Thomas Turner

I dined on some peas and bacon boiled. In the afternoon Mr Snelling came to see me and he and I rode to pay a visit to Dr Stone, where we stayed 2 or 3 hours. From thence we came to Stonebridge where we called and stayed about an hour. We came home about 9:40 and found my brother at my house, who came to see me in my absence, and they both stayed and supped with me and Mr Snelling stayed all night.

Mr Snelling stayed and breakfasted with me and went home in the forenoon. I dined on some green pea-soup and a piece of pork and green peas. Dame Fielder drank tea with me. At home all day and thank God pretty busy. How do I more and more daily find the loss of my wife to be great; how do I severely know the want of her in the careful and regular management of my family affairs, which are not now conducted with her conduct, prudence and good economy! No they are not, therefore her loss to me is as I have oftentimes said before an invaluable treasure — a treasure which (had it pleased God to have spared her life) would have been daily improving.

In the morning my brother came over and he, together with my two servants and myself, was at church in the morning… My brother dined with me on a piece of pork and peas and a plain batter pudding. I paid him in cash £10… My brother went home immediately after dinner. Myself and servants at church in the afternoon…

After churchtime Mr Thornton and I rode to Lewes, but did not stay. I received of Mr Thomas Scrase 7.2.11½ in full of all demands to this day. We spent upon ourselves, horses and turnpike 8d each. Came home about 8:30. In the evening Thomas Davy at our house and lodged with me. Oh, how severe is the loss of my wife, a loss so great that I shall never have a person to do for me as she did. Mary Heath came to our house in the evening to wash for us tomorrow, and lodged at my house.

Mary Heath a-washing for me all day and dined with me on a piece of bacon and some peas. In the afternoon went to attend the funeral of Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Diplock, who was brought to church about 5:40 and for whom there was a sermon from Revelation 22:12: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” This person died suddenly, though she was 73 years of age.

In the evening wrote my London letters. Thomas Davy and Mary Heath lodged at my house. Oh, my trouble: how pensively and melancholy is my situation.

…Mrs Browne drank tea with me. At home all day. Paid Mary Heath 18d for 2 days’ washing. Thomas Levy lodged with me. Who can paint or describe my melancholy situation; for me all nature seems to wear a gloomy aspect…

[12 words omitted].

In the morning rode to Ashcombe to consult Mr Boys in Mrs Browne’s affairs. Came home about 7:50… In the forenoon rode down to Mrs Browne’s to let her know the purport of journey… Dame Couzens of Laughton, buying some things in the shop, drank tea with me.

Thomas Davy lodged at my house. Oh, how melancholy my situation: quite worn with grief and never did I know so dull a time for trade in my life.

…At home all day. How does my soul in secret mourn my loss.

Mr Snelling called on me in his road to Croydon and breakfasted with me. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some green peas… This day balanced accounts with Thomas Davy and received of him 0.18.0 in full. In the forenoon walked down to Mrs Browne’s, but did not stay.

Thomas Davy lodged with me. Oh, melancholy and pensive mind.

…Paid Thomas Freeman by the post boy 11/6 in full for pattens and clogs received by him today… In the afternoon rode down to Mrs Browne’s and from thence to Terrible Down. Paid William Turley in cash 10/4 in full and now I have 1 hand bill of his left. This day delivered to Mr John Gosling 14 cwt 1 qr 12 lbs of rags in order for him to sell for me.

Oh, how pensively melancholy am I this evening! What a group of melancholy ideas crowd in my tumultuous breast, tumultuous from the overflowings of grief for that dear and ever valuable creature my deceased wife… [17 words omitted], …”Good loss weighs more in grief than gained in joy.” In the evening there was a good deal of thunder, but seemingly distant, and an almost continual lightning for several hours, and but very little rain the whole time. It abated and went off about 10 o’clock.

In the mornings my servant Sal Waller went to see her friends. Myself and other servant at church in the morning… I dined on some beans and bacon and a piece of pork. In the afternoon my brother came over to see me and he, myself and servant at church in the afternoon… After churchtime my brother and I rode to Lewes to speak with Mr Stephen Fletcher, servant to Mr Sam Ridings, with whom I stayed about an hour. I left my brother at Lewes and came home about 9:20…