Author: Thomas Turner

At home all day. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of 4 eggs. Paid Charles Jeffries 16d, which with the 1.3.0 given him the 10th instant is in full for money he paid in town for me this week; viz.,

To Turner Bristow in full	1.3.4
For asparagus and radishes	0.1.0
	1.4.4

…We dined on a piece of bacon and turnip greens… John Browne at work about 3 hours for me, a-helping put up part of a bed. After dinner my wife and Philip walked over to Framfield and stayed all night. Mr John Breeden and a gentleman of Pevensey called at my house but did not stay. In the evening read part of Horneck on The Great Law of Consideration.

In the morning I walked over to Framfield where I arrived about 7:10. I breakfasted at my mother’s. My wife, Sally, Moses and Philip went all to church in the forenoon, as did my cousin John Bennett, who this morning came for my sister. We dined at my mother’s on a roasted breast of veal. (Our servant at home dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner). While they were at church in the afternoon, my sister and cousin Bennet went home. My wife and I stayed and drank tea at my mother’s and myself, wife and the 2 boys came home about 7:30, where we found Thomas Davy, to whom I read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons. I this day received of my mother in cash 10.12.2 for the uses as under; viz.,

To send Messrs Cruttenden & Burgess	10.0.0
for 3 hats	0.7.6
for 4 lbs white wool	0.3.4
for 2 lbs butter	0.0.11
Do. 2 tumblers	0.0.5

At home all day. John Browne at work for me part of the forenoon. We dined on a loin of veal (bought on Saturday) roasted in the oven and some asparagus… Paid Mr French by cash 7.5.1 and by a book debt 0.15.11, which together makes the sum of 8.1.0 and is in full for the note of hand I gave him the l4th April. I accordingly took up the said note. In the afternoon my brother called here in his way to Lewes, he being a-going to work there, and I paid him in cash 2/- and, by a book debt, 9/1, which is in full to this day. Mrs Rippington and Elizabeth Akehurst drank tea with us… Rec’d of Mr John Vine ½ cord of wood.

…We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some green salad. Gave Ed Smith, Mr Beckett the carrier’s rider, 1.12.0 for him to pay Messrs Warriner and Hartley in full on my account. This day sent Messrs Margesson & Collison (in a box) in cash three 36/- [pieces], 3 moidores and 3 guineas, which together makes the sum of £12.

This day a game of cricket was played on Hawkhurst Common between this parish and Chiddingly which was won by our parish, the two last men being in. This day died Master Marchant about 6 o’clock after an illness of near 3 months. This day sawed part of half a cord of wood and worked some part of the day in my garden. Thomas Davy here in the evening.

Paid Joseph Fuller 5/6 for 2 stone 6 lbs of beef received today at 2/- per stone. We dined on the remains of Monday’s dinner with the addition of some asparagus. Finished sawing the ½ cord of wood and at work in my garden part of the day. In the evening the two boys and myself walked down to John Browne’s but did not stay. Came home about 6:20. This evening as I stood in my court I saw a star which I imagine to be a comet, it being a star of a different kind from any I ever saw, and as there is a comet daily expected, I conject this to be it.

Mr John Avis of Withyham and his nephew and Mr John Burgess of Hartfield called on me in their way to Dicker Fair. In the forenoon sent our servant to Framfield for 21/4 yds Sca[rlet?] serge to send my father Slater. We dined on a piece of beef and pork boiled and some turnip greens. In the afternoon Mr Richard Warriner (Messrs Warriner and Hartley’s rider) called on me and drank tea with us. In the evening Mr Elless and I walked down to John Browne’s and brought home 6 gallons wine left there for me from Lewes. In the evening read part of Horneck’s Law of Consideration. Very busy all day; at work in my garden. I think it must be consistent to think that as we daily see debauchery increase, so must idleness, for I look on idleness as the parent of lust. Lent Dame Weller in cash 0.6.0.

In the morning weeded part of my garden. Gave Mr Porter and Mr French 6d to a brief read last Sunday but collected from house to house… In the afternoon, Mr John Burgess called on us but did not stay. My mother’s servant came over in the afternoon for some hats and my servant went home with her for some crape for a gown for Dame Marchant.

Thomas Davy and Mr Francis Elless at our house in the evening. Mr Elless lodged at our house. This day went down to Mr Porter’s to inform them that the livery lace was not come. I think Mrs Porter treated me with as much imperious and scornful usage as had she been what I think she is; that is more of a Turk or infidel than a Christian, and I an abject slave. N.B.: If Mrs Porter is neither Turk nor infidel, I am sure her behavior is not Christian, or at least not like that of a clergyman’s wife.

John Watford a-gardening for me all day. He dined with us on a piece of beef boiled, a piece of pork and turnip greens. After dinner Mr Elless and I walked to Mr John Crowhurst the potter’s at Bayley’s Lane in order to buy some earthen ware, but he had no quantity by him burnt; so I postponed buying any until he has burnt a fresh kiln.

We came back to Whitesmith Fair about 6:10, where meeting with Mr French, we must go in to drink, which we did and spent 11½d apiece. He, I and Mr Elless came home together about 8:40. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening. Paid a man 4/- for 5 dozen brooms bought of him today at the door. In the evening read an epitome of the life of John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham, in the Universal Magazine for April, wherein I find him esteemed as on author, a statesman and a soldier. He was born in the year 1650 and died 24 Feb. 1720.

In the morning myself, wife and 2 boys at church… We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a plain boiled rice pudding. After dinner my wife and I went to the funeral of Master Marchant where I gave away the following glazed lamb gloves:

Mr Porter to be sent	John Vine Jr
Master Baker	Dame Marchant, widow
Mr Elless	Mrs Marchant
James Marchant	Sarah Marchant
Will Eldridge	Elizabeth Marchant
Richard Marchant	Hannah Marchant
James Marchant	Dame Cornwell
James Marchant Sr	Elizabeth Mepham and
Thomas Marchant	myself

Myself and wife only at church this afternoon. There was a funeral sermon for Master Marchant from part of Numbers 23:10: “Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his,” from which words we had a very good sermon, though whether it was a funeral sermon, they that preached it and they that payed for it alone must know. For I believe most of the audience must think it to be a sermon made before the death of Master Marchant. At home all evening… N.B.: Master Marchant’s age was 67 years.