Thomas Turner

In the forenoon Mr and Mrs French here a-taking up 2 coats for Mr French. Mrs French breakfasted with us. Between 11 and 12 o’clock we had a very heavy shower of rain and several loud claps of thunder, though seemingly very distant, we not having above one flash of lightning which was perceived by us here. Mr Gibbs made me a present of a shoulder of venison. I gave his son 12d. Thomas Cornwell made me a present of two carp; I gave him 6d. This day has been a very busy one, having done I believe 8 pounds’ worth of business,… At home all day. This is the 23rd day on which we have had rain successively. Mrs Rice called on us in the afternoon, but did not stay my longer than buying her goods, which was a good parcel. In the day read part of Gay’s Fables and in the evening part of Sherlock on judgment.

[The following excerpts from vol. 40 of the diary are taken from the Sussex Archaeological Collections, XI, 199-200.]

Oh what a misfortune it is upon me my wife’s being lame again, but let me not repine, since it is the Divine will. This is the twenty-ninth day on which we have had rain successively.

[The following excerpts from vol. 40 of the diary are taken from the Sussex Archaeological Collections, XI, 199-200.]

I completed the reading of Gay’s Fables, which I think contains a very good lesson of morality; and I think the language very healthy, being very natural.

[The following excerpts from vol. 40 of the diary are taken from the Sussex Archaeological Collections, XI, 199-200.]

In the evening the Duke of Newcastle came to Halland, as did Lord Gage, Sir Francis Poole, Mr Shelley, Colonel Pelham, Mr Pelham and several more, and stayed all night. What seems very surprising to me in the Duke of Newcastle is that he countenances so many Frenchmen, there being ten of his servants, cooks etc. which [were] down here of that nation.

[The following excerpts from vol. 40 of the diary are taken from the Sussex Archaeological Collections, XI, 199-200.]

Mr Blake’s rider called on me and he and I rode together to Lewes, when I think I [saw] the finest horse-race that ever I [saw] run on that down or any other. There [were] four horses started for the purse, £50. There was a numerous, but I think not a [b??iant], company. I came home in company with Mr Francis Elless, about ten; but, to my shame do I say it, very much in liquor.

[The following excerpts from vol. 40 of the diary are taken from the Sussex Archaeological Collections, XI, 199-200.]

Pretty bad all day, with the stings of a guilty and tormenting conscience.

[The following excerpts from vol. 40 of the diary are taken from the Sussex Archaeological Collections, XI, 199-200.]

At home all day and thank GOD extremely busy. Was every day to be productive of as much business as today, I should in no wise envy the rich and great their continual rounds of ease and pleasure. No, it would add fresh vigor to my drooping spirits and give an agreeable elasticity to my ardent desire of carrying on my trade with vigor; then would I exert my utmost power in buying in my goods, that I might run them out with a quick return.

[The following excerpts from vol. 40 of the diary are taken from the Sussex Archaeological Collections, XI, 199-200.]

I entertained my sister Sally and my brother’s wife with the sight of the modern microcosm, which I think is a very pretty curious sight, for we see the whole solar system move by clock-work, in the same manner they do in the heavens.

[The following excerpts from vol. 40 of the diary are taken from the Sussex Archaeological Collections, XI, 199-200.]

About four p.m. I walked down to Halland with several more of my neighbors, in order for a rejoicing for the taking of Cape Breton etc., where there was a bonfire of six hundred of faggots, the cannon fired and two barrels of beer given to the populace, and a very good supper provided for the principal tradesmen of this and the neighboring parishes, as there had been a dinner for the gentlemen of Lewes and the neighboring parishes.

After supper we drank a great many loyal healths, and I came home in a manner quite sober. There [were] I believe near one hundred people entertained at Halland this day, besides the populace, and so far as I see everything was carried on with decency and regularity; though I must think the most proper way of rejoicing is by having a general thanksgiving, that the whole nation may give thanks to Him that gives success to our armies, both by sea and land; and I think to show our outward joy it might be more properly done by distributing something to the poor.

[Vol. 41 of the manuscript continues:]

Paid Mr Sam Beckett for the sum which he paid in London… to Mrs Frances George for dyeing 2 cloaks 0.6.6… I dined on a piece of veal roasted and some French beans, my wife going down to Halland to dinner with several more of the neighbors and coming home about 7:50.