Thomas Turner

After breakfast Mr Burgess and I set off on foot for Lewes in order to know more concerning our affair with Mr Hutson. When we arrived at Mr Spence’s, he was not at home, being at Lewes. When we came to Lewes, I found Mr Rideout was not at home, he being at the assizes at East Grinstead; so I could no way know which way to proceed in the affair. We found Mr Bridger and Mr Spence both at Lewes, who granted Mr Burgess a summons for Mr Hutson to appear before them on Saturday next, but if he could not find him to serve the summons upon, he must leave it in some conspicuous part of his late dwelling-house.

Provided he should not appear at the time by them appointed, they would then grant him their warrant to distrain and follow for 30 days any goods that were in his possession or on his premises at the time of his absenting himself, let them since have been bought, or any other wise in the possession of what person so ever. I dined at Mr Thomas Scrase’s on some cold roast beef. My family at home, together with Mrs Virgoe, who stayed with my wife for company, dined on the remains of Tuesday’s dinner, with some cold ham. We came home about 6:40, and sober. We spent 12d each. My wife in my absence paid Mrs Virgoe the £12 I borrowed of her the 22nd instant. Paid Mr Burgess the 3/6 I borrowed of him yesterday. My wife also paid John Juce 0.5.11¼ in full for 5 pks malt received by him today.

In the morning went up to the dwelling-house of the late James Hutson, there being a sale, and when. I came there, I found he was absconded. Oh, ungrateful news, considering he owes me £10!… After dinner Mr Burgess and I walked over to Uckfield, I in order to consult an attorney, and he to consult Mr Courthope concerning Mr Hutson’s affair. When we came there, we found no attorney at home. Mr Courthope informed Mr Burgess that he could not tell what to do in his affair; that is, how far he could distrain for poor tax. We came back and drank tea at my mother’s and came home about. 5:40. Mr Burgess and I spent 3d each. Very busy all day. A most remarkable fine day, and I think as warm as is common in May. Paid Mr Halland 3/6 for the hire of his horse to Seaford the 7th instant, which money borrowed of Mr Burgess.

In the forenoon went down to Halland with Mr Coates’s bill and received 6.4.0 in full to this day. This day my wife paid Mary Martin our servant in cash and goods 40/- in full for 1 year’s wages, and she accordingly went away about 3:20.

This day received of Mr Thomas Jones by his wife 0.8.3½ in full, having outset 10/- for 2 bushels malt. We dined on a knuckle of veal, a light pudding and turnip greens. Mr Jones, Miss Read, Dame Turner and Halland gardener drank tea with us. Very busy all day.

…After dinner I went down to the parish meeting at Jones’s, where I made up the accounts between Mr Joseph Burgess the present overseer and the parish, and there remains due to the parish 11.7.6. There was the most unanimity at this vestry that I ever did see at any one before, there being not the least discord imaginable, nor did I observe above 2 oaths sworn during the whole time of the vestry, which was from between 12 and 1 o’clock to ten. We stayed till about 10:10 and then came home, and all sober.

We spent 3d apiece after the money allowed by the parish was spent. Our company was Mr Porter, Mr Joseph and Thomas Fuller, Jeremiah French, Joseph Burgess, Richard Page, Robert Hook, Joseph Durrant, John Cayley, Will Rice, Edmund Elphick, Will Piper, John Vine, John Watford, Thomas Carman and myself. The officers nominated for the year ensuing were Joseph Burgess, churchwarden, Joseph Fuller, electioner; Thomas Fuller, overseer, John Cayley, electioner.

Very busy all day. Paid Sam Elphick 2/7½ in full for 1 leg of veal received by him today, weight 9 lbs at 3½d…

My wife, self and servant at church in the morning; the text in Luke 16:31: “And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the, dead.” This being Easter Sunday, we all stayed the communion. My wife and I gave 6d each. We dined on the remains of Friday’s dinner with the addition of a plain buttered pudding cake, turnips and potatoes. My whole family at church in the afternoon; that is, my wife, self, nephew and servant. The text in I Corinthians 15:14: “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith 1s also vain.” From which words we had in my opinion a very fine sermon. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read Sherlock on Judgment.

…Master Bull of Whitesmith dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner… Paid Robert Baker £2 in full for his clerk’s wages. At home all day and busy. In the evening posted part of Mr Crouch’s account. James Awcock drank tea with us…

Myself, wife and nephew at church in the morning… We dined on a piece of beef boiled, an apple pudding, some boiled tripe and Savoy greens. In the afternoon I completed posting my day book, and also Mr Coates’s, Mr Hutson’s and the parish’s bill. In the evening my wife at Mr Porter’s and Thomas Davy at our house a little time. Rec’d of Henry Starnes 4/10 in full.

…Posted part of my day book today and also wrote out part of the parish bill. Charles Diggens drank tea with us. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening, to whom I read part of Sherlock on judgment… A very melancholy time occasioned by the dearness of corn, though not proceeding from a real scarcity, but from the iniquitous practice of engrossers, forestalling etc. My trade is but very small, and what I shall do for an honest livelihood I cannot think. I am and hope ever shall be content to put up with two meals a day, and both of them I am also willing should be of pudding; that is, I am not desirous of eating meat above once or at the most twice a week. My common drink is only water, which I make my choice when I am not involved in company so that I can have it. As I am mortal, so have I my faults and failings common with other mortals. I believe by a too eager thirst after knowledge I have oftentimes to gratify that insatiable humor been at too great an expense in buying books and spent rather too much time in reading, for it seems to be the only diversion that I have any appetite for. Reading and study (might I be allowed the phrase) would in a manner be both meat and drink to me, were my circumstances but independent.

Borrowed of Mrs Virgoe by my servant in cash £12, but have not given her any note. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a hard pudding and some Savoy greens. My brother came over in the afternoon, but did not stay.

This day received a certificate from Henry Osborne, dated the 4th instant, whereby the churchwardens and overseers (Henry Shelley and Richard Rideout Esqrs, Will Russell and William Reynolds) of the Parish of St, Peter and St Mary Westout do allow him and Hannah his wife to be inhabitants legally settled in their said parish. The said certificate is attested by Edward and Henry Verral, and allowed by J. Bridger and L. Spence the 5th instant. At home all day. I think last night to have been as windy and rainy a night as almost I ever knew. This evening our servant went to Mrs Virgoe’s to spend the evening. In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man.

…Took physic today and at home all day. A great deal of rain and snow fell today, it being a continual wet day from 8 in the morning till 8 o’clock in the evening. In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man. Very busy a-marking up of goods and putting my shop in order. In the day read part of The Peerage of England.