Author: Thomas Turner

…We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a piece of pork boiled, a raisin suet pudding and greens. Paid Mr Ben Shelley in cash 3.14.5 in full for the same sum he paid in London for me this week… At home all day. Thank God my wife somewhat better. Pretty busy.

…My wife, poor creature, very ill again. I, who yesterday was all joy and pleasure at the prospect of my wife’s being better, am now all trouble and affliction, so vain and uncertain is all worldly happiness! But, alas! why do I so afflict myself at the will of Providence, whose all-seeing eye directs all things by the power of unerring wisdom. Let me rather with an humble and truly contrite heart adore that ineffable goodness for the many blessings daily poured upon me. Oh, may I above all things live in such a manner as not to fear death whenever it comes.

In the mornings rode to Pevensey, breakfasted with Mr Breeden and went with him to Westham Church, where I heard an excellent sermon preached by the Rev Mr Nicols, rector of Westham. I dined with my esteemed friend John Breeden on a breast of veal roasted and a gooseberry pudding (my family at home dining on a piece of beef boiled, a gooseberry pudding and greens). After dinner we rode to the Kings Arms at Ninfield in order to meet Miss Sally Waller to bargain with her for [i.e., to be] a servant, but we not agreeing, Mr Breeden and I came back to his house and drank tea there. I came home about 8:10. The text at Westham Church (where I heard the sermon) was in the latter part of the 14th verse of the 4th chapter of the Prophet Jeremiah: “How long shall thy vein thoughts lodge within thee?”…I found my wife when I came home something better. A most prodigious fine day.

In the forenoon my father and mother Slater came to see us and dined with us… Rec’d of John Cayley 2.6.9 in full for land and window taxes due at Lady Day last. Rec’d of his Grace the Duke of Newcastle (from Mr Will Michell by the payment of Thomas Fuller) 24.15.0 in full for land and window taxes due at Lady Day last.

In the evening my brother came over and supped with us, and I received of him in cash 6.1.0 in full for a parcel of serges. At home all day; my wife thank God something better. Mr George Beard called on me… Pretty busy all day. My father and mother Slater stayed all night.

…My father and mother Slater stayed with us all day and dined with us… This day sent Thomas Davy with a letter to my friend John Breeden with full power for him to bargain with Miss Sally Waller upon such terms as if it were his own affair… A good deal of rain and thunder in the evening, with some flashes of lightning. My father and mother Slater stayed with us all night.

In the forenoon we had several very long strokes of thunder. My father and mother Slater dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a piece of pork and some greens. After dinner my father went home, and I rode to several houses to collect in the land and window taxes. Rec’d of Edward Hope 1.11.0 in full for window and land taxes due at Lady Day last; rec’d of Mrs Weller 3/- in full for window tax due at Lady Day last.

Charles Diggens came over in the morning to take up some clothes for Mr Porter and breakfasted with us. A pretty wet day. Rec’d of Mr Peter Morris 2/- by the payment of Samuel Jenner in full for land tax due at Lady Day last. My wife thank God something better.

In the morning my wife went home with her mother (in Mr Coates’s chaise) for the benefit of the air, but how does the thought of parting, perhaps for ever, affect me. I hardly know how to contain myself. Paid Mr Richard Warriner in cash 3.3.0 in full on account of his brother and himself… In the afternoon Mr Bell, a hosier, called on me and drank tea with me, as did also Lucy Mepham. In the evening Thomas Durrant came back (who went with my wife) and brought me the joyful news my wife held her journey beyond what could be expected, and may she, poor creature, reap the benefit I sincerely desire, and it is my constant and most earnest wish. T. Durrant and T. Davy supped with me.

Rec’d of Thomas Roase 7/- in full for window and land taxes due at Lady Day last.

In the forenoon rode down to Halland. Rec’d of Mr Coates 1.8.0 in full for land tax due at Lady Day last… In the evening wrote out part of an inventory taken of Mrs Browne’s effects. Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe or 2 with me in the evening. A melancholy time, being in continual fear for my wife’s welfare.

…Mr Long dined with me on some calf’s liver and rashers of pork fried. In the forenoon rode down to Halland… Rec’d of Robert Hook 3/- in full for window tax due at Lady Day last.

In the morning rode to Hartfield to see my wife, whom to my great relief I found quite ill. I dined at Hartfield with my father Slater etc. on a loin of veal roasted and a gooseberry pudding (my family at home dining on some calf’s liver and rashers of pork fried). I stayed and drank tea with my wife and came home about [??]. Spent only 2d for the turnpike. Not at church all day, but my servant and niece at home assure me they have been there both forenoon and afternoon.