Thomas Turner

Sent Mr James Burfield at Steyning enclosed in a letter by the post one bill on Mr Will Margesson… value 4.5.0, and which is in full for the money I received of John Streeter the 31st of October; viz., 1.17.6 and it is in full for [1] year’s rent due from John Streeter to Mr Burfield at Old Lady Day last. The remaining 2.7.6 is in full for the money I received of John Cayley the 25th ult., which is in full for one year’s rent due from this parish to Mr Burfield (at old St Michael last) for that part of his house in which the wife of Will Burrage lives. Mr John Burgess of Rotherfield at our house in the forenoon, a-consulting about the widow Virgoe’s affairs… In the evening wrote my London letters and balanced accounts with Sam Shoesmith and paid him in cash 2.1.1¼ in full; viz.,

Sam Shoesmith Dr.
To a bill delivered on account of his late brother James Shoesmith	1.13.5¾
To cash paid today	2.1.1¼
	3.14.7
For [entire] Cr.
To money receives of Mr Alex Whitfield [?????] for wood	0.17.0
To do. For the furniture of the school	2.2.0
Rec’d by 18 weeks rent for the school chamber	0.3.6
Do. by 3 spelling books	0.3.4
do. by a bill of schooling	0.7.9
do. 3 copy books	0.1.0
	3.14.7

…We dined on part of a rabbit boiled and the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Paid Mr John Gosling is cash 3/- for 6 sheepskins received by him today… Lent Mr Whitfield my horse to go to Lewes upon. Walked down to Halland in the morning.

We dined on a light pudding, turnips and potatoes… Rec’d of Ed Starnes by his daughter Anne in cash 1.2.4, which was designed to be in full, but by a failure of my day book being not posted there was a parcel left of 4/8. A home all day, but have received no horse nor seen Mr Whitfield, though I was to have had him last night.

Paid John Streeter in cash 9/6 as under:

To 2 rabbits rec’d of him today	0.1.6
To 12 ladles rec’d by him from John Cork	0.2.0
To 12 do.	0.1.6
To 12 better spoons	0.1.6
To 4 [dozen?] tape	0.3.0

We dined on a cold rabbit pie, as did Thomas Cornwell, whom I had sent to Lewes today for a small parcel which Mr Whitfield was to have brought me the 11th instant, and for which, and seeking after Mr Whitfield last night, I gave him 18d. I received my horse again safe today, but not all the accoutrements. At home all day and I think as cold a day as I ever knew. In the evening posted part of my day book and read one of Tillotson’s sermons. Thomas Davy sat with us some time in the evening, to whom I read part of Swift’s Tale of a Tub. Mrs Roase sent my wife a present by the post of a few whiting.

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some boiled whiting… At home all day, but not busy. Thomas Davy sat with us a while in the evening, to whom I read the remainder of Swift’s Tale of a Tub. In the evening posted part of my day book. A most remarkable cold frosty day.

…In the forenoon my cousin Charles Hill came to see me, who dined with us on a rabbit roasted and the remains of yesterday’s dinner and a light pudding, turnips and potatoes. He stayed and drank tea with us and then went home. At home all day, a very sharp windy and frosty day. Thomas Derby Jr made us a present of some pork bones.

John Durrant Jr bleeded my wife in the morning, for performing of which I gave him 6d. Myself only at church in the morning… We had a thanksgiving prayer read for the late victory obtained at sea over the French Fleet by Admiral Hawke near Belle Isle. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a rabbit roasted. No service at our church this afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton, where our servant went. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom, and in the day, I read three of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the forenoon carried down to Mr Coates 1½ hundred raisins. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some boiled whiting. In the evening wrote my London letters. A very sharp day.

In the forenoon rode over to Framfield but did not stay. We dined on some pork bones roasted, a piece of beef boiled, applesauce, potatoes and turnips. After dinner set out for Pevensey to see Mr John Breeden, where I arrived about 4:20. I drank tea with Mr Breeden and supped there and also lodged there all night…

My wife in my absence today received of Mr John Vine Jr 17/2 in full for nails etc. used at Thomas Page’s on account of his Grace the Duke of Newcastle.

Rec’d of Mr John Breeden in cash 10.1.3 which is in full for the note of hand he gave me the 7th instant and which I delivered to him, and he immediately burnt it. I stayed and dined at Mr Breeden’s on a shoulder of mutton roasted, a currant pond pudding and pickles… After dinner I stayed and smoked a pipe with Mr Breeden and called and drank 2 glasses wine with Mr Meechen and came home very sober about 3:40. Spent today 14d; viz., gave Mr Breeden’s son 6d, as also his servant 6d, the turnpike 2d.

This day Mrs Atkins in a manner huffed me pretty much because I would not cut her a Cheshire cheese at the same price I sold them whole. Now I affixed a small profit upon my Cheshire cheese, even only about a farthing a pound, by reason I would not cut them, so that if I have disobliged her in this I can no ways reflect on my own ill conduct, though undoubtedly I should be loath to disoblige any person, but still, if they will be angry with me when I am strictly speaking doing them justice, I can no ways prevent it. As I told her, on Saturday next I should have some that I would cut her any quantity of, nay, even 4 pounds, but those I have now by me being very large and old, in cutting one I must lose a considerable quantity.