Author: Thomas Turner

Paid Richard Wrothwell in cash 3.1.0 in full for a bill of flax on the parish account from himself and Edward Merricks. Paid Mr. Richard Stone in cash 1.5.3 (by Christopher Vine) in full for a bill due on the parish account. I dined on a shoulder of veal roasted and stuffed and some watercress. Rec’d of the Rev Mr Thomas Porter in cash 48.10.3 in full for the draft on Mr Will Margesson which I gave him the 25th ult… Paid John Shelley in cash 12/- in full for the same sum paid Dr Godfrey last week, for which he had no receipt. Paid John Streeter in cash 2.7.6 in full for his clerk’s wages and washing the surplice three times. Paid Sarah Prall in cash 7/1 in full for post letters. Also lent her in cash 14/- for which she left in my hands a broad piece of gold, value: according to weight 18/-.

In the afternoon walked up to Mr Coates’s, but did not stay any great time. In the evening wrote my London letters, after which my brother and I played a game or two of cribbage; I won three games. A very [ ??] afternoon and part of the evening.

Myself and brother at church in the morning; the text in part of the 14th verse 15th chapter 1st Corinthians: “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a knuckle of a shoulder of veal boiled and greens. Myself, brother and servant at church in the afternoon; the text in part of Luke 24:46; “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.”

After churchtime I, Mr Bannister and my brother walked down to Sam Washer’s, he owing some money and his landlord having distrained for rent. But my journey answered no other and then to spend 4½d each. We came home about 8:40 very dirty and wet. A very fine day, which is the first fine day we have had for a great while past.
 

Paid John Shelley, brother to Ben Shelley, in cash 3.7.9 in full for money paid in London for me… I dined on a bullock’s kidney pie. At home all day and thank God very busy…Charles Diggens drank tea with me. Paid Mr Joseph Fuller Jr in cash 0.2.1½ in full for 1 shoulder of veal weighing 8 ½ lbs at 3d.

In the evening very dull and sleepy; this courting does not well agree with my constitution, and perhaps it may be only taking pains to create more pain.
 

My brother and servant at church in the morning; myself at home busy a-writing. Posted my day book. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a plain suet pudding and greens. Rec’d of Thomas Sturt 14/6 in full. In the afternoon about 3:30 set out for Lewes. Paid. Mr Henry Burtenshaw 5.17.4 in full. Paid Mr Edward Verrall 4/7 in full. Paid Mr George Verrall 3/2 in full, where I drank tea.

In the evening met with Molly Hicks (by appointment ) and walked home with her, where I stayed with her, the weather being excessive bad, till morning, past 5, and then came home. Spent upon myself 21d, horse and ostler 11d, turnpike 4d. Thank God very busy today in the first part of the day.

…Dame Akehurst, a-brewing for me today, dined with me on a beef pudding and greens and potatoes. Mrs Stace drank tea with me, as did Master Baker. Paid Robert Hook in cash £5 in part of his parish account. Paid Mr Sam Gibbs 6/3 in full for half a cord wood delivered to Peter Adams on the parish account.

At home all day. In the evening Sam Jenner coming in, we played a few games of cribbage; I lost 2 games.

I dined on some salt fish, potatoes, parsnips and egg sauce. In the afternoon walked up to Mr Coates’s, where I received of him in cash 11.2.0 in full to the 25th day of March inclusive… In the evening posted part of my day book. Very busy all day and at home.

In the evening read part of Meaurician’s Midwifery, translated by Chamberlain.

James Emery, a-gardening for me today, dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some turnip greens and a plain batter pudding. In the afternoon Mrs Carman drank tea with me and she and her husband stayed, the evening till about 10:40 and ate some supper with me of bread and cheese and apple pie, the weather being so excessive bad that they could not possibly get home before.

Paid Mr Robert Lulham in cash 2.12.6 in full on the parish account. Paid a son of Mr Edward Heaver, miller at Isfield, in cash 1.6.8 in full for 4 bushels best flour bought of him today and received by him.
 

In the day very busy. I dined on part of a calf’s bell boiled and minced, and some greens. At home all day and thank God very busy. In the evening wrote my London letters. Mr Shoesmith and Joseph Fuller, coming in to my house in the evening by accident, as it should appear, though by them a contrived thing, spent the evening with me till about 10:20. My friend Joseph Fuller I must own is rather too fruitful in the invention to contrive some way to get a little liquor or a pipe or two of tobacco.

Myself and brother at church in the forenoon…We had a brief read for repairing the church of St Albans, the expense of which amounted to the sum of £2561. I collected upon the same 2/- and 6d I gave myself, making collected on the whole on this brief 2/6. After churchtime I went into Mr Porter’s and we signed the same.

Mr Carman dined with me on a calf’s heart pudding and some potatoes. After dinner Mr Carman, my brother and myself walked down to Laughton, but we being too late for church went to Mr Shoesmith’s, where we stayed and drank tea with them, and stayed till about 7:10, when we came home very sober. I received of Mr Shoesmith in cash 3.15.0 in full for the share of the expense due from Laughton Parish attending the expenses I was at for searching the wills of the Pelham family, relating to a gift formerly given to this parish and the parish of Laughton, but lately discontinued. As it was a thing of some value the parishes concluded to have the wills of the Pelhams searched at Doctors’ Commons [but without success] and to pay the expenses jointly between them.

Paid Richard Vine, weaver at Laughton, in cash 1.3.8¼, which with a book debt of 1.0.2¾ makes together the sum of 2.3.1 and is in full for a bill of weaving on the parish account… Paid Richard Fuller 12d for a calf’s bell bought of him today. Dame Akehurst a-ironing for me all day and dined with me on some calf’s liver and rashers of pork fried.

In the afternoon my old acquaintance Mr Francis Elless came to see me and stayed and drank tea with me. At home all day and thank God very busy. In the evening Sam Jenner sat with me some time. A very pleasant day. In the evening read part of Butler’s Hudibras.