Author: Thomas Turner

Rec’d of Ann Inkpin by her mother 46/- on account. In the morning I rode to Maresfield (there being a [sitt]ing of justices) in company with Mr Porter, where Mr Carman endeavored to appeal to our poor rate, but could not obtain any redress. I also verified the last year’s account of the parish upon oath. I paid for a new warrant and summons 5/.

I dined at the Chequer in Maresfield (the second sitting) with about 32 or 33 more on some roast lamb, roast beef, boiled beef, plum pudding, green salad, greens and carrots. Came home about 7:20 with Mr Porter. Spent today upon myself, horse, ostler and turnpike 20d. In the evening wrote my London letters.

Rec’d of Thomas Reeve in cash 9/-, which with the 5.11.0 I received before is in full for the poor tax assessed on him by the poor rate made the 17th instant. Very little to do in the shop today. Rec’d of William Wenham 40/- in full for poor tax assessed on him by a poor rate made the 17th instant.

In the morning went up to Mr John Vine’s, and after breakfast I rode to Lewes upon Mr Vine’s business. I dined at the White Hart in company with about twenty more upon a fillet of veal roasted, a ham boiled, a leg of mutton boiled, a forequarter of lamb roasted, 2 hot pigeon pasties, 2 raisin and currant puddings, greens, potatoes and green salad. The reason of my dining on an elegant a dinner was on account of my having business with Mr Bailey, steward to the devisees and heirs of the Rt Hon Henry Pelham Esq deceased, who held an audit there today.

Came home about 8:20. Spent today upon myself, horse, ostler and turnpike 15d.

In the forenoon walked up to Mr Vine’s in order to speak with Mr Bailey, where he held an audit for the tenants of the Rt Hon Henry Pelham Esq deceased. I dined there in company with about 20 more on a buttock of beef boiled, a leg of veal and bacon boiled, a hot veal pasty and part of a sirloin roasted, greens and two raisin and currant puddings.

My brother-in-law Sam Slater called on me today, but did not stay. This day was fought a main of cocks at our public house between the gentlemen of East Grinstead and the gentlemen of East Hoathly for half a guinea a battle and 2 guineas the odd battle. It was won by the gentlemen of East Grinstead, they winning 5 battles out of six fought in the main. I saw three battles fought, but as I laid no bets, I could neither win or lose, though I believe there was a great deal of money sported on both sides.

Mr Dodson today in my absence paid Mr George Peckham 5/6 in full for fulling some linsey on the parish account. This day Mr John Vine signed a deed whereby he consigned over to Mr Abraham Bealey, myself & Mr Joseph Fuller all his effects whatsoever both real and personal, in order to dispose and make the most of it we can for the benefit of ourselves am other creditors. Rec’d of Mr Robert Turner in cash 2.17.8 in full on his account with Mr John Vine.
 

…I dined on a veal pie. Rec’d of Mrs Hannah Atkins £3 in full for the same sum assessed on her lands etc. by the poor rate made the 17th instant. Also received of her in cash 2.18.6 in full.

In the afternoon my brother Moses came over and stayed and drank tea with me. In the evening my brother-in-law Sam Slater came back from Lewes and stayed at my house all night. I took part of Thomas Durrant’s bed. At home all day and pretty busy. Paid the Rev Mr Porter in cash 2.7.6 in full for 5 sacks of oats on Mr John Vine’s account.

In the morning I set out for Lewes in order to attend the sessions (as I did in a manner expect Mr Carman would appeal to the poor rate). I called on Sam Jenner, who walked with me. We dined at the Bridge Coffee House on a knuckle of veal boiled, a piece of bacon, greens and a buttered pudding cake. My brother Sam Slater dined with my family at home on a knuckle of veal stewed, a piece of pork and some greens. Mr Carman, agreeable to my expectation, lodged an appeal to the poor rate, and as it was a broken day, we stayed and heard the sessions trials. Came home about 10:10, very sober. Spent today 16½d.

My brother Sam Slater went away in the afternoon. Sam Jenner stayed all night with me. My family at home very little to do today in my absence. A very wet afternoon. I called today on my friend Mr Madgwick and bought ½ tun cheese of Mrs Roase and a parcel of earthenware of Messrs Richards and Comber.

Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 1 shoulder of veal 10 ½ lbs at 3d. Sam Jenner dined with me on part of a shoulder of veal roasted and stuffed and green salad. At home all day and very busy.

Myself and Mr Dodson at church in the morning… I dined on a knuckle of veal boiled, a piece of pork, a butter pudding cake and greens. Myself, Mr Dodson and servant at church in the afternoon… Molly and Fanny Carman drank tea at my house. After churchtime Mr Dodson and I walked over to Framfield where we drank tea at my brother’s and stayed some time. Came home very sober (having drunk nothing but tea) about 8:30. An excessive hot day.

In the morning early Mr Dodson walked to Lewes in order to stand the shop for him during the fair, today being Cliffe Fair. My brother came in the morning and breakfasted with me, and then I went to Cliffe Fair on some business relating to Mr Vine’s affairs.

I dined at Mr Reese’s on some fresh salmon boiled, a cold ham and cold pigeon pasty, some roasted pigeons and green salad, (my brother and servant at home dining on the remains of yesterday and Saturday’s dinners). I spent upon myself, horse and turnpike 2/4. Came home about 8:20, not quite sober.

My brother went home in the evening. After I came home wrote my London letters. Paid 3/6 today for an advertisement about Mr Vine’s affairs. Lent Robert Hook in cash two guineas…

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Rec’d of Joseph Fuller in cash 9.4.0 and by a shilling spent makes 9.5.0 and is in full for the same sum which he sold to [?] for at Cliffe Fair, the property of Mr John Vine. At home all day. Sam Jenner drank tea with me and in the evening we played a few games of cribbage. A very fine warm day. Business very dull and losses in trade never more frequent. Therefore I hardly know what we in trade are to do.

Thomas Durrant dined with me on a shoulder of veal stuffed and roasted, with some green salad. In the afternoon Mr Dodson returned from Fair. At home all day and very little to do.