A daily diary recording parish matters, weather, sermons, visitors and visits to London and Essex, notes on brewing and cidermaking, gardening notes and notes on prices. The diary also records the births of his two daughters, as well as other births, marriages, and deaths. There are also notes on Clopton's health, and the health of others. Clopton was a Parliamentarian, and the diary contains many political notes on risings in various parts of the country, particularly Kent. He also records the trial of King Charles I and regicide. There are notes about the siege and surrender of Colchester.
There is a note (perhaps in Avery's hand?) stating "I Suppose this Book was wrote by one Mr Clopton of Wratton who I imagine was a Steward of Sr Nathaniel Barnardiston of Kitton Hall [in Kedington] a Relation'". pp. 99-100 are missing, as is the beginning and end of the diary are missing. Some pages towards the end of the diary are mutilated.
From the records of John Avery, from the Wanstead Home Estate.
Catherine Evans