Thomas Turner

After breakfast rode over to Framfield and stayed there while my brother went to Uckfield to get me a pound of green tea, for which I paid him 9/3. I came home and dined on the remains of Monday’s dinner with the addition of some carrots. Down at Halland 3 times today. Charles Diggens at our house some time in the evening. What quantities of [people] begin to come to Halland, and only to prepare and make ready a provision for luxury and intemperance against Sunday next, when perhaps hundreds of poor creatures are lamenting for want of sustenance; and here shall be nothing but waste and riot.

[Vol. 50 of the manuscript is missing. The following extract is taken from the Sussex Archaeological Collections, XI, 203-204.]

I spent most part of today in going to and from Halland, there being a public day, where there was to dine with his Grace the Duke of Newcastle the Earls of Ashburnham and Northampton, Lord Viscount Gage, The Lord Abergavenny and the two judges of assize, and a great number of gentlemen, there being I think upwards of forty coaches, chariots etc.

I came home about seven, not thoroughly sober, I think it is a scene that loudly calls for the detestation of all serious and considerating people, to see the sabbath profaned and turned into a day of luxury and debauchery, there being no less than ten cooks, four of which are French, and perhaps fifty more as busy as if it had been a rejoicing day. There was such huzzaing that made the very foundations (almost) of the house to shake, and all this by the order and the approbation of almost the next man to the King. Oh what countenance does such behavior in a person of his Grace’s rank give to levity, drunkenness and all sorts of immorality!

[Vol. 51 continues:]

…Rec’d of John Cayley in cash 1.0.3 in full for money which I have paid and am to pay; viz.,

Paid Thomas Ling	0.12.0
Paid widow Trill	0.2.3
To pay Richard Braizer	0.6.0

In the evening went down to Jones’s, there being a vestry. The persons who constituted the vestry were Mr French, Joseph Burgess, William Piper, Joseph Durrant, Richard Page, John Cayley and myself. Came home about 8:50. In the evening read part of the 4th volume of Collins’s Peerage.

In the morning my brother came over for my horse to go to Lewes upon (which I lent him). He stayed and breakfasted with us. Sent Richard Braizer by his daughter Lucy the 6/- rec’d of John Cayley yesterday; that is, I sent him it in cash and goods… My brother came home from Lewes and left my horse… I then paid my brother 12d for 2 lbs sun raisins and 1 basket which he bought for me. John Durrant made me a present of a fine young hare, for which I gave him 12d. In the evening I went to Master Durrant’s, and spent the evening with Mr Thornton, in company with my brother [and] Charles and Robert Diggens. We broke up about 1:20, but not one of us sober except my wife.

We dined on a hare roasted and gravy sauce. At home all day, but not very busy.

Paid Joseph Fuller 8d for a root of bullock’s tongue received by him today… Rec’d of Thomas Tester 11/- on account. At home all day, but not very busy. In the afternoon sent our servant to Sandhill for a parcel which Master Divol brought from Lewes for me.

Our servant paid Joseph Fuller 3½d for 1 1b of beefsteaks which she bought today. Mr Thomas Tomlin, hop-factor, came to see [me] in the forenoon. We walked down to Whyly. Came back to dinner, when Mr Tomlin dined with us on some beefsteaks fried, a plum batter pudding and cucumbers. In the afternoon we walked into Mr Piper’s hop garden, as also to see Mr Carman’s and Joseph Fuller’s hops. We came home and drank tea. In the evening we both went down to Jones’s, where we spent the evening in company with Mr French, Mr Will Piper and Joseph Fuller Jr. I spent 9d and borrowed of Joseph Fuller 6d, not having enough with me to pay my reckoning. We came home about 10:20 very sober. Mr Tomlin supped and lodged at our house.

Rec’d enclosed in a letter by the carrier from Mr John Crouch the bill I sent him the 3rd instant, I having omitted (through mistake) to direct it. My wife in my absence today paid Ben Shelley in cash 0.14.10 in full for the same sum which he paid the 5th instant to Mr Thomas Bell in full for 3 stone 4½ lbs bacon at 4/2.

Mr Tomlin breakfasted at our house and then went away… Paid John Jenner the hatter in cash and goods [2].7.0 in full for 12 hate received by him today; viz.,

6 men’s hats at 2/-	0.12.0
6 ditto at 2/6	0.15.0

Paid Mr John Gosling in cash and goods 4/4½ for goods received by him today; viz.,

3 aprons	0.1.7½
3 skins	0.1.7½
6 throat hasps	0.1.1½

Rec’d of Matthew Lewer 2/9 in full; also received of him 10/6 on account of Mrs Mary Virgoe, which 10/6 Mrs Virgoe agrees for me to make received on my account. In the afternoon Mr Thornton carried my wife to Eason’s Green in order to see a cricket match. At home all day and thank God very busy.

In the morning about 5:20 set out for Alfriston to consult Dr Snelling further about my wife. I got there about 7:20. I breakfasted with Mr Snelling and spent the forenoon with him, but there being no churching I was not at church. I dined with Mr Snelling on a piece of roast beef, a pond currant butter pudding and cabbage (my family at home dining on a piece of boiled beef and a plain rice pudding). I came home about 5:30 very sober. Gave Mr Snelling’s servant 6d.

Balanced accounts with Joseph Fuller today as under:

Myself Dr.
To a bill, meat	0.4.9
To money I gave him, more than agreed for, in his wool	0.2.6
to a loin lamb rec’d today 3¾ lbs	0.1.1
	0.8.3
Per contra Cr.
to bop bagging and turnip seed	0.4.0
In cash today	0.4.3
	0.8.3

My brother came over in the forenoon. I gave him one bill on Mr Will Margesson… in full for the money I borrowed of him the 22nd ult. We dined on some boiled lamb and turnips, with the remains of yesterday’s diner. In the afternoon went with Mr Thornton to weigh some hops at Mr Piper’s and Mr Vine’s.

In the evening went down to Jones’s, there being a vestry called yesterday to make a poor rate, which we did at the rate of one shilling and sixpence to the pound, and which was signed by all present; viz., Thomas Fuller, churchwarden, John Cayley, overseer, John Vine, Jeremiah French, Will Piper, Joseph Durrant, Joseph Burgess, Richard Page, Joseph Fuller and myself. We cane home about 9:30…

Sent Mr Crouch (enclosed in a letter by Beckett and Shelley) the bill I received back from him the 7th instant, I having now directed it.