Thomas Turner

Myself and Philip at church in the forenoon… We dined on a pig roasted and bread sauce. John Wickham of Ticehurst, one of my old quondam play-fellows, called on me, but did not stay. Rec’d of Mr Joseph Burgess the £7 I lent him the 8th instant and gave him his note of hand, which he then gave me.

Myself, Philip and servant at church in the afternoon; the text in Luke 16:25: “And Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” From which words we had an excellent sermon setting forth the folly of a wicked and ill-spent life. At home all day except being at church. In the evening and in the day read part of the New Whole Duty of Man.

In the forenoon our servant went over to Framfield and brought me from my mother’s in cash £14. Charles Diggens dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. I also received of him in cash 11/6 in full. Molly and Elizabeth Fuller, Anne Fuller, Fanny Weller and Molly French drank tea with us, and they, together with Joseph, Thomas and Richard Fuller, Thomas Durrant and John French supped with us on a piece of boiled salt fish, a rabbit, apple pasty cold, a cold baked rice pudding, parsnips, egg sauce etc. They stayed and played at brag (my wife lost 3½d) and spent the evening with us till about 2 o’clock. Paid the post today 15d for 12 lemons and 1 letter. About 10:10 in the evening Mr Will Rice called on me, but did not stay.

My brother came over in the forenoon and dined with us on the remains of last night’s supper. I sent my mother by him one bill… in lieu of the £14 sent me yesterday by my servant. My brother also brought me a receipt from Mr Christopher Crippes for the £10 sent him the 4th instant. At home all day. In the evening read part of Leadbetter’s General Gauger.

In the morning busy in my shop. We dined on the remains of Monday’s supper with the addition of some potatoes and cold beef pie. In the afternoon my brother and cousin Thomas Ovendean came to see me and stayed I believe near two hours.

Mrs French, Joseph Fuller and his wife, Dame Durrant, Mr Calverley and Sam French drank tea with us and stayed and spent the evening with us. We played at brag (my wife and I won 1d) in company with Mr French and Joseph Durrant. They all supped with us on a piece of boiled salt fish, 2 rabbits in a pasty cold, a cold baked rice pudding, an apple and gooseberry pie, egg sauce and parsnips. They stayed and spent the evening with us till near one o’clock, and then we parted all sober and, I hope, after spending the evening agreeable, for I am sure it was so to me.

At home all day. We dined on a cold beef pie, light pudding and some Jerusalem artichokes. In the afternoon posted my day book, and in the evening Mr Elless at our house a-learning the use of the sliding rule. Rec’d by the post today (from Mr John Fuller) in cash £20 for the use of Mrs Mary Virgoe, it being the money due to her when Mr Fuller and she balanced accounts, and for which she then received his note of hand. In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man.

This being the day appointed by proclamation for a general fast and humiliation before Almighty God for obtaining pardon of our sins and for averting those heavy judgments which our manifold provocations have most justly deserved, imploring his blessing and assistance on the arms of his Majesty by sea and land, for restoring and perpetuating peace, safety and prosperity to Himself and to this kingdom, myself, two boys and servant were at church in the morning; the text in the latter part of the 10th verse of the 4th chapter of the prophet Amos: “Your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.” Myself, two boys and servant at church in the afternoon; we had only prayers.

After evening service we dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a plain suet pudding and some turnips. In the day read part of the New Whole Duty of Man. And in the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read part of Sherlock on death.

This fast-day, to all outward appearance has (in this parish) been observed with a great deal of decorum and, I hope, true piety, the church in the morning being more thronged than I have seen it lately. Oh, may religion once more rear up her head in this wicked and impious nation and triumph over vice and immorality! Then may we once more hope for success from our fleets and armies when our commanders shall be inspired with the love of God and his most holy religion. Then (and not until then) will all private interest and connection of friends give way and become subordinate to the love of their king and country that then might not the sons of Britain expect but that the forces of the proud Gaul, so fond of universal monarchy, would give way as they did once to an Edward and a Henry. Then might we also hope to see justice impartially delivered from the bench and rapine and violence banished from among the son of Albion and the holy gospel of Christ preached with that energy and ardor as would become the profession of the preacher.

…In the afternoon my brother came over and brought me from my mother in cash 1.5.0, it being in full for 1 quarter’s board etc. of Philip Turner, due yesterday. Paid Mrs Virgoe the £20 I received by the post Thursday last. In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man and part of the 6th volume of Medical Essays. A remarkable cold day, but no frost. I begin to find trade once more to grow very dull and that it is almost next-to impossible to get in any money due on book.

My whole family at church in the morning… We had a brief read for losses sustained by fire, which amounted to the sum of £1012 and upwards. The poor unhappy sufferers were Thomas Fuller of Wick in the county of Berkshire and John Spencer of Long Sherborne in the county of Southampton. I collected on the said brief 0.3.3½, and 1½d I gave myself makes 3/5 collected in the whole.

We dined on the remains of Friday, and yesterday’s dinners, with the addition of some potatoes and turnips. My whole family at church in the afternoon. …After churchtime I went into Mr Porter’s and signed the brief read today. In the day read part of the New Whole Duty of Man. In the evening, Thomas Davy being at our house, I read part of Sherlock on death to him. A very cold day.

Mr Jeremiah French gave my wife and me an invitation to come and dine at their house on Wednesday next, as did also Mrs French some time afterward. Paid Dame Trill by Anne Braizer 2/- on account of the parish for Mr Joseph Burgess. We dined on the remains of Wednesday night’s supper with the addition of a light pudding and turnips. Sent by John Streeter 3/9 for my club arrears, Thursday next being quarter night. Mr Elless and Joseph Fuller at our house in the evening. At home all day. In the evening wrote my London letters.

Paid Joseph Fuller by his son Richard 6d for one sheep’s head and bell received by him today. Paid Mrs Cayley 2/- in full for one year’s rent for the use of Mrs Browne’s seat in the church. We dined on a sheep’s head and bell boiled and turnips. At home all day. In the day read part of the Medical Essays. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening in order for me to instruct him in gauging and the use of the sliding rule.