Author: Thomas Turner

Sam Jenner and Dame Akehurst at work for me all day and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Rec’d of William Thunder in cash 20.10.0 for Mr Ashdown at Waldron. At home all day and very little to do. In the afternoon and evening very busy a-writing and making up the parish accounts. Sam Jenner took part of my bed.

Rec’d of Dame Akehurst for 2 days’ work 18d and for nursing T. German’s wife 7/6, which together makes 9/-, and which sum I now owe her.

In the morning set out for home where we arrived safe and well about 8:45. Spent just 6d this voyage. Dame Akehurst, a-washing for me all day, dined with me on a calf’s head boiled, a piece of pork and greens. At home all day and very little to do. In the evening wrote my London letters. Sam Jenner, coming in the evening, took part of my bed, as did Dame Akehurst part of my servant’s.

Oh, what uneasiness does my folly give me! What is the pleasure of a steady and regular life compared with the life of irregularity!

As soon as I had breakfasted, Thomas Durrant and I set out on foot for Lewes where we arrived about 11:10. I paid Mr James Lambert for painting etc. of our parish church clock-face 1.16.0; paid Mr John Lambert 17/- for a set of bell ropes; paid Mr John Turner 21/- for coming to the wife of Thomas German, but she was delivered before he came; paid Mr Josias Smith his bill 11.5.0, all of which is paid on account of the parish. Paid Mrs Mary Roase £20 on account.

I dined at the Star in company with Mr Will Francis on a piece of beef boiled, a rabbit pudding, a shoulder of mutton roasted, a currant bread pudding, greens and green salad. I gave Mr Francis an ordered for some goods. I met with my brother and sister at Lewes and stayed till it was somewhat late. And, we being somewhat in liquor, we stayed all night at the Cats.

This day about 10:10 began an annular eclipse of the sun, but as it was not clear weather during the time, it yielded but an indifferent prospect to the spectator with the naked eye, though I heard some of the curious say, who viewed it with proper glasses, that they saw a star or two appear, so we may conclude the sun must be a good deal darkened. But I am pretty certain had I not been apprized of it before, I should never have discovered anything about it.

Oh, how unhappy I am to be so imprudent as to be so fond of company as to prefer that to sobriety as is oft too oft the case with me! Home is now irksome and very unpleasant, which in the time of my dear Peggy was the only pleasurable place. I found then happiness was to be found at home with her; I required no other company.
 

Mr Dobson stayed and breakfasted with me and then went away… I dined on a hot veal pie. At home all day and but very little to do. In the afternoon my brother came over and stayed an hour or two with me… In the evening Joseph Fuller, T. Durrant, myself and John Piper smoked a pipe or two with Mr Bannister and came home about 10:10, and, I think, not quite sober.

Sam Jenner, at work for me, dined with me on a plain suet pudding and greens. At home all day and very little to do. In the evening Mr Henry Dobson, late servant to Mr John Madgwick, and partner with my brother, called at my house and stayed all night.
 

Sam Jenner at work for me all day and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Mrs Carman and her servant, buying a great many things in the shop, drank tea with me. At home all day and very busy. In the evening Sam Jenner and I played a few games of cribbage, but neither of us won or lost. Sam Jenner took part of my bed.

In the forenoon Sam Jenner went over to Framfield for me. In the evening read part of Collins’s Peerage of England. Remarkable fine pleasant weather for the season. Rec’d of Elizabeth Akehurst the guinea I lent her the 7th instant. In the morning began stating and settling an account between Thomas Davy and Mr John Gosling, but could not complete it.

Sam Jenner at work for me all day and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Rec’d of Mr Coates per the payment of Mrs Coates 4.3.6 in full. Rec’d of Elizabeth Trill 15/5 in full.

At home all day and pretty busy. Sam Jenner took part of my bed. Oh, how pleasant is a busy active life! It adds fresh life and vigor as it were to the natural man. In the evening Sam Jenner and I played a few games of cribbage.

Sent Mr John Crouch…£10. Also sent Mr William Margesson enclosed in a letter by Ben Shelley (delivered to himself) the bill value 9.13.0 which I received of Joseph Fuller Jr the 12th instant.

I dined on the remains of yester-day’s dinner. At home all day and thank God very busy. Dame Couzens of Laughton and her daughter, buying a great many things in the shop, drank tea with me. Sam Jenner came in the afternoon and stayed all night with me.

Rec’d of John Sturt in cash 2.1.7 in full. Rec’d of Will Henly Jr 5/10 in full. Dame Seaman and her daughter, buying a great many things in the shop, drank tea with me, and that was all the dinner I ate the whole day, being thank God extreme busy during the whole day.

Mr Will Francis, partner with Messrs Barlow and Wigginton, called on me, and I paid him… 9.2.0, which is in full on my account to this day with the above. In the evening wrote my London letters.

Myself at church in the morning… Betsy Carmen dined with me on a piece of beef roasted. After dinner I walked up to Mr John Vine’s in order to converse with him about his affairs, he being insolvent and keeps out of sight.

Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… Thomas Durrant drank tea with me, and after tea we, together with Joseph Fuller Jr, took a walk and came back and smoked a pipe or two with Thomas Durrant. Paid Richard Parkes in cash 1.7.0 in full for keeping his wife’s daughter Ann Thomas Vinal.