Thomas Turner

Paid James Crowhurst 1.8.6 in full for a parcel of earthenware I received by him today. We dined on the remains of Sunday’s dinner…

At home all day. We dined on the remains of dinner. Lent Thomas Durrant my horse to ride to Dicker Fair upon. Very busy all day; at work in my garden. In the evening Thomas Davy and/or John Babcock assisted in boughing my peas, and both supped with us. In the day read part of Salmon’s Geography, and in the evening read part of the 2nd volume of Hervey’s Meditations.

Paid Mr Laurence Thornton, our officer of excise, in cash 5/1¼, which is in full for the same sum he paid the collector of excise yesterday for an inland duty on the stock-in-hand of coffee and chocolate; viz.,

For 3½ lbs coffee	0.4.4¼
For 1 1b chocolate	0.0.9

At home all day, but not very busy.

After breakfast rode to Uckfield to put a letter in the post. Came back to Framfield where I stayed some time. Called at Mr Chatfield’s to look at his wool… Susan Swift dined with us on the remains of Sunday’s dinner with the addition of a light pudding. Susan Swift at work for us part of the afternoon, both my wife and servant being ill…

…Myself only at church in the morning… We had a brief read for the parish church of Wittinton in the county of Stafford, to which I gave 1d. We dined on a piece of bacon boiled, a knuckle of the shoulder of veal bought the 19th instant and some greens. In the afternoon myself, Joseph and Thomas Durrant, Joseph and Thomas Fuller walked to Waldron Church where we had an excellent sermon preached by the Rev Mr [??lves], rector of Waldron and Frant, from the former part Titus 3:2 “To speak evil of no man…” We came home about 5:30, not staying anywhere, but coming home directly from church. My wife very ill.

At home all day. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner… My wife very ill.

In the morning about 3:50 I set out for Chiddingstone. I met my brother Moses at Uckfield, from whence we went to Forest Row where we breakfasted in company with my father Slater, he meeting us there. We then went to our tenant’s, where we dined on a baked mutton pie and a plum pudding baked, my family at home dining on the remains of Sunday’s dinner with the addition of some boiled mutton. We came home by Withyham where we called on John Hall, but did not stay. My brother and I parted at Hastingford… We Spent today as under; viz.,

At Forest Row	0.4.4
Gave our tenant’s son	0.1.0
	0.5.4

all which I paid, and which is to be divided between us all; that is, we are all of us to pay an equal share. Then I paid 2d for the turnpike more, as also 2d for the ostler; and my brother also gave the ostler 2d. So when the expenses are all added together and divided in 4 parts, it is 17½d each…

…My wife very ill all day. Oh, a melancholy time! What will become of me I cannot think. Very little trade and always so afflicted with illness–but let me not repine at that, as it is the will of the Supreme Being, which always knows that is better for us than we ourselves. Possibly it is good for us that we have known affliction.

Gave Mr John Babcock 12d for going to Lewes for me for a gold ring for Sam Elphick, which I am to be paid again. Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me in the evening.

…Mary Heath a-washing for us all day and dined with us on a piece of beef boiled, a piece of veal roasted, a light pudding and a gooseberry pudding and some greens… At home all day, but very little to do. My wife very ill. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

At home all day. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. My wife very ill. Lent Mr Francis Elless my horse. Mr Stone paid my wife a visit. Read part of Hervey’s 2nd volume of Meditations. Posted my day book.