Thomas Turner

Mr Sterry stayed and breakfasted with us and then went away… In the afternoon Mr John Long and I walked down to Osborne’s to get a debt, but could not. Not very busy today.

Took some salts today. In the morning my sister Sally came to see us and breakfasted with us. No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. My sister and Mr Long dined with us on a leg of mutton roasted, and a plain bread pudding, and the remains of yesterday’s dinner with some potatoes.

In the afternoon Mr Long and I walked to Little Horsted Church, where we heard a sermon preached by the Rev Mr John Clutton, curate of Maresfield, from the 2nd and 3rd verses of the 73rd Psalm: “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” We came home about 5:30. My sister went away about 6:20. In the evening read two of Tillotson’s sermons.

Rec’d of Benjamin Mott 1.6.0 on account; rec’d of William Henly 0.15.0 on account… At home all day. In the evening wrote my London letters. Lent Thomas Durrant in cash 17/6.

…After breakfast rode over to Framfield where I cut out for my brother 34 round frocks. I dined at my brother’s… I came home about 3:30 and found Mr Charles Hill at our house, who stayed and drank tea at our house, and went away about 7:10. William Vine was buried today who died the 20th ult. aged 25 years.

Rec’d of Mr Thomas and Henry Osborne in cash £2, which is in full on their account and I gave them the note of hand they gave me the 8th of February for the same sum. Mr Charles Hill called on me in the morning and breakfasted with us, and after breakfast we set out for Tunbridge Wells, Mr Hill for to endeavor to find a place to set up at and I to see my brother.

We dined at my brother’s on some mutton chops… We drank tea at my brother’s, and came away about 5:05. We called at Boarshead Street and stayed some little time with my aunt Ovendean. We came home about 9:30 and thank God both very sober. Spent nothing today, only 3d I gave my brother’s children. Mr Hill stayed at our house all night.

Mr Hill stayed and breakfasted with us and then went home. I paid him in cash 4.12.0 and by postage of letters 12d, which is 4.13.0 and is in full for the bill I received of him the 7th February last…

In the afternoon my wife went to the funeral of the widow Paris who was buried today, aged 70 years. At home all day and but little to do. Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe or 2 with me in the evening.

…My wife and servant at church in the afternoon (no service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton) At home all day; posted part of my day book. A good deal disordered with my side. Paid Edward Heaver, miller at Isfield, 6/4 in full for 1 bushel oatmeal and 2 bushels pollard received by him today.

…At home all day and really extremely ill with a slight fever and pang in the side. In the morning my brother came over and borrowed my horse to go to Hailsham Fair upon… Paid John Streeter 2/3 in full for 6 brushes he bought for me today. Rec’d of Thomas Durrant the 17/6 I lent him the 31st ult. Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 1 shoulder veal 9 lbs at 3d.

My wife and servant at church in the morning (my-self staying at home). My wife stayed the communion. Just after churchtime my old friend Mr Tucker came to see us, who dined with us on a piece of pork, a knuckle of a shoulder veal boiled, a light pudding and greens. Mr Tucker stayed and drank tea with us, and then went home. No service at our church this afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. In the evening Mr Long at our house, to whom I read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning my brother William brought my horse home and he and Mr Elless dined with us on a shoulder of veal stuffed and roasted. After dinner I went down to Jones’s to the vestry, where I made up the parish accounts between John Cayley and the parish and there was a balance of 3.0.3½ due to John Cayley. William Piper was chosen overseer, Joseph Fuller electioner; John Cayley churchwarden, Joseph Durrant electioner. Came home about 8:10.

Paid John Cayley 14/8 for my poor tax. My brother William stayed with my wife till about 6:10. My wife’s brother Sam Slater came to see us in the afternoon and stayed at our house all night. As John Cayley came home from the vestry he called and paid me 10.3.6 in full; viz.,

To my bill on the parish for goods	8.17.11½
To money paid T. Ling	0.12.6
To do. Richard Braizer	0.7.6
Widow Trill for spinning	0.2.7½
Do.            do.	0.0.11
To making the poor rate	0.2.0

In the evening wrote my London letters. We had several warm arguments at our vestry today and several volleys of execrable oaths oftentimes resounded from almost all sides of the room, a most rude and shocking thing at public meetings…