Author: Thomas Turner

In the morning my brother called on me to borrow my horse to go to Pevensey Fair upon. Paid James Crowhurst 2.9.6 in full for earthenware received by him today… In the afternoon my wife went down to Whyly and carried in Mr Calverley’s bill, amounting to 2.16.1… In the evening we had a tempest of thunder, rain and lightning, but it was not very sharp, it seemingly being at a pretty great distance, though the lightning was frequent and the rain heavy. In the evening read part of the London Magazine for June. Mr Long drank tea with us.

My wife, self and servant at church in the morning… We dined on the remains of Friday’s dinner, with the addition of a cauliflower boiled. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. In the afternoon went and sat with Mr Long some time, who has the measles. In the evening Thomas Davy and I walked down to John Browne’s concerning his windows, but did not stay. After we came back I read one of Tillotson’s sermons to Thomas Davy. A very wet forenoon and even some part of the afternoon.

Rec’d of Mrs Virgoe in cash 3.19.0 to send by the post to the widow Taylor in Lewes, which is in full on account of the widow Virgoe to the widow Taylor, and which sum I accordingly sent by the post… This day balanced accounts with Mr Will Piper and paid him 15½d in full. I then received of him in cash 1.3.9 in full for the same sum paid for him on account of the parish; viz.,

To Thomas Ling	0.12.6
To Richard Braizer	0.7.6
To Widow Trill for spinning	0.3.9

This day finished making the land and window tax books, which I sent by Mr Box to the sitting at Maresfield to have signed by the commissioners, and which I received back again by him again in the evening. In the afternoon my brother came over and brought my horse. In the evening wrote my London letters.

we dined on some pork and peas. At home all day and not very busy. In the afternoon my wife walked down to Halland, but did not stay.

…In the afternoon my wife walked to Whitesmith to see a mountebank perform wonders, who has a stage built there and comes once a week to cozen a parcel of poor deluded creatures out of their money, he selling his packets which are to cure people of more distempers then they ever had in their lives for one shilling each, by which means he takes sometimes £8 or £9 of a day.

My cousin Molly Hill and Mr Godfrey called on me and stayed some time. My wife came home about 9:20, as did our late servant Mary Martin along with her, who lodged at our house all night. At home all day.

My brother came over in the morning, and he and our late servant breakfasted with us and then went away… My wife with Dame Cornwell most part of the day, she being very ill with the measles, as is some one or other in almost every house in the parish. In the evening my wife walked down to Halland, but did not stay. Our servant sat up with Dame Cornwell…

…In the evening went to Heronsdale with Joseph Fuller to look upon wool he had bought, and which I bought of him at 9d per lb, with the proviso that he give me 6 lbs into the whole parcel, which he assures me was about 100 fleeces. Came home again about 9:20. Very little to do all day. In the forenoon worked in my garden. Read part of Bracken’s Farriery.

…We dined on some beans and bacon. In the forenoon worked in my garden. In the afternoon in at Mr Durrant’s, in company with Mr Francis Elless and one Mr Harrison, a Lincolnshire gentleman who came to see Mr Thornton. At home in the evening, and but very little to do all day.

No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. Mr Long dined with us on a leg of lamb boiled and carrots. Myself, wife and servant at church in the afternoon… After tea my wife and I took a walk for air. In the evening and the day read three of Tillotson’s sermons.

Mary Heath at washing for us all day, and dined with us… In the afternoon my brother came over to borrow my horse to ride to Lewes upon. At home all day and thank God very busy. Paid Mrs Bean 2/6 for five chickens bought of her today. In the evening wrote my London letters. Mary Heath lodged at our house all night.