Author: Thomas Turner

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the afternoon rode over to Framfield and drank tea with my sister, my brother being not at home. Came home about 5:30. In the evening wrote my London letters.

In the morning my brother came over and breakfasted with us. Sent Mr Matthew Blake enclosed in a letter by Messrs Beckett and Shelley (delivered to Shelley) one bill on Mr Will Margesson, dated today, 30 days’ date, No. 411, value 22.5.6, and which bill is in full on my account to Mr Blake.

In the forenoon my father Slater came to see us and dined with us on the remains of Sunday’s dinner. He stayed with us till about 3:10. In the afternoon Mr Thornton carried my wife to see Mrs Cayley. Dr Snelling called on me, but did not stay.

…In the forenoon rode down to Laughton to get a debt of John Akehurst, when he agreed to leave 12/- in part of the said debt in Mr John Vine Jr’s hands, and which Mr Vine agreed to pay as I [saw] them both together… Dame Henly drank tea at our house. In the evening walked up to Thomas Fuller’s in company with Mr Thornton, but did not stay.

…We dined off boiled mutton, potatoes and turnips. At home all day. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening.

We dined on some boiled mutton, potatoes and turnips. Rec’d of John Vine Jr the £3 lent him the 5th instant, and gave him his note… At home all day. In the evening Mr Thornton and I played at cribbage; I lost 2d.

…Mr Mason drank tea at our house. At home all day. Though not very busy.

My wife, self and servant at church in the morning. We had a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Thomas Hurdis, curate of Laughton (Mr Porter administering the communion at Laughton), from the 24th verse of the 118th Psalm: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

We dined on a piece of beef boiled, an apple pudding, turnips and potatoes. In the afternoon my wife, self and servant went out for church, but, meeting with Mr George Beard of Chailey, I came back with him and stayed at home to accompany him, who stayed with us till about 4:20. Mr Mason and Joseph Fuller Jr drank tea at our house. In the evening and the day read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the forenoon my cousin Charles Hill came to see me and dined with us on a shoulder of mutton roasted, a light and bread pudding and potatoes. In the afternoon we went out for a walk and called in at Mr French’s, when I paid Mrs French 5/3 in full for the remains of Mr French’s hop-money which Mr Tomlin advises he has [been] paid to Mr Will Margesson on my account (and is in full for the mistake Mr Tomlin made) (see the 5th instant). We called in also at Mr Sam Gibbs’s and stayed some little time. We came back and drank coffee.

Mr Hill and Joseph Fuller Jr spent the evening with us and stayed all night, that is, only Mr Hill. We played at cribbage; I won 2d… Rec’d of John Midmire [10/-] on account, which is all gain and more than I ever thought of having of him. Thank God very busy most part of the day.

My cousin Hill, having been a surgeon on board a man of war, as also a letter of marque to Jamaica, entertained us in the evening with some of the incidents he met with in his voyages, but all in a modest manner, very unlike most modern travellers.

After breakfast my [cousin] Hill and I took a walk and then we came home and dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with some potatoes. After dinner Mr Hill went home and I went to bring [him] on the road about 2 miles. Paid Joseph Fuller 19d, which is 1d too much for the leg of mutton received yesterday. Thank God indifferently busy all day.

After breakfast rode over to Framfield and settled accounts with my brother, and there remains due to me on the account of goods from my mother, deceased, the sum of 11.15.2, and then my brother and I balanced our accounts and there remains due to me on the account of goods the sum of 12.10.2. I dined at my brother’s on some part of a loin of veal warmed and some broiled eels… I stayed and drank tea at my brother’s, and came home about 5:30.