Thomas Turner

In the forenoon rode to several places to collect in some land and window taxes, but could not succeed… Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 2.2.0… and of Mr Jeremiah French 17.7.9 in full for land and window taxes due at Lady Day last. A remarkable wet night and all the forenoon, it having rained almost successively for 48 hours very hard, so that there are the greatest floods ever remembered in this neighborhood, and doubtless a great deal of grass spoilt.

…We dined on a beef pie. Rec’d of Thomas Reeve (by the payment of Mary Heath) 3.5.0… of Richard Page 2.19.0 in full for land and window taxes due at Lady Day last. Rec’d of Mr John Kennard by the payment of Richard Page 10/- in part of window and land taxes due at Lady Day last. Rec’d of John Jones by the payment of Richard Page 9/- in full for land and window taxes due at Lady Day last. Rec’d of Mr Bristow 5.2.0 in full for land tax due at Lady Day last. Rec’d of John Vine Jr 13/- in full for land tax and window tax due at Lady Day last. Rec’d of William Wenham 16/- in full for land tax due at Lady Day last.

In the evening Sam Jenner and I took out a schedule of the debts due to John Browne deceased. Mrs Cayley brought me a present of a few eels…

Rec’d of Edward Foord 6.18.0 in full for land and window taxes due at Lady Lay last. Rec’d of the widow Marchant 3/- in full for window tax. Rec’d of Thomas Prall 19/- in full for land and window taxes due at Lady Day last. In the forenoon delivered to Thomas Durrant the following cash in order for him to carry to Maresfield to pay the general receiver of the land tax; viz.,

6 thirty-six shilling pieces	10.16.0
4 moidores	5.8.0
83 guineas	87.3.0
4 eighteen-shilling pieces	3.12.0
2 nine-shilling pieces	0.18.0
2 half do.	0.9.0
9 Shillings	0.9.0
25 half guineas	13.17.6
	121.17.6

I also gave him besides 8 half-guineas and 1 guinea to exchange if any of the money should be refused. The state of the account; viz.,

The Collectors Dr.
To the total amount of the land tax book for 1760	153.18.0
To the total amount of the window tax book for 1760	32.5.9
	186.3.9
Per contra Cr.
Jan. 9, 1761 To cash	62.0.0
To salary	2.6.9
To cash today as before mentioned	121.17.6
	186.3.9

…Rec’d of Thomas Durrant the 5.5.0 which I gave him over and above the land and window taxes today; also received a proper receipt for the land and window taxes due to Lady Day last. Rec’d of Mr Thornton 1 guinea’s worth of silver, for which I gave no exchange.

This day I received a letter from my wife, wherein she acquaints me she is no better. Oh, how melancholy is that news to me. I dare say it is a weakness esteemed in me by the world to be so very fond of my wife, but let them know that a virtuous wife is an inestimable treasure, and perhaps a thing somewhat rare in this degenerate age…

In the morning there was a transit of the planet Venus over the sun’s disk. In the forenoon my brother came over and dined with me… Rec’d of Ed Scribbens 12/- in full for land tax due at Lady Day last… At home all day; but very little to do. Ah, melancholy time.

In the morning went to Hartfield to see my wife. I breakfasted with my father Slater and dined there with them upon a piece of beef boiled, a raisin suet pudding and greens. (Mr Tucker, coming to see me in my absence, dined with my servant and niece on some fried eels). Stayed and drank tea with my wife and came home about 6:40.

In the evening my brother Will called on me, very much in liquor, and I persuaded him to stay all night, which he did. In the evening Sam Jenner brought Sally Waller, who my friend John Breeden had bargained with for my servant. I found my wife, I hope, if any different, somewhat better. Spent today 2d only, for the turnpike. Oh, how infinitely happy should I in all appearance be, would it please God to restore my wife to her former health!

We dined on a hog’s cheek boiled and half a calf’s head and greens… Rec’d of Mr Joseph Burgess 3.10.0 in full for land and window taxes due at Lady Day last. At home all day and not very busy. In the evening wrote my London letters. Read part of Young’s Night Thoughts.

…In the afternoon went up to the dwelling-house of the late Mr Piper where Mr Porter and I balanced accounts with most of his creditors and debtors, and came home about 10:10. Paid Mr Thornton the guinea I received from him the 6th instant. In the evenings my friend Mr Hill came to see me, and stayed all night. Poor youth, very unfortunate, even beyond the common misfortunes of life.

…My brother John and his wife and my sister Sally came to see me in the forenoon and dined with us on some mutton chaps broiled. They stayed and drank tea with me and then went away. Dr Stone bleeded me today. At home all day and pretty busy. This day was fought at Jones’s a main of cocks, between the gentlemen of Hoathly and Pevensey. Query: Is there a gentleman in either of the places that were concerned?

…In the afternoon I rode to Lewes to prove Mr Piper’s will and took my niece with me, Thomas Durrant carrying my niece on Mr Thornton’s mare. Came home about 9:40. Spent as under:

The court fees	1.18.4
1 bottle wine do.	0.2.0
Spent	0.0.6
Horses, turnpike, ostler	0.0.9
	2.1.7

My servant in my absence very busy today. I called nowhere in town today but on Mr John Madgwick.

In the morning went down to Halland. In the forenoon walked up to Mr Vine’s and down again to Halland… Molly and Bett Fuller drank tea with us…

This day received a letter from my wife wherein she acquaints me she is no better and gives me room to think she is worse. Oh, heart-breaking thought; how does the thought of it distract my tumultuous mind! I am no more myself. How does daily experience convince me in losing her I shall lose an inestimable treasure that even surpasses all the valuable mines in Peru. For what can equal that of a virtuous and discreet wife? Poor creature, may the tender expressions of her letter I received this day be forever graven on the inmost recesses of my heart; may they ever be continually fresh in my mind, that the thinking of her virtue may continually inspire me with fresh vigor to pursue a course of holiness! May I forever imitate her bright example, that like her I may meet that King of Terrors without fear. Christian, truly Christian, is the behaviour of that amiable creature. Lovely to the utmost must she be to all that are thoroughly acquainted with her.