Author: Thomas Turner

After breakfast went to Lewes. I gave Mr Sam Durrant in cash £20, for which I received his draft on Sir Joseph Hankey and partners for the same sum… I dined with Mr Sam Durrant on a boiled carp, veal cutlets and some cold boiled beef… I went to Lewes to meet with Mr Fletcher, Mr Sam Ridings’s rider, with whom I looked out a parcel of goods. Rec’d of Mr Thomas Scrase, by the payment of Mr Henry Verral, 22/- for 44 lbs butter sent to Mr Scrase. Called and spent some time with Mrs Roase. Came home about 6:15, not thoroughly sober, though not much concerned…

…Balanced accounts with Mr Will Piper and received of him 16d in full. After dinner went down to Whyly to choose me a fat hog. Myself and wife drank tea at Dame Durrant’s on account of Mr Thornton, this being his birthday, in company with Mrs and Molly French. I and wife spent the evening there with the above and Mr French.

John Watford a-gardening for me all day; he dined with us on a beef pudding and turnip greens. Lent John Streeter in cash 1 guinea… This day Joseph Fuller killed a hog for me. At home all day and very little to do. Paid Joseph Fuller 3d for 1 lb of beef received from him today. My uncle Hill called on me today, but did not stay.

After breakfast rode over to Little Horsted to see my brother Will, who has been very ill, but found him much better. Came home about 11:10, not staying at all.

My brother Moses came over in the forenoon, but did not stay. John Watford a-gardening for me all day and dined with us on some hog’s liver and caul fried and a beef pudding, turnips and turnip greens. Paid Mr Jeremiah French 2.2.6 in full for my hog; viz., 21 stone 2 lbs at 2/-… Joseph Fuller cut my hog out in the evening and stayed and smoked a pipe or 2 with me. Rec’d from Mr James Burfield of Steyning by Joseph Durrant a receipt for the bill sent him the 10th December last for Burrage’s and Streeter’s rent. Robert Diggens drank tea at our house.

…We dined on hog’s kidneys broiled and a heart pudding, turnips and turnip greens. Rec’d of John Mott 5/- on account of Mrs Virgoe. Afterwards balanced accounts with Mrs Virgoe and paid her 2/6 in full to this day. At home all day and thank God pretty busy.

No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton (where our servant went). We dined on some hog’s feet and ears, chap, liver, lights, tongue etc. boiled, turnips and turnip greens. Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… We had a proclamation for a general fast to be held on the l4th instant.

Gave John Streeter a receipt I received from Mr Burfield and took up mine which I gave him the 31st October last. Read part of Burkitt on the New Testament.

At home all day. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the evening wrote my London letters. My wife went down to Mr Porter’s, their youngest child being very ill.

…In the evening went down to Mr Porter’s, to take instructions for the funeral of their little boy, who died this morning about 8:20, aged about 9 months. At home all day, but very little to do.

At home all day. We dined on some pork bones roasted and applesauce. Finished posting my day book. My brother came over today in the forenoon, but did not stay. Very little to do all day.

In the morning my brother came over and breakfasted with us. I lent him my horse to ride to Lewes upon. He came back and dined with us, as did John Watford, who was a-gardening for me all day (on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a hog’s-flesh pudding, turnips, greens and potatoes). My wife paid Dame Hook a visit in the afternoon. At home all day, and very little to do –a most melancholy; time.