Thomas Turner

Paid Mr Sam Beckett on account in cash 1.10.0. We dined on some biscuit sopped. In the afternoon wrote out Mr Darby’s bill. In the evening Thomas Davy and I walked down to Laughton to know when Wickersham could fetch me some coal. Thomas Davy came back with me, to whom I read the 5th book of Milton’s Paradise Lost. A very hot day and a very remarkable hot and dry time.

At home all day… In the afternoon my wife went up to the common to see a cricket match, the parish of Laughton and ours playing, but there was not time enough to play it out. In the evening read the 6th: book of Milton’s Paradise Lost. This day been a most remarkable hot day. Oh, very uneasy concerning Master Darby’s affair, though I think there is no just room for the world nor him to complain of ill usage.

At home all day… Posted my day book. Between the hours of 10 and 11 o’clock in the forenoon we had a very freak whirlwind for about a minute, and in the afternoon several distant claps of thunder were heard, and in the evening we had several fine showers. James Marchant smoked a pipe with me in the evening. In the morning read part of The Peerage of England. Thomas Cornwell a-boughing my pears in the morning, and he breakfasted with us.

Very busy all the forenoon, part of it at work in my garden… Paid Mr Sam Beckett on account of Messrs Beckett and Shelley in cash 7.5.0, which, with, the is 10.0 I gave him the 23rd instant and a book debt of 0.14.1, makes together the sum of 9.9.1 and is in full as under:

To a bill of carriage from the 14th December 1757 to the 27th April, 1758, both days inclusive.	7.12.6
…Paid the porterage of parcel	0.0.6

In the afternoon wrote out Mr Francis Elless’s bill. At home all day. In the evening read the 7th book of Milton’s Paradise Lost.

In the morning went down to the Rev Mr Porter’s and received of him…6.6.0…as under:

To a note of hand which Mr Porter gave me the 4th January last	7.17.0
To 1 earthen jar	0.8.6
To the carriage of two salt fish	0.0.6

I gave Mr Porter the note of hand he gave me the 4th of January and also took up mine which I gave him the 15^th instant. Paid Joseph Fuller by his son Richard 18d for 1 leg of lamb received by him today, weighing 4½ lbs at 4d per lb. We dined on a light pudding and green salad. Mrs Vine the younger drank tea with us. Very busy all day; at work in my garden part of the day. In the evening read the 8th book of Paradise Lost. In the day read part of The Peerage of England. I have been in a continual anxiety of mind all this day by expecting to hear every minute of my success in Master Darby’s affair.

My whole family at church in the morning; that is, my wife and self… We had a brief read for fire, which amounted to £1100 and upwards. The poor sufferers chiefly lived at Great Haylen in the County of Southampton, and one of the sufferers was of the City of Chichester in this county. I collected 2/8, and 1d I am to put in for John Piper and 2d I gave myself makes collected in the whole upon this brief the sum of 0.2.11.

We dined on a leg of lamb boiled and spinach with some gooseberry pie. No churching at our church this afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. At home all day. I read 1 of Tillotson’s sermons and part of Sherlock on judgment. Thomas Durrant, Thomas Davy and Mr Elless at our house in the evening a-drinking of syllabub, Thomas Durrant finding milk, and we cider etc.

In the morning sent Mr Sam Durrant in Lewes (by the post John Streeter) in cash £26 in order for him to send me a bill for the same sum in lieu thereof; viz.,

5 thirty-six shilling pieces	9.0.0
1 twenty-seven do.	1.7.0
8 guineas	8.8.0
6 half-guineas	3.3.0
1 four and sixpence	0.4.6
11 half crowns	1.7.6
43 shilllings	2.3.0
14 sixpences	0.7.0

At work in my garden part of the forenoon. Paid Mr Thomas Goldsmith 12d in full for carriage of roods from Lewes. After dinner I rode down to Laughton Pound where I wrote a general release from Thomas Goldsmith, of the parish of Waldron, William Butler and Elizabeth his wife of the parish of Chalvington and Thomas Darby the younger and Elizabeth his wife of the parish of Laughton, unto John Goldsmith of the parish of Laughton, which said release was witnessed by myself and Willian Gurrs. They gave me 2/6 for my trouble and 2/9 for a sheet of stamp paper.

Came home about 6:40 very sober. Rec’d from Mr Sam Durrant back by the post one bill on Sir Joseph Hankey and Partners, dated today, 21 days’ date, payable to me or order, No. 1945, value £26. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read the ninth book of Milton’s Paradise Lost.

Sent Messrs Margesson and Collison (enclosed in a letter) by Messrs Beckett and Shelley the bill I received yesterday from Mr Sam Durrant… We dined on the remains of Sunday’s dinner with some green salad and gooseberry pie. My wife and I drank tea at Joseph Durrant’s. In the evening went down into the fields to see Mr Elless, Thomas Fuller and Thomas Durrant run a foot-race of 24 rods, which was won by T. Durrant.

In the evening read part of the 10th book of Milton’s Paradise Lost. At work in my garden part of the day and also a-sawing some wood. No news yet about Master Darby’s affair. Lent Joseph Durrant my horse to ride to Mayfield Fair upon.

In the morning Mr Charles Cooper the sheriff’s bailiff called upon me and informed me that he had not yet arrested Master Darby, but was then a-going to do it. He stayed and breakfasted with us. Paid Thomas Burfield in goods 3/6 for 6 beehives which he brought to me today…

After dinner rode over to my mother’s, where I stayed about 2 hours, my mother being not at home. As I came home I called at Mr Chatfield’s and looked at his wool for my mother and agreed with him that she should give him 20/6 per tod for it, and as the price of wool was not yet settled, if it turned out better than what we imagine, he shall have the full value of it according to the market price. Came home about 5:20. In the evening read part of the 10th and 11th books of Paradise Lost.

In the forenoon at work in my garden. We dined on a plain batter pudding, spinach and a gooseberry pudding. At home all day. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. A very cold, sharp day and evening. Paid John Adcock 6/8½ in full for 10¾ lbs of wool received today.