Author: Thomas Turner

In the morning my brother came riding over on my colt and dined with us on kidney and heart pudding, a plain butter pudding cake and carrots. After dinner my brother on my mare and myself on my colt rode to Bayley’s Lane, where we bought some earthenware. From thence we went by Wilmington to Alfriston in order for my brother to have Mr Snelling’s further advice on his eyes, but he being not home, we went to the Star where we baited our horses and drank a half pint of wine. We spent 12d, but I having no money, my brother paid all. We came home about 9:10. My brother had both the horses home with him in order for him and my sister to go to the races upon (but I pay for keeping them).

In the morning went down to Halland with my, bill and delivered to Mr John Greening one bill from the 8 September, 1755 to [this day, amounting to] 60.1.6, for which sum I received of Mr John Greening in silver 18d and a bill… in full of all demands due to me from his Grace the Duke of Newcastle to this day.

We dined on a bullock’s heart pudding, a piece of pork and carrots This day being the first race-day at Lewes, about 4:25 my sister Ann Slater and I (upon a horse borrowed of Mr French) rode to Lewes where we arrived just as the people came from the hill. We went in to see the ball, which, in my opinion, was an extreme pretty sight. I went down and smoked one pipe with Mr George Verral in company with my brother Moses and Will Bennett. My sister and I came home about 2 o’clock… This day the King’s Plate of £100 was run for on Lewes Hill by Mr Warren’s horse Careless and Mr Rogers’s horse Newcastle Jack. It was won by Careless, the other being drawn after the first heat. ‘Tis said there were £100 laid by the grooms that Careless beat the other six-score yards, which he did. My wife in my absence today paid Mr Sam Beckett, carrier, 12/6…

At home all day… At work in my garden and sawing of wood part of the day. In the evening read part of The Universal Magazine for July. This day the Subscription Plate of £50 was run for on Lewes Downs when 4 horses started; viz., Lord Eglinton’s bay horse Nothing, Robert Smith’s black mare Frolic, Mr Dye’s bay horse Looby, and George Rogers Esq’s grey mare (or hermaphrodite) Chastity. It was won by Chastity, she winning the two first heats. The two first were distanced and the heats were very good between the other two.

My whole family at church in the morning… We dined on a piece of bacon boiled, a plain batter pudding, an apple pudding and carrots. After dinner our servant went to Framfield in order to go to that church. Myself, wife and my wife’s sister with the 2 boys at church in the afternoon… At home all day. In the evening and in the day read 5 of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning my brother came over and breakfasted with us, and after that we packed up my wool, with the assistance of James Marchant’s man… My brother and James Marchant’s man dined with us on a loin of mutton roasted in the oven with a plain batter pudding under it, with the remains of yesterday’s dinner. After dinner my brother and I rode over to Framfield, and, with the help of Charles Diggens, packed up my mother’s wool… I received of my mother in cash 14.2.0, with which (after I had stayed and drunk tea at my mother’s) I called at Mr Peckham’s as I came home and paid him… Mrs Browne drank tea with my wife. This evening we had as violent a tempest of thunder, lightning and rain as almost I ever knew. It began about 6:20 and continued till about 10 o’clock, though I believe the most sharpest part of it was about 9 o’clock. I got home about 5 minutes before it was so severe.

Sent Messrs Margesson and Collison by Beckett the bill I received of Mr John Greening, the 12th instant… I also sent the following wool to Messrs Margesson and Collison for them to sell for me:

My own wool

		Fleeces	Tod	lbs
No.	1	118	7	29
	2	192	13	—

My mother’s

	3	179	13	—
	4	115	7	7
	5	187	13	16
		791	54	20, with 5

with cloths at 23/6 on my own account. This day Mr Sam Gibbs sent me a shoulder of venison (by previous agreement when I bought his wool) for which I gave his, servant 12d. Just as we were at breakfast, my brother Sam Slater came in; he stayed and dined with us, as did Robert Diggens, who came in just as we were a-going to dinner, on the shoulder of venison roasted and the remains of yesterday’s dinner. My brother Sam Slater stayed with us about 4:30…

In the morning posted some London accounts and looked over my book… In the evening Mr Burgess and I walked over to Uckfield to ask Mr Courthope’s opinion whether we could remove Elizabeth Day, who we understand is with child, but at the same time we have a certificate with her from Waldron. His opinion was that we could not remove her without she first asked for relief. We came home about 9:20. Mr Burgess spent 6d on the parish account at Uckfield. Read part of Young’s Night Thoughts today, which I think is extreme good.

In the morning my wife, sister and 2 boys walked over to Framfield. Myself and servant dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. This day received of Mr George Verral 6 dozen hard soap. Charles Diggens and his servant called and stayed about an hour. Rec’d of Charles Diggens 2/11 in full. My wife, her sister and the 2 boys came home about 8:30… Read part of Martin’s Library of Literary Arts and Sciences.

At home all day. My wife and I papered up 240 papers of tobacco, weighing 55 lbs. Mr Slade and Mr Jordan called on me, but I gave neither of them any orders… Just as we were going to drink tea, my brother Moses and Mr Will Francis (Messrs Barlow and Wigginton’s rider) came in from Lewes… My brother and Mr Francis went away about 7:20. In the evening read part of Josephus’s Jewish Antiquities.

…Paid Mr John Crowhurst 1.15.6 in full for earthenware received today and all demands. We dined on some rashers of pork and lamb’s liver fried. At home all day. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening.