Thomas Turner

In the morning received of Matthew Lewer 5/6 on account of Mrs Mary Virgoe, and which money I am to place to the credit of Mrs Virgoe’s account which she owes me. Paid Richard Fuller 2d for four porker’s feet received by him today. Myself and servant at church in the morning… We dined on some porker’s feet boiled, a plain suet pudding, potatoes and turnips.

After dinner Thomas Davy and I walked down to Laughton church where we had a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Thomas Hurdis from Luke 1:6; “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” After churchtime we went to see Mr James Shoesmith and came home about 5:10. Our late servant Mary Martin and a young woman along with her, and Thomas Davy, drank tea at our house. In the evening Thomas Davy and Mr Thornton at our house, to whom (and in the day) I read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the forenoon my brother Moses and our tenant James Knight came over. I received of James Knight in cash 11.2.6 and by a receipt for half a year’s land tax £2 (due at St Michael last), which together makes the sum of 13.2.6 and is in full for half a year’s rent due at St Michael last, and which 11.2.6 I am to divide between my brothers Moses and Richard, and my sister Sally and myself. They both stayed and dined with us on a part of a foreloin of pork roasted and apple sauce… My brother and James Knight went away about 3:20.

At home all day and thank God pretty busy. My wife very ill. In the evening Mr Thornton and I played at cribbage; I won 6d. Oh how melancholy time I have, my wife being so continual ill, but as it is the will of Almighty God let me always submit thereto with patience and resignation.

…My wife and I had an invitation to Halland to drink tea and sup there with a great many more, there being a rejoicing on account of the taking of Quebec (but as my wife was very ill neither of us went). In the evening there was a bonfire of 9 hundred of faggots and there was about a hogshead of beer given to the populace, and several discharge of cannon. In the day down at Halland twice.

Thomas Davy spent the evening with me. I think this is not proper rejoicing on so great a victory, for this is only occasioning of people to get drunk and run themselves farther into sin and in reality of no service to any individual, whereas I think as God giveth the victory to Him should thanks and praises be returned, and at the same time let our outward joy be expressed by giving to the laborious and industrious poor what is too often consumed in vanity and luxurious folly and I doubt too often to the increase of vice and irreligion. I only mention this as my opinion (for I would leave every man to judge for himself) nor would I willingly condemn or blame any one for dissenting from me in any point.

In the morning my brother came over to stand the shop for me. After breakfast I rode to Dr Snelling’s to consult him about my wife’s illness… My brother stayed and dined with us on the remains of Monday’s dinner and then went home. Mrs Fuller drank tea with my wife… Paid 8d for 3¾ lbs of cod, plaice, crab and lobster which I bought today at Alfriston…

Today in examining of the money I received of James Knight the 22nd instant I find I received too little by 36/-, and have accordingly written him a letter concerning it. My brother in my absence received of John Jones the guinea I lent him the 20th instant.

Paid John Cayley in cash 8/- in full for 16 lbs butter received by him today… Gave John Babcock 6d for helping me remove my things out of the school chamber. At home all day and thank God pretty busy. In the evening read some old newspapers. My wife very ill.

Mr John Minifie breakfasted with me… In the evening at the request of Mr Thornton I went into Master Durrant’s to play a few games of cribbage with their man, when I won 2d of him, half of which Mr Thornton had by reason of his going halves with me. We played only one penny a game. Came home about 9:05. At home all day. My wife very ill.

Paid Richard Fuller 6d for 1 sheep’s head and pluck received by him today… In the evening Mr Thornton and I played at cribbage; I lost 6d. Paid Molly Fuller 2/- for a pig received by her today weighing 8 lbs. At home all day, but not very busy. My wife very ill.

Myself only at church in the morning… We dined on a pig roasted and bread sauce. After dinner Mr Thornton and I walked over to Framfield church, where wo had a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Thomas [Wha??] vicar of Framfield, III John, 11: “Beloved, follow not that which is evil but that which is good.” Both at Framfield and at Hoathly we had a thanksgiving prayer read for the success with which it has pleased Almighty God to bless his Majesty’s arms both by land and sea, and in my opinion it was extremely well composed.

In my absence my wife was taken so extremely ill with a fit of the colic that they did not expect her to live until I came home, and accordingly sent for me by John Babcock, but as I stayed no longer at my brother’s than just drinking of tea he missed me almost at home. I came home sbout 6:10 and found my wife really extremely ill. Paid John Babcock 6d for going to Framfield. Thomas Cornwell, Thomas Durrant and Mr Thornton supped at our house, on account they had been a-catching my horse.

In the morning Thomas Davy went for Dr Stone, who came along with him. Thomas Davy and Dame Durrant dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. My wife so very ill that I was obliged to send Thomas Davy again for Mr Stone, who accordingly came and paid her another visit.

In the afternoon my brother came over, and he and Dame Gower and her daughter drank tea at our house. In the evening my father Slater came to see us, who stayed all night. My brother also stayed with me till 8:30. My wife has really been so ill today that I did not see any probability of a recovery, though thank God she is much better in the evening. Her illness was a violent colic, the gravel and an obstruction of the catamenia.

This day gave a servant of Mr Thomas Carman’s in cash 3.3.9 with which money he is to pay for some goods that he is to bring to Lewes for me tomorrow. At home all day. Mrs Porter sat with ay wife in the evening some time.

After breakfast my father Slater set out for Lewes. In the forenoon my brother came over and borrowed my horse to go to Lewes upon. Mr Beckett made my wife a present of some fine whiting and a flounder. Mr Stone paid my wife another visit…

My brother the 20th instant bought [some] nails at 4/4 a m (thousand) and now they charged and took 4/5, a most charming principle.

In the evening my father Slater and my brother came back. My brother did not stay, but my father Slater stayed all night, and he and Joseph Fuller spent the evening with me. My wife very ill all day, though much better than she was yesterday. At home all day and thank God very busy.