Author: Thomas Turner

[gap in MS.]

…John Watford Jr and I wrote the note of hand accordingly payable to him or bearer on demand with interest at £4 percent per annum, and I witnessed the said note. We dined on some pork and peas… John Watford at work for me part of the afternoon. My wife very ill. This day received my roan mare from Hartfield and turned her out to grass at Mr Hutson’s. Mr Thorn, Messrs Margrave and Standing’s rider, called on me, to whom I gave an order.

At home all day and busy… Paid of Mr Thomas Jones 2.0.7½ in full for 2 tod 1 1b wool. Paid Mr Goad 2.2.0 for 2 tod of wool received today. Paid Mr Sam Gibbs £3 for 3 tod of wool, all of which wool I received today. Dame Driver at Framfield drank tea with us. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read Mahometanism from Martin’s Bibliotheca Technologica, or, Library of Arts and Sciences.

After breakfast my brother came over and borrowed my colt to ride to Lewes upon. There was no service at our church this morning, Mr Porter not being at home (being in London). We dined on some pork and beans with some cherry pie. Myself, 2 boys and maid at church in the afternoon (my wife not being at church, she being very ill). We had a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Shenton, curate of Laughton, from Psalms 90:12: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” And in my own private opinion I think it to be an extreme good sermon, and I think that the clergyman read as well as I ever heard a man… Mr Francis Elless at our house in the evening, to whom I read, and in the day, 5 of Tillotson’s sermons. My brother came back from Lewes and lodged at our house all night.

…After breakfast my brother rode over to Framfield for me for 7d sugar. Mr Coates and Mr French called on me in the forenoon and stayed and drank a bottle or 2 of beer with me. Mr Atkinson, Messrs Goff, Kendall and Rushton’s rider, called on me. We dined on some pork and beans… My brother and Dame Watford drank tea with us. After teatime my brother walked home… Posted my day book today.

Took physic today… Gave Mr Beckett in cash 14.4.0 for him to pay in London for me. About 9:45 my sister Sally and my cousin Anne Ovendean came see us and dined with us… After we had drunk tea, my sister and cousin walked down to Halland where I received of Mr Coates 2.16.0 in full to the 30th day of June last. Gave Mr Beckett’s carter 10d for bringing down my mare and paying the turnpike. My sister and cousin stayed all night… In the evening read part of Josephus’s Jewish Antiquities.

My sister and cousin Anne dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of bacon boiled, French beans, green salad and cucumbers. They stayed with us all day, and it being wet weather in the evening, they both stayed all night. At home all day. Read part of Martin’s Bibliotheca Technologica.

About 6:20 in the morning I set out on my journey to Hartfield where I arrived about 9:20. After staying there and breakfasting, my brother Sam Slater and I rode to Broadstone to weigh up Mr Martin’s wool for my father Slater, which we accordingly did… After we had weighed up the wool, we dined at Mr Martin’s on some cold ham and cucumbers. My brother Sam and I came to Forest Row together where I called to see my cousin Ballard, but she was not at home, though I had the good fortune to meet with her as I came home. I came home just at 9 o’clock, very sober… My sister and cousin Ovendean went home about 7 o’clock… I spent 10d today as under:

To turnpike	0.0.4
To ½ pint wine at Forest Row	0.0.6

Though I went to Hartfield purely to serve my father–for he knew nothing about the wool, not even how many pounds there were either in a peck or tod of wool– but notwithstanding that–during the little stay I made at Hartfield, I think Mrs Slater (for I am sure her usage to me was ever like that of a mother) used me with abundance of reflecting scurrilous language, though what for I know not, but I think if there can be any parallel in this life with the miserable state in the future, it must be in living with a person of Mrs Slater’s unhappy temper, and more particularly so if she happens to be in any ways related. Mrs Slater might do well to sell oysters at Billingsgate, but to live amongst civilized people she must be an obstruction to theirs and her own happiness.

…Paid Mr Sam Beckett… for the money he paid in town for this week [including]… to Mr Post for a watch 2.18.0… At home all day, but nothing to do. Paid Joseph Fuller 6d for lamb’s bell received today. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening.

In the morning my brother came over and breakfasted with us, and after breakfast he carried my wife to Lewes… At home all day busy. Mr Gibbs being a-drawing of the pond in the Street, he made me a present of 2 carp.

I cannot say I think it prudent of my wife to go Lewes now as I look for the Duke of Newcastle down at Halland next week and as I have several journeys to go which I must postpone on account of her going, whereby my business sustains a disadvantage. But, and alas! what can be said of a woman’s temper and thought? Business and family advantage must submit to their pride and pleasure. But though I mention this of woman, it may perhaps be as justly applied to men, but most people are blind to their own follies.

In the morning, my brother, self and nephew walked over to Framfield in order to meet Mr Will Bennett, who accordingly came. We breakfasted at my mother’s and also dined there on a leg of lamb roasted, a plain butter pudding and French beans. We all stayed and drank tea at my mother’s and came home about 8:30. Not at church all day. Rec’d of my mother 9/1; viz.,

To 1 satin hat	0.3.8
To 1 paper box	0.0.3
To ½ bushel flour	0.5.2