Thomas Turner

In the forenoon my brother came over and brought Philip who is to board at Master Hook’s upon the following terms: Master Hook is to find is meat, drink, [washing] and lodging for £5 per year, though conditionally that if either party was to relinquish it, they may at any time. And the boy accordingly went to Master Hook’s today…

In the evening went down to Mr Elless’s and smoked a pipe or 2 in company with Joseph and Thomas Fuller, Mr Burgess, Robert Hook and Mr French. I came home about 10:10. The reason of our paying this visit was a taking of leave of Mr Elless, he being a-going to live at Alfriston… Took physic today.

In the forenoon walked up to Mr Vince’s and borrowed of him 2 horses in order to assist in carrying my rags to Maidstone Fair on Wednesday next… In the afternoon my wife drank tea with Mr Elless and came home about 10:10 when I went once more to take my leave of him and stayed and supped with him on some bread and butter, bread and cheese and plum cake in company with Joseph, James, Nanny, Molly and Bett Fuller, Molly and John French, T. Davy, James Gold, Daniel Wicker, Mr Thornton, [????ck,] James Marchant, Frances Weller, Elizabeth Mepham, Thomas Durrant and Ann Dallaway. We broke up about 2:20, all sober… wrote out Mr Francis Elless’s bill.

At home all day. We dined on part of the loin of mutton bought the 8th instant roasted and green salad. In the afternoon Master Hook assisted me in packing up my rags. I lent him in cash 1.11.6.

…Balanced account with Mr Francis Elless and received of his in cash 6.6.5 in full to this day; viz.,

Mr Francis Elless Dr.
To sundries and bill	7.2.6
Per Contra Cr.
To rent for the school chamber due the 2nd instant	0.11.10
Rec’d by sundries	0.4.3
Do. in cash today	6.6.5
	7.2.6

N.B.: I, after the above balance, sold Mr Elless some goods which were [paid ????] account. We dined on a calf’s heart pie… In the afternoon [??ue] to Mr Gosling’s concerning his carrying my rags to Maidstone Fair…

John Watford a-carrying of wood for me all day and dined with us on part of a loin of veal boiled, a piece of bacon and some greens. In the afternoon rode to Mr Marchant’s at Laughton to look upon his wool, but he not being at home, I did not buy it. Came home about 4:40. In the evening my sister Sally came to see us and stayed all night… Very busy in the evening.

…Myself and wife and sister at church in the morning… We had a brief read for fire. The number of sufferers thereby was three, living in the counties of Hants and Dorset. Their loss together amounted to £1147 and upwards. I gave to the brief 1½d.

We dined on part of a loin of veal boiled and a part roasted, a currant rice pudding, some greens and a green salad. My sister, wife, self and servant at church in the afternoon… In the afternoon my brother came over and drank tea with us, and myself and wife with Thomas Durrant and Joseph Fuller went and brought them going on their road home. Went in and smoked a pipe at Mr French’s and came home about 10:20.

Rec’d of Mr Robert Hook the 1.11.6 I lent him the l4th instant. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Molly French drank some coffee with my wife. Sent my rags by John Gosling. At home all day.

In the morning about 5:10 I set out with an intent to go to Maidstone. I got to the Wells about 7:50 and breakfasted there with my brother. After breakfast I set forward and overtook the team that carried my rags very soon. I went with them to Hadlow Common where I sold my rags to the widow Burtenshaw as under:

3 bags rags, 6 cwt 1 qr 9 lbs, at 30/-	9.9.11½
Carriage of do.	0.9.6
	9.19.5½

which money I received of her. Drank tea with her and bought of her 2 reams of writing paper, for which I paid her in cash £1. Finding the smallpox to be greatly at Maidstone, I concluded not to go, but gave Mr John Gosling in cash £29 and also my orders and then came back and supped and lodged at my brother’s in Tunbridge Wells where I arrived about 8:10.

[Manuscript mutilated] …day…dren…

Stayed with my brother all day and dined with him off a hind quarter of lamb roasted, a plain bread pudding and green salad… I came home about 1:15 and I think never more tired in my life and also quite ill with a sore throat… This day is that on which I enter into the 31st year of my age. Oh, may I, as I increase in years, also increase in goodness! Then and then only is it that I shall know pleasure in this life and also may hope [is] end my days with peace and tranquillity of mind as becomes a Christian.

At home all day. My wife paid Joseph Fuller 10d fo a breast of mutton received of him today… We dined on part of it boiled and then broiled. Very ill with a sore throat.