Thomas Turner

…Paid a nephew of Mr John Wilbar 5/- in full on account of his uncle. Paid 2d for 3 whiting bought today. Mrs Piper drank tea with my wife, who is I hope somewhat better again. At home all day.

…In the forenoon my brother came over… We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some fried whiting. Mrs Roase sent me (by the post) a present of some fine whiting and herrings. At home all day. My wife very ill.

No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. We dined on some boiled whiting, and just as we were sitting down to dinner, my father Slater came to see us and dined with us. Our servant only at church in the afternoon. Mrs Browne drank tea with my wife, who is, I hope, something better. Rec’d of Thomas Fuller the 4.4.0 I paid to Benjamin Shelley the 14th instant on his account. Mr French and Thomas Fuller sat at our house in the evening some time. My father Slater brought my wife a present of two turkey poults and a young rabbit.

Paid Mr Will Piper in cash 3.1.6, which with the 4.4.0 I paid him the 3rd instant makes together the sum of 7.5.6 and is in full for the same sum paid by Mr George Tomlin per his order to Mr William Margesson on my account on or about the 25th day of September last past. Balanced accounts with my father Slater, and received of him 3.14.5 in full, and also received of him in cash £3, which I am to send to Mr Thomas White, ironmonger, at the Sun in Upper Thames Street, London, for him, and is in full on his account. My father Slater stayed and dined with us on some boiled whiting and some broiled herrings, and then went away. At home all day. My wife extremely ill again. In the evening wrote my London letters.

…At home all day and very little to do. My wife most extremely ill. Oh, the grief that I am in almost sinks my spirits within me, for should it please Almighty God to take my wife, the partner of my soul, from me, I doubt I should be friendless.

Paid Mr French in cash the £5 for which I gave him my note of hand the 8th instant, and accordingly took up my note… We dined on part of a loin of mutton boiled, a turkey poult roasted, turnips, potatoes and some rashers of pork boiled. At home all day. My wife extremely ill…

…At home all day. My wife, poor creature, most prodigious ill, and the trouble it gives me quite sinks my spirits. I have now no prospect of her recovery (that is, according to any human probability). But Oh, may the God of all goodness and mercy look down upon us!

We dined on a leg of mutton roasted and potatoes. At home all day; posted my day book. My wife very ill. Molly Fuller sat up with her.

…We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day. My wife very ill. Molly French sat up with her.

…No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. In the forenoon my quondam friend George Richardson came to see me. He dined with me on a shoulder of mutton roasted and onion sauce and a currant pond butter pudding. I paid him one bill on Mr Will Margesson, dated tomorrow, 30 days’ date, payable to Mr John Madgwick or order, No. 459, value 25.7.0, which bill is in full on account of Mr John Madgwick. My friend stayed with me till 5 o’clock.

In the evening Dr Snelling came to see my wife. Neither myself or servant at church in the afternoon, and our late servant went to Framfield. My wife very ill, and I doubt not but she is very dangerous.