Author: Thomas Turner

At church in the morning; the text in Matthew 7:14: “Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” An excellent sermon. Halland gardener came home with me and dined with us. I gave John Cayley a susi handkerchief, value 2/-, as a present for his sister for a twelve-month’s use of Mrs Browne’s seat in the church for my wife and me, they refusing to receive the rent (as I may call it) that I agreed with them for.

After dinner the gardener and I set out for to see Buxted Place and gardens [property of George Medley Esq]. We called at my mother’s as we went and stayed there about 25 minutes. I found there Miss Fanny Smith (which, I think, seems to be the lady my brother Moses’ affections are settled on, or settling upon). Whether just or imaginary I cannot, no, I will not say, but I think I was received very coldly, not only by my mother but all the family, Miss Smith only excepted. After a stay of about 25 minutes as before mentioned, we set out for Buxted. My brother and Ed Rowles went with us.

We saw the gardens and the out-side of the place, neither of which is any ways near completed, but I think when they are both finished they will both be very curious in their kind. Gave Ed Rowles 6d for going with us and showing us the gardens. We came back to Framfield about 4 o’clock. Found Miss Smith there, and she and we drank tea there. After tea Mr Edward Rowles sent for us over to his house, and the gardener and I went; we stayed and drank 1 mug of beer and smoked 1 pipe, then went again to my mother’s; Miss Smith and my brother not there. My mother and I had a great many words, or at least my mother had with me. What my friends would have with me I know not; I have always done to the utmost of my power to serve them. I can with justice to myself and all mankind say I have their interest entirely at heart and never think myself more happy than in serving them. Were I assured I was to blame, I should even despise myself, and even think myself not worthy to be ranked among the rest of mankind were I to be cruel and undutiful to a mother, and one who is a widow, though doubtless I am not exempt from faults. No, I am mortal, but still how happy I could be, would my friends let but a free and sincere communication of friendship once more be opened between us, which has of late been shut up, but upon what account I cannot tell. I am, I think, quite uneasy, driven almost to distress for want of money, and my mother has at this time £40 of mine on book debts which I never did ask for, no, nor hope I ever shall. Only do I sincerely wish I could spare them £500 were it to serve them, but still why should they estrange themselves from me? But oh, let me stop my pen and say, “May they all be ever happy, and may the Supreme Being crown them all with his blessings in this transitory state and forever make them happy in the divine regions of eternal bliss.” We came home about 8 o’clock.

No frost tonight; a great deal of the snow melted. In reading The Odyssey last night, among many curious passages these two lines I think applicable to the present times; viz.,

“Why cease ye then the wrath of Heaven to stay;

Be humbled all, and lead ye great the way.”

All that I have read of it yet

I think is one entire lesson of morality. Then I think the speech of Jupiter extremely good:

“Perverse mankind, whose will’s created free,

Charge all their woes on absolute decree.

All to the dooming gods their guilt translate

And follies are miscalled the crimes of fate.”

Paid for 6 brooms 6d. Mr James Jordan drank tea with us. I paid him 16.14.0…in full to the 28th January, 1756. Paid Master Hope for a sparerib, 8 lbs, 2/-. Paid for baking of a piece of beef for Sunday’s dinner 1d. Paid Clymson the glover 12/2 for goods I received from him this day: that 1s, he brought the goods himself… Afterward I took of him 20d for a bridle and 21d for a susi handkerchief. In the evening Robert Hook brought me home 1 pair boots, value 18/-, and my wife 1 pair pumps, value 3/9, both to be entered to account. Thomas Davy and he both came together; they stayed till near 11 o’clock. Paid for butter 2¾d. See Monday for something relating to this day.

At home all day. A very sharp frost last night and a great deal of snow remains on the ground. This day Mr Sam Gibbs’s daughter was christened. In the evening John Chesham and Thomas Reeve were both at my house concerning their late brother [in-law] Thomas Thompsett’s affairs, and Reeve sold to Chesham at my house, in the presence of myself, wife, Robert Hook and my servant-maid, all his moiety and claim of that money due from Mr William Rabson of Ticehurst to their late brother Thomas Thompsett at the time of his decease, which they said was in all £5, for the sum of 30/-. Chesham gave to Reeve a note… witnessed by myself and Robert Hook. Reeve at the same time gave to Chesham a receipt for the said note, wherein he acknowledges that the said note when paid is in full for his share of the above debt. The receipt was witnessed both by myself and Robert Hook. Reeve also gave his brother Chesham an order to Mr Rabson for him to receive the same of Mr Rabson, and to acquaint him that Chesham’s receipt shall be his sufficient discharge, dated today and from this place. Lastly Reeve gave his brother Chesham a note to pay to him, or his order on demand, the full value of the ½ part of the watch of the late Mr Thompsett, which Reeve has in possession, and has had ever since the 9th of May last. This note Master Hook and I also attested. At home all day. In the evening read 2 books of Homer’s Odyssey, translated by Pope.

At home all day. A very great frost last night; a great deal of snow on the ground. Continued freezing all day. Wrote a letter to Ned Smith in order to send next week by Francis Smith. Paid Joseph Fuller 4/- in full for 2 stone beef received today. In the evening Thomas Davy brought me a new boot to try on, being 1 of a pair I have bespoke near 12 months of Robert Hook. He stayed and supped with us, and he and I played at cribbage; I lost 4d. He stayed till near 11 o’clock. John Streeter, who went post from Mayfield today, says that Arundel post was lost in the snow, and, when found, almost dead.

This morning about 6:25 it began snowing very hard and continued snowing all day, and that very hard, but as it was open weather it did not lie on the ground above 6 inches deep; but, I believe, had there been a frost, it would not have been less than 2 foot deep. At home all day. The gardener at Halland drank tea with us. I lent him The Whole Duty of Man. In the evening Thomas Fuller the younger smoked one pipe with me…

At home all day. Paid Francis Smith in cash 1.5.0 in part for carriage [and other items, including payment]… to Ashmore on the 12th instant for 2 gallons of gin, one only for myself, O.5.4. I this day sent Messrs Margesson and Collison the bank bill I received yesterday of Mr Porter in a letter by Francis Smith and ordered them to pay Mr Theodore Pigg — in full; Mr Turner Bristow, confectioner, 2.0.5 in full; and Mr Charles Browne, cork-cutter and fruiterer, in full, [for] which see Saturday next if I have received advice that they have done it accordingly. Robert Diggens dined with us… busy a-writing all the evening. A dance in the evening at Dallaway’s.

At home all day; in the morning went down to Mr Porter’s; he was not up. After schooltime I went again to get him to write a letter to Mr Dungate for to beg of Mr Edwards for a longer respite for Mrs Virgoe, which he accordingly did, and we sent the letter by the post. Borrowed of Mrs Virgoe in cash 20.15.0 and gave her my note of hand for the same. In the evening my wife went down to Mr Porter’s with 29.0.8, which…is in full for a banknote…which he gave to my wife. In the evening Thomas Davy here; we played at cribbage; I lost 2½d. I gave him ¾ yards of shalloon for keeping school for me the 27^th of January last and for going to Dr Stone’s for me the 10th December last.

Got up in the morning. Mr Burgess and I came away about 8 o’clock. Called on Mr Scrase; gave his apprentice 6d for setting 6 razors for me. We went down to Mr Verral’s and there we breakfasted. Mr John Lambert, Thomas Baldy, James Lambert Jr and Mr Verral’s son came with us as far as Ringmer Church. We called at Martin’s at Broyle Gate and had 1 pint beer. Came home just as the people came out of church, it being exactly 12 o’clock, and dined at home. Not at church in the afternoon. After churchtime Mr French, Thomas Fuller, Mr Hutson and Halland gardener came in and sat a while with us, as did Mrs Virgoe. All I spent in a manner on my own account I have mentioned; viz., 12d. The remainder of my expenses, as I went on Mrs Virgoe’s account and have nothing for my trouble, I shall charge to her.

The whole expense of what I spent at Lewes on Mrs Virgoe’s account:

Paid Mr Verral                    0.5.0

Ditto John Fuller                 0.8.6

Spent at the Cats                 0.0.6

At the White Horse after supper on Saturday ev’g       0.0.3

Ditto at dinner on Saturday, and after dinner             0.0.10

Ditto on Sunday morning            0.0.3

Ditto gave the maid                0.0.6

Ditto at Martins                  0.0.2

Ditto 1 oz tobacco                 0.0.1½

Spent 6d more                     0.0.6

                                  0.16.1½

As I came away in the morning before Mrs Stemp was up, there were several expenses not paid, I think as under: My expenses on Friday night; 1 bowl of punch; and 4 quarts of Dorchester on Saturday; with 1 pint of mild beer and supper Saturday night.

In the morning got up, went down to Mr Verral’s and breakfasted there. Paid Mr Roase 0.8.3; to wit, for the 31 lbs, Cheshire cheese I bought and sent to Thomas Scrase and 1 paper pan I bought and brought home with me. Went to the Cats and stayed there for Mr Burgess. I called on Mr Hook and Mr Edward Verral. I paid Mr Edward Tasker 0.19.4 for Mr Porter in full for money due to Mr Robert Saxby for magazines. Dined at the White Horse in company with Mr John Vine Jr, Mr Henry Edwards and Mrs Stemp. After dinner Mrs Virgoe’s house was put up to sale, though I believe the candle was not lighted up until near 4 o’clock.

“White Horse in Lewes, Feb. 14, 1756.Conditions of sale by the candle of a convenient dwelling-house, a good butcher-shop, slaughter-house and stable, situate in the Parish of St Michael near the market-house in Lewes, and now in the occupation of Mr John Fuller, butcher; and also 2 other tenements thereto belonging and adjoining; viz.,

1st: The whole premises to be put up to the best bidder in one lot at £400 and not less than £5 to be advanced upon each bidding.

2ndly: The last bidder at the expiration of the flame of the candle is the buyer.

3rdly: If any dispute arise by 2 or more persons bidding together, such dispute to be ended by the lot being to be put up again at the price last bid.

4thly: The buyer to deposit £30 into the hands of Mr John Burgess of Rotherfield at the time of buying, as a part of the purchase, and the remainder of the purchase to be paid to the said Mr John Burgess at the time of the surrender of the premises; viz., the 25th day of March next, or the deposited £30 to be forfeited.

5thly: The seller to pay all charges of the surrender and the buyer all the charges of the fine and admittance.”

The candle burned till near, or quite, 8 o’clock. There were out and in at times during the burning of the candle the following persons: Joseph and John Fuller, Mr Manning, Edward Verral, Henry Verral, W. Lee, Samuel Piggot, Mr Feron, Mr Saxby, Mr Roper, Mr Joseph Burgess, Mr John Burgess, Mr George Verral (he being auctioneer), Mr John Buckall, Mr Charles Rand and myself and Mr Whapham. There was no one bid anything in reality; so it was not sold. Therefore to prevent its being sold for a trifle at the expiration of the candle, I bid £420 for it. After it was all over and the people gone, Mr Tucker, Mr Burgess and I stayed and spent the remaining, part of the evening together at the White Horse. Mr Burgess and I lay at the White Horse. Paid for butter 2¾d.

After I came from school in the forenoon, I went over to Mrs Virgoe’s. I found her brother Mr. Joseph Burgess and her brother Mr John Burgess of Rotherfield there. I stayed there about 2 hours talking over Mrs Virgoe’s affairs concerning the sale of her house tomorrow etc.

About 4 o’clock I went for Lewes on foot. Just as I was a-going, I met with two apprentices of Mrs Taylor of Lewes, who were then a-going to Lewes. We accordingly went together, and on their account, for the sake of company, I went around by Laughton. We called at Mr Robert Turner’s and at Laughton Place, but did not stay. I got to Lewes about 7 o’clock and called on Mr George Verral. He and I went up to Mr John Plumer’s to talk with him and found him abed with the gout. Afterwards I went down to Mr Roase’s and paid him £7 in full to the 30th of January last… Then I went and paid Mr George Lambert 1.10.0 in full to this day. Paid for shaving 6d. Afterwards went to the White Horse and supped and spent the evening in company with Mr Tucker, Piggot, Feron, Griffiths, Roper, Aliot and Aldersey. Bought of Mr Roper 1 watch key, value 6d. Rec’d of William Sinden ½ bushel wheat. Lay at the White Horse.