Thomas Turner

Just as we were going to breakfast, my brother Will came in, as did Mr John Breeden and his wife, of Pevensey, about 10:10. They all dined with us on a leg of mutton boiled, turnips and carrots, 2 ducks roasted and gravy sauce and a currant rice pudding. After dinner Mr Breeden and his wife, and my wife and self walked down to see Halland. In our road we called in at Mr Bridgman’s, he being a relation of Mr Breeden; they both went with us, and after seeing the place over, they all came back and drank tea at our house.

They all went away except my brother about 6:10. My brother stayed till near 8 o’clock. I received of my brother in cash 21/-, which with the 2.2.0 received of him the 10th July is in full for a silver watch he had of me. We had no service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter being a-visiting at Mayfield. In the afternoon the Rev, Mr Shenton, curate of Laughton, preached, here. My brother and the 2 boys at church. In the evening read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning Master Piper and Master Durrant came along with a “Here, we have got a job of writing we want you to do.” Which I readily did, and when I had written out a sheet of paper and wrote about an hour, they sneaked away without so much as ever offering to pay for the paper, or I think to say they were obliged to me for doing it. But what can we expect from two such covetous and miserable wretches, whose whole delight is self-interest? The only thing that I know of is that they must remain as they are, and God bless them… In the afternoon I rode out a-money-catching, but got none. I came home through the park where I stayed and saw part of a game of cricket. Gave some seamen with a pass 6d. At home all the evening.

…In the forenoon busy a-writing for John Watford, but he pays for paper and is almost ready to smother me with thanks and does promise to serve in as far as opportunity offers… Mrs Atkins, Mrs Hicks and Mrs Verral drank tea with us. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning I set out for Pevensey, where I arrived about 10:20, and after staying about half an hour, Mr John Breeden and I rode to Ninfield in order to hire the shop there, but when we came to Ninfield, we could not hire it, the shop not being parted with as yet. Mr Breeden and I dined at the Spread Eagle on some mutton chaps (as did my family at home on a duck pudding and turnips). We stayed at Ninfield about 3:40 when we parted, and thanks be to God I got home very safe and sober about 6:55. I spent this day 2/-; viz.,

The turnpike	0.0.2
Our dinner, i.e., both	o.0.9
Horses and beer	0.1.1

In the evening I read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

Paid Joseph Fuller, by Thomas 3/10½ for meat received today; viz.,

15 lbs beef at 3d	0.3.9
1 kidney	0.0.1½

In the forenoon sent my maid to Waldron to get a debt of Mr Jones’s. Rec’d of her in cash 17/-; remains due 4/-… Thomas Davy at our house in the evening; we played at cribbage; I won 1d. Paid John Lewer 4/- for 2 bushels oats received today.

In the morning walked up to a sale of the late Master Goldsmith’s, where, after staying an hour or two and buying a handbill and a pot-hook for 8d, I came home… In the evening my brother came over and stayed all night. Paid Mr Burgess 16/6 for 1 brass pot, which he bought at the sale, but afterwards has a dislike to it. I thought I had bought it at the price of old bell brass, but I doubt I am deceived, which if I am confirms the old proverb that covetousness never brings anything home. Paid 4d for 2 lbs of tripe. Rec’d of my mother by my brother in cash 19.4.4, for a parcel Manchester goods and dowlas had last March.

After breakfast my brother went home… We dined on a light pudding and some boiled tripe. This day received a letter by the post from Hazard’s lottery office that one of the tickets I got registered for Master Hook was come up a blank; viz., 38561. Paid John Lewer 16/7½ in full for 33½ lbs butter received today…

Myself, maid and 2 boys at church in the forenoon… There was a brief read for the parish church of Corely in the county of Salop, amounting to the sum of £1005 and upwards. I collected upon the said brief the sum of 22d, and 1d I gave myself makes in the whole 23d. We dined on a piece of beef roasted in the oven yesterday, boiled plum suet pudding, and a hard pudding, turnips and onion sauce. My whole family at church in the afternoon… After churchtime I went to Mr Porter’s and signed the brief read today, but did not stay. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom, and in the day, I read 7 of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning wrote my London letters and very busy. Thomas Davy at our house a-helping me gather apples most part of the day. He dined with us about 3:30 my brother came to my house; he, Thomas Davy, Dame Hook and Molly drank tea at our house. About 5 o’clock my brother and I set out for Lewes in order to meet Mr Stephen Fletcher (Mr Samuel Ridings’s servant). We arrived at Lewes about 7:50; we spent the evening at the White Horse in company with Mr Fletcher, Mr Buckall and Mr George Richardson. We also lodged at the White Horse and went to bed thanks be to God very sober. My wife at home in my absence left my business with the care of a servant and went and stayed at Dame Weller’s all night.

In the morning my brother and I arose and bought a parcel of goods of Mr Fletcher and breakfasted with him at the White Horse. I gave him in cash 1.6.0 and by a bill… the sum of 41.6.0 in full of all demands due to Mr Ridings til1 the parcel bought today. I spent and paid at Lewes today as under:

[Paid] for one loaf of bread brought home with me	0.0.6
Bought 7 large plaice	0.0.6
Do. 1 basket 3d	0.0.3
Do ½ hundred needles for James Marchant	0.1.0
Paid Mr Will Kemp for a silver seal, the 2 initials of my name ciphered on it	0.7.0
Do. Mr Henry Scrase for 6 yds cotton bought Today	0.15.0
Do 2 1bs gunpowder	0.3.0
Paid Mr Lee for advertising Mrs Virgoe’s house to be let	0.3.6
Spent also on Mrs Virgoe’s account in treating with Mr Lee to let him same, but did not	0.0.7
Spent on my account, my half bed	0.0.3
Gave the maid	0.0.3
Spent	0.0.2

My brother and Mr Will Bennett came home with me and dined with me on a cold beef pie, and some apple-pie… After staying about an hour, we all three walked over to Framfield and drank tea at my mother’s; I stayed there till near 6 o’clock. Then my brother came and brought me going on my way home as far as Durrants’, but would not walk in with me by reason he could not tarry all night… My wife in my absence paid Mr Piper and Mr French 7/6 in full for window tax.