Author: Thomas Turner

Paid John Jenner the hatter at Hailsham in cash and goods 6/6 in full for 3 hats and the dressing of one I received by him today… Mr Gibbs sent my wife a present of a carp. At home all day; my wife I hope somewhat better.

…Paid Joseph Fuller by Richard Burrage 3d for a pound of mutton received by him today. Gave Molly Gibbs [—] for the carp her father sent me yesterday. We dined on some boiled mutton, a carp boiled and the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the evening my brother came over to ask my wife how she did; he stayed and drank tea with us. At home all day; my wife very ill.

…Paid a nephew of Mr John Wilbar 5/- in full on account of his uncle. Paid 2d for 3 whiting bought today. Mrs Piper drank tea with my wife, who is I hope somewhat better again. At home all day.

…In the forenoon my brother came over… We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some fried whiting. Mrs Roase sent me (by the post) a present of some fine whiting and herrings. At home all day. My wife very ill.

No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. We dined on some boiled whiting, and just as we were sitting down to dinner, my father Slater came to see us and dined with us. Our servant only at church in the afternoon. Mrs Browne drank tea with my wife, who is, I hope, something better. Rec’d of Thomas Fuller the 4.4.0 I paid to Benjamin Shelley the 14th instant on his account. Mr French and Thomas Fuller sat at our house in the evening some time. My father Slater brought my wife a present of two turkey poults and a young rabbit.

Paid Mr Will Piper in cash 3.1.6, which with the 4.4.0 I paid him the 3rd instant makes together the sum of 7.5.6 and is in full for the same sum paid by Mr George Tomlin per his order to Mr William Margesson on my account on or about the 25th day of September last past. Balanced accounts with my father Slater, and received of him 3.14.5 in full, and also received of him in cash £3, which I am to send to Mr Thomas White, ironmonger, at the Sun in Upper Thames Street, London, for him, and is in full on his account. My father Slater stayed and dined with us on some boiled whiting and some broiled herrings, and then went away. At home all day. My wife extremely ill again. In the evening wrote my London letters.

…At home all day and very little to do. My wife most extremely ill. Oh, the grief that I am in almost sinks my spirits within me, for should it please Almighty God to take my wife, the partner of my soul, from me, I doubt I should be friendless.

Paid Mr French in cash the £5 for which I gave him my note of hand the 8th instant, and accordingly took up my note… We dined on part of a loin of mutton boiled, a turkey poult roasted, turnips, potatoes and some rashers of pork boiled. At home all day. My wife extremely ill…

…At home all day. My wife, poor creature, most prodigious ill, and the trouble it gives me quite sinks my spirits. I have now no prospect of her recovery (that is, according to any human probability). But Oh, may the God of all goodness and mercy look down upon us!

We dined on a leg of mutton roasted and potatoes. At home all day; posted my day book. My wife very ill. Molly Fuller sat up with her.