Author: Thomas Turner

This day paid Francis Smith his carriage bill in full to the 11th February; viz., 1.2.9½, and afterwards gave him 3/- for a brace of woodcocks he gave Messrs Margesson and Collison on my account… In the evening went down to Jones’s, there being a public vestry, the result of which was that the parish should hire a blacksmith’s shop for Thomas Daw as soon as they can.

At home all day; finished posting my day-book… A very remarkable high wind today. In the [afternoon?] went down to Jones’s in order to hire his house for John Durrant (but Jones could not let it till he had seen Mr Vine), Robert Hook going along with me. I spent [4½]d on the parish account, Gave Thomas Cornwell 2/- for his trouble with Hyland the time he was in hold. In the evening read part of The New View of London and Westminster. Paid John Jones 1½ d for 1 gallon turnips had some time since.

In the morning hired of John Jones his house (now in the occupation of Will Bristow). I agreed for the rent at 10/- per year and have hired it for John Durrant on the parish account. After breakfast I set out for Burwash on Thomas Daw’s mare in order to inquire after a blacksmith’s shop for him and which the pariah had been informed there was one to let. But when I came to Burwash, I found the mistake, there being none to let. I put up at Mr Foster’s at the sign of the Rose and Crown. I spent 2/2 on the parish account. I came home about 5:25.

After I came back, I dined on some bullock’s heart fried. My brother Moses came over today and he stayed and dined with my family on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a sheep’s heart pudding. Mr Vine came in the evening and stayed about 2 hours and by so doing prevented my going to bed sober… I found the roads extremely bad, at some places almost impassable, I heard at Burwash today that Admiral Byng was shot at Portsmouth on Monday last, pursuant to the sentence of the court-martial held on him from the 27th December to the 27th January, though in my own private opinion I think him not that guilty person as many represent him, neither do I think it a prudent thing for him to be executed; but I suppose there was no calming a clamorous and enraged populace without taking away the life of this man, though if he is an innocent person, I think innocence should more than balance popular clamor.

…Very little to do; a very melancholy time. Read part of the New View of London and Westminster, wherein I find the Royal Exchange stands on ¼ of an acre and 8 rods of ground, and the shops over it rent for very near £4000; viz., 190 at £20 a year, each which I believe to let for more than any one piece of ground of the same size in the known world.

…About 5:40 my father Slater came in and stayed with us all night. This day read part of The New View of London and Westminster, whereby I find the river of Thames is about 1500 feet over at London Bridge. In the perusal of Martin’s Magazine for February I find that Westminster Bridge is 1223 feet over and cost in building £389500. I also find that in the River Thames from Battle Bridge on the Southwark side and the Hermitage Bridge on the city side, reckoning Blackwall inclusive, are as under: 3 wet docks for laying up; 22 dry docks for repairing; and 33 yards for building merchant ships. From Limehouse Reach to the custom-house quays there have been enumerated at anchor at one time 1000 vessels, exclusive of barges, lighters, pleasure-boats and yachts, they being all vessels which go to sea.

At home all day. In the morning my father Slater and I balanced accounts and there remains due to him 3/7 on the account preceding this day. My father stayed and dined with us on 2 bullocks’ heart puddings, a piece of pork and turnips, but went away immediately so soon as we had dined. This day went down to Mr Porter’s to acquaint them I had got the raisins they gave me orders to get and also to inform them of the price. Mrs Porter, good woman, was so humane as to tell me she thought I ought in reason not to charge any profit for them, not, as she said, that it was her desire I should lose the carriage, but only my profit, which undoubtedly must be a very modest request at a time when money is so scarce and those raisins amounting to only 3.1.0, and which I am assured I shall be paid for in about 10 months (though I must pay in 6 months). But all her humane dispositions and fallacious speech could not influence my obdurate heart to part with the raisins for less than the price I first asked, which was about 6.10.0 percent per annum [profit?].

Myself, maid and nephew at church in the morning (my wife and Philip staying at home). …We dined on a piece of boiled beef, a raisin, suet and pea pudding with turnips. In the afternoon my whole family at church…At home all day except being at church. In the day read 4 of Tillotson’s sermons.

…This day paid Dame Trill 3/- in full for keeping Ann Brazier, due today. Very busy today a-marking up goods etc., but not a-selling much. Thomas Davy sat with us an hour or two in the evening, to whom I read part of the newspaper.

Gave Smith’s carter 6d for leaving a parcel or 2 on the road for me… Paid Dame Paris 6d for watching with the widow Pilfold; also gave her… 8/- for the half-year’s rent forgiven by Mr Burfield to the parish, and which I have received of Dame Paris before, but now have returned it. In the afternoon went up to Mr Burgess’s, as also to John Watford’s, concerning removing of John Durrant. In the evening read part of The New View of London and Westminster.

In the morning after breakfast walked over to Framfield where I found my brother gone to Lewes for a few goods for the funeral of Mrs Goff. He came home about 10:20 but, forgetting to bring some lined chamois gloves, he was obliged to set off for Lewes again. I then went to Uckfield and bought of Mr Percival Hart 5 prs buckskin breeches, value 2.18.6. I also paid him on my mother’s account 30/6 in full (which money she had before given me). I stayed and drank one bottle of beer and came back to my mother’s about 2 o’clock. I had not been there long before my brother came back… I tied up some hatbands and put them in order for serving the funeral. I stayed and drank tea there and came home about 6:05. I left with my mother in cash £13. This day there has been a remarkable high wind, and so there has been almost continually ever since the l4th instant.

In the evening Joseph Fuller sat with us a little while. In the day John Watford brought me from John Browne’s, which was brought there from, Will Rice’s; viz., 1 buroe [?], 18 dozen bottles, 2 sacks sea coal, all which I am indebted to Will Rice for. In the evening read part of the New View of London and Westminster