Thomas Turner

Myself at church in the morning… We had a brief read for the relief of George Craven, sufferer by fire at Frizzing Hall in the county of York, whose loss amounted to the sum of £1128 and upwards. I collected 2/4 and 2d I have myself makes collected in the whole on this brief 2/6. After churchtime I went into Mr Porter’s, where we signed the brief.

Sam Jenner dined with me on a chicken pudding, a piece of beef boiled, a few rashers of pork and potatoes. After diner Sam Jenner and I walked over to Framfield to see my sister, whom I found better than I could have expected, though now in a very low week way, having been disordered with a violent inflammation on the lungs.

We stayed and drank tea at my brother’s and came home about 7:10. Sam Jenner came back with me and stayed some time with me in the evening.

My brother’s arm excessive bad. Mr Stone paid him a visit. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Paid Mr Ben Shelley by his brother John Shelley in cash 7.10.9 in full for the same sum he paid in London for me this week…

About 3:30 I walked over to Thomas Davy’s, from whence I went to church and stood sponsor for his infant daughter (in company with Mr George Bannister, Dame Cornwell and Molly French). We came back and drank tea and coffee at Mr T. Davy’s, and also spent the evening, and supped with him on bread, cheese, puffs and plum cake, with Joseph Fuller Jr, Thomas Durrant and Samuel Jenner added to our company. We broke up about 11:20 very sober. I gave the nurse 18d.

This day received a letter that my sister kept her chamber [i.e., had to stay indoors]. Rec’d of Henry Parker by cash and land tax receipt 1.8.0 on Mr Vine’s account.

My brother walked with Mr Bannister his round today. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Dame and Thomas Durrant drank tea with me. My brother came about 6:30, very much in liquor and having spent every farthing of money in his pocket, and, having fallen down, and the misfortune to dislocate the great bone of the arm, but his companion Mr George Bannister had the presence of mind immediately to pull it into place again. So of a misfortune I think this may be deemed good fortune.

At home all day. The trouble I have with my relations and my own folly makes me quite insane.

James Emery, a-gardening for me all the forenoon, dined with me on a cold bullock’s heart pie and plain suet pudding and potatoes. Completed posting my day book. At home all day and but very little to do. In the evening myself, Sam Jenner, my brother and Joseph Fuller Jr went into Thomas Durrant’s, where we stayed about 2 hours and a half, but too long it proved for us to come home sober. Oh, how hateful am I to myself; how do I detest and loathe myself.

This evening died the wife of Edward Foord, about 6:30, after a lingering illness, aged 49.

In the day posted part of my day book. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. This day balanced accounts with Mr James Fuller to the 9th instant, and paid him in cash 9.4.0 in full to the said time. In the evening John and Richard Page, sons of the widow Page, came to balance the accounts between their mother and myself, which we did, and there remains due to me upon balance 6/-. They stayed with me some time and supped with me on some bread and cheese. At home all day.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a part of a sparerib roasted and applesauce. At home all day and but very little to do in the shop, though very busy in putting my shop in order, it being in great confusion with having the carpenter yesterday at work.

In the evening Sam Jenner sat with me some time, and he and my brother and I played a few games of cribbage. In the afternoon busy a-writing…

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. John Vine’s man at work for me half the day. At home all day and very little to do in the shop. In the evening wrote my London letters. My brother and I played a few games of cribbage in the evening; I won 2d.

Myself and brother at church in the morning… Betsy Carman dined with me on part of a sparerib roasted and applesauce. Myself, servant and brother at church in the afternoon… In the evening Sam Jenner and Joseph Fuller Jr sat with me some time. A fine day.

Paid Mr Ben Shelley in cash 12.11.0 in full …At home all day and very busy. In the evenings Sam Jenner and I played a few games of cribbage; I won of him 3d. I dined today on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some pork bones boiled.

After breakfast I set out on horseback for Lewes, there I dined at Mr Richard Comber’s on some cold roast beef broiled and watercress. I called on Mr Madgwick, Mr Baley and Mr Bennett, but did not stay, though, coming in the evening to the Cats to take my horse to come home, I heard my friend Sam Jenner was in town, and it being dark and choosing company, I stayed for him I believe near 3 hours. We came together as far as our roads went about 11:30, but far from being sober.

Paid Mr George Verrall by his wife 4/9½ in full. Paid Mr John Madgwick 5/2½ in full. Paid Mr John Richards in cash 3.3.0 on account of himself and Mr Comber. Paid as under on account of my brother Richard:

John Hennard in full	0.7.10
Mr Stiles in full	0.16.0
Mr Harnden in full	1.12.9
Do. Mr Stiles on my brother’s promise, 1 pint of wine	0.1.0
	2.17.7

Spent today on myself, horse, ostler and turnpike 3/1½.

Oh, my unfortunate fate to have a head with such weak brains, for I am certain there is nothing I detest so much as drinking, but having no company at home agreeable, when I do get out my spirits are so elated that reason is quite dethroned.

My family at home dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a heart pudding.