Thomas Turner

…In the afternoon my brother came over and brought me from my mother in cash 1.5.0, it being in full for 1 quarter’s board etc. of Philip Turner, due yesterday. Paid Mrs Virgoe the £20 I received by the post Thursday last. In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man and part of the 6th volume of Medical Essays. A remarkable cold day, but no frost. I begin to find trade once more to grow very dull and that it is almost next-to impossible to get in any money due on book.

This being the day appointed by proclamation for a general fast and humiliation before Almighty God for obtaining pardon of our sins and for averting those heavy judgments which our manifold provocations have most justly deserved, imploring his blessing and assistance on the arms of his Majesty by sea and land, for restoring and perpetuating peace, safety and prosperity to Himself and to this kingdom, myself, two boys and servant were at church in the morning; the text in the latter part of the 10th verse of the 4th chapter of the prophet Amos: “Your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.” Myself, two boys and servant at church in the afternoon; we had only prayers.

After evening service we dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a plain suet pudding and some turnips. In the day read part of the New Whole Duty of Man. And in the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read part of Sherlock on death.

This fast-day, to all outward appearance has (in this parish) been observed with a great deal of decorum and, I hope, true piety, the church in the morning being more thronged than I have seen it lately. Oh, may religion once more rear up her head in this wicked and impious nation and triumph over vice and immorality! Then may we once more hope for success from our fleets and armies when our commanders shall be inspired with the love of God and his most holy religion. Then (and not until then) will all private interest and connection of friends give way and become subordinate to the love of their king and country that then might not the sons of Britain expect but that the forces of the proud Gaul, so fond of universal monarchy, would give way as they did once to an Edward and a Henry. Then might we also hope to see justice impartially delivered from the bench and rapine and violence banished from among the son of Albion and the holy gospel of Christ preached with that energy and ardor as would become the profession of the preacher.

At home all day. We dined on a cold beef pie, light pudding and some Jerusalem artichokes. In the afternoon posted my day book, and in the evening Mr Elless at our house a-learning the use of the sliding rule. Rec’d by the post today (from Mr John Fuller) in cash £20 for the use of Mrs Mary Virgoe, it being the money due to her when Mr Fuller and she balanced accounts, and for which she then received his note of hand. In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man.

In the morning busy in my shop. We dined on the remains of Monday’s supper with the addition of some potatoes and cold beef pie. In the afternoon my brother and cousin Thomas Ovendean came to see me and stayed I believe near two hours.

Mrs French, Joseph Fuller and his wife, Dame Durrant, Mr Calverley and Sam French drank tea with us and stayed and spent the evening with us. We played at brag (my wife and I won 1d) in company with Mr French and Joseph Durrant. They all supped with us on a piece of boiled salt fish, 2 rabbits in a pasty cold, a cold baked rice pudding, an apple and gooseberry pie, egg sauce and parsnips. They stayed and spent the evening with us till near one o’clock, and then we parted all sober and, I hope, after spending the evening agreeable, for I am sure it was so to me.

My brother came over in the forenoon and dined with us on the remains of last night’s supper. I sent my mother by him one bill… in lieu of the £14 sent me yesterday by my servant. My brother also brought me a receipt from Mr Christopher Crippes for the £10 sent him the 4th instant. At home all day. In the evening read part of Leadbetter’s General Gauger.

In the forenoon our servant went over to Framfield and brought me from my mother’s in cash £14. Charles Diggens dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. I also received of him in cash 11/6 in full. Molly and Elizabeth Fuller, Anne Fuller, Fanny Weller and Molly French drank tea with us, and they, together with Joseph, Thomas and Richard Fuller, Thomas Durrant and John French supped with us on a piece of boiled salt fish, a rabbit, apple pasty cold, a cold baked rice pudding, parsnips, egg sauce etc. They stayed and played at brag (my wife lost 3½d) and spent the evening with us till about 2 o’clock. Paid the post today 15d for 12 lemons and 1 letter. About 10:10 in the evening Mr Will Rice called on me, but did not stay.

Myself and Philip at church in the forenoon… We dined on a pig roasted and bread sauce. John Wickham of Ticehurst, one of my old quondam play-fellows, called on me, but did not stay. Rec’d of Mr Joseph Burgess the £7 I lent him the 8th instant and gave him his note of hand, which he then gave me.

Myself, Philip and servant at church in the afternoon; the text in Luke 16:25: “And Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” From which words we had an excellent sermon setting forth the folly of a wicked and ill-spent life. At home all day except being at church. In the evening and in the day read part of the New Whole Duty of Man.

Paid Ben Shelly in cash 0.5.2 for money he paid this week for me; viz,

For 1 salt fish	0.1.8
Do. 4 rabbits	0.3.0
Carriage of do.	0.0.6

…Paid Mr Jeremiah French by his son John in cash and goods 2/3 for one roasting pig, 9 lbs, at 3d per lb received by him today. Rec’d Budgen’s Account of the _Hurricane in Sussex, which I gave my cousin John Bennett 12d to buy for me the 1st ult. At home all day. Very busy a-marking up a parcel of goods received today from Messrs Margesson and Collison. In the evening read part of the appendix to The London Magazine and part of The London Magazine for January.

In the morning went down to Mr Porter’s… Paid 2d for a pound tripe. In the afternoon posted part of my day book. At home all day. In the evening read part of the New Whole Duty of Man and part of the Medical Essays.

In the forenoon Mr Thomas Osborne of this parish and his son Thomas Osborne, blacksmith of Uckfield, came and signed a bond, the obligation of which was £40, and the condition was for them jointly or severally, their, or either of their heirs etc. to indemnify and save harmless this parish from all charges whatsoever that shall or may at any time hereafter be on account of the female bastard child of Mary Hubbard, of which she was delivered the 4th ult. in this parish, and of which she declared Thomas Osborne the elder to be the father in her examination taken in writing upon oath before George Courthope Esq the 3rd of this instant.

The said bond was witnessed by Robert Hook. Thomas Osborne the younger also gave me his note of hand, payable to me or bearer on demand for value received 1.1.8½, which was also witnessed by Robert Hook. The money was for expenses we have already been at on the girl’s account; viz.,

For carrying her to Uckfield the 26th Oct., 1757	0.4.2½
Do. the 3rd instant	0.9.0
To John Watford for himself and house	0.2.6
Do. to making the bond	0.6.0

Mr Will Piper signed a note of hand to John Watford, payable to him or order at 3 months’ notice for £20 with £4 percent per annum, dated the 20th December last. (I witnessed the said note). This note was for money which John Watford let Thomas Daw have and which the mortgage was made to Mr Piper for, John Watford rather choosing to take Mr Piper’s note than the mortgage. Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 2 stone 3 lbs beef, 4/9. We dined on a suet pudding, Savoy greens and Jerusalem artichokes. In the evening Master Hook and I walked to Mugridge’s to know how much land either Thomas or Henry Osborne hired of him, when he told us Thomas Osborne paid him the yearly rent of 1.9.0 per year. We came home about 9:20. In the day read part of the Medical Essays.