Thomas Turner

…In the afternoon Mr Thornton and I walked up to weigh Mr Reeve’s hops, but he was not home. We went from thence to George Cornwell’s, where Mr Thornton weighed his hops and I attempted to buy them, but in vain. We Stayed and drank tea here, from whence we walked to Thomas Starr’s, where Mr Thornton weighed his hops and I again attempted to buy them, but in vain. We called at Mr Reeve’s as we came home, and the old man would not weigh them, pretending it was too late.

Came home about 6:30, where I found my brother, who came over in my absence, and stayed with me till near 8 o’clock… I paid Halland gardener 10d for 2 gallons onions and one of potatoes received by him today. Pretty busy all day.

In the morning rode up to Mr Reeve’s and weighed his hops; viz.,

3 bags “T.R.”
1. 261	2.2.14
2. 254	2.2.4
3. 286	2.3.12
	8.0.2

which at 46/- per cwt, the two pounds excluded, amounts to 18.1.0, which I paid him. I also weighed up a pocket of Richard Hope’s, marked “R.H.”…for which I also paid Master Reeve.

I stayed and breakfasted at Mr Reeve’s. In the forenoon walked down to Halland. I dined on a piece of bacon, French beans and potatoes. In the afternoon went to Lewes, there being a fair there today… Paid John Cayley in cash 5.13.6 in full for his hops… My servant in my absence today paid Mr Ben Shelley in cash 1.0.6 for the same sum paid this week in London for me… Came home about 8:20 and sober.

N.B.: the 10/- I paid John Cayley when I bought his hops the 25th ult. was included in the 5.13.6 paid him today. In the evening read part of the London Magazine for September.

…In the afternoon I rode to Josias Bonwick’s and weighed up his hops, which together weighed 10 cwt 2 qr 22 lbs… and I paid him 26.14.0 in full for the same.

In the evening; Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe with me and I received of him by a bank bill and cash 27.4.0 in full for his half part of the money I have paid for Reeve’s, Cayley’s, Hope’s and Bonwick’s hops… I also exchanged a bank bill of £25 for him, giving him cash for it. Pretty busy all day.

N.B.: All the hops which Joseph Fuller and I have now between us are paid for and he has also paid me his part.

Myself and both servants at church in the morning… I dined on a piece of beef and pork boiled and French beans. Myself and both servants at church in the afternoon…The King’s proclamation for the discouraging of vice and profaneness and for the promoting of piety and virtue was read this afternoon. In the evening read part of Tillotson’s sermons.

…In the evening down at Jones’s, there being a public vestry; spent 1d, but did not drink anything…

In the forenoon Mr Porter, John Piper and myself rode to Heathfield etc. to look at the lands on which Mr Piper deceased had mortgages. We also received a note of hand from John and Thomas Cayley (in lieu of one which we delivered up to them). This note was made to us all and for £50, equal to that we delivered up. This note is to bear interest at £4 percent per annum, to commence from the 8th of August last, and payable on demand…

In the afternoon one of my servants went to see her friends. About 4 o’clock Joseph Fuller Jr prevailed on me to accompany him to Blackboys Fair. We spent 16d. I came home about 10:20, but not quite as sober as I went out, but we drank very little…

…James Bull dined with me off some mutton chops fried and a piece of pork and potatoes. In the evening paid Joseph Fuller Jr 12d for a bullock’s cheek received by him today, and he and Robert Hook smoked a pipe with me.

At home all day. But surely a melancholy time. Oh, that dear! dear creature, how do I feel the loss of the best of wives.

In the forenoon Mr John Robinson, rider to Mr Will Margesson, called on me and I gave him one bill… value 53.16.0, which leaves £30 on my account. My father Slater also came to see me, and they both dined with me… My father Slater and I balanced accounts… They both went away soon after dinner.

In the evening went down to Mr French’s, where I received of him in cash £2 in full for a coffin for his son on account of Mrs Browne [whose workmen made it], and also 4.3.4 in full for the funeral of his son on my own account. I came home about 9:30.

Today my servant came home… The reason of my father Slater’s visit today proceeded from the rumor that now prevails at Hartfield of Mr Snelling’s castrating my wife by force at my request. What would the credulous mob (for so I can justly call them) have with me? If I do injury to any one I would not I am sure, did I know it, and as to this affair I am sure I not only know my own innocence, but at the same time, it is a thing unprecedented in the practice of surgery, a thing I believe never done, so that it must betray the height of ignorance, which undoubtedly is the mother of credulity, and shame, which generally are twin sisters and oftentimes are linked together. But however, it is the rumor it seems finds people simple enough to give credit to it, and even so let them — I no ways envy their happiness and [??] am if I know my own heart I sincerely forgive them (and at[???] all mankind) and were it in my power to confer a favor upon any of them I would do it, and that without upbraiding them, and I think no man ever loved a woman better than I did my wife, for which I want not the mob for witnesses. No! I do not. I have a better, even that of my own heart… [105 words omitted].

…Mr Dungate, attorney-at-law at Mayfield, dined with me on some mutton chops fried. In the afternoon packed up my rags in order to send to Maidstone Fair. At home all day and pretty busy. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. Oh, how gloomy does the aspect of things appear. My brother called on me in the afternoon, but did not stay.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of some French beans. Rec’d of John Painter 1.0.5½ in full. At home all day and pretty busy.