Author: Thomas Turner

Myself only at church in the morning… We dined on a pig roasted and bread sauce. After dinner Mr Thornton and I walked over to Framfield church, where wo had a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Thomas [Wha??] vicar of Framfield, III John, 11: “Beloved, follow not that which is evil but that which is good.” Both at Framfield and at Hoathly we had a thanksgiving prayer read for the success with which it has pleased Almighty God to bless his Majesty’s arms both by land and sea, and in my opinion it was extremely well composed.

In my absence my wife was taken so extremely ill with a fit of the colic that they did not expect her to live until I came home, and accordingly sent for me by John Babcock, but as I stayed no longer at my brother’s than just drinking of tea he missed me almost at home. I came home sbout 6:10 and found my wife really extremely ill. Paid John Babcock 6d for going to Framfield. Thomas Cornwell, Thomas Durrant and Mr Thornton supped at our house, on account they had been a-catching my horse.

In the morning Thomas Davy went for Dr Stone, who came along with him. Thomas Davy and Dame Durrant dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. My wife so very ill that I was obliged to send Thomas Davy again for Mr Stone, who accordingly came and paid her another visit.

In the afternoon my brother came over, and he and Dame Gower and her daughter drank tea at our house. In the evening my father Slater came to see us, who stayed all night. My brother also stayed with me till 8:30. My wife has really been so ill today that I did not see any probability of a recovery, though thank God she is much better in the evening. Her illness was a violent colic, the gravel and an obstruction of the catamenia.

This day gave a servant of Mr Thomas Carman’s in cash 3.3.9 with which money he is to pay for some goods that he is to bring to Lewes for me tomorrow. At home all day. Mrs Porter sat with ay wife in the evening some time.

After breakfast my father Slater set out for Lewes. In the forenoon my brother came over and borrowed my horse to go to Lewes upon. Mr Beckett made my wife a present of some fine whiting and a flounder. Mr Stone paid my wife another visit…

My brother the 20th instant bought [some] nails at 4/4 a m (thousand) and now they charged and took 4/5, a most charming principle.

In the evening my father Slater and my brother came back. My brother did not stay, but my father Slater stayed all night, and he and Joseph Fuller spent the evening with me. My wife very ill all day, though much better than she was yesterday. At home all day and thank God very busy.

My brother came over in the forenoon and brought my horse again, and I paid him in cash 9/6, which sum he paid in Lewes for me yesterday; viz.,

…To 1 lb gunpowder

0.1.6

…My father Slater and my brother went home in the forenoon… Dame Watford drank tea with my wife. In the evening sent our servant to Mr John Vine’s (the audit being today) with 2 bills; viz.,

The bill for goods delivered for the audit	1.18.1½
1 do. for nails	0.19.7

and she brought me the money for the audit bill; viz., 1.18.0. Rec’d of John Streeter in cash 1.17.6, which money I am to send to his landlord Mr James Burfield of Steyning, and is in full for one year’s rent for the house in which he lives, due at old Lady Day last. Mr Stone paid my wife a visit today. In the evening Molly Fuller sat with my wife and supped with us. At home all day and thank God pretty busy. My wife very ill, though much better.

…Richard Braizer at work a-gardening for me all day. Our late servant Mary Martin came over in the forenoon to see my wife and she, together with Thomas Davy and Richard Braizer, dined with us on the remains of Wednesday’s dinner, with the addition of some boiled whiting and some boiled mutton. Mary Martin stayed and drank tea with my wife and then went home.

Gave John Streeter the post in cash 11/9 to pay the club arrears of myself, Thomas Davy and Robert Hook, this being quarterly night. I received of Thomas Davy his 3/9, but Robert Hook’s I sent myself, which he is indebted to me… At home all day and thank God very busy. My wife very ill, but much better. In the morning sent my servant again up to Mr Vine’s with the bill of nails, but she could not get any money.

…Dame Cornwell drank tea with my wife. At home all day. My wife very ill, though somewhat better. Mr Stone paid ay wife another visit today. In the evening read part of Pope’s Dunciad.

Our servant paid Richard Fuller 9d for a porker’s bell which she bought today… Rec’d of Messrs Richards and Comber (by the post) the 12d which they charged me too much in the nails had the 30th ult. In the afternoon my brother came over and drank tea with us. I rec’d of him in cash 0.13.3; viz.,

To 6 slats	0.3.6
to 4 testaments	0.5.2
to 1 hive	0.4.3
to 1 doz buttons	0.0.4

At home all day. My wife continues very ill, though rather in a mending way. Master Durrant smoked a pipe with me in the evening.

My servant only at church in the morning. During churchtime Mr Stone paid my wife another visit and bleeded me. We dined on some boiled tripe, (a hog’s tongue boiled for my wife), turnips and potatoes. In the afternoon our servant went over to Framfield church. My wife and I neither at church in the afternoon. In the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom in the day I read 7 of Tillotson’s sermons.

We dined on some porker’s liver fried. At home all day and thank God very busy. In the evening Charles Diggens, David Brooker, Joseph Fuller and Thomas Durrant sat for a while with us. In the evening–nay–we set a-drinking of cider so long that we were almost all somewhat in liquor.

…We dined on a porker’s heart pudding, turnips and potatoes. Mrs French drank tea with my wife. Thank God very busy all day.