Author: Thomas Turner

In the morning Thomas Durrant and I took a walk round to gather poor tax. We called at Thomas Fowler’s, who was not at home, at Sinden’s, John Cayley’s, Thomas Roase’s, Peter Adams’s, Will Eldridge’s and Mr James Hutson’s and William Wenham’s, of whom I received 1.8.0 in full for poor tax. I came home and dined on some sheep’s liver and rashers of pork fried. Paid John Jones 1.7.7 in full. Paid Jo Fuller by his son Thomas 6d for a sheep’s bell received today. In the afternoon walked down to the Nursery. Called at Francis Turner’s and John Browne’s and stayed at John Browne’s about 2 hours. Came home and went down to Mrs Atkins’s and received of her 1.15.0 in full for poor tax. Today read part of the Universal Magazine for February.

Dame Cornwell breakfasted with us. After breakfast the 2 boys and myself walked up to Thomas Fuller’s and called at Thomas Fowler’s, where Thomas Roase paid me 10/6 in full for his poor tax. We dined on sheep’s lights, mint, head, tongue, brains and a piece of pork and potatoes boiled. This day received of Thomas Ling by the payment of his wife 1.0.2 in full… My wife very ill. Very busy today.

At home all day. Took physic… Rec’d of Richard Hope in cash 3.4.4 and outset 3/- for a ¼ hundred faggots carried to John Durrant, and 2/8 for the common fine, which makes together 3.10.0, and is in full for his poor tax. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read one of Tillotson’s sermons. This day John Browne and Elizabeth Hutson were married at our church. Read in the day part of Burkitt’s Poor Man’s Help or Young Man’s Guide, which I think the best book I ever read of this size.

At home all day. My sister Sally and Dame Brooker came over to see us and dined with us on some mutton chops fried. Rec’d of my sister in cash 7.1.0 in part to pay for nails which I am to send for my mother next week. My sister, Dame Brooker and Mrs Vine Jr drank tea with us. Gave Dame Brooker a pair of gloves on account of strowing me when I was married. John Browne at work for me part of the day…

In the morning walked over to Framfield. Called as I went at Francis Gibbs’s and received of him 7/- in full for poor tax. After I had breakfasted at my mother’s, Mr Bray and Mr Holman of Chiddingly called on me to go to Maresfield in order to get our poor books signed. We accordingly set out together and arrived at Maresfield about 11:10. I paid Mr John Bannister for my mother (with money she gave me) 5/8 in full. We dined at the Chequer at the 2nd sitting… I got Mr Callaway’s certificate signed, Stephen Clinch coming, there, and made the proper oath for such occasions. We called at my mother’s in our way home… We came home about 7:10. Mr Holman and Mr Gray stayed and drank a bottle of beer with me. I spent this day as under:

On the parish account
To verifying the book, warrant and summons	0.6.0
Spent	0.0.11
	0.6.11

of which sum I have had but 2/- brought to account.

Spent on account of the certificate	[0.3.4]
Signing by George Courthope and Elfred Staples Esqs	0.2.0
Gave Clinch	0.1.0
Spent on him	0.0.4,

which is 4d more than the man left me. I verified my parish accounts on oath before Elfred Staples and George Courthope Esqs. There was a great concourse of people. I believe there were 60 or 70 dined at both sittings. In the evening read part of the newspaper.

Sent Messrs Margesson and Collison in cash by Mr Thomas Smith in a box £21. Gave Charles Jeffries, Smith’s carter, in cash 0.14.0. In the forenoon went up to Thomas Fowler’s for poor tax, but received none… Carried the new warrant to Mr Joseph Burgess, who received it without any objection. Rec’d of Thomas Fowler 2/7½ in full on a book debt. In the evening Mr Elless, Thomas Durrant and myself went down to Laughton, I to ask John Hugget for some money, and they for company, where I spent 4d. When I came back, I found my father Slater at my house, who supped with us and stayed all night. In the afternoon sent my maid to Mrs Read’s to get her debt, who accordingly paid her 2.11.7¾ in full.

At home all day. My father Slater stayed and dined with us… Rec’d of Mr John Clinch 10/6 in full for poor tax. Borrowed of my father Slater in cash 2.10.0. Balanced with Mr Richard Stone, apothecary, today and paid him 7.15.6 in full to this day…

After breakfast I walked over to Framfield where I balanced accounts with my mother, and there remains due to me on the account of goods between us 10.2.8½, exclusive of a bond, note, and interest, keeping of Philip, and a parcel of goods she had the 21st of March. I dined there on a piece of boiled beef, a pond butter pudding and some greens… I wrote out some bills for my mother and stayed and drank tea there and came home about 6:10… This day it snowed very hard for nearly an hour and a half while I was at Framfield and in my road home, Rec’d today of my mother in cash 9.4.6, which, with the £10 received before, makes 19.4.6, which I am to pay for goods with etc. on her account.