Author: Thomas Turner

…Mr Sam Gibbs sent me a present of a shoulder of venison, for which I gave his son 12d. Dame Durrant drank tea with me.

Oh. how distracted and tumultuous are my thoughts; fearing I [copying faded] wrong proceeding, or by the badness of trade, miscarry in my trade, and at the same being so embarrassed in my family connections that I hardly know how to act with the most prudence. I would gladly pursue that which is the most commendable and at the same time most to the advantage of myself and at the same time be a useful member of the community to which I belong.

…This day Thomas Davy’s marriage with the widow Virgoe (which was solemnized at this parish church on Tuesday last) was made known, though when he dined with me, it was what I had no thoughts of, only as I know it would be soon. Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe with me in the evening.

Myself and servants at church in the morning… I dined or the remains of yesterday’s dinner hashed. In the afternoon myself and servants at church… In the evening I took a walk and supped with Thomas Davy.

Paid Richard Piper 17/3 in full for 30½ lbs of wool bought of him today… In the forenoon Mr Sterry and a gentlemen, a hop-factor, called on me and dined with me on a piece of bacon, a plain bread pudding and some carrots and French beans. After dinner I paid Mr Sterry…13.16.0…in full… Mr Sterry and his friend went away immediately after dinner.

At home all day and pretty busy. In the evening wrote my London letters. How do I sincerely lament the loss of my wife! Oh, how I stand in need of that sincere friendship which was between us!… [29 words omitted].

…I dined on some mutton chops fried and cucumbers. In the afternoon rode out to collect in some debts, but got not one farthing. In the evening read part of Sharp’s sermons. A prodigious hot day, I think as hot a one as I ever knew, without it was when we had thunder etc.

Ah, melancholy situation; who can know the value of a sincere friend but those who have been once in full possession of it and then lose it forever.

An acquaintance of my servant’s (or rather her admirer) came to see her and dined with me… In the afternoon I rode to Folkington (with Mr Laurence Thornton) to get in a debt, but was not successful. Came home about 6:10 quite wet through.

In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. Almost distracted with trouble. How do I hourly find the loss I have sustained in the death of my dear wife!

…James Marchant busy a-cutting out some linings for me. He dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of cucumbers and green salad, and he together with Molly Fuller drank tea with me. In the afternoon very busy a-writing. At home all day. Paid Will Goad in cash 11/3 in full for 19½ lbs of sheep’s wool received by him today. In the evening down at Thomas Davy’s a little time.

In the forenoon walked down to Halland, where I received of Mr Coates 8.8.0 in full for the goods delivered on account of his Grace the Duke of Newcastle to Halland the last time of their being down… In the evening my brother Moses came over and I gave him one bill…value 10.10.0 for which he gave in cash. At home all day except as before. In the evening read part of the London Magazine.

In the morning Mr Porter and I set out for Pevensey where we breakfasted at the King’s Head, from whence we came back to Mr Gill’s, where I was witness, with Mr William Henry Benge, to the conveyances etc. of a farm (late Fowler’s) to Mr Porter, for which he paid £177. We came home about 1 o’clock. I dined at Mr Porter’s on some boiled mackerel and a knuckle of veal stewed… Paid 12½ for 5 mackerel bought today. Spent nothing, Mr Porter paying all charges. I gave Mr Porter today cash for 1 bank bill…value £25. Mr Thomas Calverley Jr drank tea with me… Mr Francis Elless lodged at my house, it being a rainy evening.

After breakfast I rode to Hartfield, where I dined at my father Slater’s on a coast of lamb roasted, a duck pie, a piece of pork, an apple pudding, some cabbage and cucumbers (my family at home dining on a boiled mackerel and a pudding cake and French beans). I stayed and drank tea with my father Slater and came home about 8:30…

Now I am afflicted with grief! Oh, how great is my loss, what can equal the value of a virtuous wife?