Author: Thomas Turner

After we had breakfasted, John French carried my sister Ann Slater to Lewes (on my mare), he being a-going there for his sister Molly. I gave them 2d to pay the turnpike. My whole family at church in the morning; the text in James 4:3: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” We dined on a lamb’s lights and mint boiled and minced, the head boiled, the brain and tongue boiled, the heart in a pudding, a piece of pork, carrots and a suet pudding with raisins in it. My whole family at church in the afternoon; viz., my wife, self, maid and 2 boys… At home all day, and nobody at our house all day. In the evening and in the day read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning got up at about 5:20 and rode down to Sinden’s for half a bushel flour. About 11 o’clock I went to Framfield where I dined with my mother on some cold beef and French beans… From my mother’s I set off to Pilt Down where I saw Charles Diggens and John Fowle run 20 rods for 1 guinea each, which was won by Diggens with ease. I got never a bet, but very drunk. I lay at my uncle Hill’s all night. I find one glass of liquor disorders me so that I must and will, I am determined, leave off drinking anything strong. Rec’d of my brother Moses today in cash 1.3.6; viz.,

To my part of 1/16th of 2 lottery tickets, one being a prize of £20 and the other a blank	0.13.0
To the ½ part of a ticket in the lottery now afoot	0.10.6

I was so much in liquor I have forgot what I spent.

Came home in the forenoon, not quite sober. Mr Evans dined with us on a coast of lamb roasted and cucumbers. At home, all day, and I know I behaved more like an ass than any human being, so doubtless not like one that calls himself a Christian. Oh, how unworthy are I of that name! But let me hope and endeavor with the grace of God to get the better of this and that I may every day become a better Christian. The uneasiness that have so long subsided between me and my wife now, I believe are ended, for she now seems (and pray God it may continue) to behave to me with all…

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At home all day… In the afternoon my brother came over and brought me in cash 25/- in full for Philip’s board, due the 17th instant. My wife and I drank tea at Mrs Weller’s, who desired me to fetch Fanny Weller home from Bourne tomorrow, to which I agreed. No pleasure of my life, but why, oh, the sad terror of a tormenting conscience…

After breakfast I went for Fanny Weller on my own mare. I arrived at Eastbourne about 12:20. I dined at Mr Henry Weller’s on a leg of lamb boiled and carrots with an apple pudding… I stayed and drank tea there in company with the officer of excise at Eastbourne, whom I think to be a very sensible man. He was, I understand, brought up by a grocer and tallow chandler. We came home about 8:20. I spent this journey 12d, which Mrs Weller is to repay me. My wife in my absence sent by Streeter 4/9 to pay my club arrears.

At home all day; nothing at all to do Master Hook a-doing a job for me; he drank tea with us. Rec’d of Mrs Weller 12d for my expenses a-going to Bourne yesterday. My brother came over and stayed all night. We dined today on a shoulder of lamb roasted, a piece of pork boiled, and white cabbage.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some boiled tripe. In the afternoon Mr Elless and I walked down to Peter Adams’s in order to see Mr Relfe the surveyor at Lewes measure and map the said land, but could not find him. We were wet through a-going our journey. Dame and Master Durrant and Thomas Durrant at our house in the evening drinking what they call colt ale; that is, liquor for shoeing a colt the first time. This day, I think, has been as wet a day as I ever knew in my life at this season of the year. There have been today several very loud strokes of thunder.

A very windy and rainy night, rather like a tempest than not. Myself, wife and maid at church this morning (the two boys staying at home on account of the badness of the weather); the text in Revelation 22:12: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner; viz., on a piece of cold pork and part of the shoulder of lamb roasted on Friday. My whole family at church this afternoon; the text in Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is, the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” I think we had two as good sermons today as I ever heard Mr Porter preach. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom, and in the day, I read 4 of Tillotson’s sermons. This day while we were at church in the forenoon, we had the highest wind that I ever knew.

At home all day. My brother came over in the forenoon and dined with me on a piece of pork, a butter pudding cake and beans. After dinner my brother went to Lewes for some tea, my mother and I being both out… Sold Mr Elless a waistcoat, and he and James Marchant spent the evening at our house. Thanks be to God, we have this day been indifferently busy. Read part of Martin’s Library of Literary Arts and Sciences.

…We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a duck pie. Dame Durrant drank tea with us. At home all day. Posted part of my day book. A very wet day, and in the morning we had several very large claps of thunder. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons.