Author: Thomas Turner

Mr Stone bleeded [?] in the forenoon and I received of him in cash 3.3.0, which is in full for the composition of a debt due to me from Will Elphick of 5.5.0, and really it is a fine drawback, as some of the money was paid out of my pocket, and what makes me the more vexed about it is I have the greatest reason in the world to think that it is a very shuffling and unfair compound, but I was willing to have something, rather than lose all. But I must own and shall always look upon myself as guilty of mean spirit in coming into the composition and not seeing the affair to the utmost, for I really think the man when he absconded took with him a considerable sum of money…

In the afternoon Mr Fender, Mr Blake’s rider, called on me and I paid him… At home all day, and but very little to do. What will become I cannot think…

…We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the afternoon went down to Mr Porter’s, to go to church with their child, who was this day buried, as was also Anne the daughter of Francis Turner, aged 31 years; they were both buried about 5:40. I gave away at Mr Porter’s 2 pairs men’s white kid gloves.

This day amelancholy affair broke out in this neighborhood; viz., Lucy Mott, servant to Mr Jeremiah French, last night absconded herself from her service (privately and quite unknown to anyone in the family) and from many corroborating circumstances there is great probability to think she had committed that rash action of suicide. She went off in her worst apparel, and left behind her all her money, and had taken more than common care in laying up all her clothes and collecting it together in such a manner that it might be the more easy to find by her relations. There is also the greatest reason imaginable to think she was pregnant, for by some reasons given by her mistress it seems plain, and on the 16th ult. she wanted of my wife 2 ounces jalap. But upon her saying we had not such a quantity in the house and telling her she must be either mistaken in the name or quantity, for that must be enough for 20 people to take, she seems greatly confused and pretended it was not to take (but however she by fortune had none) so that I should rather think her intentions might be then rather to destroy the foetus than herself.

Our late servant Mary Martin came to see us in the morning and breakfasted with us. Before churchtime Thomas Davy, Thomas Durrant and myself went to seek after the poor creature that is lost, but could find nothing of her. My whole family at church in the morning… Mary Martin dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some broiled sausages. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton.

Thomas Davy and myself searched after the poor girl again in the afternoon, but found nothing of her, Mary Martin, Thomas Davy and my brother Moses, who came over in the afternoon, drank tea with us… Mary Heath lay at our house all night on account of washing for us tomorrow, in the evening read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons.

Mary Heath a-washing for us all day and dined with us on some hog chine-bones boiled and pea pudding and turnips. My brother came over in the evening and he and Mrs and Molly Piper drank tea at our house. In the evening wrote my London letters. At home all day, and but little to do. O melancholy time; what will become of me I cannot think, for work hard I cannot, and I think never was trade so dull. Mary Heath lodged at our house.

…Ordered Mr Ben Treacher to pay Mr John Crouch 1.16.2, it being in full for the same sum he owes me for rabbit skins. Mary Heath a-washing for us all day… At home all day, but nothing at all to do. O miserable work; what shall I do?

In the forenoon my cousin Charles Hill came to see me. He dined with us on the remains of Monday’s dinner with the addition of some pork roasted, sausages and hog’s puddings. In the afternoon we went out and took a little walk, but came back and drank tea. Mr Hill and I played at cribbage; he won of me 6d. Mr Hill stayed all night. Very little to do all day.

It being a wet morning, and with little to do in the shop, Mr Hill and I played a few games of cribbage; I won of him 4d. Mr Hill stayed and dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some salt fish, parsnips and eggs. Mr Hill stayed with us until about 3:30. at home all day, and but very little to do.

This day was the day appointed by proclamation for a general fast and humiliation before Almighty God for obtaining pardon of our sins, and for averting those heavy judgments which our manifold provocations have most justly deserved, and imploring His blessing and assistance on the arms of his Majesty by sea and land, and for restoring and perpetuating peace, safety and prosperity to himself and to his kingdom.

My wife, self and servant at church in the morning, the text in the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th verses of the 2nd chapter of the Prophet Joel: “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore they should say among the people, Where is their God? Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people,” from which words we had an excellent sermon (in my opinion).

No prayers in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the evening Thomas Davy at our house. In the day read part of Burkitt on the New Testament. The fast in this place has been seemingly kept with a becoming decency, and God grant that the people of this nation may have a just sense of their sins and repent and return to the Almighty.

…In the afternoon my brother came over and drank tea with us. Rec’d of him 3/1 for buttons he had today. At home all day and but very little to do.

No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. We dined on some sausages and hog’s puddings. After dinner my brother came over and borrowed my horse to go to Lewes upon. My wife, self my servant at church in the afternoon… Rec’d of John Cayley 0.19.10½ for money paid for him; viz.,

To Thomas Ling	0.12.0
To Richard Braizer	0.6.0
To Widow Trill for spinning	0.1.10½

Mr Long drank tea with us. In the evening and the day read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons.