Author: Thomas Turner

At home all day. Dame Vinal a-washing ½ the day. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. I borrowed of Thomas Davy 1 bottle of brandy and paid Mrs Day the brandy I borrowed of her the 30th of January last. I carried it myself and stayed at Mrs Day’s near an hour. In the evening Mrs Virgoe came over to consult me about her making of a will. Gave her the liberty to put me in as one of the trustees, and at the same time I assured her if there was ever an occasion, I would act. I also wrote my London letters in the evening.

My wife and I and maid at church in the forenoon… This day Richard Hards and Mary Morrice asked. We dined on the best end of the neck of veal bought yesterday and baked yesterday at Dame Marchant’s, a piece of pork, batter pudding and greens. My wife and maid and self at church in the afternoon; the text in the 29th chapter of Job, the 11th, 12th, and 13th verses: “When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.” From these words we had an excellent sermon upon charity. After churchtime my wife and I went down to Whyly. Came home about 9 o’clock.

At home all day. Dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. My brother and Charles Diggens here in the afternoon. Charles went to Mayfield. My brother stayed with us about 3 hours. I also carried down to Mr Porter’s some shag for a pair of breeches for Mr Porter; stayed there about 1 hour. Paid Thomas Fuller 23½d for 1 neck of veal at 6¾d. Rec’d of Thomas Freeman, by the post, one pair of women’s slinked [calfskin?] pattens. Rec’d of the postmaster 18d, being in full for 2 magazines and 14 buttons which were lost by his late servant. Thomas Davy came in after supper and stayed with us about 2½ hours. He and I looked over Gordon’s Geographical Grammar, and in particular the religions of all nations.

At home all day. Rec’d of Robert Hook 1 ham of pork, 17¼ lbs at 3d. We dined on a piece of pork, light pudding and greens. Mrs Virgoe drank tea with us. In the evening T. Fuller and Halland gardener chatted with us about an hour. My wife read 3 numbers of the Freeholder to me, my eyes being again bad.

…We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some onion sauce. At home all day. Wrote out several bills. Thomas Davy sat and chatted with us about 2 or 3 hours in the evening.

At home all day, and posted my day book in the morning. We dined on the remains of Sunday’s dinner with a piece of pork and greens, Paid Sarah Prall 4/7½… in full for post letters to this day. About 4 o’clock my wife went to see Mrs Day; came home about 9. Very busy all the afternoon a-writing out bills etc.

At home all day. Sent Frank Smith by Thomas Hemsley in cash 14.18.0, which with cash I have sent him before maxes 59.18.0. I sent Mr John Crouch, grocer, a bill on Messrs Margesson and Collison, value £10… Sent Mr Sterry 1 firkin and one ½ firkin, 2 baskets and 1 stone bottle. We dined on the remains of Sunday’s dinner. My sister Sally and my mother’s maid Mary Elphick drank tea with us… In the evening began posting my day book.

At home all day and very busy…Mr John Bulpit, Messrs Heywood and Blake’s rider called on us. I paid him by a bill I drew on Messrs Margesson and Collison…15.4.0…in full to Messrs Heywood and Blake. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Dame Henly and her daughter Mary drank tea with us. In the evening wrote my London letters and read Frewin’s letter in answer to Watts…

Just as we were going to church, Mr Tucker came in, which prevented my going to church; my wife at church both in the forenoon and afternoon. We dined on a piece of bacon, batter pudding and greens. He stayed and drank tea with us and went away about 5:30. Mr French called in the evening and stayed and smoked one pipe. At home all day. Our maid came home about 7 o’clock. William Bristow and Mary Hope asked today [i.e., their banns were read in church].

Paid John Streeter (for Thomas Freeman) 4/6 in full for 6 pairs of women’s cloth pattens, which I this day received from Freeman by the post. I also paid the post 6d for bringing a parcel from Lewes. Paid Mrs French…1.5.3 in full for what was omitted when we balanced on the 8th of January last (and also in full of all demands to this day). We omitted on the 8th of January as under:

2 loads of wood which I found I had since that time; see 19 March	1.0.0
1 gallon peas	0.0.6
Horse keeping	0.3.0
3 ½ lbs hops at 6d	0.1.9
	1.5.3

In the afternoon our maid went over to Framfield witha parcel for Charles Diggens. She stayed all night. We dined on the remains of Thursday’s dinner. In the afternoon Joseph Fuller Sr smoked a pipe with us, as did Joseph Fuller Jr in the evening. At home all day and busy. Heard there were press warrants come to Hastings and Battle.