Author: Thomas Turner

…In the forenoon my brother Sam Slater came back to my house from Lewes.

This day paid Sally Waller my house-keeper cash and goods £4 in full for her servitude due to this day, and in the forenoon she left my service in order to go to Catsfield to keep her uncle Mr May’s house, who came for her. Her leaving my service was, as she protested, without any dislike or the least reason for dislike and contrary to her inclinations and the most earnest persuasions of her friends, but this uncle, being a widower and having two children, over-persuaded her to live with him in order that she might see the children, well done for.

My brother Sam Slater dined with me on a piece of bacon boiled, the best and of a neck of lamb roasted, the scrag and boiled, a plain rice pudding and carrots. My servant at church in the afternoon. My brother Slater went away in churchtime in the evening read one of Archbishop Tillotson’s sermons.

Drank tea at Joseph Durrant’s, and after tea Thomas Durrant and Mr Tipper and myself took a walk for air, but called at no one house. Came home about 7:30. In the evening Mr Tipper sat and chatted with me a while Thomas Durrant lodged at my house.

…My brother called on me in his road to the Dicker where he was going to see a cricket match played between the parish of Wadhurst and the parishes of Ringmer, Ripe, Chalvington, Arlington, Herstmonceux, Wartling and Hailsham.

At home all day. In the evening my brother called on me in his return home and informed me the parish of Wadhurst was beat 10 runs. In the evening wrote my London letters. Thomas Durrant lodged at my house. A very melancholy time for trade.

In the forenoon bi Thomas Calverly Jr called on me and I balanced accounts with him… Also in the forenoon Mr Jacob Fender, rider to Mr James Blake, called on me and I balanced accounts with him and paid him in full… I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some cucumbers.

In the afternoon Mrs Hutson and Dame Chipper, buying some goods in the shop, drank tee with me, as did also Mr Tomlin Jr, hop-factor, who came in just as we were drinking tea. Mr Tomlin and Joseph Fuller spent the evening with me and Mr Tomlin stayed all night.

At home all day. Rec’d of Mrs Atkins 15/- for poor tax assessed on her by the rate made the 9th instant. Also received of John Jones 2/- in full for poor tax assessed on him by the said rate.

…Mr Tomlin stayed and dined with me on some lamb chops and set forward on his journey. At home all day, and but very little to do. A very remarkable rainy forenoon. Thomas Durrant lodged at my house.
 

…Mrs Jones, coming to the shop, breakfasted with me. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with some cucumbers. At home all day. In the forenoon my brother came over, but did not stay. Thomas Durrant lodged at my house. A very dull time for trade, and “Money, money!” is the general cry of everyone.

In the forenoon Mr John Robinson, rider to Mir William Margesson, called on me and I balanced accounts with him, but neither paid him any money nor gave him an order.

I dined on a beef pudding and some carrots… Rec’d of Mr Porter in cash 4.12.3 in full for the same sum assessed on him the 9th instant by a poor rate made that day. At home all day, and but very little to do.

…At home all day, and but very little to do. In the evening Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe with me.

Oh, melancholy time! How do the ideas of that valuable woman, my wife, constantly present themselves to my mind!… [34 words omitted].
 

Rec’d of Mr Thomas Carman…6.9.0 in full for the same sum he received yesterday of Mr Will Michell for poor tax assessed upon his Grace the Duke of Newcastle for Halland House and woodlands by a poor rate made the 9th instant. I also received of Mr Carman 1.2.6 for his poor tax due from the same rate…

Myself and servant at church in the morning… I dined on a cold beef pie and cucumbers. Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… Mr and Mrs Carman and their son drank tea with me, as did also Thomas Durrant. After Mr Carman was gone, Thomas Durrant, Mr Tipper and myself took a walk for a little air, it being a pleasant evening.

In the afternoon and evening I read two of Tillotson’s sermons. This day a prayer of thanksgiving was read for her Majesty’s happy delivery, as was also the young prince prayed for in the service. A melancholy time — no pleasant or agreeable companion to spend even a few minutes with. All, all is melancholy and dismal sadness.

…Dame Mott breakfasted with me (who bought many things). I dined on a cold beef pie and a piece of pork boiled and carrots.

In the forenoon went down to Halland where I received of Mr Coates in cash 18/2 in full for a bill delivered the 14th for goods delivered to Halland for the use of the Duke of Newcastle this last time of his being there. I also received of Mr Coates 18/- in full for poor tax assessed on him by a rate made the 9th instant. Rec’d of Joseph Fuller in cash 24/- in full for the same sum assessed on him by a poor rate made the 9th instant.

Dame Roase, buying many things in the shop, drank tea with me. In the evening wrote my London letters. Thank God I have been very busy all day, and I may say the busiest day I have known this many a day. Ok, what pleasure it is to be busy! It quite cheers the spirits and chases away the gloom that hangs on a melancholy brow…
 

Rec’d of John Nutley in cash and flour 7/6 in full for his poor tax by a poor rate made the 9th instant… In the evening we had a pretty severe tempest of thunder and lightning, the latter being very severe, but the thunder seemingly was more at a distance. There was some rain, though but a small quantity. At home all day and but very little to do.