Author: Thomas Turner

Mary Heath a-washing for us all day, and dined with us… After dinner I and Mr Thornton set out for Lewes (I wanting to see Mr Friend, to know the price of wool), but went by Alfriston, there being a game of cricket to be played there between Sam Jenner of the same place and Storry Adams of Arlington, for two guineas each. When Adams went in first and was bowled out the first ball; then Jenner went in and [was] bowled out the first ball. Then Adams went in the second time and was again bowled out in 2 balls, and Jenner went in his second time and the first ball he had he struck and got one run, which decided the game, and I believe in less than 10 minutes they then played again for half Guinea each. Adams went in first and got 17 runs; Jenner went in and got five runs; then Adams went in his 2nd innings and got 2 more runs, and Jenner went in his last innings and was bowled out the 2nd ball, so that Adams won this game by 14 runs.

I having the good fortune to meet Mr Friend at Alfriston did not go any farther, but came home about 7:10. Spent 7d today. Paid Dr Snelling 12d in full. My wife paid Mary Heath 18d for two days’ washing. In the morning my brother came over and brought my horse. What can betray greater stupidity in mankind than to game for such large sums?

In the forenoon Mr John Robinson, Mr Margesson’s rider, called on me and I paid him in cash 21.13.0… Mr Robinson stayed and dined with us on some pork and beans. At home all day, and pretty busy.

…In the afternoon Mr John Long and I walked to Mr Goldsmith’s at Waldron to look upon some wool which Joseph Fuller had bought. A very remarkable hot day… At work in my garden all the day, when at liberty. In the evening read part of the 2nd volume of The Guardian.

…In the evening rode with Joseph Fuller Jr to Waldron to look at some wool he had bought, but did not then buy it, though I bought it after I came home at 8½d per lb. A remarkable hot day, and really but little to do in the shop. Oh, most melancholy time; what shall I do to work — I cannot.

Lent John Browne in cash £10, which with the £20 I lent him (or more rather my brother) the 27th ult. makes the sum of £30, for which I received his bond, which I made to my brother William Turner on account that when my uncle Hill pays in my brother’s money, my brother Moses and I shall again take up ours, so that we have only laid ours down till such time as my uncle Hill pays Will his money, which he should have one before now. The bond is dated the 5th instant and the interest £4 percent, and witnessed by myself.

In the forenoon rode to Mr Peckham’s and looked upon his wool, and bid him 8½d per pound, but did not buy it… We dined on some lamb’s liver and pork fried. In the afternoon finished posting my day book. Mr John Pike of Burwash lodged at our house, he coming to see Master Hook.

My wife and self at church in the morning… My brother William came to see us in churchtime, and dined with us on a lamb’s heart pudding, a lamb’s lights, tongue and head and French beans. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton.

After dinner my wife and I took a ride for air. We called at my uncle Hill’s, but did not stay. From thence we went to Mr Godfrey’s in the Plashett Park and drank tea in company with my cousin Molly Hill; after tea my uncle came. We came home about 9:10. My brother stayed and drank tea with our servant and stayed till about 7:10.

…In the afternoon went down to Halland and received of Mrs Coates in cash 7.9.0 in full for the bill my wife carried in the 4th instant… Received of Thomas Davy in cash 4/- which I am to pay his club arrears with… Sent by the post 11/3, which is in full for mine, Thomas Davy’s and Master Hook’s club arrears, the quarterly meeting at Mayfield being on Thursday next.

Paid 6d for 10 plaice bought today… Dame Eason of Laughton and her daughter-in-law drank tea at our house… I walked down to Richard Page’s in the evening.

We dined on some boiled plaice, a piece of bacon and French beans. Paid John Jones of Waldron in cash 5.11.11 in full for 70 fleeces of sheep’s wool weighing 4 tod 30 lbs at 22/8 per tod, received by him today. At home all day, but far from being busy. In the day read some of Bishop Sherlock’s Sermons.

…Paid Joseph Fuller in cash 3.16.10 in full for 74 fleeces of sheep’s wool received by him today weighing 3 tod 12½ lbs at 22/8… Played at cricket a little time in the evening. At home all day and not very busy. Mr Godfrey coming for some things in the shop brought my wife a brace of carp for a present.