Thomas Turner

Myself and both my servants at church in the morning… We all stayed the communion; I gave 6d. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with some mutton chops fried and a raisin suet pudding. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter being indisposed (and I am thoroughly persuaded quite ill); notwithstanding he performed duty in the morning.

In the evening smoked a pipe with Joseph Fuller and after I came home and in the afternoon read three of Tillotson’s sermons. Oh, what can equal the disquietude of my mind; melancholy days and restless nights, oftentimes conversing (in my dreams) with that most dearest creature my [wife?] at other times waking as it were bathed in tears, with some idea I have had in my dreams of that most valuable creature, that is, from the pleasure I have had in her company.

…Samuel Jenner dined with me on a piece of beef boiled, a light pudding, turnips and potatoes. Sent Mr Will Margesson enclosed in a letter by Shelley, delivered to his servant, 1 bank bill value £25. Sent Mr John Crouch enclosed in a letter by Shelley (delivered to his servant) 1 bill on Mr Will Margesson, dated tomorrow, 30 days’ date, No. 493, value £10. Paid Thomas Freeman by the post 0.5.10 in full for clogs and creepers received by him today. In the evening smoked a pipe with Thomas Durrant.

…At home all day; in the evening posted my day book, and read part of Russell’s OEconomy of Human Nature, which I think a very good thing, but only a little pedantic. Oh, how dismal is my present situation; the thoughts of my wife run so often in my mind, and may they ever be in my thoughts, and produce a virtue equal to that possessed by that dear creature… [33 words omitted].

…Rec’d of Thomas Braizer £4 for interest due on a freehold mortgage due to the trustees of Will Piper deceased. At home all day. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. Trade very ill and contrary, but what is that to my loss?

…In the forenoon walked up to Mr Vine’s with some things for the audit. I dined on a piece of beef boiled, a [suet?] pudding, turnips and potatoes. After dinner I and Mr Porter [??] to Mrs Piper’s, where we balanced accounts with many of Mr Piper’s creditors. I paid in all the money I had received on that account and received the balance of my account, so that now I have nothing due from the trust on that account or any other. I received the balance of the account in cash in hand, which was 105.16.11½, for which I gave Mr Porter and John Piper my note of hand, payable to them or either of them on their or either of their orders on demand. We came home about 7:20. T. Durrant and Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe with me in the evening.

…Mr May, an uncle of my servant’s, dined with me on some beefsteaks fried. Mrs Virgoe and Molly French drank tea with me. In the evening went down to Mr Porter’s, where I stayed and supped and came home about 10:20. A sad and melancholy time. Nought, nought but gloom and melancholy prospects present themselves to my disturbed mind.

I dined on some rashers of pork and potatoes. Mr French and Roger Vallow made me a present of some carp… At home all day, and but very little to do.

Myself and servants at church in the morning… There was a brief read for damage sustained by fire by several poor sufferers at the village of Frimlin in the parish of Ask in the County of Surrey and also several other poor sufferers by fire in the West Riding of Yorkshire; their losses together amounted to the sum of £1125 and upwards, to which collection I gave 2d.

I dined [on a?] boiled plaice. In the afternoon myself and 2 servants at church… After churchtime rode over to Framfield and drank tea with my brother and sister. Mrs Browne in my absence drank tea with my servants. I came home about 7:20. Mr Thornton sat with me in the evening.

In the forenoon paid John Piper 18d for a bushel oats. Paid John Gibbs 4/- in full for quills bought of him today… In the evening; wrote my London letters. Joseph fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me in the evening. Rec’d of John Gosling in cash 5.0.9 in full for the same sum he sold my rags for to the widow Burtenshaw the 15th instant. Oh, how dismal and melancholy [my] situation… [18 words omitted].

Mary Heath a-washing; for me all day and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a boiled carp and a light pudding. My brother came over in the afternoon… I received of him 10/3 for a ream of writing paper. Rec’d of Mrs Browne in cash 2.11.3 and a receipt for half a year’s land tax, 10/-, which together makes the sum of 3.1.3 and is in full for half a year’s rent due to the executors of the Rt Hon Henry Pelham Esq at Lady Day last, and which I am to pay at the audit for her tomorrow…

Mr Long, Thomas Emery and John Vernon spent the evening at my house, they having bought some things in the slop. At home all day and pretty busy, but surely a very melancholy time. In the evening read part of a volume of The Spectator.