Author: Thomas Turner

Myself and both servants at church in the morning, the text in the latter part of Matthew 26:24: “It had been good for that man if he had not been born,” from which words we had o fine sermon. During churchtime we had a storm of thunder, lightning and rain, though the two first were not severe here, but we had a very heavy rain for some time.

I dined on a piece of beef and pork boiled, and a plain suet pudding, carrots and spinach. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. My servant’s brother and uncle came to see her and they drank tea with me and stayed till near 6 o’clock. In the day read part of The Whole Duty of Man. Oh, grief, how heavy is thy burden! In the evening wrote a letter to my friend Thomas Davy, and read part of The Acts.

In the morning as soon as I had breakfasted rode to Dapp’s, where I weighed up his hops, which was 1 pocket weighing 1 cwt O qr 2 lbs, and for which I paid him 2.19.0… In the morning sent my wool to Lewes by John Divol. In the afternoon my brother called on me in his road to Lewes in order to receive both his and my wool money… In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. At home all day; thank God very busy. Oh, how pleasant is trade when it runs in its proper channels, and flows with a plentiful stream. It does, as it were, give life and spirit to one’s actions; I think the most phlegmatic constitution must feel its pleasing and enlivening charms.

…In the afternoon my brother came over and drank tea with me and I received of him in cash 15.6.4 in full for my wool money which he received yesterday of Mr Thomas Friend for me… I afterwards paid him in cash 12/- for money he paid for me; viz.,

For 6 yds white linsey which he bought for me	0.8.0
to Mr Joseph Attersall in full	0.4.0

This day I signed a bond wherein I and Joseph Durrant are jointly bound as securities for Mr John Long as a hop-assistant. I also signed a bond wherein we were jointly bound as securities for Thomas Durrant as a hop-assistant. I also signed a bond wherein I and Joseph Burgess are jointly bound as securities for Thomas Davy as a hop-assistant; I also signed a bond wherein I and John Smith of Cross-in-Hand are jointly bound as securities for Samuel Diggens, gauger in a footwalk at [??] in Berkshire. The obligation of each of the bonds was £200 [???] were all witnessed by John Purdue and Laurence Thornton.

At home all day and pretty busy. But not very well; oh, how unhappy is my present situation. In losing my beloved wife I have lost all that can give only true pleasure… [22 words omitted].

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. This day balanced accounts with Mr Thomas Carman… Pretty indifferently busy.

Paid to the postboy for Mr Thomas Freeman 5/3 in full for pattens etc. received from him today. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a bread pudding and French beans. Mrs Browne drank tea with me and brought up her books, part of which I posted… In the evening read part of Russell’s OEconomy of Human Nature. The thoughts of my mind are so full of melancholy apprehension from the dullness of trade in general that I am even alarmed at what may prove the consequence, and the severe loss I sustain in that of an affectionate wife.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a light pudding and French beans… In the evening went down to Mr Porter’s, where I stayed and supped and came home about 10:20.

…In the afternoon a gentleman whose name was Hastings and a humble servant of my servant’s drank tea with me and stayed all night. He brought me a present of some pigeons… At home all day and pretty busy, but mostly set down. I hourly am truly sensible of my loss.

In the morning my friend George Richardson called on me and he, together with Mr Hastings, breakfasted with me and then went away. Myself and one servant at church in the morning, where we had a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Chalice, curate of Ripe (Mr Porter preaching at Ripe) from the 6th verse of the 71st Psalm: “By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.”

Sam Jenner dined with me on a piece of beef boiled, six pigeons roasted, a raisin suet pudding, carrots and cabbage. After dinner we walked to Little Horsted Church, where we heard a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Philips, curate of Maresfield and Horsted, from Philippians 1:23,24: “For I am in a strait betwixt the two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” The gentleman whom we heard appears to be not more then 20 years of age, though I suppose he is about 26. I think I never heard a finer churchman in my life, he being a good orator, and delivered an extreme good sermon, both for beauty of language and piety of thought.

From Horsted we walked to Framfield where we drank tea with my brother, who brought us going on our road home. I came home about 7:40. In the evening I read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the forenoon my brother came over and gave me in cash £20 for which I gave him in return 1 bill on Mr Will Margesson… My friend George Richardson called on me and dined with me… He stayed with me till about 4 o’clock… In the evening Sam Jenner and myself posted Mrs Browne’s carpenter’s book. At home all day and but very little to do. Rec’d by Richard Page 12 sacks of salt.

…In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me; at home all day and but very little to do. What will become of me? — no trade, and great expenses — Sure my situation is truly deplorable.