Thomas Turner

In the forenoon Mr John Box brought me Thomas Daw’s writings (but as Thomas Daw was not at home, they could not be executed); so he left the said writings with me to see them executed. Mr Joseph Burgess paid him for the same 1.16.0. We dined on the remains of Monday, Tuesday and yesterday’s dinners. Sent by John Streeter to Mayfield 3/9 for my club arrears, due today, it being at quarterly club night… At home all day. In the day read part of the 1st volume of the Medical Observations and Essays by a society at Edinburgh. In the first part of the evening wrote out some of the parish bill, and in the later part of the evening read 5 of Tillotson’s sermons.

Paid for 2 lbs tripe 4d. In the forenoon walked down to Whyly to borrow some quart bottles. We dined on the remains of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and yesterday’s dinners with the addition of some boiled tripe. In the afternoon (or rather the evening) my brother came over and brought me one bill on Mr John Thomson, hop-factor in Southwark, value £20… My brother stayed and drank tea with us, and I sent by him to the Rev Mr Wharton in cash £10… I paid Mr Sam Beckett in full for the sum he paid in London for me this week; [including]… to searching Hazard’s lottery office for my four lottery tickets 0.1.6

At home all day except as before. In the evening read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons. In reading the Gazette for the 22nd instant I find the King of Prussia, with about 20,000, has beat the combined forces of the empire and France, which were 60,000; he

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having totally routed them and taken almost, or quite all their cannon, baggage etc., taking and killing in the field of battle and the pursuit 10,000 men. Oh, could England boast of such a warlike P—– and to have such a true heroic courage diffused through all its martial men (as must evidently appear to have been in this small host)! But how can we expect to find such courage in the poor degenerated people of England, when it is virtue, and that alone, that constitutes the true hero and inspires courage into the breast of the warrior (which at this time seems almost to be extinguished in the British nation). For dissoluteness of manners, a spirit of effeminacy and self-interest, together with an intolerable share of pride and luxury, seem almost to over-spread the whole face of this kingdom. And I presume when such are the vices of a nation, they must inevitably be ruined without a speedy reformation.

At home all day. Sent by Goldsmith’s carter to Mrs Roase in Lewes one bill, value 15.5.6… I received by the same carrier a letter from Mrs Roase wherein she acknowledges the receipt of the bill… We dined on some boiled tripe and perry sop. In the evening my wife and I papered up about 60 parcels of tobacco, and in the later part of the evening read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons. A prodigious quantity of rain fell this evening. In the day read part of several new almanacs which came down today, and I doubt but few will be sold by reason of the additional duty of one penny on the sheet, and two pence on the stitched.

My whole family at church in the morning… We dined on a piece of beef boiled, a raisin and a plain suet pudding and turnips. My whole family at church in the afternoon… This afternoon in service time was baptized the natural daughter of Elizabeth Day (and what made me remark it was, it was baptized by the name of Sarah Durrant Day).

In the evening and the day read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons and part of Sherlock upon death. I this day completed reading of Tillotson’s sermons over the second time, and so far as I am a judge I think them to be a complete body of divinity, they being written in a plain familiar style, but far from what may be deemed low.

In the morning went down to Mr Porter’s and I received of him one bill on Messrs Swainstone and Hedges, hop-factors in Southwark… in lieu of which I gave Mr Porter my note of hand… He also informed me that one Wright had paid some money to Messrs Margesson and Collison on my account for him. I sent by the post today to Mr James Burfield of Steyning one bill on Messrs Margesson and Collison… of which bill 1.17.6 is in full for one year’s rent due from John Streeter at Lady Day last, and which money I received of him the 23rd of Oct. The remaining part; viz., 2.7.6 is in full for one year’s rent, due at old St Michael for the house which Susan Burrage lives in, and is on account of the parish.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some onion sauce. Mrs Burgess drank tea with us, and Mr Burgess stayed and smoked a pipe or two with me in the evening. In the first part of the evening wrote my London letters, and in the latter part read part of Sherlock upon death. This day Thomas Osborne came to me and offered me his bond to indemnify and save harmless this parish from any charge that shall ever arise touching or concerning his servant’s being now pregnant, and from all charges that shall or may arise there from. Rec’d today of Dame Weller 22½d on account.

Paid Joseph Fuller 4½d in full for 1½ lbs mutton received today. Rec’d of Mr Joseph Burgess 2.7.6 in full for that part of the bill I sent to Mr James Burfield yesterday, which was Dame Burrage’s rent. This day sent (by the man that rode with the orders for Mr Beckett, carrier) to Messrs Margesson and Collison, in a small parcel with a stocking, the bill I received of Mr Porter yesterday on Swainstone and Hedges, value 10.9.8, and the bill I received by my brother the 25^th instant from Mr John Smith on Mr John Thomson, value £20, which bills together make the sum of 30.9.8… We dined on the remains of Sunday’s and yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a scrag end of a neck of mutton boiled. Balanced accounts with Richard Page and received of him 5/- in full; viz.,

Richard Page Dr.
To goods etc. at sundry times	2.7.5¾
Per Contra Cr.
Rec’d by bringing me 5 tun salt in the years 1756 and 1757	1.10.0
Rec’d by carriage of 2 chaldron of coal etc.	0.12.5¾
To cash received today	0.5.0
	2.7.5¾

At home all day. In the evening posted the parish account and received of Mr Burgess 19/- which I have paid this year for him; viz., for men with passes, wheat the first week after Easter, 12d paid Mary Vinal the 1st week after Easter, 14d spent with going to Uckfield with Braizer and 23½d spent at Waldron. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read part of Sherlock on death.

Gave one Duffield at Isfield (who came with a petition signed by the minister and churchwardens of the said parish, to ask charity on account of his house being burned down last summer by lightning) 6d. Just before dinner my brother Will came in, who dined with us on the remains of Sunday, Monday and yesterday’s dinner with the addition of 2 ducks roasted and a light pudding. He stayed at our house until near 4 o’clock. James Marchant drank tea with us. About 5:10 I went down to Jones’s to the parish meeting (notice thereof being given Sunday last in the afternoon) when we made a poor…

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In the morning paid Joseph Fuller by his son Thomas 18d for 1 loin mutton weighing 6 lbs received today. We dined on the loin of lamb (bought today) roasted today in the oven. Gave a seaman with a pass, just come in a cartel ship from France, 12d. Sent the poor book made last night by the post today to have it signed, which was accordingly done by Henry Shelley and John Bridger Esqrs. I paid the post 4d for carrying the book. At home all day. In the evening read part of the 2nd volume of the Medical Essays.

Paid Joseph Fuller 3/8 for two stone of beef received today. We dined on the remains of Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and yesterday’s dinners with the addition of some mutton broth and cold rice pie. Drew out a barrel of perry today. Paid 4d for 2 lbs tripe. Gave a man and a woman with a pass 6 pence on the parish account. At home all day. In the evening my wife very ill. Read part of the 4th volume Medical Essays. Joseph Fuller in the evening stayed and smoked a pipe or 2 with me.

In the morning I went down to Mr Porter’s and informed him I had just received advice from Messrs Margesson and Collison that Mr Wright had paid them on my account for his use the sum of 57.13.6. And then I gave Mr Porter my note of hand for the same sum payable to him or bearer on demand… Very busy all day; marked up a parcel of hose, and in the evening read part of Sherlock on death. Oh, now pleasant has this day been — to have been almost continual busy, and then after the hurry of the day to enjoy the pleasure of the evening in reading.