Thomas Turner

About 11:05 I set out for Lewes with Mrs Virgoe (Thomas Prall carrying her) in order to endeavor to procure Mrs Medley’s custom to be continued to her shop, but Mrs Medley not being in town and Mrs Virgoe being persuaded by Mr George Verral not to attempt it, we did not endeavor at it any farther. I paid Mr George Verral 2.12.0 in full on mine and my mother’s account; viz., 1.6.0 on each account; so that I have now 6/- of my mother’s in my hands. Rec’d of Mr Verral in cash 2.9.6, which I am to pay Mrs Hannah Atkins… Paid Mr Faulkner Bristow 2.0.6 in full.

We drank tea at Mr George Verral’s (but dined not anywhere). We came home about 9:15, though I cannot say quite sober, but I was very far from being drunk. I paid Mrs Atkins the 2.9.6 I received of Mr Verral today. My family at home in my absence dined on the remains of Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and yesterday’s dinners. Paid 2d today for 1 1b of tripe, upon which I dined or more rather supped after I came home. Mrs Weller’s family drank tea with my wife in my absence. I spent as under today, and as I went to Lewes on Mrs Virgoe’s account I believe I shall charge the same to her:

Spent a-treating with Mr Lee at the White Horse	0.0.6
Spent at the Cats	0.1.0
Do. horse and ostler	0.0.3
Turnpike	0.0.2
Martin’s	0.0.1½
	0.2.0½

In the morning busy a-sawing of wood.

In the morning Mr Burgess brought me a summons which Richard Braizer has lately been at Mr Courthope’s for, and he desired I would go and appear at Uckfield in his room, he being obliged to go to the funeral of John Carter, which was uncle to Mrs Burgess, to which I agreed upon condition he would lend me his mare to ride, which he did. The reason of Braizer’s complaint was: the parish has for several years past paid for keeping 2 of his girls, one about 10 and one about 12 years of age, one of which was kept by Richard Trill, the other by William Elphick. Both of these girls have for some time past been very saucy and impertinent, and Elphick, upon account thereof, corrected her by the order of a public vestry at Easter last, which so affronted Braizer that he declared she should live there no longer, pretending she was abused. Accordingly he took her home where she has been near 3 months and has lately demanded pay or relief for keeping her, which we refused; so he thereupon got a summons.

About 9:20 I set out for Uckfield, calling at the Nursery and taking Edmund Elphick along with me. I laid the story impartially before Mr Courthope, who severely reprimanded Braizer and told him all that he could do was to advise him to beg of the parish officers to put her out again to the same place. I came home about 1:50; after staying a short time, I went down to Mr Porter’s, this being the day of his tithe feast, and dined there on a buttock and piece of brisket beef boiled, a sirloin of beef roasted, turnips, carrots and a fine raisin bread suet pudding (my family at home dining on the remains of yesterday’s dinner) in company with Mr Porter, Mr Coates, Mr Jeremiah French, Mr Joseph Fuller, Mr Will Piper, John Vine Jr, Joseph Durrant, John Cayley, Ed Hope and Richard Hope. I paid Mr Porter 8/- in full for 1 year’s tithe, due at St Michael last. I stayed and smoked one pipe after dinner and then came home.

About 5:40 I set out to the house from which John Carter this day was buried in order to read the will of the deceased (by desire of Mr Burgess) to his relations, they all being all met to hear the same. I read the same to them, and in all their presence. The will of the deceased was, I think, dated the 6th May, 1754, and he thereby gives all his lands, movables and whatever he should die possessed of to his relict Susanna Carter during the time of her natural life or widowhood, and immediately after her decease or marriage, he gives his lands to his nephew Richard Carter and niece Elizabeth Carter, son and daughter of his brother Richard Carter, in trust for them to sell the same for the best price that can be gotten; and after taking out of the same five pounds apiece for their own over above their share, as shall hereafter appear, they are divided the same with the moneys arising from the sale etc. of the personal estate into 9 parts or shares, which he gives to the following: his nephews John and Harbour Wickersham, his nephews and nieces John and Joseph Seaman, Sarah Seaman and Elizabeth Jenner, and to the natural daughter of his niece Mary Seaman; and if any of the aforenamed should die before they come to enjoy their said share, then their issue is to enjoy the share of such parent so dying before they shall have enjoyed their said part. He also made his wife whole and sole executrix of his last will, contained on one sheet of paper, and which I believe was made by Mr Dungate, he being one of the witnesses.

I came home about 8:20 in company with Mr and Mrs Burgess. Thomas Davy at our house, in the evening, who supped with us. I Spent at Uckfield today on the parish account 14d, and I paid for shaving on my own account 3d.

My whole family at church in the morning. We had a brief read for the parish church of Wallazea in the, county of Chester, amounting to the sum of £1040 and upwards. I collected upon the said brief 19d, and 1d I gave myself, which makes collected in the whole 20d. We dined on a piece of boiled beef, turnips and a currant pond pudding. Robert Diggens came in just before churchtime and went with us to church and went away immediately afterward. After churchtime this afternoon I went into Mr Porter’s and signed the brief. My whole family at church in the afternoon…

At home all day. In the evening and the day read four of Tillotson’s sermons. This day and in the night there has been a great deal of rain, which is the first appearance we have had of winter in regard to the weather, for the roads till now have been almost as good as in summer, the dust at most places streaming as in the summer months; so that has been the finest season for the farmer to sow in as I believe was ever known.

My brother came over in the forenoon to borrow the mare, but did not stay… Borrowed of the widow Marchant in cash one guinea on account she could not give me silver for a 36/- piece. Paid my brother in cash and goods 6/8 in full for 8 yds striped camlet sold to Mrs French today. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner… Sent Dame Marchant the guinea by Philip which I borrowed of her today… In the afternoon Mr Harrison of Seaford brought to me one Elizabeth Blackman with an order signed by James Chambers and Robert Palmer, justices of the town and port of Seaford. Very busy all day; at home all day. Thomas Davy supped with us, to whom I read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons.

Sent Messrs Margesson and Collison in a letter by Beckett’s carter (Beckett not going to London himself this week) the bill I received the 3rd instant from Mr Sam Durrant of Lewes by the post on Sir Joseph Hankey and partners, 14 days’ date, dated the 31st Oct., value £20 and also the bill I received of Mr Wharton on Mr Ed Pollard (by my brother yesterday) value £20. I also sent Mr John Crouch in a letter one bill on Messrs Margesson and Collison, No. 323, dated today, 21 days’ date, value £10. I also sent Messrs Bancroft and Nixon one bill on Messrs Margesson and Collison, No. 324, dated today, 30 days’ date, value £18, out of which bill 4.17.0 is in full on account of Mr Thomas Fuller. Borrowed of Dame Durrant in cash 1.1.0… Paid Dame Durrant the guinea I borrowed of her as above.

At home all day and very busy. In the evening Mr Burgess smoked a pipe with me. After he went away, I read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons. A very cold, frosty day. In evening examined Elizabeth Blackman in regard to her settlement and I doubt she will belong to this parish.

We dined on the remains of Sunday, Monday and yesterday’s dinners the, addition of some baked herrings and pear pie. Rec’d by Richard Page 13 sacks salt and paid him 6/6, which money he paid to Mr John Wilbar for me; viz., for 2 dozen and 4 brushes received by him today:

1 doz. Dairy	0.2.0
1 doz. do.	0.3.0
4 clamp do.	0.1.6

At home all day and busy. In the evening read two of Tillotson’s sermons.

At home all day… In the afternoon wrote out Mr Piper’s bill. In the evening read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons. Paid 5d for 10 whiting bought today. In the evening Master Paris came to me and begged I would draw up a petition in behalf of his sons for them to endeavor to ask some relief of their neighbors, upon which I drew up the following petition:

“Whereas Francis and John Paris having formerly through mistaken Notions followed that unwarrantable Practice of Smuggling tho’ for a considerable time past being convinced of the mischievous Consequences of such a Practice (to the British Nation in General as well as to every individual thereof), have intirely refrain’d from the said practice, but as they who have once ventured on such an illegal course may Years after become subject to the Law (as many unhappy instances too justly testifie) and which is now become the case of those unhappy Men who have lately been sworn against in his Majesties Court of Exchequer for a very considerable Sum. Which if the Law is executed against them in the most rigorous manner they must be obliged to abandon their native Country and that which is still more dear to them their Family and relations, But as they have some prospect and hopes to believe the said affair may be made up for a small sum in proportion to so great a one which they are sworn for, tho’ still so a great that they are unable to raise the same from their affects. They therefore humbly implore the Assistance of their Neighbours and acquaintance hopeing they will commiserate their unhappy affair and Yeild them some relief and succour in this their day of adversity and trouble and they will ever (as bound in duty) thankfully acknowledge the favours they shall be pleased to confer upon Them.”

I gave the man 2/6 for his sons–not that I did it so as much from principle of charity as self-interest, having formerly bought some brandy of them. I could not tell but their poverty might induce them to do that for me which another has done for them, in order to clear themselves.

In the forenoon my brother called at my house in his road to Lewes; I gave him the £2 to pay my mother, which she paid to Mr Wharton in part of the bill I received from Mr Wharton by my brother the 7th instant. I also gave him in cash 1.3.0, with which he is to pay Mr George Lambert in full on my account…

In the evening went down to Jones’s, there being a vestry to consult further about Thomas Daw’s affair. It was agreed that the parish should borrow of John Watford the sum of £20 and pay interest for the same after the rate of four pounds percent per annum, and for which Mr Joseph Burgess and myself should give our notes of hand for in behalf of the rest of the parishioners of this said. parish; and that we should lend them the said money upon mortgage to Thomas Daw, to bear interest at four pounds percent per annum.

I came home about 8 o’clock. After I came home, I read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons…

…About 11:10 Mr John Box, attorney-at-law at Hailsham, called on me in order to settle the affairs about Thomas Daw. We then went down to Mr Cayley’s at the Moat where Mr Burgess was already and John Watford and Thomas Daw came soon after. We then borrowed of John Watford the sum of twenty pound and gave him the following note written by Mr Box:

“We Thomas Turner Churchwarden of the Parish of East Hothly and Joseph Burges Overseer of the Poor of the said Parish do for ourselves Joyntly and severally and for the rest of the Parishioners of the said Parish promise to pay Mr John Watford or Order the sum of Twenty Pounds for Vallue received with Interest for the same after the rate of Four pound per. Centum per. Annum within three Months Notice thereof witness our hands this Twelfth day of November 1757.”

We then lent the same to Thomas Daw and took his note of hand till such time as Mr Box can draw up the mortgage. Thomas Daw then paid to Thomas Price, steward or servant to Mrs Browne the sum of £55 for a tenement etc. in the parish of Waldron, and had proper writings delivered to him, which Mr Box had perused and declared the title to be good. I drank there some beer which they informed us was above 60 years old. I came home about 1:40.

We dined on some boiled tripe and pear pie. …In the evening made part of the poor book. Thomas Davy at our house the latter part of the evening, to whom I read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons. Tonight there has been the greatest light in the air that I think I ever observed, being, I imagine, what is called the Aurora Borealis.

In the morning our servant went over to Framfield, there, being no service at our church this forenoon on account of Mr Porter’s being gone to preach at Mayfield. My wife, self and 2 boys not at church anywhere in the morning. We dined on a piece of beef boiled and turnips and a piece of the scrag end of a neck of veal boiled. My wife, self and 2 boys at church in the afternoon when we had a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Shenton, Curate of Laughton, from Genesis 42:21: “And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.” At home all day. In the evening and in the day read 6 of Tillotson’s sermons. A very cold day.