Author: Thomas Turner

In the morning after I had breakfast I rode to Lewes where I did some business with Mr John Madgwick and came home about 9:30… Sam Jenner being a-gardening for me today, he dined with me on a shoulder of mutton roasted and onion sauce. Rec’d of Ben Shelley in cash 9.5.6 in full for the same sum he sold 5 cwt 2 qr 25 lbs rags for me in London this week. Pretty busy today.

This being the day appointed by proclamation for a general fast and humiliation before Almighty God to be observed in a most devout and solemn manner by sending up our prayers and supplications to the Divine Majesty for obtaining pardon of our sins and for averting those heavy judgments which our manifold provocations have most justly deserved, and imploring His blessing and assistance for the arms of his Majesty by sea and land, and for restoring and perpetuating peace, safety and prosperity to himself and to his kingdoms, myself and both servants were at church in the morning. “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.” Myself and both servants et church in the afternoon where we had only prayers.

After churchtime I drank a dish or two of coffee and then rode to Uckfield in company with Mr Thornton in order to meet Shelley’s wagon to take out a parcel… I found my brother Moses at my house, who sat chatting with me till about 9 o’clock. Thomas Davy sat with me the remaining part of the evening, to whom, and in the day, I read 4 of Tillotson’s sermons. In the morning we had a very crowded audience at church, and undoubtedly a very good sermon.

…At home all day. Really a very dull time for trade as I ever knew, but what is that when compared to the melancholy gloom which still affects my mind?

In the morning Mr Jones went away as soon as he arose. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Posted my day book. At home all day and I think the very worst day’s trade I have ever known since I have been at Hoathly. This day was buried the wife of John Potter, aged 78 years. In the evening Mr Sam Gibbs and Sam Jenner and Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. In the afternoon we had several smart showers of snow.

In the morning posted my day book… After dinner I rode over to Framfield where I stayed and drank tea. I came home about 6:20. In the evening Mr Cave Jones, rider to Messrs Pierson and Gadsden, called on me and I paid him… Mr Jones supped with me and stayed all night, he being on foot, having sent his horse farther on the road. Rec’d of John Vine the weaver at Laughton 5/- on account.

…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Rec’d of Samuel Jenner the two guineas lent him the 28th ult. At home all day. In the evening wrote my London letters. Bett Reeve drank tea with me.

Myself and servant at church in the morning… We had a brief read for rebuilding the parish church of Halken in Brecon in the Principality of Wales, the charge of which amounted to the sum of £1100 and upwards, to which I gave 1½d. The banns of marriage were published for the first time between Thomas Emery and Mary Geal, both living at Halland, which standing both in this parish and Laughton, they were asked to neither of the parishes. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Myself and both servants at church in the afternoon… Thomas Davy sat with me in the evening, to whom, and in the day, I read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons.

…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a light pudding and turnips. At home all day and very little to do. In the evening posted some account.

In the morning I walked up to Mrs Piper’s. I dined on a leg of mutton boiled and a pea pudding. After dinner John Piper and I walked to Lewes in order to collect in a debt due upon the trust of Mr William Piper deceased… We came home about 7:05, both very sober. John Piper, Joseph Muller Jr and Sam Jenner smoked a pipe with me in the evening…

…I drank tea at Joseph Fuller’s and stayed the evening till near 8 o’clock, but came home sober, drinking only a few dishes of tea during my stay…