Author: Thomas Turner

…At home all day. My wife most extreme ill again, poor creature. Oh, my unhappy fate should I lose her, which I think I must do in a few days! I am quite distracted with grief.

…Borrowed of Mr Laurence Thornton in cash 4 guineas and for which I gave him no note of hand. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, extreme ill indeed.

…Lent Mr Joseph Burgess in cash 1 guinea, but received no note for it. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, extremely ill. Oh, how does the thought of losing her distract my tumultuous mind.

Lent Robert Hook in cash 5/-. My niece only at church in the forenoon. We dined on a piece of salt fish boiled, a piece of beef boiled, egg sauce, turnips, potatoes and greens. After dinner my brother came over and he, my niece and servant at church. My brother stayed and drank tea with us and then went home, I walking along with him part of the way for a walk. In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

…In the evening walked down to Halland, but did not stay. After I came back wrote my London letters. My wife, poor creature, very ill and so full of pain that it is past my power to describe it or even, I think, anyone to believe it, but only we that are constantly with her. Ah, melancholy situation; but still, I am thoroughly assured it is that which is best for me, for the unerring ways of God’s providence are undoubtedly right and just.

In the forenoon my brother came over and I lent him my horse to go to Lewes upon… In the afternoon my brother came back and left my horse. Posted part of my day book… My wife, poor creature, very ill and extremely full of pain. Joseph Fuller Jr, paying me for a frock, smoked a pipe with me in the evening. John Durrant made my wife a present of some small eels.

Paid Mr Howard a gingerbread baker in cash 0.8.9 in full for gingerbread etc. bought of him today; viz.,

14 lbs of thick	0.2.3
1 gross of Sweet Hearts	0.1.0
Thin Bread	0.5.6

…My uncle Hill called on me today… At home all day; posted my day book. My wife, poor creature, most extreme full of pain. Read several of Yorick’s Sermons.

…At home all day and but very little to do. My wife thank God somewhat easier today. In the evening read several of Yorick’s Sermons.

Mr Long breakfasted with me. Myself at church in the forenoon… We dined on a piece of beef and pork boiled, greens and some broiled eels. My wife, poor creature, very ill, nay even so ill that I think there is not any probability of her living but a few days.

…Paid Joseph Fuller Jr 2/3 in full for a fillet of veal and some beef suet received by him today weighing 6¼ lbs. Paid Thomas Freeman 2/6 in full for 6 pairs women’s clogs bought of him today. At home all day and pretty busy. My wife, poor creature, quite ill. In the evening read part of Yorick’s Sermons. This day sent Mr Day the wheelwright in the street of South Malling, near Lewes, the parish bill of South Malling, amounting to 1.6.4 (by Mr John Long) with a receipt on the said bill for the same, but Mr Day did not pay him, but promised to call on me and pay me the same very soon. Rec’d of Master Hesman per his daughter 2/- in full.