Author: Thomas Turner

…We dined on a boiled carp, a piece of pork boiled and French beans. My wife paid a servant (or son) of Mr Ed Heaver’s, miller at Isfield, 5/4 in full for 1 bushel of oatmeal received by him. In the evening went to Bentley and looked at Mr Jones’s wool, today which I bought at 8½d per lb. From thence I went to Mr Sam Gibbs’s to look at his, which was at Will Goad’s, where Mr Gibbs and I walked to see it, and I bought Mr Gibbs’s at 8½d and Mr Goad‘s at 8d. From thence we went to Laughton Pound, where stayed about an hour. I spent 12d and came home about 9:20, but not thoroughly sober, though far from being drunk.

Paid Mr Will Turley in cash 17/6 in full for axes and handbills sold for him, and there now remains in my hands 6 handbills and one axe of his… In the afternoon went down to Halland and bought Mr Coates’s wool at 8d per lb. In the evening Mr Long and I walked down to T. German’s to ask him for some money, but could not get any.

No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton, where our servant went. We dined on a boiled chick, a piece of bacon and French beans. My wife, self and servant at church in the afternoon… After tea my wife and I walked down to Whyly, from whence Molly French and Miss Newington walked with us as far as the Nursery. We came back at about 8:20.

In the evening and the day read 6 of Bishop Sherlock’s sermons, which I think extremely good, there being sound reasoning in them, and seem written with an ardent piety, being mostly levelled against the deists.

Rec’d of Mr Will Piper in cash 11.10.0, and a receipt for a year’s land tax, 2.8.0, which together makes the sum of 13.18.0, which I am to send to Mr Allen Chatfield at Croydon, and which is in full for 1 year’s rent due from Mr Piper to Mrs Mary Milis at old Lady Day last…

In the evening Mr Long and I walked to Uckfield, where I called on Mr Hart to buy some chamois skins, but he had none. We spent some time with Mr Elless and some with William Turley, and came home very sober about 9:30. Very busy all day, though I believe I barely took 20/- ready, notwithstanding I delivered above £7 worth of goods. In the evening wrote my London letters.

We dined on some French beans and a cold veal pie. Lent Robert Hook in cash 0.8.0. At home all day, but not very busy.

In the morning rode to the keeper’s to ask for the funeral of his mother, but was too late to succeed. From thence I went to my uncle Hill’s… In the afternoon rode down to Mr Carman’s and looked at his wool, and from thence I rode to Mr Gosling’s and looked upon his wool. I came home about 5:20… But very little to do all day…

Rec’d from Mr W. Blackwell 16 reams of paper. In the forenoon my father Slater came to see us and dined with us on some peas and pork, but did not stay. At home all day.

Paid Mr Blackwell in cash and rage as under in full for the 16 reams of paper I received of him yesterday:

1 cwt 2 qr 6 lbs white rags at 29/6.	2.5.10½
1 “  3 “ 0 “  common do.	0.9.7
In cash	0.12.0
	3.7.5½
To 16 reams paper	3.8.0

…Master Watford at work for me today, and dined with us on a loin lamb roasted and French beans. Paid Ben Shelley in cash 12.16.6 in full for money paid for me this week… At home all day, but not very busy. About 4:20 we had a tempest of thunder, rain and lightning, though not very severe, the thunder being at a great distance, neither was it of long continuance.

…Paid Will Goad 11/- for 16½ lbs of wool received of him today. Rec’d of Mr Gibbs 26 fleeces 1 tod 13 lbs wool. Mr Gibbs drank tea at our house. In the afternoon my brother came over and borrowed my horse to go to Lewes upon… He called in the evening as he came back and left my horse.

Just as we were going to church Mr Tucker came to see us (and brought my wife a present of some plaice). Myself and he stayed at home, and my wife and servant went to church. Mr Tucker dined with us on a cold veal pie, a piece of bacon and French beans.

No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. Our servant went to Waldron church. Mr Tucker spent the afternoon with us till about 4:20 and then went home. After tea my wife and I walked down to Whyly and stayed there some time. Came home about 7:40. In the evening read one of Bishop Sherlock’s sermons to Mr Long.