Author: Thomas Turner

Sent Mr Will Lee, hosier in Nottingham, enclosed in a letter, which letter was also enclosed in one to Mr John Crouch in order for him to put Mr Lee’s letter in the post (delivered to Shelley), 1 bill on Mr William Margesson… value 8.16.0, which bill when paid is in full on my account with Mr Will Lee. Sam Jenner at work for me all day and dined with me on part of the knuckle of a shoulder of veal stewed and some greens. At home all day and thank God very busy.

In the evening went down to Jones’s, there being a public vestry held to make a poor rate. But what through the ignorance of some and the avaricious views of others, we [made] none, notwithstanding this being the second vestry called for that purpose. I am sorry to say it, my partner Mr Carman was the chief, nay only instrument of its not being made, and that for no other reason than to serve his own private ends and to be assessed lower according to the law than anyone else–a sad principle for an overseer or any other person who is concerned in a public office. For I think whenever the public good and that thing, self-interest, stand in competition with each other, the last should always submit and give way to the former. For in all communities I presume were the public good more studied and practised, the consequences which would ensue must be that of the private interest of every individual.

Came home about 10:20 and spent 6d for drinking once. Sam Jenner keeping my servant company during my absence, he took part of my bed. After I came home, I played a few games of cribbage with Sam Jenner, but neither of us got any advantage.

Sam Jenner at work for me all day and dined with me on a veal pudding and greens. In the afternoon Mr Robert Cleaver, a woollen draper in London, called on me and drank tea with me. I gave him an order. At home all day and but little to do. Sam Jenner took part of my bed.

Sam Jenner at work for me all day and dined with me on part of a shoulder of veal roasted and stuffed.

In the afternoon Thomas Durrant and I walked to Uckfield to pay my friend Mr Elless a visit, with whom we drank tea and spent the evening. Came home very safe and well and pretty sober about 1:10, and I think I was never entertained in so polite and genteel a manner by any one person I ever paid a visit to, everything being conducted with the greatest politeness imaginable, and yet with the greatest freedom and friendship. Sam Jenner, staying with my servant during my absence, took part of my bed.

Dame Akehurst a-brewing for me today… Dame Akehurst and Sam Jenner dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with a breast of mutton boiled and broiled and a light pudding and greens. Paid Mrs Elizabeth Browne by servant Henry Godley in cash 35/- in full for 1 year’s rent due from Will Starks at Lady Day last on the parish account. Paid Mr Ben Shelley in cash 3.10.0, which is in full for the same sum he paid Mrs Elizabeth Middleton & Son in full on my account the 11th instant, and upon examining the account I find him to have paid 23/- more than I owe Mrs Elizabeth Middleton & Son. Therefore by their mistake they are now debtors the said sum of 23/-, which I have written them to repay Mr Shelley the next return.

At home all day and thank God very busy. In the afternoon Sam Jenner went over to Framfield with a parcel to Charles Diggens. Paid Dame Akehurst 9d for a day’s work.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinned with the addition of a few boiled eggs. At home all day and thank God very busy. Joseph Fuller Jr and Thomas Durrant chatted with me some time in the evening.

…Myself and servant at church in the morning I dined on the scrag end of a neck of mutton boiled. Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… Sam Jenner drank tea with me, and he and Joseph Fuller and Thomas Durrant sat with me some time in the evening.

In the morning walked up to Mr Vine’s, but did not stay. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. My old acquaintance Mr Henry Dodson came in the afternoon to stand the shop for me. He and Mrs Bridger, who bought a great many things in the shop, drank tea with me.

Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 1 knuckle of veal 5d. I dined on a knuckle of veal stewed, a piece of pork boiled, an apple pudding and greens. Posted my day book.

In the evening went down to Jones’s, there being a public vestry held to make a poor rate (which was the third meeting), and we did accordingly make a rate at 4/- in the pound. It was allowed of and agreed to and also signed by everyone present except Mr Thomas Carman, who opposes it, as it will greatly affect him. Spent 1d and came home about 11:50, sober.

Paid Mrs Piper by her brother John Piper in cash 2.12.9 in full on the parish account. In the afternoon we had a quantity of snow fell, and in very large flakes, but there being no frost, and some rain falling in the fore part of the day, it did not lie, but melted almost as it fell. A fine evening and very cold and something of a frost.

After breakfast Mr Joseph Fuller and I went up to take an inventory of the effects of Mr John Vine (now a prisoner in his own house for debt) in order to have the same made over to 2 or 3 of his principal creditors by virtue of a bill of sale, and to be by them distributed equally among the whole number of his creditors in proportion to their respective debts.

We dined there on a hog’s cheek, a butter pudding and greens… We came home about 6:20, and after we had done our business, we sat down and smoked our pipes and drank a bottle or two of cider, which I must own got up in my head so that I cannot presume to say I came home sober…

Upon taking the inventory of Mr Vine’s effects, I find not anything of value, neither do I think the whole of the household goods are worth above £60, and hardly any stock of value.

…Sam Jenner coming in the forenoon, he dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a beefsteak fried. In the evening balanced accounts with Robert Hook, both in respect to my own accounts and that of the parish, and the balance due to him upon both accounts was 1.0.10, which I paid him. He stayed and ate a bit of supper with me. At home all day and thank God very busy…