Thomas Turner

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some boiled plaice, potatoes and turnips… Lent Richard Page in cash 5/-. Mr Thornton went to Lewes for me in the afternoon; I gave the 2d for the turnpike. At home all day and thank God very busy.

Paid Thomas Bently 9/7 in full for 9 dozen and 8 brooms received by him today… Paid Halland gardener 12d for cucumbers sold for him. At home all day. My brother came over in the afternoon, but did not stay.

Myself only at church in the morning… We dined on a fillet of veal stuffed. After dinner Mr Thornton carried my wife over to Framfield, James Marchant and I walking there. We went with an intent to go to church, but were too late (we having no churching at ours this afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Chiddingly).

We drank tea at my brother’s and afterwards went up and smoked a pipe or two with Master Diggens and his family (Sam Diggens, an officer of excise in Buckinghamshire (his son), being come to see them and he being my old acquaintance). I rode home before my wife. We came home about 8:30. Borrowed of my brother in cash £10, but did not give him my note of hand.

…Dame Durrant drank tea with my wife. In the evening went up to Joseph Fuller’s to assist them in cording up a bed. I stayed and smoked 2 pipes and came home sbout 8:10…

After breakfast I rode to Alfriston where I dined with Mr Snelling on a leg of mutton roasted, carrots and a butter pudding cake, in company with two gentlemen (my family at home dining on the remains of Sunday’s dinner). I paid Mr Snelling 18/6 in full, came home about 7:20… Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me in the evening.

Paid Robert Hook 3/6 for a spit and holdfast which he bought for me today at Mr Hammond’s sale… Mrs Chatfield drank tea at our house. At home all day, but not very busy.

In the forenoon rode over to Framfield, but did not stay… In the afternoon Mr Thornton carried out my wife for air. Mrs Rippington and Mrs Vine the younger drank tea with me… Thank God very busy all day.

My brother came over in the forenoon, but did not stay. Paid 6d for 10 plaice bought today. John Babcock a-gathering of apples for me all the forenoon and dined with us on a piece of beef boiled, some boiled plaice, turnips and potatoes. I gave him 6d for his work… Mr Mason of Eastbourne drank tea at our house. At home all day. And thank God pretty busy.

In the morning Mr Elless called on me and breakfasted with me, and after breakfast we rode to Waldron Thorns where we met Mr Mason and surveyed a farm of Dr Duke’s of Battle. We came home about 4:20. I dined on some bread and cheese (my family in my absence dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some boiled plaice)… Paid Dame Gower 2/9 for 1 quart honey and 1 lb 14 oz wax received today. Spent (that is, gave a boy) today 3d for drawing the chain.

My wife only at church in the forenoon, except my brother William, who came to see me just before churchtime and went to church along with my wife. Mr Elless breakfasted with me, and he not choosing to go to church, I was obliged to stay at home with him. My brother and Mr Ellesse dined with us on a piece of beef boiled, an apple pudding, a bread pudding, potatoes, turnips and some boiled plaice. My wife, brother and servant at church in the afternoon, myself being obliged to stay at home to accompany Mr Elless, who went away in churchtime. My brother stayed and drank tea with us, and then went away home.

In the evening my brother Moses came over for my horse in order to go to Lewes upon tomorrow to meet Mr Stephen Fletcher, Mr Sam Ridings’s servant. I gave my brother one bill on Mr William Margesson, payable to Mr Sam Ridings or order…value 4.6.11, which…will be in full on my account to Mr Sam Hidings to the 11th day of last month (August). My brother did not stay, but went away immediately. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons to Mr Thornton. Delivered a bill of Mr Duney’s of Hastings (for pails) to Mr John Vine Jr amounting to 3.4.8.