Thomas Turner

…In the afternoon walked up to the audit at Mr Vine s, where I paid the steward Mrs Browne’s rent, and I received of Mr John Vine in cash 7.12.0 in full for this and the last audit bill and a bill of nails, all due from the executors of the Rt Hon Henry Pelham Esq. Came home about 7:20 and that sober. Oh, how great is the loss I severely feel in that of a valuable and virtuous wife.

…Mr Burtenshaw, Mr Dungate and Mr John Burgess dined with me on some beefsteaks fried, they meeting at my house in order to settle the accounts between Mrs Davy and Sam Virgoe. They altogether gave me a crown for my trouble. At home all day. Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe with me in the evening.

…Lent Robert Hook in cash £8 for which I received his note of hand payable to me or order on demand… This day John Jones and Mary Heath were married. Pretty busy all day, but oh, the tumultuous thoughts that rage in my breast.

…In the forenoon my late servant Mary Martin came to see me and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Paid Mr Howard 7/4½ in full for gingerbread bought of him today… My late servant stayed all night. Joseph Fuller smoked a pipe with me in the evening. At home all day and but very little to do.

…No service at our church in the morning, Mr Porter preaching at Waldron. My late servant dined with me on a [leg of mutton] boiled, a piece pork, turnips, potatoes and a plain [suet?] pudding. Myself and 2 servants at church in the afternoon… My late servant stayed and drank tea with me and then went home.

In the evening my brother came over and sat with me about an hour. In the evening and the day read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons. My grief, my grief is so heavy I hardly know which way to turn or what to do, so heavy is my anguish of heart.

Paid John Piper 18d for a bushel oats received by him today. In the forenoon Mr Porter and I walked down to the Sign of the Chequer at Whitesmith, there being a court-baron and leet held there for this manor. We dined there in company with near 20 more on a rump of beef boiled, a brisket of beef and a leg of mutton boiled, 2 geese roasted, a giblet and plum pudding (my family at home dining on the remains of yesterday’s dinner). Mr Porter and I were admitted to the copyhold estate late Mr Will Piper’s, according to the tenor and effect of his last will. The expenses I paid today were as under:

To a heriot compounded for at	5.0.0
To the Beadle’s fee for seizing the heriot	0.6.8
To the Beadle’s fee etc. for admission	0.2.0
Expenses	0.2.0
	5.10.8

I came home very sober about 10:45; I wish I could mention the same of my companion. Pretty busy all the forenoon and in the morning wrote my London letters.

In the forenoon Mr Porter and I walked down to Halland where I paid Mr Michell the steward 2.3.4 for his fees for our admission yesterday, and now there remains £21 for us to pay for a fine, which sum we have agreed to pay in three months…

In the afternoon my servant went to pay Molly French a visit. Mrs Piper drank tea with me. At home all day and pretty busy. In the evening my brother came over and stayed an hour or two with me…

Rec’d of Mr Porter in cash £30 in exchange for that note I delivered to him the 23rd instant. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Paid Henry Pocock 16/- in full. At home all day and but very little to do.

…At home all day; but very little to do. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me. Oh, how melancholy and dismal an aspect does everything wear… [18 words omitted].

…In the afternoon walked down to Mrs Browne’s, but did not stay. In the evening Mr Long and I walked down to Whyly and smoked a pipe with Mr French; we came home about 9:30. Mr Long supped with me. A remarkable wet time; a close thick air almost continually.