Author: Thomas Turner

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of bacon and some French beans… In the evening wrote my London letters. Sent Mr William Margesson enclosed in a letter by Ben Shelley (delivered to himself) the bank bill I received of Mr Porter the 8th instant… This day I, together with William Henry Benge, witnessed the conveyance, fine etc. of Mr Burgess’s land to Mr Porter.

…Mrs Fuller and her daughter Mrs Vine drank tea with me. Paid Joseph Fuller Jr in cash 19.9.6 in full for the same sum paid yesterday per his order by Mr Laugham to Mr Will Margesson on my account.

At home all day. Ah, how melancholy my present situation. Oh…[14 words omitted]…the disappointments I often meet with sadly afflict me, as I have now no bosom friend to consult upon any emergency.

In the forenoon Mr Thomas Friend Jr came to seen my wool and I rode with him to Framfield to see my brother’s, where we dined on the part of a cold leg of mutton… As Mr Friend and I were on the way from Framfield I sold him mine and my brother’s wool at 19/- per tod delivered in Lewes…

…At home all day. In the afternoon busy a-writing.

…Mr and Mrs Porter, Miss Benge and Miss Plasted drank tea with me. At home all day and surely a deader time for trade I never knew. Oh, how melancholy my present situation!

…I dined on a sheep’s heart pudding, French beans and carrots. In the afternoon rode down to Halland. Rec’d of Mr Joseph Burgess in cash 9.13.0 in full for the use of the widow Browne and which I sent to her by her servant Henry Godley. Mrs and Fanny Weller drank tea with me. I hardly know which way to turn or what way of life to pursue.

…Myself and one servant at church in the morning… During churchtime my servant’s brother and sister came to see her and dined with us on a shoulder of lamb roasted and French beans. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton.

I went and called Sam Jenner and we walked to Laughton Church… I came home and drank tea, after which Mr Saunders and his wife went home. This day Mr Crowhurst, overseer of Folkington, promised me he would pay the debt of Francis Rich deceased, at Easter next.

In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man. Oh, how melancholy my situation; how am I depressed with grief.

…Balanced accounts with Mr Joseph Burgess and received of him 2.5.8 in full. In the afternoon rode down to Halland… In the evening wrote my London letters. How melancholy is my situation.

…Paid Joseph Fuller 8/9 for 15 lbs of wool bought of him today. Mr Tucker came to see me and dined with me on a breast of lamb boiled and broiled. Mrs Atkins, Mrs Hicks and Mrs Brook drank tea with me. At home all day. Posted some accounts. Oh, how severely do I know the loss of one who was the best of wives and a most amiable companion.

I dined on a piece of bacon and French beans. In the afternoon posted part of my day book; at home all day and but very little to do. Paid the miller 4/- for a bushel of flour received of him today.