Thomas Turner

In the forenoon walked down to Mr French’s, and also in the forenoon my brother came over and we both rode to Lewes. I dined at Mr Madgwick’s on a piece of pork, greens and a plain pudding… In the evening walked down to Mrs Browne’s. Paid Ben Shelley in cash 20.2.6 in full as under:

The 10th instant. To cash paid Mr William Margesson on my account	20.0.0
Paid for carriage etc. for a puppy for Mr Sam Gibbs	0.2.6

My brother came home with me, but did not stay… Oh, melancholy time — trade was never so dull nor money so scarce… [19 words omitted]… But let [??], let me patiently submit to the ways of providence.

Down at Mrs Browne’s twice today. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some French beans. Paid Thomas Fuller by William Burrage 6/8 for 1 dozen of candles received by him today. Dame Cornwell Jr drank tea with me.

In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me, and in the evening I wrote my London letters. Oh, how dull my trade, and melancholy my situation.

In the morning one of my servants went to see her friends. Myself only at church in the morning… I dined on a piece of beef boiled and two chickens roasted, carrots and cabbage. In the afternoon myself and servant at church…

Sam Jenner came home with me and drank tea with me, to whom I read part of Young’s Night Thoughts. In the evening read two of Tillotson’s sermons. Oh, how impossible it is for my pen to describe or even (I think) imagination to paint my unpleasant situation: not a friend with whom I can spend one pleasant hour; my affairs at sixes and sevens; my expenses very high; trade dull; and no prospect of any amendment.

In the morning rode down to John Cayley’s to look upon his hops. In the forenoon rode down to Mr French’s. In the forenoon my brother came over and stayed and dined with me… In the afternoon went down to Mr Porter’s and screwed down their child’s coffin. From thence I went down to Mr French’s and served their son’s funeral. Came back to Mr Porter’s and attended their child to church, and then went and met the other corpse and attended that to church, and came home about 6:45. In the evening wrote my London letters.

In the forenoon walked down to Whyly. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some French beans. In the afternoon posted part of my day book. Very little to do all day.

…In the evening Mr Thornton and I walked over to Chiddingly in order to carry a pair of gloves to Mr Herring on account of Mr Porter. I also walked down to Richard Page’s. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me, and after he was gone I read part of a volume of The Spectator. How melancholy my situation; now the evenings are long, how severely do I know the loss of the most agreeablest and endearing companions.

…In the forenoon Mr Thornton and I walked over to Chiddingly, where I gave Mr Herring a pair of gloves on account of Mr Porter. I dined on a loin of mutton boiled and French beans with a piece of pork. Dame Trill drank tea with me… In the afternoon posted my day book and part of Mrs Browne’s.

Paid John Nutley in cash and goods 5/- for the under, received by him today:

1 bushel flour	0.3.9
½ bushel oats	0.1.0
l pk pollard	0.0.3

In the forenoon walked down to Halland… In the forenoon Joseph Fuller and I walked over to Edward Russell’s to buy his hops, but we did not. Pretty busy all day. In the evening read part of the 3rd volume of The Spectator… Rec’d 21/- of William Wenham in part of poor tax due to Mr Will Piper.

In the forenoon walked up to Mrs Piper’s and assisted them in settling and paying their workmen. Paid John Piper 18d for a bushel of oats. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with some green salad. In the afternoon down at Mr Porter’s concerning writing to the creditors of Mr Piper deceased. In the evening Charles Diggens called in to see me and smoked a pipe with me, and stayed till near 11 o’clock… Pretty busy all day, but still how melancholy my situation. Paid John Piper the guinea I received of William Wenham yesterday for poor tax.

In the morning wrote my London letters. Myself and one servant at church in the morning… During churchtime my brother came over and stayed till I came home, but went away soon after. I dined on two chickens and a piece of bacon boiled, cabbage and carrots. As soon as I had dined, I set out for Steyning, in order to appraise a shop of goods belonging to the widow Foreman and now taken by my friend George Richardson. I stopped at Mr John Madgwick’s and gave him a bill (in order to deliver to Mrs Mary Roase for me) on Mr Will Margesson…value £21. From Lewes my brother rode with me as far as Falmer. I arrived at Steyning about 6:20 and spent the evening at the White Horse, in company with my friend George Richardson and Mr Thomas Foreman. I lodged at the White Horse.