Thomas Turner

In the morning Mr Baley called on me and we walked up to Mr Vine’s, where we examined his books of accounts. We dined there on a piece of pork, an apple pudding and some cabbage (my servant at home dining on a plain suet pudding and some greens). Came home about 5:30. A very wet evening. Sam Jenner, coming in and the rain continuing, took part of my bed. But very little to do in the shop all day. In the evening instructed Samuel Jenner on the Branan Rules [Brenan’s Rule].

…Due excessive wet forenoon. I dined on a plain suet pudding and some greens, as did Robert Hook, who was at work for me today, on the remains of what I left. At home all day and pretty busy. Sam Jenner sat some time with me in the evening.

…About 2:30 we had a tempest of thunder and lightning, and a great deal of rain. The thunder had been heard all the morning from about 5:20. The storm here was not very severe, neither the thunder nor lightning so sharp as I have heard, but it was excessive dark, and I dare say was very severe both to the southwest and southeast of this place. But it passed over here pretty light. I do not remember ever to have seen the heavens in so seeming a tempestuous situation as they were today, the whole element seeming in a commotion. It did not last a great while here.

Sam Jenner drank some coffee with me, it being a wager I lost. At home all day and thank God very busy. In the evening wrote my London letters. Robert Hook a-gardening for me part of the day. In the afternoon Sam Jenner and I played a few games of cribbage.

Myself and servant at church in the morning… I dined on some cold beef pie and cucumbers. After dinner my late servant Mary Martin came to see me, as did my brother, and they, together with myself and servant, were at church in the afternoon…

After churchtime my brother and I rode to Lewes where I called and talked with Mr Baley some time about Mr Vine’s affairs, and also called on Mr Michell, who was at home. We stayed with my brother Richard some time, and then came home about 9:30. My brother went away immediately. My late servant stayed and drank tea at my house.

In my absence today Mr Simonds Blackman [the new tenant of Whyly Farm] and his bride made their first appearance at church. Spent today upon myself, horse and turnpike 9d…

…I dined on a cold beef pie and some garden beans. At home all day and pretty busy. Paid John Thomson in cash 1.1.0 on account of work done on Mr Vine’s farm. Paid John Tamkin in cash and goods 8/- on the same account.

An extreme fine day. Thomas Durrant took part of my bed, there being company at his own house.

A person buying some things in the shop dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some garden beans. Finished posting my day book today. At home all day and I think never less to do. My brother Moses called on me today in his road to and from Hailsham…

…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day and very little to do. In the afternoon posted part of my day book…
 

…In the forenoon my old friend Mr Elless came to see me and dined with me on a shoulder of mutton roasted and French beans and carrots. Soon after dinner Mr Elless went home.

Paid John Page 1.4.0 in full for 22 fleeces of sheep’s wool bought today, weighing 36 lbs. At home all day and very little to do. In the evening Mr Joseph Fuller Jr and Thomas Durrant sat with me some time.

Sent Mr George Otway…£10. Mr Long dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a piece of pork and some garden beans.

Paid Will Jenner 19/6 in full for – 11 fleeces of sheep’s wool weighing 29¼lbs at 8d bought of him today. Fanny Hicks drank tea with me in the afternoon. In the evening walked over to Mr Joseph Burgess’s, there being an affair to be made up between my neighbor Mr Bannister and Jacob Parkes of Hellingly, for assault of Mr Bannister upon him, which was accordingly agreed.

Came home about 9:25; spent nothing nor drank anything. Sam Jenner was one of the arbitrators, who stayed and took part of my bed. At home all day and really very little to do in the shop. I think I never knew trade so dull in my life,

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a cold veal pie and some garden beans. Mrs Browne and Betsy Carman drank tea with me. At home all day and but very little to do. In the evening wrote my London letters.