Author: Thomas Turner

…At home all day. Wrote out several bills and pretty busy all day. Thomas Davy sat with us some time in the evening. Paid James Marchant 2/- for making 8 pairs of fearnaught spatterdashes.

We dined on some mutton broth and the remains of yesterday’s dinner. After dinner rode over to Framfield where I cut out 13 round frocks for my brother. I drank tea at my brother’s in company with my cousin Charles Hill, and also spent the evening at my brother’s in company with Mr Hill. I came home sober about 8:20.

This being the day appointed by his Majesty for a general thanksgiving to God for vouchsafing such signal successes to his Majesty’s arms both by sea and land, particularly by the defeat of the French in Canada and the taking of Quebec; and for most seasonably granting to us at this time an uncommonly plentiful harvest, my wife, self and servant at church in the morning. The text in the 23^rd verse of the 50th Psalm: “Whose offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God,” from which words we had in my opinion a very excellent sermon.

During churchtime my brother William came to see me and dined with me on a light pudding, some broiled red herrings, turnips and potatoes. In the afternoon my wife walked down to Whyly to pay Mrs French a visit (there being no service appointed for the afternoon). My brother stayed with us till 7 o’clock, when I went down to Mr French’s. My wife and I spent the evening there, and also supped there on some rice milk, part of a cold leg of mutton and apple pie. We played at brag an hour or two in the evening; my wife and I won 14d. We came home about 10:20, and thank God as sober as I went from home. Paid John Streeter 9d for rabbit bought of him today.

At home all day, and not very busy. We dined on a neat’s tongue boiled, part of a rabbit boiled, a piece of beef, turnips, a raisin suet pudding and potatoes. A very sharp frosty day.

Mr John Breeden of Pevensey called on me and in part dined with me… I gave him a note for him to take of Mr William Margesson about £20, he being a-going for London… In the forenoon walked down to Halland; otherwise at home all day. Paid Mr Jeremiah French (by his son John) in goods and cash 2/5¾ in full for 1 pig received by him today weighing 8¾ lbs at 3½d per pound.

My wife, self and servant at church in the morning, the text in Matthew 25:21: “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord,” from which words we had an extreme good sermon.

After churchtime I rode over to Little Horsted to see my uncle Hill, where I dined in company with my uncle, cousin Charles and Molly, and the Rev Mr Fullthorpe, on a leg of mutton boiled, a shoulder roasted, a currant pond pudding and turnips (my family at home dining on the remains of Friday’s dinner). I came home about 6:20, thank God very sober. Rec’d of my cousin Charles 13/4 in full. Gave their servant 6d. In the evening read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons.

John Durrant Jr bleeded my wife in the morning, for performing of which I gave him 6d… My brother came over in the afternoon, drank tea with us, but did not stay. Lent Mr Alexander Whitfield in cash 2/-. At home all day… In the evening wrote my London letters.

…At home all day, but not very busy. In the evening busy a-looking over some accounts for Mrs Virgoe, as also wrote a letter for her to Mr John Burgess.

Paid Richard Braizer by his daughter Lucy in cash, and goods 6/- on account of John Cayley. We dined on the remains of Monday’s dinner. At home all day and pretty busy. Thomas Davy, Thomas Durrant and Mr Thornton sat with us some time in the evening. Sal Vine drank tea at our house. Remarkably cold today.

…In the evening Mr John Breeden called on me in his journey from London and lodged with us.