Author: Thomas Turner

…Myself and servant at church in the morning. My servant stayed the communion. I dined on a knuckle of veal boiled, a piece of bacon and green salad.

Myself and servant at church in the afternoon; the text Luke 24:49: “But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Sam Jenner drank tea with me, to whom I read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

After tea we took a walk in the park. The sermon we had this afternoon I have heard Mr Porter preach 7 times with very little or any alteration.

Pretty busy all the morning. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a plain bread pudding and green salad. After dinner Thomas Durrant and I took a walk up to the common to catch my horse for Thomas Durrant to ride to Lewes upon on my business.

Rec’d of John Piper in cash 10.13.2, which with a receipt for 1 year’s land tax, 2.4.0, and by 2 bills of repairs, 1.0.10, makes together the sum of 13.18.0 and is in full for a year’s rent due from the devisees of Mr Will Piper to Mrs Mary Wills at Carshalton in Surrey and which I am to send to Mr Allen Chatfield, distiller in Croydon, who receives the rent for Mrs Mills.

In the evening my brother Will came to see me and stayed with me all night. In the evening wrote my London letters. Not very busy today. A melancholy time for trade and money.
 

Sent to Ben Shelley per his brother in cash £60 in order for him to pay in London for me… Also sent per Mr Benjamin Shelley (delivered to his brother) sealed up in a paper parcel directed to Mr Allen Chatfield, distiller at Croydon, the 10.15.2 received of John Piper yesterday…

My brother stayed and dined with me on a fillet of veal roasted and stuffed, a piece of bacon and an apple pudding, with some gooseberries in it and a green salad. He also stayed and drank tea with me and then went away. At home all day and very little to do.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Dame Durrant buying some things in the shop, she and Thomas drank tea with me. In the evening went down to Jones’s, there being a vestry held to consult about appealing to an order with which William Bristow, Fanny his wife and William and Samuel their children were brought home from the parish of Heathfield. It was unanimously agreed by all who were there (except myself) to appeal to the order at the next general quarter sessions at Lewes. The persons who constituted the vestry were Mr Thomas Carman, Mr Jeremiah French, Mr Burgess, Richard hope and myself. We came home about 8:40, all very sober.

But in my humble opinion, not-withstanding we have had the opinion of a counsellor concerning it, so certain as we stand trial, or at least appeal to the order, as certain we shall be cast, or lose our suit. No, I hardly think we have a bare probability of winning, so great is the advantage against us. Sam Jenner, staying with my servant during my absence, took part of my bed.

…This morning James Hutson and Sarah Stevens were married at our church, and I doubt, a very unpromising match both parties, I doubt, have little else in view than to gratify passion, a sordid motive truly to build happiness upon in a married state.

Wedlock’s an evil [the] human race are fond with open arms t’embrace.

Not that I would be thought to have my dislike to matrimony. No, far from it. At least to make us as happy as our natures are capable of in this world. And as to my own self I can say by experience it-is the only state in which I ever knowed anything that might with any degree of propriety be called happiness. I only speak as matches are now commonly made, which I doubt are too often from lucrative and avaricious views, or else to gratify a base and inordinate appetite.

Master Watford Sr, a-working for me today, dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a few rashers of bacon and green salad. Paid Master Watford 16d for his work yesterday and today…

Mrs Shoesmith, paying for some things in the day book, drank tea with me. At home all day and pretty busy, but took very little ready money.
 

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Molly Fuller drank tea with me and spent the afternoon with me. At home all day. Sam Jenner, being to go a journey for me, tomorrow, took part of my bed.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of pork and greens. At home all day and pretty busy. Rec’d of Will Henly in cash 12/5 in full.

In the morning Mr Carman and I set out for Newhaven in order to retain counsellor Humphrey on a cause to be tried at the next quarter sessions to be held at Lewes on an appeal of this parish against Heathfield. Thomas Durrant accompanied us for pleasure.

We got to Newhaven about 9:20 and waited upon Mr Humphrey. So soon as we had done our business, Mr Carman set out for Lewes. Thomas Durrant and myself and Mr Tipper dined at the White Hart on a veal pudding, a knuckle of veal boiled, a piece of pork and greens. After we had dined, Mr Tipper and we rode to Seaford where we drank tea and parted.

Thomas Durrant and I came home very safe and sober about 8:20. Spent today as under the parish account:

My dinner	0.0.6
My horse	0.0.7
Ferry	0.0.1
Tea at Seaford	0.0.6
Liquor	0.1.3

In my absence today my old acquaintance Mr Tucker came to see me and brought me a present of some fine mackerel.

Rec’d of John Inman in cash 21/- and by keeping of Lucy Burrage 7 weeks, 7/-, which together is 28/- received of him on account. I dined on some boiled mackerel. At home all day and pretty busy. In the evening wrote my London letters.
 

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the afternoon Master Baker, Dame Turner and Dame Couzens at Laughton, buying some things in the shop, drank tea with me. At home all day and pretty busy.