Author: Thomas Turner

Paid 5d for 2 lbs tripe and one neat’s foot. We dined on a piece of beef boiled, an apple pudding; and turnips, some boiled tripe and boiled trout. At home all day and a very cold day as I ever knew when there was no frost. In the day read part of the 4th volume Medical Essays and in the evening part of Sherlock on judgment

…When I examined Mr Haslam’s bill I found he had overcast it 12d, but at the same time he had sent me 13 leghorn hats at 5d and charged but 12d; so there is an overcharge upon the whole of 7d to my prejudice.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some boiled tripe, a light pudding, a neat’s foot and turnips. At home all day. Rec’d by the post 10 whiting which Mrs Roase sent my wife for a present. In the day read part of The London Magazine for November. In the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read part of Sherlock on judgment. My wife continues very lame.

Myself, two boys and servant at church in the morning, my wife not being there on account her being lame… We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a raisin suet pudding and turnips. Myself, two boys and servant at church in the afternoon… After churchtime Mr Stone paid a visit to my wife and assured us the ulcer on her leg was a scurvy. In the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read part of Young’s Night Thoughts. Finished reading of Sherlock on judgment today, which I think as good a book as I ever read.

At home all day… In the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read part of Young’s Night Thoughts. I also in the evening wrote my London letters. My wife continues very lame.

George Richardson called and breakfasted with us. My brother came over in the forenoon, but did not stay. I received of him in cash, on account of my mother 11.4.6, which with £6 my mother is to pay to Mr John Smith of Hempstead makes the sum of 17.4.6, which sum I am to send to Mr Robert Plumer for her (it being in full on her account due to him). Now when my mother has paid the afore-mentioned £6 to Mr John Smith of Hempstead, that with the £14 I sent by my servant the 4th instant makes the sum of £20 and is in full for the bill I received from him (on Mr John Thomson) by my brother the 25th Nov. of the same value; that is £20. We dined on a piece of beef boiled, an apple and light pudding, turnips and potatoes. Mr Stone paid my wife another visit today…

This day about 2:10 died Mary Shoesmith, child maid at the Rev Mr Porter’s, after about 10 days’ illness. How should such instances of mortality awaken mankind to provide and think of eternity! This poor girl was cut off in the prime of her youth, nay, even before she arrived to years of mature understanding, not being 17. Oh, let mankind consider that no age or sex is exempt from death. No, nor the most sanguine and florid constitution but must sooner or later be subject to it. But what is it that makes mankind so tremble at the approach of death? Only their vices which darken and cast a cloud on the understandings of poor deluded mortals, for by sin death entered into the world and entailed that curse on all the posterity of Adam; “dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return.” Would men but seriously reflect upon this and refrain from evil and do good and return unto the Lord their God, who hath promised mercy and forgiveness (unto them that truly and sincerely repent them of their sins and perform works meet for repentance) in and through the merits and redemption of our blessed Savior Jesus Christ; I say, would mankind but do this, then the prospect of death would be out as a translation from a life of misery to an eternal and endless state of bliss and happiness.

Rec’d of Thomas Dallaway 5/6 on account. Sent my mother by my brother 2 ducks. At home all day. In the evening read part of Horneck’s Great Law of Consideration. Paid 3d for 5 whiting bought today. Sent by Beckett today 16½ lbs old brass, copper etc.

Mary Heath a-washing for us half the day, who dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some boiled whiting… Paid Mr Thomas Porter in cash £6, being in part of the bill I received of him the 28th November on Messrs Swainstone and Hedges. At home all day. My wife continues very lame. In the day read part of the 4th volume Medical Essays.

Mary Heath a-washing for us all day. We dined on a piece of beef boiled, an apple pudding, and a butter pudding cake, some boiled whiting, Jerusalem artichokes and turnips. This day Thomas Danell, an inhabitant of Chiddingly (aged 71 years), was buried at our church in the afternoon, for whom there was a sermon, but none of my family was at church. Mrs Gibbs and her daughter drank tea with us. Paid Mary Heath 13½d for washing. At home all day. In the evening gave my wife a vomit.

Paid Joseph Fuller 21½d for 1 leg of mutton received today, 7¼ lbs at 3d… At home all day. Paid Mr Sam Beckett in cash 0.19.8, being in full for the same sum he paid in London for me this week; viz.,

Paid to Mr Gore & Co. in full	0.18.2
To Mr Charles Cooper in balance for a warming pan and sauce pan in lieu of the old brass etc. I sent	0.1.6

A prodigious sharp cold day. Read part of The Universal Magazine for November. Gave two women with passes 13d.

Sent by Stephen Weller Sr to Mr Ambrose Austin in Brighthelmstone in cash £1, which is in full of all demands; viz., for 2 dozen shoe hemp, which shoe hemp is for my mother… Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 2 bullock’s kidneys. Paid Robert Hook in cash 12/-, which is in full for the balance of my account due to Francis Smith at Waldron. In the afternoon our servant went to the funeral of Mr Porter’s maid, who was buried at Laughton. In the afternoon Fanny Weller a-pooling [?] out of clothes for us; she stayed and drank tea with us. My wife continues very lame. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read part-of Young’s Night Thoughts. Rec’d by Master Weller a receipt from Mr Ambrose Austin for the money I sent by him today.

Myself and two boys at church in the morning… We dined on a leg of mutton boiled, a plain batter pudding, potatoes and turnips. In the time we were at church in the morning Mr Stone paid my wife another visit. Myself, two boys and servant at church in the afternoon… Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read part of Young’s Night Thoughts. A very sharp day and some snow fell. My wife continues very lame.