Author: Thomas Turner

Paid Joseph Fuller by Richard 6/4½ in full for 1 pocket of hops received today; that is, 8½ lbs at 9d. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a light pudding buttered and some duck’s giblets stewed. After dinner Master Hook and I went to Lewes together in order to carry 1 piece of Irish for Mr Scrase and 6 lbs of tobacco for Mrs Stemp, and also to get the money Mr Hook owes me for the butter I bought for him last year. Now I bought him this butter purely to serve him, and this is the manner in which he requites me! We got to Lewes about 4:45. I called and drank tea at Mr Hook’s, but could get no money. I called on Will Bennett, Thomas Scrase, and Mr John Magwick. Rec’d of Mrs Stemp the 7/- for the 6 lbs of tobacco carried today. Left the Irish at Mr Thomas Scrase’s. We came home about 10:39. I spent 6½d today (though I never, ate or drank–only some tea and bread and butter)… Mrs Piper and her maid drank tea with my wife in my absence. Advertised Mrs Virgoe’s house to be let, but did not pay Mr Lee [publisher of the Sussex Weekly Advertizer or Lewes Journal]

We dined on a cold duck pie and a plain batter pudding and carrots. At home all day and busy. In the evening read part of Martin’s Philological Library of Literary Arts and Sciences.

At home all day. Posted my day book and wrote out several bills… Read part of Young’s Night Thoughts. In the evening Thomas Davy at our house and he and I played at cribbage about 2 hours; won of him 6d. Paid for 16 whiting 6d.

My brother came over in the forenoon, but did not stay. He rode home upon my colt in order to bring me the salt sacks… My brother came over in the afternoon again and brought over the salt sacks. Very busy most part of the day, and at home all day. In the evening read part of Martin’s Theological Library of Literary Arts and Sciences. Rec’d advice today from Mr Joseph Jewson that one of Master Hook’s tickets which I got him to have registered is come up a blank.

Paid Joseph Fuller by his son Richard 18d for 1 leg of mutton, 6 lbs at 3d received today… About 12:15 Mrs Virgoe and myself on a horse of Mr Burgess’s and Mr Burgess on my colt set out to see a farm of Mrs Virgoe’s mother during life, and afterwards Mrs Virgoe’s, lying in the parish of Mayfield. I went to give her my opinion about what repairs there were wanting and also how I thought the man used it.

We stayed and drank tea at the tenant’s and came home about 5:40. My family dined in my absence on some fried whiting, boiled tripe and the remains of yesterday’s dinner (as did myself when I came home on a light pudding cake and turnips). This day received from Mr Robert Plumer, by Richard Page, 1 1/5 tun salt… In the evening busy a-writing for John Watford…

Just as we were going to breakfast, my brother Will came in, as did Mr John Breeden and his wife, of Pevensey, about 10:10. They all dined with us on a leg of mutton boiled, turnips and carrots, 2 ducks roasted and gravy sauce and a currant rice pudding. After dinner Mr Breeden and his wife, and my wife and self walked down to see Halland. In our road we called in at Mr Bridgman’s, he being a relation of Mr Breeden; they both went with us, and after seeing the place over, they all came back and drank tea at our house.

They all went away except my brother about 6:10. My brother stayed till near 8 o’clock. I received of my brother in cash 21/-, which with the 2.2.0 received of him the 10th July is in full for a silver watch he had of me. We had no service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter being a-visiting at Mayfield. In the afternoon the Rev, Mr Shenton, curate of Laughton, preached, here. My brother and the 2 boys at church. In the evening read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning Master Piper and Master Durrant came along with a “Here, we have got a job of writing we want you to do.” Which I readily did, and when I had written out a sheet of paper and wrote about an hour, they sneaked away without so much as ever offering to pay for the paper, or I think to say they were obliged to me for doing it. But what can we expect from two such covetous and miserable wretches, whose whole delight is self-interest? The only thing that I know of is that they must remain as they are, and God bless them… In the afternoon I rode out a-money-catching, but got none. I came home through the park where I stayed and saw part of a game of cricket. Gave some seamen with a pass 6d. At home all the evening.

…In the forenoon busy a-writing for John Watford, but he pays for paper and is almost ready to smother me with thanks and does promise to serve in as far as opportunity offers… Mrs Atkins, Mrs Hicks and Mrs Verral drank tea with us. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning I set out for Pevensey, where I arrived about 10:20, and after staying about half an hour, Mr John Breeden and I rode to Ninfield in order to hire the shop there, but when we came to Ninfield, we could not hire it, the shop not being parted with as yet. Mr Breeden and I dined at the Spread Eagle on some mutton chaps (as did my family at home on a duck pudding and turnips). We stayed at Ninfield about 3:40 when we parted, and thanks be to God I got home very safe and sober about 6:55. I spent this day 2/-; viz.,

The turnpike	0.0.2
Our dinner, i.e., both	o.0.9
Horses and beer	0.1.1

In the evening I read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

Paid Joseph Fuller, by Thomas 3/10½ for meat received today; viz.,

15 lbs beef at 3d	0.3.9
1 kidney	0.0.1½

In the forenoon sent my maid to Waldron to get a debt of Mr Jones’s. Rec’d of her in cash 17/-; remains due 4/-… Thomas Davy at our house in the evening; we played at cribbage; I won 1d. Paid John Lewer 4/- for 2 bushels oats received today.