Author: Thomas Turner

In the morning rode to Mr Snelling’s at Alfriston to consult him further concerning my wife’s illness, but he was not at home; I went forward by his servant’s direction and found him at Mr Allfrey’s at Westdean. We came back to his house where I breakfasted with him and paid him in cash 3/8 for medicines I had of him the 21st instant and today. I came home about 11:20.

In my absence our late servant Mary Martin came to see us and dined with us on some bacon, a pudding cake and some French beans. My family all at church in the afternoon; the text in Joshua 24:24: “And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.” From which words we had an excellent sermon as I think I ever heard. Our late servant stayed and drank tee with us and then went home… In the evening my wife walked out for air.

Balanced accounts with Mr Will Piper and received of him 9d in full to this day.

Rec’d of Mr Will Piper in cash	8.14.8
To one receipt for 1 year’s land tax due at Lady Day last	2.8.0
To 1 receipt for 6 years’ quit-rent due St Michael last	2.0.0
To s carpenter’s bill; viz., Mr Vine’s	0.15.4
	13.18.0

which together makes the sum of 13.18.0 and is in full for 1 year’s rent due at Lady Day last to Mrs Mary Mills for a farm which Master Piper uses and which money etc. he wants me to transmit to Mr Allen Chatfield at Croydon for Mrs Mill’s use (it being to be paid there by her order). I gave Mr Piper my receipt acknowledging the receipt of 8.14.8… My brother came over today and drank tea at our house in company with Molly French of our parish and Molly French of Bourne [daughter of yet another Jeremiah French, an innkeeper]. At Halland twice today. In the afternoon wrote my London letters. Thank God very busy.

Ben Shelley and his wife breakfasted at our house. Sent by him enclosed in a letter to Mr Allen Chatfield the receipts and bill I received of Mr Piper yesterday and gave him in cash 8.14.8 (being the money I received of Mr Piper yesterday) in order to pay Mr Allen Chatfield…

James Bull at Whitesmith dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with some carrots. In the afternoon my wife paid Mrs Porter a visit. Down at Halland three times today. A great deal of rain today. In the afternoon drew off a barrel of cider. James Marchant supped at our house, be helping me powder some sugar for Halland.

After breakfast rode over to Framfield and stayed there while my brother went to Uckfield to get me a pound of green tea, for which I paid him 9/3. I came home and dined on the remains of Monday’s dinner with the addition of some carrots. Down at Halland 3 times today. Charles Diggens at our house some time in the evening. What quantities of [people] begin to come to Halland, and only to prepare and make ready a provision for luxury and intemperance against Sunday next, when perhaps hundreds of poor creatures are lamenting for want of sustenance; and here shall be nothing but waste and riot.

[Vol. 50 of the manuscript is missing. The following extract is taken from the Sussex Archaeological Collections, XI, 203-204.]

I spent most part of today in going to and from Halland, there being a public day, where there was to dine with his Grace the Duke of Newcastle the Earls of Ashburnham and Northampton, Lord Viscount Gage, The Lord Abergavenny and the two judges of assize, and a great number of gentlemen, there being I think upwards of forty coaches, chariots etc.

I came home about seven, not thoroughly sober, I think it is a scene that loudly calls for the detestation of all serious and considerating people, to see the sabbath profaned and turned into a day of luxury and debauchery, there being no less than ten cooks, four of which are French, and perhaps fifty more as busy as if it had been a rejoicing day. There was such huzzaing that made the very foundations (almost) of the house to shake, and all this by the order and the approbation of almost the next man to the King. Oh what countenance does such behavior in a person of his Grace’s rank give to levity, drunkenness and all sorts of immorality!

[Vol. 51 continues:]

…Rec’d of John Cayley in cash 1.0.3 in full for money which I have paid and am to pay; viz.,

Paid Thomas Ling	0.12.0
Paid widow Trill	0.2.3
To pay Richard Braizer	0.6.0

In the evening went down to Jones’s, there being a vestry. The persons who constituted the vestry were Mr French, Joseph Burgess, William Piper, Joseph Durrant, Richard Page, John Cayley and myself. Came home about 8:50. In the evening read part of the 4th volume of Collins’s Peerage.

In the morning my brother came over for my horse to go to Lewes upon (which I lent him). He stayed and breakfasted with us. Sent Richard Braizer by his daughter Lucy the 6/- rec’d of John Cayley yesterday; that is, I sent him it in cash and goods… My brother came home from Lewes and left my horse… I then paid my brother 12d for 2 lbs sun raisins and 1 basket which he bought for me. John Durrant made me a present of a fine young hare, for which I gave him 12d. In the evening I went to Master Durrant’s, and spent the evening with Mr Thornton, in company with my brother [and] Charles and Robert Diggens. We broke up about 1:20, but not one of us sober except my wife.

We dined on a hare roasted and gravy sauce. At home all day, but not very busy.

Paid Joseph Fuller 8d for a root of bullock’s tongue received by him today… Rec’d of Thomas Tester 11/- on account. At home all day, but not very busy. In the afternoon sent our servant to Sandhill for a parcel which Master Divol brought from Lewes for me.

Our servant paid Joseph Fuller 3½d for 1 1b of beefsteaks which she bought today. Mr Thomas Tomlin, hop-factor, came to see [me] in the forenoon. We walked down to Whyly. Came back to dinner, when Mr Tomlin dined with us on some beefsteaks fried, a plum batter pudding and cucumbers. In the afternoon we walked into Mr Piper’s hop garden, as also to see Mr Carman’s and Joseph Fuller’s hops. We came home and drank tea. In the evening we both went down to Jones’s, where we spent the evening in company with Mr French, Mr Will Piper and Joseph Fuller Jr. I spent 9d and borrowed of Joseph Fuller 6d, not having enough with me to pay my reckoning. We came home about 10:20 very sober. Mr Tomlin supped and lodged at our house.

Rec’d enclosed in a letter by the carrier from Mr John Crouch the bill I sent him the 3rd instant, I having omitted (through mistake) to direct it. My wife in my absence today paid Ben Shelley in cash 0.14.10 in full for the same sum which he paid the 5th instant to Mr Thomas Bell in full for 3 stone 4½ lbs bacon at 4/2.