Thomas Turner

Rec’d of Arthur Knight in cash 2.12.6 in part of interest due on a mortgage to Mr Will Piper deceased, which money I have received on account of my trust to the children, and for which I am debtor to the estate for…

Myself and servants at church in the morning… I dined on half a calf’s head boiled, a piece of pork and turnips… Myself and both servants at church in the afternoon… At home all the day; read part of Drelincourt on death and in the evening one of Tillotson’s sermons.

How are the thoughts of the best of wives come as it were afresh again to my memory; the idea of her spotless virtue is present with me. May, oh may the thoughts of it inspire me with fortitude and resolution to imitate her virtue, and may the thoughts of her calm my tumultuous mind and make my life a uniform series of Christian virtues. When I reflect I must soon become a partner with her in the grave, for the longest life is but short when compared with eternity. Oh, how should we all endeavor to be prepared for that awful minute.

Sent to Mr Robert Olive by the post 5/- to pay my fine to excuse my serving steward to the club [Mayfield Friendly Society]… In the night and the forenoon we had a great deal of snow and I believe before night it was full 5 inches deep in most places, it being a very still day but extreme cold…

A great deal of snow fell in the forenoon. I dined on half a calf’s head boiled, a piece of pork and turnips… In the evening read part of Huxham’s Essay on Fevers.

I dined on the remainders of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a light pudding and some sausages fried. Molly Fuller drank tea with me. At home all day and pretty busy. A small quantity of snow fell in the night.

…I drank tea at Joseph Fuller’s and stayed the evening till near 8 o’clock, but came home sober, drinking only a few dishes of tea during my stay…

In the morning I walked up to Mrs Piper’s. I dined on a leg of mutton boiled and a pea pudding. After dinner John Piper and I walked to Lewes in order to collect in a debt due upon the trust of Mr William Piper deceased… We came home about 7:05, both very sober. John Piper, Joseph Muller Jr and Sam Jenner smoked a pipe with me in the evening…

…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a light pudding and turnips. At home all day and very little to do. In the evening posted some account.

Myself and servant at church in the morning… We had a brief read for rebuilding the parish church of Halken in Brecon in the Principality of Wales, the charge of which amounted to the sum of £1100 and upwards, to which I gave 1½d. The banns of marriage were published for the first time between Thomas Emery and Mary Geal, both living at Halland, which standing both in this parish and Laughton, they were asked to neither of the parishes. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Myself and both servants at church in the afternoon… Thomas Davy sat with me in the evening, to whom, and in the day, I read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons.

…I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Rec’d of Samuel Jenner the two guineas lent him the 28th ult. At home all day. In the evening wrote my London letters. Bett Reeve drank tea with me.

In the morning posted my day book… After dinner I rode over to Framfield where I stayed and drank tea. I came home about 6:20. In the evening Mr Cave Jones, rider to Messrs Pierson and Gadsden, called on me and I paid him… Mr Jones supped with me and stayed all night, he being on foot, having sent his horse farther on the road. Rec’d of John Vine the weaver at Laughton 5/- on account.