Author: Thomas Turner

…We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some carrots. In the evening Mr Long and I walked to Laughton in order to get in some debts, but I was not successful; came home about 7:20. My wife ill with the rheumatism. But very little to do all day.

…In the afternoon my wife went down to Halland to pay Mrs Coates a visit… In the evening after I had shut in shop walked down towards Halland to meet my wife, but not seeing of her I went in and stayed some time, in company with Mr and Mrs Porter, with whom we came home in company about 9:30.

This day his Majesty’s purse of £100 was run for on Lewes Downs, when only Lord Partmore’s brown horse Bosphorus started for the same. There was also a bye-match run for a considerable sum between the Duke of Richmond’s grey horse Muli-Ishmael (Muley Ismail?] and Sir Matthew Featherstonhaugh’s gray mare Sally, which was won by the former with great difficulty, he not beating by above half a length, and at the same time the knowing ones were very much taken in.

In the morning rode over to Framfield but did not stay; came back and rode down to Halland… After dinner set out for Lewes Races, when the following horses started for the Subscription Purse of £50: Mr Bray’s gray horse Valerius; Mr Wildman’s chestnut horse Mickelham; and John Wadman Esq’s bay horse Ranter, which was won by the former, he getting the 2 first heats. The first was obtained with some difficulty, but the second very easy…

Paid Mr Faulkner Bristow 21d for 7 lbs raisins bought today. Paid Mr Thomas Friend 12d for 7 yards buttonhole-binding bought today. I met with my brother Sam Slater at the races, who came home along with me. Came home very sober thank God about 10:20… My brother Slater stayed all night.

In the morning my friend George Richardson came to see me and breakfasted with us, and he, my brother Slater, my wife and self at church in the morning, the text in Luke 16:25: “And Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receiveset thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.”

My brother and George Richardson dined with us on a loin of veal roasted and French beans, a currant rice pudding and cucumbers. My brother went away immediately after dinner. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. My friend George stayed and drank tea with us; then my wife and I went and brought him going on his road home.

In the evening Thomas Davy sat with us some time. We had in my opinion on excellent sermon in the morning, and Oh, may the God of all mercy pour into my heart the graces of His Holy Spirit, that I may not only be a Christian by profession, but also in works, and that I may sincerely obey the Gospel of my blessed Redeemer.

…In the afternoon my brother came over… In the evening walked up to Mr John Vine Jr’s to ask him for some money and got the promise of some to be paid me tomorrow. After I came back Mr Thornton and I walked down to the Nursery to get some money of John Braizer, but he was not at home. Came back about 6:50. Very little to do all day.

Rec’d of Thomas Tester 8/- on account. We dined on a piece of pork, carrots, cabbage and a light pudding. Molly and Winnie French and Mrs Newington drank tea with my wife. At home all day and but very little to do.

In the morning rode over to Mr Peckham’s, where I met my brother and weighed up Mr Peckham’s wool… Came home to breakfast… In the afternoon my wife paid a visit to Mrs Porter and I in the afternoon posted part of my day book. In the afternoon Mr Thomas Calverley Jr called on me and I paid him…£34…in full on my account. Mr Calverley outset a bill for goods delivered to his uncle Mr Ed Calverley amounting to 2.16.10. At home all day, and really very little to do.

…In the evening went out a little space of time with Mr Long to instruct him in land surveying. At home all day, except as above, and really very little to do.

In the forenoon Mr Cave of Fletching came and looked at my wool, but we did not agree for price. We dined on some lamb’s liver and rashers of pork fried and cucumbers, After dinner rode up to Master Reeve’s with some hop-bagging and from thence to Master Cayley’s, to get some butter put up. Came back and drank tea and in the evening walked to Chiddingly with Joseph Fuller Jr to see a hop-garden he has bought…

After breakfast borrowed a cart and horse of Mr French and a horse of Joseph Fuller and went over to Framfield for some hop-bagging, but it not being come any farther than Mr Jarret’s at Buxted, my brother and I went there for it. My brother came on my road home with me so far as Mr Colgate’s, where I brought 2 pieces of fine hop-bagging for him. Came home about 3:10… In the evening Thomas Durrant and I walked down to the Nursery to get some money of Thomas German, but were not successful…