Thomas Turner

In the morning our servant went over to Framfield, by whom I sent in cash to my mother £14… Myself and the two boys at church in the morning… My wife was not at church on account she was not well, being ill with a cold. We dined on a beef pudding, some boiled tripe and greens. Myself and the two boys at church this afternoon; the text in the former part of Hebrews 10:25: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another.” From which words we had in fact a very good sermon, though it appeared to be delivered with a warmth that had a tincture of anger in it, or at least seemed to point at some particulars as if the deliverer had taken a pique at some one or more of the hearers. But that he alone must be best judge of.

Rec’d by our servant the note of hand which I gave the Rev Mr Thomas Wharton the 7th of November, value £10, and for which I sent by my brother the 25th of November the said £10. This day completed the reading of Sherlock on death, which I esteem a very plain, good book, proper for every Christian to read; that is, rich and poor, men and women, young and old. I also in the day and evening read part of Sherlock on judgment. At home all day except being at church. A very hard frost in the morning, and a remarkable quantity of rain fell this evening.

Paid John Watford 15d for ½ bushel oats. …At home all day. Paid Joseph Fuller 3/- for a cleaver he brought from Pocock’s at Ringmer for me, and which he paid him for. Rec’d of Mr Sam Gibbs 1.3.9 in full. When Mr Gibbs paid me his bill, Mr French and Thomas Fuller were in company with him; so that common civility and gratitude obliged me to ask them all to walk in, which they did and stayed with me till near 7 o’clock. But I think nothing can be more frothy than those men’s discourse, for let us only think that they are all masters of families and fathers of many children, and yet their whole discourse seems turned to obscenity, oaths, gaming and hunting–nothing to the improvement of the mind nor the honor of God or man, which still confirms me in the opinion I have of the degeneracy of this present age. Not that I would be thought to draw a conclusion from a single instance or a few people, but it is what I see daily and almost hourly. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read part of Sherlock on death.

Paid Mr Sam Beckett in cash 3.10.0 in full for 112 ells of canvas at 7½d, which I bought of him and also received the 29th November. We dined on a piece of beef roasted in Marchant’s oven, and a light pudding and turnips. At home all day and indifferently busy. In the evening Peter Cornwell made me a present of 6 trout, for which I gave him 6d, though in gratitude I must say it was not enough. But the smallness of my finances would not admit of more. My wife very lame all day with an ulcer lately broken out on her left leg. In the evening read part of Tillotson’s Rule of Faith and part of Sherlock on judgment. Sent by Beckett to Mr Richard Norfolk 9 3/8 lbs old pewter.

Rec’d of Richard Smith by Sarah Vine 10/- in full, and received by her for her mother 10/6 for a scarlet cloak… At home all day. Rec’d of James Awcock 1 bushel apples. In the day read part of some Monitors lent me by Mr Calverley, by which paper the author endeavors to point out the only way to restore this nation to its former strength and dignity, which is by suppressing vice and immorality and encouraging virtue and merit. In the evening read part of Sherlock on judgment.

…My brother Moses came over just as we were a-going to dinner and dined with us on the remains of Tuesday’s and yesterday’s dinners with the addition of some boiled trout and some cold rice pie. He stayed and drank tea with us. My wife continues very lame with her leg. Oh, the misfortunes that attend me! But still they are small to what we deserve, considering the many animosities that have subsisted amongst us since I have been married. And many doubtless, ah, too, too many have the faults been that I have committed, though many and great are the difficulties I labor under. But yet why, why should I palliate my own transgressions by laying them on other people, though sure I and my friends have all contributed to forward my ruin. The ill usage and unjust treatment I think I may say I have received has been great, but then how silly and thoughtless as a Christian (if I deserve that name) have I been to mind it and to make it turn out so much to my disadvantage. But I heartily forgive it all, hoping for the same of the great Disposer of all events. In the evening read part of Sherlock on judgment.

Paid 5d for 2 lbs tripe and one neat’s foot. We dined on a piece of beef boiled, an apple pudding; and turnips, some boiled tripe and boiled trout. At home all day and a very cold day as I ever knew when there was no frost. In the day read part of the 4th volume Medical Essays and in the evening part of Sherlock on judgment

…When I examined Mr Haslam’s bill I found he had overcast it 12d, but at the same time he had sent me 13 leghorn hats at 5d and charged but 12d; so there is an overcharge upon the whole of 7d to my prejudice.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some boiled tripe, a light pudding, a neat’s foot and turnips. At home all day. Rec’d by the post 10 whiting which Mrs Roase sent my wife for a present. In the day read part of The London Magazine for November. In the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read part of Sherlock on judgment. My wife continues very lame.

Myself, two boys and servant at church in the morning, my wife not being there on account her being lame… We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a raisin suet pudding and turnips. Myself, two boys and servant at church in the afternoon… After churchtime Mr Stone paid a visit to my wife and assured us the ulcer on her leg was a scurvy. In the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read part of Young’s Night Thoughts. Finished reading of Sherlock on judgment today, which I think as good a book as I ever read.

At home all day… In the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read part of Young’s Night Thoughts. I also in the evening wrote my London letters. My wife continues very lame.

George Richardson called and breakfasted with us. My brother came over in the forenoon, but did not stay. I received of him in cash, on account of my mother 11.4.6, which with £6 my mother is to pay to Mr John Smith of Hempstead makes the sum of 17.4.6, which sum I am to send to Mr Robert Plumer for her (it being in full on her account due to him). Now when my mother has paid the afore-mentioned £6 to Mr John Smith of Hempstead, that with the £14 I sent by my servant the 4th instant makes the sum of £20 and is in full for the bill I received from him (on Mr John Thomson) by my brother the 25th Nov. of the same value; that is £20. We dined on a piece of beef boiled, an apple and light pudding, turnips and potatoes. Mr Stone paid my wife another visit today…

This day about 2:10 died Mary Shoesmith, child maid at the Rev Mr Porter’s, after about 10 days’ illness. How should such instances of mortality awaken mankind to provide and think of eternity! This poor girl was cut off in the prime of her youth, nay, even before she arrived to years of mature understanding, not being 17. Oh, let mankind consider that no age or sex is exempt from death. No, nor the most sanguine and florid constitution but must sooner or later be subject to it. But what is it that makes mankind so tremble at the approach of death? Only their vices which darken and cast a cloud on the understandings of poor deluded mortals, for by sin death entered into the world and entailed that curse on all the posterity of Adam; “dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return.” Would men but seriously reflect upon this and refrain from evil and do good and return unto the Lord their God, who hath promised mercy and forgiveness (unto them that truly and sincerely repent them of their sins and perform works meet for repentance) in and through the merits and redemption of our blessed Savior Jesus Christ; I say, would mankind but do this, then the prospect of death would be out as a translation from a life of misery to an eternal and endless state of bliss and happiness.

Rec’d of Thomas Dallaway 5/6 on account. Sent my mother by my brother 2 ducks. At home all day. In the evening read part of Horneck’s Great Law of Consideration. Paid 3d for 5 whiting bought today. Sent by Beckett today 16½ lbs old brass, copper etc.