Thomas Turner

Myself and servant at church in the morning… After churchtime my old acquaintance (I wish I could say “worthy acquaintance”) Mr Tucker came to see me and dined with me on part of a neck of mutton boiled and some carrots, and went home just before the afternoon service began. Myself and servant both at church in the afternoon…

Mr and Mrs Carman and their son drank tea with me, as did Sam Jenner. In the evening my esteemed friend Dr Snelling called on me and took part of a bed with me. Mr Francis Weller lodged at my house. At home all day except being at church.

…I dined on a light pudding and some garden beans. Mrs Been and Mrs Towner both drank tea with me. At home all day and thank God very busy. My servant’s father lodged at my house.

In the morning Mr Carman and I set out to attend the sessions in Lewes. My brother came over to stand the shop for me during my absence. We accordingly consulted our attorney relating to our trials in everything necessary in order to be prepared in every point. We then attended the court, and the second trial which came up was one of ours where the parish of [Ticehurst?] were appellants and the parish of East Hoathly removants.

The case was this: James Marchant, the son of Thomas Marchant, an inhabitant legally settled in the parish of Ticehurst, did by and with the consent of the said Thomas his father put himself out as an apprentice to his uncle Richard Marchant, an inhabitant legally settled in this parish, for the space of 7 years, during which time he was faithfully to serve him as an apprentice (and the pauper always deemed himself as an apprentice).

The uncle declared upon making the agreement he would have no indentures because he [James] should not gain a settlement in this parish [by being recognized inhabitant]. The said pauper served 5½ years of his time. Then some difference arising between them, he left his service and never after obtained any subsequent settlement (by any act of his whatever). This was the purport of his examination, upon which our order of removal was granted.

What motives Ticehurst had for their appeal I know not, but there appeared none in the course of the trial, and it was, after a short hearing, given in our favor and the order confirmed.

The next cause that came on was also ours, where we were not so fortunate as in the former. Indeed we had now another part to act, being in this cause appellants. The case was this: About the year 1740 the parish of Waldron granted a certificate, duly executed and allowed by two justices, with John Bristow and Ann his wife, John, William (the pauper), Edward and several more sons and daughters named in the said certificate, to this parish. William the pauper about the 11th year of his age, after having lived with his parents in the parish of East Hoathly under the certificate several years, went back into the parish of Waldron and lived several years as a servant. From thence he went into the parish of Isfield and obtained a legal settlement in Isfield by servitude.

He then came into the parish of East Hoathly again and lived as a yearly servant several years, hiring himself by the year, and served a year subsequent to the hiring [thus acquiring a settlement]. By some means he got into the parish of Heathfield and married. His family coming on, and he no promising person to maintain them, they [Heathfield] began to be uneasy and talked of removing them.

He then applied to this parish for a certificate, and it being a case somewhat difficult, our parish had the case drawn up, stated and laid before counsellor Humphrey for his opinion, which was that William the pauper did not according to law belong to this parish. Upon this authority we refused him a certificate, and after some short space of time, perhaps 20 weeks, he was brought home with an order from the parish of Heathfield. We then applied to Mr Humphrey again, who still insisted he was right and that the man could not belong to this parish and advised us to give notice of an appeal. We did and the trial, as I observed, came on.

After being learnedly debated by the counsel on both sides for I believe an hour, it was the opinion of the court the order should be confirmed, and it was stated special. This ended our business.

Mr Carman and I dined at the White Horse in company with 9 more on a quarter of lamb roasted, a leg of lamb and a piece of beef boiled, carrots, turnips and French beans. My brother and servant at home dined on bacon and beans. I drank tea at Mr Madgwick’s and came home safe and sober about 10:30. My brother went home in the evening. Spent today upon the witnesses and all expenses that I have paid out of my pocket about these trials 1.10.3. My servant’s father lodged at my house.
 

My servant’s father came to appear as an evidence on our parish account tomorrow at the sessions. He dined with us on some beans and bacon.

Paid James Crowhurst in cash and goods 2.7.0 in full for a parcel of earthenware received of him today.

This day received a Spa. [subpoena] from Mr Josias Smith, the attorney our parish has employed, for Elizabeth Marchant, which I accordingly served her with… At home all day. My servant’s father lodged at my house.

I dined on a piece of pork and beans. In the evening T. Durrant and I walked down to Halland, there being some servants belonging to my lord Duke come in order to provide for a public day at Halland on Sunday the 24th instant. Pretty busy all day.

In the evening read several political papers called The North Briton, which are written by John Wilkes Esq, member for Aylesbury in Bucks, for the writing of which he has been committed to the Tower. He procured his release by a writ of habeas corpus. I really think they breathe forth such a spirit of liberty that it is an extreme good paper.

Gave Joseph Fuller cash for a bank bill value £20, dated the 20th Apr., 1763, payable to Mr Thomas Hann or bearer, No. 326, John Bridger, entd. J. Warren.

…In the morning John Piper called on me and we walked down to Mrs Browne’s and bought 42 posts at 16/10. I dined on some peas and pork. At home all day and thank God very busy. Paid Ben Shelley in cash as under:

Shelley Dr.
To cash received of Mr John Kennard for ½ a year’s land tax due at Lady Day last	0.10.0

My late servant Mary Martin came to see me in the forenoon and brought me a present of green peas. She dined with me on some garden beans and bacon.

In the afternoon Mr Josias Smith, attorney at law, and Mr Turner, clerk to Mr Burtenshaw, drank tea with me. The former came to take my further orders concerning two trials we have the ensuing [quarter] sessions, the other to summon me to bring the land and poor rates to the sessions…

In the evening wrote my London letters. Pretty busy all day and at home. Mr Carman, coming in the evening, smoked a pipe or two with me.

Myself md servant at church in the morning… Mr Bannister’s child being to be baptized, and the sponsors not being all came, it could not be baptized before dinner. As T. Durrant and myself were to be sponsors, we dined at Mr Bannister’s on a piece of cold roast beef, some cold roast chickens, tart, custards and a piece of cold bacon in company with Mr T. Martin and his wife, Mr T. Colbran and his wife, Molly Fuller, James Fuller and his wife and Miss Hall (my servant at home dining on the remains of yesterday’s dinner).

Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… After churchtime myself, Thomas Durrant, Miss Hall and Molly Fuller appeared at the font as sponsors for Mr George Bannister’s daughter, which was baptized by the name of Molly (simple enough!). We retired to Mr George Bannister’s, where we drank tea and spent the afternoon. Came home about 9:40, very sober. Gave the nurse 12d; ditto the servant 6d.

…My old friend Dr Snelling called on me and breakfasted with me. I dined on a piece of bacon boiled and green salad. At home all day. In the evening my brother came over, but did not stay. Pretty busy today.

I dined on a cold beef pie and green salad. In the evening walked down to Halland, but did not stay. In the evening read part of The London Magazine for June. Very little to do all day.