Author: Thomas Turner

…We dined on some boiled tripe and broiled herrings. At home all day. Read part of the 1st volume of the Medical Essays, by a society of surgeons at Edinburgh… In the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read two of Tillotson’s sermons. A very remarkable wet day.

My whole family at church in the morning… We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a beef pudding and some turnips. My whole family at church again this afternoon; that is, my wife, self, maid and 2 boys… In the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom, and in the day, I read seven of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning wrote the following petition for Mrs Virgoe, which Mr Porter composed:

“Madam I humbly hope your goodness will excuse my boldness in presuming to trouble you with this. My late Husband Isaac Virgoe had the honour to serve you as a butcher but he dying about five years past left me a widow with two small Children in distressed circumstances. He left only the House we lived in to support us and that deeply Mortgag’d. John Fuller hire’d this House and Shop of me and you have been so kind as to continue your custom to him. But he has lately left my House and Shop and shut it up, by which means all custom is stop’d from it, A Brother of Mr Fullers has offered to hire this House of me if you will be so kind as to let him have part of your Custom, He is a very sober and diligent young man and will do his utmost to oblige you this is the favor I humbly beg of you which if you will please to grant I shall have the usual rent of my House to support me and my little ones and you will save us from the greatest distress, and this your great kindness to me shall ever be gratefully acknowledg’d by your Most dutiful Servant Mary Virgoe

To Mrs Medley”

At home all day. We dined on a piece of neck of beef stewed, a piece of pork boiled and a plain suet pudding and turnips. Rec’d of Mary Shoesmith 13d on account. Indifferently busy. My brother came over in the afternoon, but did not stay. In the evening wrote my London letters. The latter part of the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read of 4 of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning after I had breakfasted, I carried Mrs Virgoe to Lewes on my mare in order for her to present the petition I wrote for her yesterday to Mrs Medley. We arrived at Lewes about 11:30. Mrs Virgoe accordingly presented her petition, but could not have any direct answer thereto on account of Mrs Medley’s being just a-going out. I dined at the White Horse today on a boiled hog’s cheek, a piece of boiled beef, an apple pudding, greens and potatoes… Mrs Virgoe and I came home about 6:50, and both very sober… Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons. Spent today as under (which I think may be justly charged to Mrs Virgoe, as I never charge her anything for myself or horse):

My dinner	0.0.6
Spent	0.0.5
Horse	0.0.5
Turnpike	0.0.2
Ostler	0.0.1
	0.1.7

After breakfast Mr Burgess and I once more went down to talk with Osborne’s servant; she promised that provided the man she was now big with child by did not come and give this parish proper security to their liking, she would certainly swear the same on Monday next.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of cold beef baked in the oven yesterday and some cold rice pie. In the evening wrote out several bills and read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons. But very little to do all day.

In the forenoon Mr John Box brought me Thomas Daw’s writings (but as Thomas Daw was not at home, they could not be executed); so he left the said writings with me to see them executed. Mr Joseph Burgess paid him for the same 1.16.0. We dined on the remains of Monday, Tuesday and yesterday’s dinners. Sent by John Streeter to Mayfield 3/9 for my club arrears, due today, it being at quarterly club night… At home all day. In the day read part of the 1st volume of the Medical Observations and Essays by a society at Edinburgh. In the first part of the evening wrote out some of the parish bill, and in the later part of the evening read 5 of Tillotson’s sermons.

Paid for 2 lbs tripe 4d. In the forenoon walked down to Whyly to borrow some quart bottles. We dined on the remains of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and yesterday’s dinners with the addition of some boiled tripe. In the afternoon (or rather the evening) my brother came over and brought me one bill on Mr John Thomson, hop-factor in Southwark, value £20… My brother stayed and drank tea with us, and I sent by him to the Rev Mr Wharton in cash £10… I paid Mr Sam Beckett in full for the sum he paid in London for me this week; [including]… to searching Hazard’s lottery office for my four lottery tickets 0.1.6

At home all day except as before. In the evening read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons. In reading the Gazette for the 22nd instant I find the King of Prussia, with about 20,000, has beat the combined forces of the empire and France, which were 60,000; he

[page torn out, possibly by T.T.]

having totally routed them and taken almost, or quite all their cannon, baggage etc., taking and killing in the field of battle and the pursuit 10,000 men. Oh, could England boast of such a warlike P—– and to have such a true heroic courage diffused through all its martial men (as must evidently appear to have been in this small host)! But how can we expect to find such courage in the poor degenerated people of England, when it is virtue, and that alone, that constitutes the true hero and inspires courage into the breast of the warrior (which at this time seems almost to be extinguished in the British nation). For dissoluteness of manners, a spirit of effeminacy and self-interest, together with an intolerable share of pride and luxury, seem almost to over-spread the whole face of this kingdom. And I presume when such are the vices of a nation, they must inevitably be ruined without a speedy reformation.

At home all day. Sent by Goldsmith’s carter to Mrs Roase in Lewes one bill, value 15.5.6… I received by the same carrier a letter from Mrs Roase wherein she acknowledges the receipt of the bill… We dined on some boiled tripe and perry sop. In the evening my wife and I papered up about 60 parcels of tobacco, and in the later part of the evening read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons. A prodigious quantity of rain fell this evening. In the day read part of several new almanacs which came down today, and I doubt but few will be sold by reason of the additional duty of one penny on the sheet, and two pence on the stitched.

My whole family at church in the morning… We dined on a piece of beef boiled, a raisin and a plain suet pudding and turnips. My whole family at church in the afternoon… This afternoon in service time was baptized the natural daughter of Elizabeth Day (and what made me remark it was, it was baptized by the name of Sarah Durrant Day).

In the evening and the day read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons and part of Sherlock upon death. I this day completed reading of Tillotson’s sermons over the second time, and so far as I am a judge I think them to be a complete body of divinity, they being written in a plain familiar style, but far from what may be deemed low.

In the morning went down to Mr Porter’s and I received of him one bill on Messrs Swainstone and Hedges, hop-factors in Southwark… in lieu of which I gave Mr Porter my note of hand… He also informed me that one Wright had paid some money to Messrs Margesson and Collison on my account for him. I sent by the post today to Mr James Burfield of Steyning one bill on Messrs Margesson and Collison… of which bill 1.17.6 is in full for one year’s rent due from John Streeter at Lady Day last, and which money I received of him the 23rd of Oct. The remaining part; viz., 2.7.6 is in full for one year’s rent, due at old St Michael for the house which Susan Burrage lives in, and is on account of the parish.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some onion sauce. Mrs Burgess drank tea with us, and Mr Burgess stayed and smoked a pipe or two with me in the evening. In the first part of the evening wrote my London letters, and in the latter part read part of Sherlock upon death. This day Thomas Osborne came to me and offered me his bond to indemnify and save harmless this parish from any charge that shall ever arise touching or concerning his servant’s being now pregnant, and from all charges that shall or may arise there from. Rec’d today of Dame Weller 22½d on account.