Thomas Turner

Rec’d of Mrs Virgoe in cash 3.19.0 to send by the post to the widow Taylor in Lewes, which is in full on account of the widow Virgoe to the widow Taylor, and which sum I accordingly sent by the post… This day balanced accounts with Mr Will Piper and paid him 15½d in full. I then received of him in cash 1.3.9 in full for the same sum paid for him on account of the parish; viz.,

To Thomas Ling	0.12.6
To Richard Braizer	0.7.6
To Widow Trill for spinning	0.3.9

This day finished making the land and window tax books, which I sent by Mr Box to the sitting at Maresfield to have signed by the commissioners, and which I received back again by him again in the evening. In the afternoon my brother came over and brought my horse. In the evening wrote my London letters.

we dined on some pork and peas. At home all day and not very busy. In the afternoon my wife walked down to Halland, but did not stay.

…In the afternoon my wife walked to Whitesmith to see a mountebank perform wonders, who has a stage built there and comes once a week to cozen a parcel of poor deluded creatures out of their money, he selling his packets which are to cure people of more distempers then they ever had in their lives for one shilling each, by which means he takes sometimes £8 or £9 of a day.

My cousin Molly Hill and Mr Godfrey called on me and stayed some time. My wife came home about 9:20, as did our late servant Mary Martin along with her, who lodged at our house all night. At home all day.

My brother came over in the morning, and he and our late servant breakfasted with us and then went away… My wife with Dame Cornwell most part of the day, she being very ill with the measles, as is some one or other in almost every house in the parish. In the evening my wife walked down to Halland, but did not stay. Our servant sat up with Dame Cornwell…

…In the evening went to Heronsdale with Joseph Fuller to look upon wool he had bought, and which I bought of him at 9d per lb, with the proviso that he give me 6 lbs into the whole parcel, which he assures me was about 100 fleeces. Came home again about 9:20. Very little to do all day. In the forenoon worked in my garden. Read part of Bracken’s Farriery.

…We dined on some beans and bacon. In the forenoon worked in my garden. In the afternoon in at Mr Durrant’s, in company with Mr Francis Elless and one Mr Harrison, a Lincolnshire gentleman who came to see Mr Thornton. At home in the evening, and but very little to do all day.

No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. Mr Long dined with us on a leg of lamb boiled and carrots. Myself, wife and servant at church in the afternoon… After tea my wife and I took a walk for air. In the evening and the day read three of Tillotson’s sermons.

Mary Heath at washing for us all day, and dined with us… In the afternoon my brother came over to borrow my horse to ride to Lewes upon. At home all day and thank God very busy. Paid Mrs Bean 2/6 for five chickens bought of her today. In the evening wrote my London letters. Mary Heath lodged at our house all night.

Mary Heath a-washing for us all day, and dined with us… After dinner I and Mr Thornton set out for Lewes (I wanting to see Mr Friend, to know the price of wool), but went by Alfriston, there being a game of cricket to be played there between Sam Jenner of the same place and Storry Adams of Arlington, for two guineas each. When Adams went in first and was bowled out the first ball; then Jenner went in and [was] bowled out the first ball. Then Adams went in the second time and was again bowled out in 2 balls, and Jenner went in his second time and the first ball he had he struck and got one run, which decided the game, and I believe in less than 10 minutes they then played again for half Guinea each. Adams went in first and got 17 runs; Jenner went in and got five runs; then Adams went in his 2nd innings and got 2 more runs, and Jenner went in his last innings and was bowled out the 2nd ball, so that Adams won this game by 14 runs.

I having the good fortune to meet Mr Friend at Alfriston did not go any farther, but came home about 7:10. Spent 7d today. Paid Dr Snelling 12d in full. My wife paid Mary Heath 18d for two days’ washing. In the morning my brother came over and brought my horse. What can betray greater stupidity in mankind than to game for such large sums?

In the forenoon Mr John Robinson, Mr Margesson’s rider, called on me and I paid him in cash 21.13.0… Mr Robinson stayed and dined with us on some pork and beans. At home all day, and pretty busy.