Thomas Turner

In the morning walked to Francis Smith’s to inquire for a parcel which I imagined was come by him, but I found it was not. Came home and breakfasted and then walked over to my mother’s, thinking it might be come in a parcel of hers, but found my conjecture to be wrong. I stayed at my mother’s all day and posted her day book and also wrote out several bills for her… I received of my mother 1.5.0 in full for keeping Philip to the 17th instant. I stayed at my mother’s and drank tea and came home in company with Robert Diggens about 7:50. My wife paid Jenner the hatter in my absence in cash 1.18.0 in full…

At home all day. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some cider toast. Rec’d of Will Jenner 0.14.0 in full for poor tax. Rec’d of Ed Smith the 2.2.0 I gave him the 24th because he had not paid my money in town for me. Thomas Cornwell made me a present of a dish of roach, for which I save him 6d. At work in my garden all the morning. In the afternoon posted my day book and wrote out some bills. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

We dined on a piece of beef boiled, a plain suet pudding and potatoes. At home all day; at work in my garden, nothing to do in the shop; a prodigious melancholy time; what to do I know not. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

Lent Mr Jeremiah French in cash 4 guineas and a moidore… At home all day. Papered up 60 parcels of tobacco. Gave Mrs Porter in silver 35/- and in halfpence 1/-, for which she is to send me gold. Paid for 1 gallon flour (to Dame Hook) 16d…

…Dame Prall a-washing for us all day. Paid Joseph Fuller by Richard 3d for a pair of calf’s feet received today. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s diner with the addition of the calf’s feet boiled. At home all day. Papered up 154 parcels of tobacco. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s sermons. Paid Dame Prall for washing 9d. Remarkable cold day.

At home all day. Master Watford Sr at work for me all day a-cleaning out the sink etc. Dame Prall a-washing ½ the day for us. We dined on a piece of beef and pork boiled and turnip greens… This day read in the Gazette of the 20^th instant that the King of Prussia had on the 6^th instant gained complete victory over the whole combined forces of Austria (near Prague), taking their whole camp and 25 pieces of cannon and 6 or 7000 prisoners. In the evening Thomas Davy at our house, to whom I read one of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning myself, wife and 2 boys at church… We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a plain boiled rice pudding. After dinner my wife and I went to the funeral of Master Marchant where I gave away the following glazed lamb gloves:

Mr Porter to be sent	John Vine Jr
Master Baker	Dame Marchant, widow
Mr Elless	Mrs Marchant
James Marchant	Sarah Marchant
Will Eldridge	Elizabeth Marchant
Richard Marchant	Hannah Marchant
James Marchant	Dame Cornwell
James Marchant Sr	Elizabeth Mepham and
Thomas Marchant	myself

Myself and wife only at church this afternoon. There was a funeral sermon for Master Marchant from part of Numbers 23:10: “Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his,” from which words we had a very good sermon, though whether it was a funeral sermon, they that preached it and they that payed for it alone must know. For I believe most of the audience must think it to be a sermon made before the death of Master Marchant. At home all evening… N.B.: Master Marchant’s age was 67 years.

John Watford a-gardening for me all day. He dined with us on a piece of beef boiled, a piece of pork and turnip greens. After dinner Mr Elless and I walked to Mr John Crowhurst the potter’s at Bayley’s Lane in order to buy some earthen ware, but he had no quantity by him burnt; so I postponed buying any until he has burnt a fresh kiln.

We came back to Whitesmith Fair about 6:10, where meeting with Mr French, we must go in to drink, which we did and spent 11½d apiece. He, I and Mr Elless came home together about 8:40. Thomas Davy at our house in the evening. Paid a man 4/- for 5 dozen brooms bought of him today at the door. In the evening read an epitome of the life of John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham, in the Universal Magazine for April, wherein I find him esteemed as on author, a statesman and a soldier. He was born in the year 1650 and died 24 Feb. 1720.

In the morning weeded part of my garden. Gave Mr Porter and Mr French 6d to a brief read last Sunday but collected from house to house… In the afternoon, Mr John Burgess called on us but did not stay. My mother’s servant came over in the afternoon for some hats and my servant went home with her for some crape for a gown for Dame Marchant.

Thomas Davy and Mr Francis Elless at our house in the evening. Mr Elless lodged at our house. This day went down to Mr Porter’s to inform them that the livery lace was not come. I think Mrs Porter treated me with as much imperious and scornful usage as had she been what I think she is; that is more of a Turk or infidel than a Christian, and I an abject slave. N.B.: If Mrs Porter is neither Turk nor infidel, I am sure her behavior is not Christian, or at least not like that of a clergyman’s wife.

Mr John Avis of Withyham and his nephew and Mr John Burgess of Hartfield called on me in their way to Dicker Fair. In the forenoon sent our servant to Framfield for 21/4 yds Sca[rlet?] serge to send my father Slater. We dined on a piece of beef and pork boiled and some turnip greens. In the afternoon Mr Richard Warriner (Messrs Warriner and Hartley’s rider) called on me and drank tea with us. In the evening Mr Elless and I walked down to John Browne’s and brought home 6 gallons wine left there for me from Lewes. In the evening read part of Horneck’s Law of Consideration. Very busy all day; at work in my garden. I think it must be consistent to think that as we daily see debauchery increase, so must idleness, for I look on idleness as the parent of lust. Lent Dame Weller in cash 0.6.0.