Thomas Turner

In the morning rode over to Framfield, but did not stay. Came home and breakfasted and then set out for Lewes, where I dined at Mr Madgwick’s on a neck of veal roasted, and currant butter pudding cake boiled and greens (my family at home dining on a leg of mutton roasted, and potatoes).

I paid Mr John Madgwick in cash 2.13.2 in full for goods bought of him today, and also gave him in cash 1.18.6 in order for him to pay Mr Stephen Fletcher, servant to Mr Sam Ridings, in full on my account.

I called on Mr George Verral and Mr Thomas Scrase, and came home about 6:30 and, Oh, could I say sober — but my frail resolution and weak brain frustrated my intentions in that particular. Oh, how does the thought of it torment my conscience; well might the wise man say: a wounded spirit who can bear? So many times… [80 words omitted] …Drunkenness is only as an inlet to all other vices, for when reason is laid asleep, then, then! sense and passion ride triumphant, so weak is nature (or at least corrupt and fallen nature), but what I most stand aghast at is to think how miserable (nay, even past description) must my unhappy lot assuredly be should I asleep never to open my eyes again in this world (whenever I am in liquor). No, my portion must be that of the wicked person who knows not God, ab! and possibly more severe, nothing but wailing md weeping and gnashing of teeth… [47 words omitted].

We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner… My conscience extreme troublesome. Oh, for one rash and inconsiderate action have I hours of pain and that of the most tormenting this world can afford! …[40 words omitted]… My wife, I hope, something better. In the evening, wrote my London letters.

Sent Ben Shelley by his servant…to be paid in London for me £43… We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner… My wife continues better. Oh, the torment of my mind; what would I give to recall Sunday back again!

Richard Braizer a-gardening for me all day and dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of pork boiled, a plain butter pond pudding, turnips and greens. And paid him 12d for his day’s work. At home all day and my wife very ill again. Oh, how almost insupportable is my trouble… [33 words omitted].

Paid John Jenner, hatter at Hailsham, in cash and goods 1.19.0 in full for the following hats received by him today:

6 boy’s hats at	14d	0.7.0
6 do.	18	0.9.0
3 do.	20	0.5.0
3 men’s do.	30	0.7.6
3 do.	42	0.10.6

I also gave his son 6d for his Christmas box… At home all day. My wife, poor creature, very ill. In the evening wrote out some bills.

In the forenoon my brother came over… Paid 4d for 2 lbs tripe bought today. We dined on some boiled tripe. Paid Joseph Fuller in full for 14 lbs of beef and a root of a tongue received by him today. Mrs Fuller drank tea with my wife, who is again somewhat better. At home all day, and surely a deader time for trade I never knew…

We dined on some boiled tripe and a piece of fresh salmon boiled for my wife. Dame Durrant drank tea at our house in the afternoon. At home all day and but very little to do. My wife again, poor creature, thoroughly ill.

Myself and niece at church in the morning… This day John Inman and Elizabeth Akehurst were asked their last time. And the banns of marriage for the first time were published between William [Alcorne] and Anna Oxley, both of this parish. We had a brief read for several poor sufferers by fire at Stamford in the county of Bedford, whose losses together amounted to the sum of £1333 and upwards to which collection I gave 2d. We dined on part of a sparerib boiled and greens and a raisin and currant suet pudding, with a piece of fresh salmon boiled for my wife. Myself and niece at church in the afternoon… After tea my niece and I walked down in the Park. In the evening read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons. My wife very ill.

In the forenoon sent Philip over to Framfield with one bill payable to my brother… value £30 and my brother sent me back by the bearer in cash £29 in part of the same bill… in the evening went to Jones’s a little while, where there was a public vestry and a poor rate made at the rate of four shillings and three pence to the pound. In the evening wrote my London letters. My wife, poor creature, very ill.

…This day balanced accounts with Will Piper and received of him in cash 7.16.6 in full. Rec’d of Edward Scribbens in cash 1.5.6 in order for to pay in London for him this week. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner… My wife, poor creature, very ill. My uncle Hill called on me in the morning, but did not stay.