Author: Thomas Turner

We dined on the remains of Monday’s dinner, with the addition of some beefsteaks fried. Paid Joseph Fuller Jr 3d for 1 lb beef suet received by him this evening. At home all day and thank God pretty busy. Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe or 2 with me in the evening. In the evening read part of Pope’s Dunciad. My wife very ill again.

…At home all day and thank God pretty busy. My wife very ill.

Lent John Jones by Winifred Akehurst in cash 1.1.0. Paid Joseph Fuller 12d for a part of a foreloin of pork, weighing 3½ lbs at 3½d per lb received of him today… Paid John Gosling Jr as under:

To 2 cwt 1 qr 26 lbs of rags which he sold for me at Maidstone fair at 31/6 per cwt	3.18.3
In cash today	0.0.6
	3.18.9
Per contra Cr.
To 2 cwt 3 qr 2½ lbs Cheshire cheese rec’d by him today at 27/-	3.14.10½
Carriage of rags	0.3.9
	3.18.7½

I then paid him in cash 0.12.10½ which was for a mistake made the 22^nd June last. I then received of him 1½ hundred of sugar at 50/- instead of 1¼ hundred, which with the carriage is 12/10½. At home all day and thank God very busy. In the afternoon my brother came over and borrowed my horse to go to Lewes upon. In the evening read the extraordinary Gazette for Wednesday, which gives on account of our army in America, under the command of General Wolfe, beating the French army under General Montcalm (near the city of Quebec), wherein both the generals were killed, as also two more of the French generals, and the English General Monckton, who took the command after General Wolfe was killed, was shot through the body, but is like to do very well; as also the surrender of the city of Quebec, with the articles of capitulation.

Oh what pleasure is it to every true Briton to see with what success it pleases Almighty God to bless his Majesty’s arms with, they having success at this time in Europe, Asia, Africa and America, and I think in this affair our generals, officers and common men have behaved with uncommon courage and resolution, having many and great difficulties to encounter before they could bring the city to surrender.

In the morning received of Matthew Lewer 5/6 on account of Mrs Mary Virgoe, and which money I am to place to the credit of Mrs Virgoe’s account which she owes me. Paid Richard Fuller 2d for four porker’s feet received by him today. Myself and servant at church in the morning… We dined on some porker’s feet boiled, a plain suet pudding, potatoes and turnips.

After dinner Thomas Davy and I walked down to Laughton church where we had a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Thomas Hurdis from Luke 1:6; “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” After churchtime we went to see Mr James Shoesmith and came home about 5:10. Our late servant Mary Martin and a young woman along with her, and Thomas Davy, drank tea at our house. In the evening Thomas Davy and Mr Thornton at our house, to whom (and in the day) I read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the forenoon my brother Moses and our tenant James Knight came over. I received of James Knight in cash 11.2.6 and by a receipt for half a year’s land tax £2 (due at St Michael last), which together makes the sum of 13.2.6 and is in full for half a year’s rent due at St Michael last, and which 11.2.6 I am to divide between my brothers Moses and Richard, and my sister Sally and myself. They both stayed and dined with us on a part of a foreloin of pork roasted and apple sauce… My brother and James Knight went away about 3:20.

At home all day and thank God pretty busy. My wife very ill. In the evening Mr Thornton and I played at cribbage; I won 6d. Oh how melancholy time I have, my wife being so continual ill, but as it is the will of Almighty God let me always submit thereto with patience and resignation.

…My wife and I had an invitation to Halland to drink tea and sup there with a great many more, there being a rejoicing on account of the taking of Quebec (but as my wife was very ill neither of us went). In the evening there was a bonfire of 9 hundred of faggots and there was about a hogshead of beer given to the populace, and several discharge of cannon. In the day down at Halland twice.

Thomas Davy spent the evening with me. I think this is not proper rejoicing on so great a victory, for this is only occasioning of people to get drunk and run themselves farther into sin and in reality of no service to any individual, whereas I think as God giveth the victory to Him should thanks and praises be returned, and at the same time let our outward joy be expressed by giving to the laborious and industrious poor what is too often consumed in vanity and luxurious folly and I doubt too often to the increase of vice and irreligion. I only mention this as my opinion (for I would leave every man to judge for himself) nor would I willingly condemn or blame any one for dissenting from me in any point.

In the morning my brother came over to stand the shop for me. After breakfast I rode to Dr Snelling’s to consult him about my wife’s illness… My brother stayed and dined with us on the remains of Monday’s dinner and then went home. Mrs Fuller drank tea with my wife… Paid 8d for 3¾ lbs of cod, plaice, crab and lobster which I bought today at Alfriston…

Today in examining of the money I received of James Knight the 22nd instant I find I received too little by 36/-, and have accordingly written him a letter concerning it. My brother in my absence received of John Jones the guinea I lent him the 20th instant.

Paid John Cayley in cash 8/- in full for 16 lbs butter received by him today… Gave John Babcock 6d for helping me remove my things out of the school chamber. At home all day and thank God pretty busy. In the evening read some old newspapers. My wife very ill.

Mr John Minifie breakfasted with me… In the evening at the request of Mr Thornton I went into Master Durrant’s to play a few games of cribbage with their man, when I won 2d of him, half of which Mr Thornton had by reason of his going halves with me. We played only one penny a game. Came home about 9:05. At home all day. My wife very ill.

Paid Richard Fuller 6d for 1 sheep’s head and pluck received by him today… In the evening Mr Thornton and I played at cribbage; I lost 6d. Paid Molly Fuller 2/- for a pig received by her today weighing 8 lbs. At home all day, but not very busy. My wife very ill.