Author: Thomas Turner

Myself only at church in the morning… We dined on a pig roasted and bread sauce. In the morning Mr Snelling went on his journey. Our late and present servants at church in the afterternoon. During churchtime in the morning Mr Snelling called in his road home, but did not stay. In the evening read part of the Book of Job.

My wife, poor creature, very bad. who can describe or imagine the pang she has endured and which through God’s grace she bears with patience. Oh, if I am so unhappy as to lose her, what an inestimable treasure shall I lose! Alas, what shall I not lose!

…Paid Thomas Burfield 8/9 for 15 beehives received of him today. In the afternoon my brother Richard came to see me and stayed all night. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

This day balanced accounts with Mr Francis Elless and received of him in cash 4.6.8 in full, [including]…

To a bill of schooling on the parish account

0.8.0

My brother stayed and dined with us… and after dinner went home to Framfield. Balanced accounts with Mr Laurence Thornton and paid him in cash 3.10.0, which with goods etc. is in full for the five guineas and a half borrowed of him the 22nd ult.; viz.,

Mr Laurence Thornton Dr.
To a bill of goods	2.0.6½
To horse hire	0.13.0
In cash	3.10.0
	6.3.6½
Per contra Cr.
To cash paid for 4 rabbits	0.3.0
To do. for 1 curry comb	0.1.6
To do. 1 pair pattens	0.1.0
In cash	0.2.6
In do. the 22nd December	5.15.6
	6.3.6

Paid my brother Richard in cash the 12.12.0 he delivered to me the 1st instant. In the evening went down to Mr Porter’s and balanced accounts with him and received by one ten pound bank bill and by cash 40.16.10 in full to the 25th December last; viz.,

Mr Porter Dr.
To the account as per shop book	39.10.9¾
To bill for tar, tar casks and carriage	1.16.9
	41.7.6
Per contra Cr.
Rec’d by empty tubs	0.2.8
Do. 1 year’s tithe due St Michael last	0.8.0
Do. a bank bill	10.0.0
Do. in cash	30.16.10
	41.7.6

Stayed and supped with Mr Porter on some bread and cheese. Came home about 11 o’clock. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

…Paid Mr Richard Stone, apothecary, in cash £6 on account… Paid Robert Hook 2/8 in full for the pig I received of him on Saturday. At home all day; my wife, poor creature, very bad.

Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe with me in the evening.

In the forenoon my father Slater came to see us and brought me a present of a sparerib, some sausages and hog’s-puddings. He dined with us on a sparerib roasted and applesauce. He stayed with us all night. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, very ill. Gave James Fuller 12d to his Christmas box.

After breakfast my father Slater went home… At home all day. But little to do. My wife, poor creature, most extreme ill; who can paint or describe my trouble? No, it is out of the power of human being to do it, and God grant my most inveterate enemies, if any I have, may never know so melancholy a situation. My soul is quite overwhelmed with grief; oh, the loss of so inestimable a treasure, even that of a sincere friend and virtuous wife!

…In the afternoon my brother Moses came to see me and stayed and drank tea with me and stayed with me all the evening. Oh, my poor wife is most prodigious bad! No, not one gleam of hope have I of her recovery. Oh, how does the thought distract my tumultuous soul; what shall I do, what will become of me?

Myself only at church in the morning… We had a brief read for the rebuilding of the church of Stokeferry in Norfolk, the charge of which amounted to the sum of £1110, and upwards, to which I gave 2d. During churchtime my brother Will came to see me. He stayed and dined with us on a sparerib roasted and apple sauce. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. My brother stayed with me till near 6 o’clock. In the evening read part of Young’s Night Thoughts. My wife, poor creature, most extremely ill, but oh, how charming does her fortitude appear for an example, and more so, does it yield complete comfort to her soul; and at the same time shows the purity of her conscience.

…In the evening my respected friend and cousin Charles Hill came to see me and stayed all night. Molly Fuller sat up with my wife, who, poor creature, is very bad. Oh, may the God of all goodness and mercy hear our prayers and once more recover my afflicted wife, that the remainder of our days may be employed in praises and thanksgiving to his holy name for his mercies vouchsafe unto us. Sent Will Wenham (per Dame Roase) the 5/- I received of him too much the 20th ult.

After breakfast my friend Hill went away. I lent him in cash £6, for which he gave me his note of hand payable to me on order or demand…

My wife, poor creature, very ill. ah, melancholy daily repetition; who can paint or imagine my trouble, which I now labor under, and what is more, the prospect of a change severer for severe? Paid a nephew of Mr John Wilbar’s 6/3 in full for brushes bought of him today…