Author: Thomas Turner

At home all day; my side very bad. Dr Stone came in the morning to see me and examined my side, but said I had no ribs broken. Tom Cornwell brought me 2 carp; I gave him 12d. I sent them by Dr Stone to my mother. Gave Thomas Cornwell 6d for carrying the wine up to Master Reeve’s. Dame Reeve was buried today; wife went to the funeral in the afternoon. Mr John Vine and his wife here. Rec’d of him 14/- in full for the heirs of Mr Thomas Thompsett deceased. My wife and I at church, the text in Matthew: 25:46: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” After church was ended, Mrs Vine drank tea with us and Mr Vine came about 5:45 and stayed till about 7:45. After supper Thomas Davy came to see me and stayed about 1 hour; paid for baking 1½d.

About 3 o’clock went down to Mr French’s and borrowed his little horse to go to Lewes upon for wine for Dame Reeve’s funeral, having sent for some but it did not come as I expected. I rode him up home to put on my greatcoat etc., and accordingly got up at the block, but by accident, either by touching him with the spur or his taking fright with the dog, he fell a-kicking and running etc. and threw me down near the corner of Mr Virgoe’s stone wall, and hurt my side very much. I sent Thomas Davy for the doctor in the evening, but he did not come. Paid Dame Vinal for washing 9d. Gave a man who brought the wine for me from Lewes by accident (it not being the same I sent for it by) 6d.

At home all day. Rec’d of Mr Samuel Gibbs 6/1 in full except the boy’s schooling. Sent Messrs Margesson and Collison the bank note value £20 which I received of Mr Porter the 6th instant (by Smith in a letter) and sent them by Smith £10; that is, I sent Francis Smith by his brother Josias 9.19.0 and ordered him to pay them £10 — see the next time I balance with Frank. In the evening Robert Diggens came in, stayed and supped with us and drank 2 bottles of beer.

At home all day; Elizabeth Reeve and my brother Moses drank tea with us… Rec’d of Will Burrage 4/- in full for the heirs of Mr Thomas Thompsett deceased; to wit,

Burrage debtor to Thompsett             0.6.6

Due to Burrage for laying forth etc.    0.2.6

At church in the morning, the text Philippians 1:22, 23, 24: “But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour; yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt the two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” The subject was 1st to show what Mankind should by a steady perseverance in religion and virtue make the fare [fear] of death as it were familiar to them, and likewise that in the immediate space of time between death and judgment the soul receives pleasures or sufferings according to the virtuous or wicked life we have led in this world. Paid for butter 3d. Dame Reeve died this morning about 10 o’clock.

At home all day. Gave Mr Porter £20 for a bank bill. Gave the post 1d; gave a tramp 1d. Rec’d of Francis Smith a receipt from Margesson & Collison… for the money I gave him the 2nd instant. Drank tea at Mrs Day’s. Thomas Davy here in the evening. Paid Elizabeth Mepham 5/- for making 10 round frocks.

At home all day. Dr Stone cut me an issue on my back and drew a tooth for my wife. Molly French dined here. Robert Diggens drank tea with us. Rec’d of William Sinden ½ bushel wheat…

At home all day. Paid William Piper… in full of all I owe Mr Piper except 6½ bushels malt received the 26 November and a crock of butter received today. In the evening papered up about 90 papers of tobacco. Delivered to Josias Smith his bill, amounting to 1.18.3¼, which I am to outset with Francis Smith when I balance with him. Josias Smith supped here. After supper I read part of Tournefort’s Voyage into the Levant.

At home all day… Made an [excise] entry of my shop and kitchen to retail coffee, tea etc. in, and dated it as tomorrow. Molly French dined with us…

Paid Francis Smith in cash 7/-, which…makes the money I have paid him in all 47.8.0 and is in full for the money he has paid for me in London as (under):

To Mr Thomas Calverley & Son in full paid on the 13th November 8.11.0

On the 20th November to Mr Read in full for Mr Gilmore of Battle, powder maker 3.10.0

a ditto on the 20th to Messrs Margesson and Collinson 25.0.0

ditto on the 26th to Mr John Crouch          10.0.0

ditto for 2 gallons of brandy                0.7.0

I also gave him £10 which he is to pay in London for me this week. I ordered Messrs Margesson and Collison to pay Messrs Neal & Daker — [left blank] in full. This day Mr Vine Sr sent me a loin of pork; I gave the boy that brought it 6d. At home all day; marked up a parcel that came from Messrs Grant, Barlow and Wigginton on Saturday last. In the evening read part of the 3rd volume of Tournefort’s Voyage into the Levant.