Author: Thomas Turner

In the morning my brother called on me in his road to the Dicker Fair, but did not stay. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some green salad. In the morning walked up to Mr Vince’s about some business, but did not find him at home.

At home all day, but very little to do, except as above. In the evening my brother called on me in his way home, and he had seen Mr Martin, who returned me by him the 20/- he received too much of me yesterday. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr and Thomas Durrant smoked a pipe with me.

Rec’d of Thomas Davy 7/- in full for land and window tax due Lady Day last. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a green salad… At home all day and very little to do. In the evening read part of a volume of The Independent Whig by Mr Gordon…

Rec’d of Mr Thomas Swaine per Richard Bridgman in cash 4.15.0 in full for land and window tax due the last Lady Day…In the afternoon Mr Will Francis in company with Messrs Barlow and Wigginton called on me and we balanced account… Lent Thomas Durrant my horse to ride to Uckfield Fair upon, and he, coming home late, took part of my bed.

No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter being gone a journey. After breakfast I rode to Lewes where I went to St John’s Church and heard a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Daniel Le Pla, rector of the said parish, from Philippians 12; “work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling.”

I dined at Mr John Madgwick on a boiled carp, a breast of veal roasted and a plain bread pudding. Drank tea with Mr Comber. Paid Mrs Mary Roase…£13. paid Mr John Hartley 6/- in full. Left with my brother Richard 1.11.6 in order for him to pay Mr F Bristow in full on my account.

Dame Akehurst, a-washing for me, dined with me on a piece of beef boiled, an apple pudding and greens. Rec’d of Mr Joseph Burgess 0.15.0; ditto of the widow Page 2.19.0; ditto of Edward Hope 1.11.0, all of which is in full for land and window tax due at Lady Day last.

At home all day. In the evening wrote my London letters. Dame Akehurst lodged at my house. Sam Jenner, coming in late in the evening, took part of my bed.

I am in my mind very uneasy for as I have no person to whom I can trust the management of my affairs, I have many things that sustain loss for want of a more strict examination. Neither is my life as regular as I could wish and desire it was, so that I must acknowledge my life is a continued scene of anxiety. I must still repeat that the thoughts of that valuable woman my wife is daily in my mind though I hope not with any repining at the allwise dispensations of providence, whose ways are always just and merciful.

Sent Mr Will Lee, hosier in Nottingham… 4.15.0. Dame Akehurst, a-washing for me all day, dined with me on dried hog’s cheek, a light pudding and greens. Rec’d of Mr John Vine 5.18.0. Ditto of Mrs Browne 1.6.0 in full for land and window tax, due Lady Day last. Rec’d of Mr Richard Bristed 5.2.0 in full for land tax due Lady Day last. Rec’d of John Shoesmith 3/- in full for window tax due Lady Day last Rec’d of John Cayley 1.6.0 in full for Land tax due Lady Day last…

Dame Rich, buying some things in the shop, drank tea with me. Paid Dame Akehurst 18d for her 2 days’ washing. At home all day, but very little to do.

…John Watford, a-gardening for me today, dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some fried veal. Mrs Davy and two of her children, buying some things in the shop, drank tea with me.

Rec’d of Thomas Prall 19/-. Rec’d of John Nutley 1.5.0. Ditto of John Vine Jr 0.15.0; ditto of Richard Hope 1.15.0; ditto of Will Eldridge 0.16.0; ditto of Mrs Weller 0.3.0–all in full for land and window tax due Lady Day last. Rec’d of Thomas Reeve 5.5.0 in part for land and window tax.

At home all day. Lucy Mepham, coming; to help my servant iron tomorrow, took part of her bed…

…Lucy Mepham an-ironing for me all day and dined with us on a beef pudding and greens. Rec’d of John Jones 0.9.0; ditto of Joseph Durrant 0.17.0; ditto of Robert Hook 0.3.0; ditto of Francis Turner 0.15.0; ditto of Jeremiah French 17.14.6; ditto of T. Carman 1.19.0; ditto of Mrs Piper 3.12.0; ditto of Will Wenham 0.16.0; ditto of John Morris 0.2.0–all of which is in full for land and window tax due the last Lady Day.

Rec’d of Francis Turner 21/-; ditto of John Morris 2/- –both of which is in full for poor tax due for last year ending at Easter… Sam Jenner, coming in the evening and I having a large sum of cash in the house, stayed and took part of my bed. At home all day not busy. In the afternoon made part of the land and window tax books for the present year.

Delivered to Thomas Durrant in cash 109.11.3 in order for him to carry to Maresfield for me to pay the general receiver of this county who collects there today, and which is in full for land and window tax due from this parish at Lady Day last, when the salary was deducted. The cash as under:

104 guineas	109.4.0
1 quarter do.	0.5.3
Two shillings	0.2.0

I also gave him 3 guineas over and besides the aforesaid sum in order for him to exchange any of the guineas sent by him that might be complained of for want of weight…

Dame Cornwell drank tea with me. Rec’d of Thomas Durrant the three guineas I gave him too much today, as also a receipt from Mr Thomas Gerry, the deputy general receiver, for the sum of 109.11.3, expressing it to be in full for land and window tax for due year 1762. I then paid J. Durrant 12d for his expenses today. At home all day.

In the forenoon walked down to Halland. Rec’d of the Rev Mr Porter in full for land and window tax due Lady Day last. Rec’d of Will Henly 3/- in full for window tax due Lady Day last… Rec’d of Mrs Hannah Atkins 25/- in full.

Paid 2d for 10 herrings bought today. Not at all busy today.