lawyer by the name of Lyons has visited us today as representative of a relief committee. He comes bearing 250 blankets, 100 pounds of tobacco and 72 cakes of soap.

January 1. 1778 New Years Day
This New Year dawned cold. Each mess has received a plumb pudding and a sixpenny loaf from Mr. Heath and his Plymouth Tabernacle parish. Mr. Hancock, John Hancock’s cousin, also visited us today and while in the yard he informed us that a subscription amounting to 800 pounds has been taken in London up for our relief.