Author: Thomas Turner

…Lent Mr Joseph Burgess in cash 2.2.0 for which I have not received any note… My wife, poor creature, very ill, wasted as it were to an anatomy, yet cheerful and fully resigned to God’s will.

In the morning our late servant went to see her friends. Myself at church in the morning… We had a proclamation read for a fast and humiliation on Friday the 13th instant for imploring the blessings of divine Providence on fleets and armies. We had a brief read for rebuilding the parish church of Thworlworth in Leicestershire, the charge of rebuilding which amounted to the sum of £1193 and upwards, to which collection I gave 1d. We dined on a sheep’s head boiled, the lights and mint boiled and minced, a piece of veal boiled. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton.

My wife, poor creature, most extreme ill. Oh, how do I tremble at the thoughts of losing so valuable a friend and companion, nay even a virtuous and prudent wife, an inestimable treasure, a treasure more valuable than Peruvian mines or all the shining gems of the East… [60 words omitted] …In the evening and the day read part of Young’s Night Thoughts.

…In the afternoon my brother came over and stayed and spent the evening. At home all day. In the evening wrote my London letters. My wife, poor creature, most deplorably ill.

…Mrs French drank tea with my wife. Mary Heath lodged at our house, she coming to wash for us tomorrow… My wife, poor creature, very ill. Oh, how am I afflicted! How does the thought of losing so sincere a friend affect me!… [24 words omitted].

Mary Heath a-washing for us all day and dined with us… Paid Thomas Reeve by his daughter Elizabeth by goods 7/- in full for a sack of oats received last week. In the evening my father Slater came to see us and stayed with us all night. Mary Heath lodged with us all night. Molly French sat up with my wife, who, poor creature, is so ill that it is past thought to describe. Mr Vine sent my wife a present of two eels and a carp. I gave his son 6d that brought them.

Mary Heath a-washing for us all day and she with my father Slater dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a boiled carp. Paid Mary Heath 18d for her 2 days’ work and afterwards she paid me 12d on account. Rec’d of Mr Joseph Burgess the two guineas lent him the 31st ult. My father Slater stayed with us all day and lodged at Joseph Fuller’s, our beds being full, as he did also last night. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

After breakfast my father Slater went home. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of an apple pudding, greens and an eel fried. In the afternoon my brother came over and stayed and drank tea with us, as did also Mrs Virgoe and Mrs Atkins. At home all day. My wife, thank God, somewhat better today.

…We dined on some rashers of pork boiled. In the afternoon my mother Slater came to be with my wife a short time. My wife, poor creature, very ill. At home all day and thank God pretty busy.

…Myself and late servant at church in the morning… We dined on a leg of mutton roasted, a raisin batter pudding and potatoes. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to him and in the day I read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons, and part of Young’s Night Thoughts. My wife somewhat easier.

About 12:30 set out for Lewes, where I dined with Mr Madgwick on a piece of pork boiled, a knuckle of veal and greens (my family at home dining on the remains of yesterday’s dinner). Came home about 6:20. Paid Mr Ed Relfe 14/- in full; viz.,

For a hand whip for myself	0.5.6
for mending a surcingle for myself	0.2.8
To two girths and a surcingle for Mr Thornton	0.6.0

Spent upon myself, horse, ostler and turnpike, 5d. I drank tea with Mr George Verral. My brother came over in my absence and stayed till I came home, when I lent him my horse.

In the evening wrote my London letters. My wife rather easier today. I wish I could say I came home thoroughly sober, though in reality I was not much the worse for drinking, for I drank but a very small quantity and wrote 8 letters after I came home, but still my conscience tells me I had in some measure impaired the use of my reason (which I believe is not right so to do). Oh, the frailty of human resolution! But yet I hope through God’s grace to become more firm and settled in my resolutions and to act uniformly in all my sections. My wife very ill.