Thomas Turner

At home all day; nothing at all to do Master Hook a-doing a job for me; he drank tea with us. Rec’d of Mrs Weller 12d for my expenses a-going to Bourne yesterday. My brother came over and stayed all night. We dined today on a shoulder of lamb roasted, a piece of pork boiled, and white cabbage.

After breakfast I went for Fanny Weller on my own mare. I arrived at Eastbourne about 12:20. I dined at Mr Henry Weller’s on a leg of lamb boiled and carrots with an apple pudding… I stayed and drank tea there in company with the officer of excise at Eastbourne, whom I think to be a very sensible man. He was, I understand, brought up by a grocer and tallow chandler. We came home about 8:20. I spent this journey 12d, which Mrs Weller is to repay me. My wife in my absence sent by Streeter 4/9 to pay my club arrears.

At home all day… In the afternoon my brother came over and brought me in cash 25/- in full for Philip’s board, due the 17th instant. My wife and I drank tea at Mrs Weller’s, who desired me to fetch Fanny Weller home from Bourne tomorrow, to which I agreed. No pleasure of my life, but why, oh, the sad terror of a tormenting conscience…

Came home in the forenoon, not quite sober. Mr Evans dined with us on a coast of lamb roasted and cucumbers. At home, all day, and I know I behaved more like an ass than any human being, so doubtless not like one that calls himself a Christian. Oh, how unworthy are I of that name! But let me hope and endeavor with the grace of God to get the better of this and that I may every day become a better Christian. The uneasiness that have so long subsided between me and my wife now, I believe are ended, for she now seems (and pray God it may continue) to behave to me with all…

[page missing]

In the morning got up at about 5:20 and rode down to Sinden’s for half a bushel flour. About 11 o’clock I went to Framfield where I dined with my mother on some cold beef and French beans… From my mother’s I set off to Pilt Down where I saw Charles Diggens and John Fowle run 20 rods for 1 guinea each, which was won by Diggens with ease. I got never a bet, but very drunk. I lay at my uncle Hill’s all night. I find one glass of liquor disorders me so that I must and will, I am determined, leave off drinking anything strong. Rec’d of my brother Moses today in cash 1.3.6; viz.,

To my part of 1/16th of 2 lottery tickets, one being a prize of £20 and the other a blank	0.13.0
To the ½ part of a ticket in the lottery now afoot	0.10.6

I was so much in liquor I have forgot what I spent.

After we had breakfasted, John French carried my sister Ann Slater to Lewes (on my mare), he being a-going there for his sister Molly. I gave them 2d to pay the turnpike. My whole family at church in the morning; the text in James 4:3: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” We dined on a lamb’s lights and mint boiled and minced, the head boiled, the brain and tongue boiled, the heart in a pudding, a piece of pork, carrots and a suet pudding with raisins in it. My whole family at church in the afternoon; viz., my wife, self, maid and 2 boys… At home all day, and nobody at our house all day. In the evening and in the day read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons.

…Paid Mr John Crowhurst 1.15.6 in full for earthenware received today and all demands. We dined on some rashers of pork and lamb’s liver fried. At home all day. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening.

At home all day. My wife and I papered up 240 papers of tobacco, weighing 55 lbs. Mr Slade and Mr Jordan called on me, but I gave neither of them any orders… Just as we were going to drink tea, my brother Moses and Mr Will Francis (Messrs Barlow and Wigginton’s rider) came in from Lewes… My brother and Mr Francis went away about 7:20. In the evening read part of Josephus’s Jewish Antiquities.

In the morning my wife, sister and 2 boys walked over to Framfield. Myself and servant dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. This day received of Mr George Verral 6 dozen hard soap. Charles Diggens and his servant called and stayed about an hour. Rec’d of Charles Diggens 2/11 in full. My wife, her sister and the 2 boys came home about 8:30… Read part of Martin’s Library of Literary Arts and Sciences.

In the morning posted some London accounts and looked over my book… In the evening Mr Burgess and I walked over to Uckfield to ask Mr Courthope’s opinion whether we could remove Elizabeth Day, who we understand is with child, but at the same time we have a certificate with her from Waldron. His opinion was that we could not remove her without she first asked for relief. We came home about 9:20. Mr Burgess spent 6d on the parish account at Uckfield. Read part of Young’s Night Thoughts today, which I think is extreme good.