Author: Thomas Turner

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. After dinner I rode to Chiddingstone (my brother in my absence came over to stand the shop for me). I arrived at Chiddingstone parish about 7:30 and lodged at James Knight’s, the person who uses the farm belonging to my brothers and myself.

After breakfast Master Knight and myself walked to Chiddingstone Town, where there was a court [-baron] held for the manor of Chiddingstone Burghurst, a manor in which part of our lands are situated.

We dined at Mr Whapham’s at the Castle, where the court was adjourned to, on a buttock of beef boiled, a quarter of lamb roasted, carrots, cabbage, a currant pond pudding and a currant bread pudding. After dinner we proceeded to business, when myself and several more were sworn upon the homage [a jury of men with local knowledge], and I was admitted to a fourth part of the land, and paid the steward all quitrents etc. up to St Michael last.

We came back to Mr Knight’s about 7:20, where I supped on a piece of bacon, a piece of beef and plum puddings, carrots and cabbage. I stayed and took another night at Master Knight’s. As this supper was my friend James Knight’s harvest supper we drank rather too much cider.

After breakfast I set out for home, but after drinking too much elderberry wine I rode several miles out of my road, and my surcingle breaking I lost my bags from under me, but however thank God I arrived at home about 6:30, and in the evening after I came home my brother went home.

My brother and servant dined today on a shoulder of lamb roasted and cucumbers. Gave our tenant’s servant 12d and his son a silk handkerchief. Oh, my unhappy temper, that a few glasses of liquor intoxicates me, and yet I am so stupidly foolish as not to absolutely refrain from drinking anything.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. My late servant Ellen Pierce and Ann Goldsmith, who bought some things in the shop, drank tea with me. At home all day, and pretty busy. But oh, the effect of intemperance — my head, my conscience!

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Paid Benjamin Shelley in cash 0.12.2 in full… At home all day but sadly out of order with my folly. Oh, may the grace of God for the future direct my steps, that I may never more sin in so great a measure, and that my crimes may be those of the frailty of human nature only, and not those of the will.

Lent Mr George Bannister in cash 3 guineas, for which he gave me his note of hand payable to me or order on demand. Paid Mr Edward Heaver in cash 9/9. Today Mr Thomas Calverley called on me and I balanced accounts with him and paid him one bill on Mr William Margesson…value 53.9.0, which bill when paid is in full on my account with Mr Thomas Calverley.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some cucumbers. Paid Dame Vinal and her daughter in goods 1.1.0 in full for work done at Mr John Vine’s and she and her daughter drank tea at my house. Paid Mr Henry Pocock at Ringmer in cash 0.16.0 in full. Rec’d of Henry at Laughton in cash 1.6.0 and by receipts for 2 years land tax due at Lady Day last mak[ing] together the sum of 2.10.0, which is in full for half a year’s rent due from him to Mr John Vine for a house in Laughton at Lady Day last.

At home all day and thank God very busy. Paid Will Sinden 5/- on account of Mr John Vine.

In the morning my brother came over and breakfasted at my house and then went away. Myself at church in the morning… I dined at Master Durrant’s on a piece of pork boiled, a leg of mutton roasted, French beans, cabbage and an apple pudding (my servant at home dining on a buttered pudding cake). Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… I drank tea with Thomas Durrant and then took a serious walk.

…Dame Akehurst, a-washing for me all day, dined with me on a leg of lamb boiled and some carrots. At home all day and thank God very busy. In the afternoon Mr Long came to my house and drank tea with me, and stayed and took part of my bed, as did Dame Akehurst part of my servant’s. In the evening wrote my London letters. A very fine pleasant day.

Mr Long breakfasted with me. After breakfast my late servant Sal Waller came to see me and she, Dame Akehurst (who was a-washing for me all day) and Mr Long dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a currant butter pond pudding and some carrots.

Paid James Crowhurst in cash 1.9.0 in full for earthenware received of him today. Mr Long and my late servant went away in the afternoon. Paid John Tamkin in cash 0.18.6 on Mr John Vine’s account, for mowing, haying, etc., which with money paid before makes paid him in the whole on Mr Vines account the sum of 3.10.0.

At home all day and thank God very busy. In the evening Mr Clapinson, hop-assistant, and myself played a few games of cribbage; I won 1d. A very fine pleasant day.
 
 

In the forenoon accompanied Mr French and Mr Porter to Hailsham, this being the day appointed for Mr Fage and Mr Porter to settle the affair between Mr Beckett and Mr French relating to Mr Beckett’s post chariot killing Mr French’s horse the 29th June last, of which accident I was a spectator and therefore went as a witness, but however our journey was to no purpose, for the affair could not be settled, both parties being rather obstinate, and I am afraid Master Beckett’s clan are hardly good principled and honest.

We dined at the George in Hailsham on a forequarter of lamb roasted, a piece of beef roasted, a giblet and pigeon pasty, boiled and roasted chicken, ham, plum pudding, carrots, cabbage, French beans etc., in company with a great many people, there being a sitting of the justices for granting beer licenses, as also a meeting of the commissioners of the land tax for hearing and determining all appeals to the land and window tax. (My servant at home dined the remains of yesterday’s dinner). We came home very safe, and thank God very sober, about 7:30. Spent nothing today, Mr John French paying all expenses. A very pleasant fine day.