Author: Thomas Turner

Myself only at church in the morning, the text in the 14^th verse of the 15^th chapter 1^st Epistle of Corinthians: “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching in vain, and your faith is also in vain.” I stayed the communion and I gave 6d. We had a brief read for the rebuilding of the parish church of Orton (alias Overton on the Hill) in the county of Leicester, the expense of which amounting to the sum of £1042 and upwards, I gave to the collection for the same 2d.

We dined on a fillet of veal roasted and stuffed and a piece of beef boiled, greens and a raising bread pudding. My niece and servant at church in the afternoon, and during churchtime my cousin Molly Hill and her maid came to see my wife. They stayed and drank tea with us and then went home. In the afternoon and evening read part of Yorick’s sermons. My wife, poor creature, extremely ill.

In the morning our late servant Mary Martin came over to assist me today… In the afternoon I went down to Jones’s, there being a public vestry, when I balanced the accounts between Mr Will Piper the overseer and the parish, and there remained due to the parish the sum of 3.0.9½. The officers nominated for this ensuing year are Will Piper, churchwarden; Joseph Fuller, electioneer; Jeremiah French and John Vine Jr, overseers, and John Browne and Joseph Durrant, electioners.

Rec’d of Will Piper 6.13.10 in full for the parish account. And then I paid him 17/- in full for my poor tax. Rec’d of John Cayley 1.6.8 in full for the bread and wine for the communion for the year now past, and also received of him in cash £2 in full for a year’s land tax due for Mr Browne’s mills, and then I paid him 2/- in full for the use of Mrs Browne’s seat in the church, due some time in February last. Came home about 5:50.

My wife, poor creature, very ill indeed, almost past description… Rec’d of Mr William Piper today 8/- for Dame Novice. Our late servant stayed at our house all night.

…Our late servant dined with us… and stayed and drank tea with us and then went home. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, very ill. Pretty busy all day.

…Mr Jacob Fender, rider to Mr James Blake, called on me and I gave him a small order. My wife rather better today. At home all day. Rec’d of John Streeter in cash 9/9. Which with 11/3 he has paid for mine, Thomas Davy’s and Robert Hook’s club arrears makes the sum of one guinea, which is in full for the same sum lent him in February or March last. John Inman and Elizabeth Akehurst were married at our church today.

In the forenoon my brother came over and stayed and dined with us… At home all day and but very little to do, and my wife, poor creature, extreme ill and very full of pain – a melancholy time I have and most undoubtedly have had this 6 months past. Mr Long breakfasted with me.

…Mrs Cayley drank tea at our house… My wife somewhat easier today. In the evening the Dule of Newcastle came to Halland from the election at Lewes.

In the morning walked down to Richard Page’s in company with Thomas Davy and Mr Long. Came back to breakfast. Myself at church in the morning… Mr Long dined with us on a piece of beef boiled and part of a salt fish boiled, a raisin suet pudding, potatoes, parsnips and greens.

After dinner Mr Long and I rode to Lewes. I paid Messrs Richards and Comber 1.7.0 on account. Called on Mrs Roase… Came home again about 5:40. Mr Long drank tea with us. In the evening read three of Yorick’s Sermons. My niece at church in the afternoon. My wife somewhat easier than she was yesterday. A most prodigious fine time; the weather as favorable as it is often times in the middle of April.

In the forenoon my brother Sam Slater came to see us and brought us a present of a sparerib and some sausages and hog’s puddings, and he, together with Mary Heath who was a-washing for us all day, dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. My brother went away about 3:30. Molly Fuller spent part of the afternoon with us. At home all day; Mary Heath lodged at our house all night. My wife rather better today.

This day died John Browne after a few days’ illness (nay, rather after a few hours’ illness), aged 30 years. Oh, what scene, or rather lesson of mortality is here! How should instances of this kind awaken the remaining part of mankind to prepare for that awful moment which we all know must come sooner or later! And from this and many other instances we may be convinced that it often happens as it were instantaneous, without any warning of the approach, and perhaps in a moment when we are not prepared for it. What poor negligent and heedless creatures too many of us are, that we can not learn from such striking instances to live in such a manner that we may not be afraid to meet death whenever it may happen (though it should be sudden)! And why should we permit the sensitive faculties so far to get the ascendant of the spiritual as not to make it our most comfortable hope that we may one day through God’s grace enjoy a life which will have no and, where we shall not be disturbed with cares and anxieties, but enjoy the blessings prepared for them who love God? How should such thoughts spur us on to the performance of all Christian duties, always remembering He is faithful that has promised us life everlasting!

…Thomas Cornwell made my wife a present of a fine pike for which I gave him 6d. Mary Heath a-washing for us all day and dined with us on a piece of bacon boiled, a plain pudding and greens. Dame Durrant drank tea with my wife.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a pike roasted, with a pudding in the belly… Dame Cornwell drank tea with my wife. At home all day. My wife is I hope somewhat better. Paid John Durrant Jr 12d for rowelling my horse. Pretty busy all day, but took very little money.