Thomas Turner

Dr Stone sent me a present of a hare, for which I gave his servant 12d. Paid Edward Hope 21d for a sparerib weighing 7 lbs. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

In the forenoon Mr John Robinson, rider to Mr Will Margesson, called on me and I balanced accounts with him… Mr Robinson stayed and dined with me on some pork bones broiled. Paid Thomas Burfield 8/9 for 15 beehives received by him today. At home all day. My wife very ill, but rather better than some few days past.

No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton. We dined on a sparerib roasted, applesauce and a raisin batter pudding. My self and servant at church in the afternoon… Mr Long at our house in the evening, to whom and in the day I read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons. My wife, poor creature, very bad.

…In the evening wrote my London letters. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, very ill. Oh, the tumult in my troubled breast; I must ere long lose the partner of my soul, one with whom I can converse with sincerity and freedom, one not influenced and guided by the unruly dictates of passion and sense, but whose intellectuals are directed by more nobler motive, even that of religion, for to describe her virtues is beyond the power of my pen!

…Sent Mr John Crouch, enclosed in a letter by Benjamin Shelley (delivered to himself) one bill on Mr Will Margesson, dated today… value £10. We dined on a piece of bacon boiled, an apple pudding and turnips… My wife, poor creature, extremely ill.

…In the day wrote out several bills. At home all day. My wife, poor creature, extremely ill. Oh, how cutting is this daily repetition!

In the forenoon my brother came over and dined with us… My wife, poor creature, very ill. Oh, how does the daily repetition wound my distracted soul!

Paid Mr Joseph Fuller 6d in full for a sheep’s head and pluck bought of him today… At home all day. My wife, poor creature, very ill. How do I want words to express what she has endured? This 18 weeks past has she almost been in continual pain.

…Lent Mr Joseph Burgess in cash 2.2.0 for which I have not received any note… My wife, poor creature, very ill, wasted as it were to an anatomy, yet cheerful and fully resigned to God’s will.

In the morning our late servant went to see her friends. Myself at church in the morning… We had a proclamation read for a fast and humiliation on Friday the 13th instant for imploring the blessings of divine Providence on fleets and armies. We had a brief read for rebuilding the parish church of Thworlworth in Leicestershire, the charge of rebuilding which amounted to the sum of £1193 and upwards, to which collection I gave 1d. We dined on a sheep’s head boiled, the lights and mint boiled and minced, a piece of veal boiled. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Laughton.

My wife, poor creature, most extreme ill. Oh, how do I tremble at the thoughts of losing so valuable a friend and companion, nay even a virtuous and prudent wife, an inestimable treasure, a treasure more valuable than Peruvian mines or all the shining gems of the East… [60 words omitted] …In the evening and the day read part of Young’s Night Thoughts.