Thomas Turner

…In the afternoon went up to Joseph Fuller’s and balanced accounts with him and received of him 8/9½ in full… At home all day. In the evening read part of the canons of the church. This day borrowed of Mr French by way of change 1 guinea.

My whole family at church in the morning… After churchtime there was a vestry to consult whether the parish should lend Richard Prall 2 guineas and also clothe his daughter up in order for her to go as an apprentice to a mantua-maker. But the people at the vestry came to no resolution. We dined on a piece of bacon boiled, a plum suet pudding, turnip greens and potatoes. In the afternoon our maid went to see Buxted Place. My wife and self and 2 boys at church in the afternoon… After churchtime my brother came over and also stayed and drank tea with us. Thomas Fuller Sr came in for me to write him a letter, which I did; and he stayed and smoked 2 pipes along with my brother. At home all day. Read 4 of Tillotson’s sermons and part of the New Whole Duty of Man.

At home all day and very busy. John Watford worked for me all day. He dined with us on the remains of Thursday’s dinner with the addition of a piece of pork, apple pudding and turnips… Not very well, my throat being sore. In the evening read part of a book entitled The Prudent Jester, which I think is a poor silly empty piece of ribaldry.

John Watford a-gardening for me part of the day, who dined with us on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, Dame Henly, her daughters Mary and Elizabeth, drank tea with us in the forenoon… This day borrowed of Mr Joseph Burgess in change 10/-. At home all day. In the evening read part of Josephus’s Antiquities of the Jews.

After breakfast Mr Joseph Burgess called on me to acquaint me that John Durrant declared he would not remove if he had not some wood sent before to the house, upon which he and I went and talked with him and promised him some faggots. We then went down to Will Sinden’s and got the key of the house of Will Bristow. From there we went to Mr Reeve’s, where Mr Burgess paid him in my presence 1.15.0, which I understood [was] in full. We then went to Richard Hope’s, where I left the key and bought a ¼ hundred faggots for them. We then called at Mr Piper’s, who we found was gone to remove them… In the afternoon my brother came over to our house, and he and Mrs Virgoe stayed and drank tea with us. I gave my brother in cash £16, which with the £13 left with my mother, makes £29, which they are to pay Mr John Smith. Thomas Davy sat a while with us in the evening. This day lent Mr Francis Elless The Black Prince and The Distressed Mother.

In the morning after breakfast walked over to Framfield where I found my brother gone to Lewes for a few goods for the funeral of Mrs Goff. He came home about 10:20 but, forgetting to bring some lined chamois gloves, he was obliged to set off for Lewes again. I then went to Uckfield and bought of Mr Percival Hart 5 prs buckskin breeches, value 2.18.6. I also paid him on my mother’s account 30/6 in full (which money she had before given me). I stayed and drank one bottle of beer and came back to my mother’s about 2 o’clock. I had not been there long before my brother came back… I tied up some hatbands and put them in order for serving the funeral. I stayed and drank tea there and came home about 6:05. I left with my mother in cash £13. This day there has been a remarkable high wind, and so there has been almost continually ever since the l4th instant.

In the evening Joseph Fuller sat with us a little while. In the day John Watford brought me from John Browne’s, which was brought there from, Will Rice’s; viz., 1 buroe [?], 18 dozen bottles, 2 sacks sea coal, all which I am indebted to Will Rice for. In the evening read part of the New View of London and Westminster

Gave Smith’s carter 6d for leaving a parcel or 2 on the road for me… Paid Dame Paris 6d for watching with the widow Pilfold; also gave her… 8/- for the half-year’s rent forgiven by Mr Burfield to the parish, and which I have received of Dame Paris before, but now have returned it. In the afternoon went up to Mr Burgess’s, as also to John Watford’s, concerning removing of John Durrant. In the evening read part of The New View of London and Westminster.

…This day paid Dame Trill 3/- in full for keeping Ann Brazier, due today. Very busy today a-marking up goods etc., but not a-selling much. Thomas Davy sat with us an hour or two in the evening, to whom I read part of the newspaper.

Myself, maid and nephew at church in the morning (my wife and Philip staying at home). …We dined on a piece of boiled beef, a raisin, suet and pea pudding with turnips. In the afternoon my whole family at church…At home all day except being at church. In the day read 4 of Tillotson’s sermons.

At home all day. In the morning my father Slater and I balanced accounts and there remains due to him 3/7 on the account preceding this day. My father stayed and dined with us on 2 bullocks’ heart puddings, a piece of pork and turnips, but went away immediately so soon as we had dined. This day went down to Mr Porter’s to acquaint them I had got the raisins they gave me orders to get and also to inform them of the price. Mrs Porter, good woman, was so humane as to tell me she thought I ought in reason not to charge any profit for them, not, as she said, that it was her desire I should lose the carriage, but only my profit, which undoubtedly must be a very modest request at a time when money is so scarce and those raisins amounting to only 3.1.0, and which I am assured I shall be paid for in about 10 months (though I must pay in 6 months). But all her humane dispositions and fallacious speech could not influence my obdurate heart to part with the raisins for less than the price I first asked, which was about 6.10.0 percent per annum [profit?].