Author: Thomas Turner

Myself and both servants at church in the morning… We had a brief read for rebuilding the parish church of Packington, alias Lackington, in the county of Leicester, the expenses of which amounted to the sum of £1013 and upwards, to which collection I gave 3d. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Mayfield. My servants both walked to Waldron Church, and in the afternoon I took a walk out, but to no one particular place. In the afternoon I read part of Young’s Night Thoughts…

In the morning my brother came over and breakfasted with me, but did not stay… Rec’d of his Grace the Duke of Newcastle from Will Michell Esq by Mr Thomas Carman 24.15.0 in full for land and window tax due for Halland House and woodlands at St Michael last.

At home all day and thank God very busy. Mr Ellesy, Joseph Fuller and Sam Jenner smoked a pipe with me in the evening.
 

…At home all day and really very little to do.

I dined on a leg of mutton roasted and sweet sauce. In the afternoon finished posting my day book. James Durrant and Thomas drank tea with me. In the evening Thomas Durrant and myself walked up to Richard Hope’s, but did not stay. Joseph Fuller and Thomas Durrant smoked a pipe with me in the evening; but very little to do all day.

…In the forenoon my old friend Mr Thomas Scrase called on me, but did not stay… Bett Mepham drank tea with me. In the evening walked up to Mr John Vine’s to receive my audit bill, but could not get the money, notwithstanding I stayed several hours; but, however, I cannot say I came home quite sober.

A very dull heavy time for trade. Posted part of my day book. Rec’d of Mrs Browne’s servant 36/- and by a land tax receipt 10/-, which I paid the steward at the audit together with 15/3 of my own money which she is debtor to me for, and which is in full for ½ year’s rent on her account at St Michael last.

…In the afternoon posted part of my day book. In the evening Joseph Fuller and I walked down to see Mr Carman where we stayed and supped on some boiled sausages and came home about 9:50 very sober. Lent Mr Jeremiah French in cash 5.5.0, for which he gave me not any note. A very windy cold day, and really a very dull time for trade–I think more so than I ever knew before at this season of the year.
 

In the afternoon walked up to Mr Vine’s… I dined on some bullock’s sweetbread and liver fried with the addition of the remains of yesterday’s dinner and green salad.

In the evening went down to Jones’s, there being a vestry to consult about repairing the inside of the church, when it was unanimously agreed by all present to repair the same according to the estimate delivered in by Mr John Vine and Mrs Browne, with such alterations as the rector and churchwarden shall think proper.

Myself and both servants at church in the morning… I dined on a veal pudding. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Ripe. Myself, one servant, Thomas Durrant, Molly Fuller and Sam Jenner walked to Little Horsted Church where we heard an extreme good sermon preached by the Rev Mr Philips, curate of Horsted and Maresfield, from Matthew 5:20: “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” We came home round by Sam Jenner’s, where we stayed and drank tea. we came home about 6:40. An extreme pleasant walk and sure as fine a day as can be for the season of the year.

…Paid John Jenner the hatter at Hailsham 16/6 in full for [6] hats received by him today…

At home all day. Pretty busy in the evening. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of veal and the knuckle of a leg of mutton boiled.

Paid Mr Francis Weller in cash 7.12.0 and by land tax 0.8.0 which together makes the sum of £8 and is in full for one year’s rent due [on the shop] the 5th instant… Mrs Vine drank tea with me.

In the evening Joseph Fuller and myself walked down to Halland and came back about 8:20. J. Fuller stayed and smoked a pipe with me.