Author: Thomas Turner

Robert Hook, a-gardening for me all day, dined with me on a piece of beef boiled and some cabbage. In the evening finished posting my day book. At home all day and very busy a-marking up a parcel of earthenware.

Rec’d of John Piper in cash 1.19.0 in full for poor tax assessed on the land, late Mr Will Piper’s, by a poor rate made the 9th instant. Very little to do in the shop all day. A most melancholy time…

…I dined on a chick pudding and carrots. At home all day busy a-writing. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr and Mr Tipper sat a while with me. Low, very low all day. No one glimpse of hope gives any pleasing sensation to my tortured mind. No friend, no pleasing companion… [52 words omitted].
 

I paid 2d for 6 plaice bought at the door today. I dined on some boiled plaice with the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Paid Ben Shelley in cash…33.16.11½ and is in full for the same sum he paid in London for me this week; viz.,

To cash paid Mr William Margesson for which Mr Shelley has given me no receipt	32.2.0
To a scale beam	0.1.9
To a shaving box and brush	0.2.6
To the porter and a quart bottle	0.0.5½
To money paid Mrs Mary Chandler in full on account of Mr James Fuller	1.8.6
To 6 papers ink powder	0.2.0

At home all day and but very little to do. Rec’d of John Watford 12/- in full for poor tax by an assessment made the 9th instant.

…At home all day and very busy, but chiefly in marking up goods. In the evening Mr Long, who was come as a visitor to Hoathly from his residence as hop-assistant, supped and lodged with me. Rec’d of James [Fuller] 24/- for poor tax and 28/3, which. I paid Mr Shelley yesterday. Rec’d of Mr Joseph Burgess 9/- for poor tax.

In the morning my old servant Mary Martin came to see me, and she and myself at church in the morning… My late servant dined with me on a bullock’s tongue boiled, cabbage and carrots and a plain rice pudding. Myself, servant and late servant at church in the afternoon… My late servant stayed and drank tea and then went away.

In the evening Thomas Durrant, Mr Tipper and myself took a walk for air. After my return I read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of an apple pudding and some carrots. In the afternoon my brother came over to take up a waistcoat for Mr Tipper, and they both drank tea with me.

In the evening; wrote my London letters. At home all day but not very busy. I think I never knew so general a complaint for money in the little circle of my knowledge as there is at this present time. It is hardly to be met with in the common rise of trade, and those, that have money be too often want to look down with an eye of disdain and even contempt on those who know the want of it.

This day I had a present of two rabbits sent me from Mr John Smith of Cross-in-Hand. I dined on the same stewed. At home all day and really very little to do. In the evening quite ill, though I believe it to be the effect of trouble. For really my spirits are so low I hardly know what the consequences may be.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day and really very little to do. In the evening my brother came over and stayed and smoked a pipe with me. Not at all well the whole day and something worse in the evening.
 

…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of an apple pudding. In the evening smoked a pipe at Joseph Miller’s. A very dull time for trade.

Mr Robert Atkinson, rider to Messrs Kendell and Rushton, called on me and dined with me on a chick pudding and the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the evening, nay, all the day extreme low. I went to Joseph Durrant’s and smoked a pipe with Thomas Durrant. At home all the day and really very little to do. I think my spirits are so sunk with grief and trouble that I start alarmed at what may be the ill consequence… [26 words omitted].