Author: Thomas Turner

In the morning got up and went down to Mr Porter’s, where I borrowed a bushel and ½ of sea coal. I went forward to Framfield, but called on Mr Peckham as I went along to consult him about going to live at Framfield; he advises me so to do. I called at Mr French’s and paid Sam Virgoe 50/- in full for 1 year’s rent for his house, due at Lady Day last; N.S. I dined with my mother (my family dining on a piece of pork and greens). After dinner my brother and I went to Uckfield, and there I paid Mr Percival Hart 38/4 in full for:

3 pairs breeches	1.10.0
10 chamois skins	0.8.4
	1.18.4

I bought [these] of him today and left [them] to be sent by Francis Smith’s wagon. I also paid 2/- for 2 pair of hedging gloves, which I bought my brother, and I came home by Mr Savage the miller’s to agree with him about Thomas Tester’s debt. They both told me they would have all or none. We came back and drank tea at my mother’s with Mr Thomas Awcock and Mary Gason. My mother paid Mr Awcock her rent in full to the 5th instant, which was 1 year, value 6.15.0. My brother came home with me about 9 o’clock… Mrs Atkins, Mrs Hicks and Mrs Brook drank tea with my wife. My brother stayed all night. N.B.: When I paid Mr Virgoe his rent, there was in presence Mr Calverley, Mrs French and Mr Virgoe’s maid Elizabeth Paris. I paid him 1 36/- piece, 1 piece of 6/9, in half-pence 3d and in silver 7/-.

…Very busy all day. About 6 o’clock I went to the audit where I received of Mr Vine 2.12.8 in full for my audit bill and also 2/5½ for a bill for nails. Gave the maid 12d according to custom and came home drunk, but I think never to exceed the bounds of moderation more… Master Hook, his wife and children drank tea here. William Bristow and Mary Hope married today.

Gave Francis Smith in cash 21.10.O… which he is to pay in London for me… A remarkable wet day. Thomas Davy dined with us on the remains of Sunday’s dinner.

…Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 3.11.1½ in full on account of the parish, he being overseer. Very busy, there being a public vestry at Jones’s to choose new officers, I dined there on a buttock of beef and ham, a plum pudding and greens (my family dining at home on the remains of yesterday’s dinner). The company that dined at Jones’s were Mr Coates, Mr Piper, Mr Jeremiah French, Joseph Fuller, Thomas Fuller, Robert Hook, John Browne and myself, though after dinner there came in several more of the parishioners. We paid 12d apiece for dinner. After dinner I was sent for home but after I had done my business, I went down again and stayed till near 8 o’clock. The officers chosen for the year 1756 were: Joseph Fuller, church-warden; John Vine Sr, electioner; [alternate]; myself, overseer; Edward Hope, electioner.

My wife, myself and maid were at church in the morning; the text, Philippians 3:10: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made comfortable unto his death.” We all stayed the communion; gave all 18d, we paying for our maid. We dined on the piece of beef baked yesterday and a suet pudding. All at church in the afternoon; the text the same as in the forenoon. After churchtime my brother and Charles Diggens came over and stayed and smoked a pipe or 2 with us.

We came home about 1 o’clock. I dined on a meat pie and a batter pudding baked under some beef for tomorrow’s dinner. My wife and I drank tea at Joseph Fuller’s. Came home about 7 o’clock a little in liquor.

My wife and I at church in the morning…After dinner Master Hook and I went to Lewes. I received of Mr John Day 1.0.7½ in full for the parish of South Malling and for goods delivered to Philadelphia Goldsmith. The weather being very bad, we were obliged to stay all night; we stayed at the Cats. Paid Mrs Stemp 11/1, which was left when I was there at the time Mr Virgoe’s house was put up to auction.

In the morning I balanced accounts with John Jones and received of him 16/- in full to this day (except for 2 nights’ hay for 1 horse).

Jones Dr	1.14.3
Per Contra Cr.
I paid him for Mr T. Thompsett, and which I am allowed for	0.10.1¼
Do. for 3 bottles of brandy received at several times	0.6.0
Do. for Dr Snelling’s horse	0.1.6
	0.17.7¼
Paid for hay for my father Slater’s horse and for 2 gallons oats	0.0.8
To cash received today	0.16.0
	1.14.3¼

At home all day. We dined on a beef putting, piece of pork and greens. Sally Vine, Elizabeth Fuller and Barbara Vine drank tea with us. At church in the morning. The hop duty paid in at Lewes today. In the evening balanced accounts with William Burrage… [Paid him] for 1 day’s work and several jobs 0.1.8.

At home all day. At church in the morning. Paid Joseph Fuller for 2½ stone of beef received today, 5/5. Employed myself a-gardening all day. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Very busy in the evening. Wrote to Mr J. Madgwick and Mr William Roase…

This day Francis Smith and I balanced our account as to the money I have sent him to pay in London for me, and there was due to me 0.8.9½ … [He] paid for 1 gammon of bacon which I got for W. Harvey, 0.6.2½. I gave him today in cash 7.11.2½, which with the above balance of 0.8.9½ makes together £8, which he is to pay in London for me this week. Dame Vinal a-washing for us today. We dined on the scrag end of the neck of veal bought on Saturday with a piece of pork, light pudding and greens. Paid Thomas Freeman by his servant Nicholas Summers 0.12.4; to wit by cash 10/4 and by 1 pair of worsted hose 2/-, in full to this day… Paid Dame Vinal for washing 9d. Hilled up my beans and peas.