Thomas Turner

…Mary Heath a-washing for us all day… Sent by Thomas Davy 3/9 to the club at Mayfield, it being my club arrears due today, it being quarterly club night. Mrs Rippington drank tea at our house… In the evening read part of Martin’s Philosophy Britannica.

Rec’d of Mr Thomas Fuller in cash 2.7.6, which sum I am to send to Mr James Burfield of Steyning, it being in full for one year’s rent due from this parish to the said Mr Burfield at St Michael last for that part of a house which is inhabited by the wife of Will Burrage. Mary Heath a-washing for us half day…

In the morning about 6:10 my brother came and brought me a horse and stayed and breakfasted with me, and then we set out for Seaford in order to hire a house and shop for my brother. We arrived [at] Seaford about 11:20 where we met Mr George Beard of Chailey. We dined together at the Tree in Seaford on a shoulder of mutton roasted, a butter pudding cake and pickles… We could not hire a convenient house in the place; so we came home by Lewes where we parted with Mr Beard, and we got safe home about 7:30, sober. My brother did not stay, but went away immediately. Spent this day in all 3d, my brother paying my expenses as I went upon his business.

…In the evening went down to the vestry at Jones’s, where was Mr French, Joseph and Thomas Fuller, Mr Burgess, John Vine Jr, Joseph Durrant and Richard Page. There was no business of moment to transact, though oaths and imprecations seemed to resound from all sides of the room, and the sound of which seemed to be harsh and grating, so that I came home about 7:20. I believe [were…] the penalty paid (which is assigned by the legislature) by every person that swears, even supposing the persons to be only common laborers that constitute our vestries—there would need no tax to be levied to maintain our poor. For I think the fund arising from such forfeitures would be more than sufficient to defray all the expenses of the poor.

My wife and self at church in the morning… We dined on the remains of Thursday night’s supper with the addition of a plain rice pudding. After dinner Thomas Davy and I set out for Laughton Church, but finding there was no service, we came back. My wife and I at church in the afternoon… Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom, and in the day, I read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons.

We dined on the remains of Thursday night’s supper with the addition of some potatoes. Paid Edward Merricks 6/- for 1 dozen of flax received by him today. Rec’d of John Streeter Sr in cash 1.17.6, which I am to send to Mr James Burfield of Steyning, his landlord, and is in full for one year’s rent due from John Streeter (for the part of a house in which he now lives) to the said Mr James Burfield at Lady Day last… Dame Driver at Framfield drank tea with us… In the evening read part of the last volume of Hervey’s Meditations…

We dined on the remains of Thursday night’s supper. At home all day. In the evening busy a-writing.

…My wife and I this day saw a chameleon and salamander, which was preserved in spirits and carried about for a show; it cost 1d each.

Richard Brazier a-gardening for me all day, and he together with Lucy Durrant dined with us on the remains of Thursday night’s supper. In the afternoon walked down to Laughton to get a debt of William Gurrs. Spent 1½d. Called in at Mr Gibbs’s, but did not stay. Came home about 4:40, Mrs Virgoe and Lucy Durrant drank tea with my wife, and in the evening Lucy Durrant went away. In the evening wrote out Thomas Prall’s bill and read one of Young’s Night Thoughts.

…Lucy Durrant supped and lodged at our house all night. At home all day.