Thomas Turner

After breakfast rode to Mr Dicker’s to collect in a small bill, but he was [not] at home. Called on Mrs Peckham, but to no purpose. Called on Rippington, but to no purpose. Went to Alfriston for Mr John Snelling’s opinion for my wife, but he was not at home. Dined with Mr Francis Elless on some bread and cheese (my family at home dining on some beans and bacon). Came home by Hellingly to find Master Derby, but to no purpose. Called on Henry Osborne, but to no use. Came home about 5:30, and I think I never rode when it was so intense hot as it was today about 10:40. Spent today 9d.

…After dinner rode over to Framfield and from thence to several places to collect in small debts, but received none. Came home about 5:10. In the evening my brother came over for some coffin [????]. In the evening I went out to cricket some time, but [not?] long enough to play out a match. In the day pretty busy.

…In the afternoon my wife went down to Halland to pay a visit to Mrs Coates. My brother called on me in his road from Lewes… At home all day and very busy.

Myself and wife at church in the morning; the text in the former part of Matthew 6:10: “Thy kingdom come.” From which words we had an excellent sermon. This morning James Hutson and Mary Evenden were asked the last time.

We dined on a lamb’s lights etc. boiled and minced and some peas. My wife, self and servant at church in the afternoon… In the afternoon my brother came over to borrow my horse, but we could not find him; so he was obliged to [go] home without him. In the evening and the day read one of Tillotson’s sermons and part of Hervey’s 3rd volume of Theron and Aspasio.

We dined on a lamb’s heart pudding and peas. At home all day, and thank God indifferently busy.

Mr Gadsden breakfasted with us and then went away… We dined on some lamb’s liver and rashers of bacon fried and some cold beans. At home all day, but not very busy. This day the Rev Mr Porter’s son baptized.

Rec’d of Mr Cleverley the 10/- I lent him the 7^th ult. Also received of Thomas Derby Jr a note of hand payable to him or order on demand for the money which he owes me, which is 1.6.3, and witnessed by Charles Cooper. He also gave Charles Cooper the sheriff’s bailiff a note of hand for 15/-, payable to him or order on demand, which was for the charges of the county court etc… At home all day. In the evening Mr James Gadsden, rider to Mr Thomas Standing, called on me and supped with us. Then we walked down to Jones’s, where we stayed till 1:10. Mr Gadsden lodged at our house all night.

This day John Cayley and his servant Ann Smith were married at our church… In the afternoon played at cricket some time, and I lost about 1½d… At home all day. In the evening bottled off some cider.

In the morning about 6:10 rode over to Framfield where I breakfasted with my brother and also dined with him in company with my brother Richard and Mr George Beard on some part of a leg of lamb and some beans… We met intending to settle my mother’s affairs, but as my brother had not got in all the book debts and bills, and at the same time my brother Richard behaving very contrary, we did not settle anything. I stayed and drank tea with my brother and came home about 7:20. About 0:10 we had a tempest of thunder, lightning and rain, which continued near an hour. The thunder did not seem to be very sharp here, though the lightning was almost continual. My wife paid Mr Sam Beckett 16d in full for 4 lbs of lobsters received by him today.

Rec’d of John Streeter the guinea I lent him the 30^th ult. Rec’d of Mr Joseph Burgess the 2.10.0 I lent him the 2nd instant and gave him his note of hand. Rec’d of Joseph Smith in cash 0.10.6 on account. We dined on some peas and bacon. In the evening my brother brought my horse, but did not stay. Very busy all day and at home.

This day I saw in the newspaper that instead of our being invaded by the French, we have a fleet under the command of Admiral Rodney now lying before Havre de Grace which has burned upwards of 30 flat-bottomed boats and also were a-bombarding the town and had set it on fire in two places when the [express] came away. So we have a sudden transition from sorrow to joy. In the afternoon posted my day book.