Author: Thomas Turner

…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. In the afternoon walked up to Mrs Piper’s and measured part of a field which they are a-going to divide… Very little to do all day. Very cold all day; the frost not so severe as it has been. In the evening a small quantity of snow fell, and the frost seemingly a-going off. Joseph Fuller Jr sat with me…

I dined on a piece of beef roasted and potatoes. At home all day and really very little to do. In the evening busy a-writing of letters etc.

…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Paid Mr Thomas Carman in cash £20, which with the £100 paid him the 22nd ult. and the £16 the 31st ult. makes together the sum of £136 and is in full for bills received of him the 30th September, for which I then gave him my note of hand. (I have now taken it up and burnt it).

Mr Bannister, having lately taken from the smugglers a freight of brandy, entertained Mr Carman, Mr Joseph Fuller and myself with a bowl of punch in the evening at my house.

Mr ——-, the curate of Laughton, came to the shop in the forenoon, and he, having bought some things of me (and I wish he had paid for them), dined with me and also  stayed in the afternoon till he got in liquor. And with being so complaisant as to keep him company, I was quite drunk.

How do I detest myself for being so foolish! As my brains are so weak they will bear nothing that is strong, sure I am highly culpable for ever attempting to drink anything stronger than small beer or water, and more especially as it gives my conscience so much uneasiness afterwards. Though I have ofttimes thought I would conquer or at least command myself in this particular and have hitherto failed of success, let me once more exert my own strength and implore for aid at the throne of grace to assist my weak endeavors.

Paid Mr Benjamin Shelley in cash 3.8.8 in full for the same sum he paid this week in London for me…

At home all day. I dined on some beef bones stewed and turnips. Oh, my mind is quite outrageous and tumultuous at my folly. May I from this time forward ever abhor as I really do drinking anything to excess. Oh, let me strive and keep a guard upon my lips that they admit nothing strong to pass them…

Myself at church in the morning… Thomas Durrant dined with me on a piece of beef roasted and some horse radish. After dinner I walked down to Whyly and came back again to church where I had not been long before my brother Moses came to me. My servant was also at church… My brother drank tea with me, and whilst we were drinking tea, my brother Richard came in very much in liquor. My brother Moses and he went away together, he going to see him safe on his road home.

In the evening went into Joseph Durrant’s and smoked a pipe or two and supped there on some roast duck. Came home about 9:20. Last night delivered  Thomas Davy a letter for Mr Will Gilmore at Battle.
 

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. I received of Charles Diggens 2.2.9 in full. At home all day but very little to do. In the evening wrote my London letters.

Sent Mr William Margesson enclosed in a letter (which letter was enclosed in another for Mr Thomas Calverley and for him to deliver) by Benjamin Shelley and delivered to his brother the bill I received of Joseph Fuller Jr the 31st ult., value 22.9.6, as also the bill I received of him the 21st instant, value 21.16.0…

At home all day and very little to do. Dame Akehurst, being to help my servant wash tomorrow, took part of her bed.

Dame Akehurst a-washing for me all day, and she, together with a woman that bought a great many goods in the shop, dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some potatoes boiled. At home all day and thank God very busy. Dame Akehurst took part of my servant’s bed.

Dame Akehurst, a-washing for me all day, dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with some potatoes boiled. At home all day and very little to do. A very remarkable wet day. In the evening we had a very severe gust of wind, and a great deal of hail fell.

Paid Dame Akehurst 18d for her 2 days’ work.