Thomas Turner

My sister and cousin Anne dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of bacon boiled, French beans, green salad and cucumbers. They stayed with us all day, and it being wet weather in the evening, they both stayed all night. At home all day. Read part of Martin’s Bibliotheca Technologica.

About 6:20 in the morning I set out on my journey to Hartfield where I arrived about 9:20. After staying there and breakfasting, my brother Sam Slater and I rode to Broadstone to weigh up Mr Martin’s wool for my father Slater, which we accordingly did… After we had weighed up the wool, we dined at Mr Martin’s on some cold ham and cucumbers. My brother Sam and I came to Forest Row together where I called to see my cousin Ballard, but she was not at home, though I had the good fortune to meet with her as I came home. I came home just at 9 o’clock, very sober… My sister and cousin Ovendean went home about 7 o’clock… I spent 10d today as under:

To turnpike	0.0.4
To ½ pint wine at Forest Row	0.0.6

Though I went to Hartfield purely to serve my father–for he knew nothing about the wool, not even how many pounds there were either in a peck or tod of wool– but notwithstanding that–during the little stay I made at Hartfield, I think Mrs Slater (for I am sure her usage to me was ever like that of a mother) used me with abundance of reflecting scurrilous language, though what for I know not, but I think if there can be any parallel in this life with the miserable state in the future, it must be in living with a person of Mrs Slater’s unhappy temper, and more particularly so if she happens to be in any ways related. Mrs Slater might do well to sell oysters at Billingsgate, but to live amongst civilized people she must be an obstruction to theirs and her own happiness.

…Paid Mr Sam Beckett… for the money he paid in town for this week [including]… to Mr Post for a watch 2.18.0… At home all day, but nothing to do. Paid Joseph Fuller 6d for lamb’s bell received today. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening.

In the morning my brother came over and breakfasted with us, and after breakfast he carried my wife to Lewes… At home all day busy. Mr Gibbs being a-drawing of the pond in the Street, he made me a present of 2 carp.

I cannot say I think it prudent of my wife to go Lewes now as I look for the Duke of Newcastle down at Halland next week and as I have several journeys to go which I must postpone on account of her going, whereby my business sustains a disadvantage. But, and alas! what can be said of a woman’s temper and thought? Business and family advantage must submit to their pride and pleasure. But though I mention this of woman, it may perhaps be as justly applied to men, but most people are blind to their own follies.

In the morning, my brother, self and nephew walked over to Framfield in order to meet Mr Will Bennett, who accordingly came. We breakfasted at my mother’s and also dined there on a leg of lamb roasted, a plain butter pudding and French beans. We all stayed and drank tea at my mother’s and came home about 8:30. Not at church all day. Rec’d of my mother 9/1; viz.,

To 1 satin hat	0.3.8
To 1 paper box	0.0.3
To ½ bushel flour	0.5.2

In the morning my brother went to Lewes for me. I paid him for money he paid in Lewes for me as under:

To George Lambert	0.9.0
To 1 bond for Mr Burgess	0.2.7
To 1¼ yd shaloon	0.2.3
To 3 lbs powder	0.4.6
To the turnpike	0.0.2

My brother came back and dined with us on 2 boiled carp, a piece of bacon and French beans. After dinner I went to Lewes to offer Mr Friend my wool…

In the morning my brother went over to Framfield… Just as we had dined, Mr John Collison came in, who dined on the remains of what we left. He and I balanced accounts, but I paid him no money. He stayed and drank tea with us. I lent Master Hook my mare to go to Lewes upon, and he in return brought home my wife… Down at Halland twice…

In the morning my brother went over to Framfield and came back and breakfasted with us. After breakfast my brother and I went over to Mr Peckham’s, where we weighed up his wool; viz., cloth No. 5, 187 fleeces; weight 13 tod 14 lbs, at 21/-, £14.2.2¼, for which I gave him my note of hand. We dined there on a neck of lamb boiled, a piece of pork, a butter pudding cake, white cabbage and carrots, my family at home dining on the sheep’s head and bell bought yesterday.

In the morning my brother came over and went to Lewes for me and brought over my wife’s sister Ann Slater… Down at Halland 4 times. Read. Part of Martin’s Library of Arts and Sciences.

…Down at Halland 5 times today. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read part of the London Magazine for July.