Thomas Turner

In the forenoon our servant went over to Framfield. We dined on the goose given us by Mr French roasted, and some apple-sauce… Paid the two Mr Fieldcoxes of Battle 3.1.0 for the pattens and clogs [and creepers] received by them today… About 3:30 Joseph Fuller Jr came with a horse to carry my wife to their house, who accordingly went.

This afternoon Mr Burgess brought me a warrant from George Courthope Esq to bring Mary Hubbard, the late servant to Thomas Osborne, before him or some other justice in order for her to swear the father of the child of which she has been delivered of about a month.

About 6:30 I walked up to Mr Joseph Fuller’s, where my wife and I supped (in company with Mr French and his wife, Mr Calverley, Molly, John and Sam French, Joseph Durrant and his wife and all Mr Fuller’s own family) on a piece of cold roast beef, a cold giblet pasty, some cold roast goose, some cold neat’s tongue, cold apple pasty and bread and cheese. We played at brag; my wife and I won 3½d. We stayed and spent the evening with a great deal of mirth till between 1 and 2 o’clock. Thomas Fuller brought my wife home upon his back. I cannot say that I came home sober, though I was far from being bad company, for I think we spent this evening with a great deal of pleasure.

Awakened very early by the alarming dictates of a guilty conscience. Oh, insuperable burden! I came home about 8:20. Spent this journey on the parish account by signing the warrant etc., 0.9.0. My brother stayed and breakfasted with us and then went home about 10:10… We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of an apple-pie buttered, In the evening Mr Burgess, Master Hook and myself went and searched Jones’s house, Prall’s, Watford’s and Bridgman’s barns for vagrants, but found none. Came home about 8:10. Rec’d of Mr Burgess in cash £10 in order to pay for Thomas Daw’s iron. I accordingly sent it in a parcel of magazines by Robert Tyler to my brother for him to carry it to the forge-man at Buxted for us.

In the morning myself and two boys at church… After Mr Porter had taken his text I went and searched John Jones’s, but found no one there but his own family, and then I went back to church. We dined on a piece of beef boiled, a plain suet pudding, Savoy greens and turnips. Our servant and two boys at church in the afternoon. After churchtime Mr Thomas Osborne and his son Thomas came and assured us they would come on Thursday next and jointly enter into a bond to save harmless this parish, and also to pay the expense we have already been at.

In the evening Mr Burgess, Master Hook and myself went and searched Mr Burgess’s and Potter’s barns, and also William Eldridge’s house, but found nobody. After I came back again, I was sent for down to Jones’s. When I came, I found it was Mr Cooper at Watling and John Elliot at Hartfield that sent for me. I stayed there about an hour with them and came home about 8:40. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening. Spent at Eldridge’s 2d, but would not drink for it.

At home all day. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, Rec’d of Mary Henly and Weaver 0.15.0 in full. Rec’d of Thomas Watson 2/6 in full. In the evening wrote my London letters. Thomas Davy at our house. In the day read part of Burn’s Justice. (The Justice of the Peace and Parish Officer)

John Watford a-gardening for me about ¾ of the day. He dined with us on a piece of beef boiled a light pudding and some turnips. At home all day. This being Shrove Tuesday, I was indifferently busy. Paid Goldsmith, carter, 2/7 for 1 sheet stamp paper he bought in Lewes for me today. In the day read part of the 6^th volume Medical Essays. Gave some girls who came a-singing 2d.

In the afternoon wrote a bond of indemnity from Osborne to this parish for the bastard child of Mary Hubbard. In the evening Thomas Daw signed the mortgage of his house etc. in Waldron to Mr Will Piper for £20, and also a bond to perform covenants, both of which were dated the 20th December 1757. The mortgage, deed and also the bond to perform covenants were witnessed by myself, Robert Hook and Joseph Burgess. After the said mortgage was signed, Mr Burgess and I gave Thomas Daw the note of hand for £20 which he gave us the 12th of November last.

I lent Mr Burgess in cash £7, for which he gave me his note of hand, payable to me or bearer on demand, which money he gave Thomas Daw, which with the 20/- Daw allowed towards making writings etc. makes £8 which was agreed by a public vestry the 24th of October last to be given to Daw and also ½ ton iron, which he has had, and 1 chaldron of coals which is yet more to come. Rec’d of Thomas Daw 13/2 in full. Mr Burgess, T. Daw and Robert Hook stayed till near 10 o’clock. At home all day. Read part of the Medical Essays.

In the forenoon Mr Thomas Osborne of this parish and his son Thomas Osborne, blacksmith of Uckfield, came and signed a bond, the obligation of which was £40, and the condition was for them jointly or severally, their, or either of their heirs etc. to indemnify and save harmless this parish from all charges whatsoever that shall or may at any time hereafter be on account of the female bastard child of Mary Hubbard, of which she was delivered the 4th ult. in this parish, and of which she declared Thomas Osborne the elder to be the father in her examination taken in writing upon oath before George Courthope Esq the 3rd of this instant.

The said bond was witnessed by Robert Hook. Thomas Osborne the younger also gave me his note of hand, payable to me or bearer on demand for value received 1.1.8½, which was also witnessed by Robert Hook. The money was for expenses we have already been at on the girl’s account; viz.,

Mr Will Piper signed a note of hand to John Watford, payable to him or order at 3 months’ notice for £20 with £4 percent per annum, dated the 20th December last. (I witnessed the said note). This note was for money which John Watford let Thomas Daw have and which the mortgage was made to Mr Piper for, John Watford rather choosing to take Mr Piper’s note than the mortgage. Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 2 stone 3 lbs beef, 4/9. We dined on a suet pudding, Savoy greens and Jerusalem artichokes. In the evening Master Hook and I walked to Mugridge’s to know how much land either Thomas or Henry Osborne hired of him, when he told us Thomas Osborne paid him the yearly rent of 1.9.0 per year. We came home about 9:20. In the day read part of the Medical Essays.

In the morning went down to Mr Porter’s… Paid 2d for a pound tripe. In the afternoon posted part of my day book. At home all day. In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man and part of the Medical Essays.

Paid Ben Shelly in cash 0.5.2 for money he paid this week for me; viz,

…Paid Mr Jeremiah French by his son John in cash and goods 2/3 for one roasting pig, 9 lbs, at 3d per lb received by him today. Rec’d Budgen’s Account of the _Hurricane in Sussex, which I gave my cousin John Bennett 12d to buy for me the 1st ult. At home all day. Very busy a-marking up a parcel of goods received today from Messrs Margesson and Collison. In the evening read part of the appendix to The London Magazine and part of The London Magazine for January.