Thomas Turner

In the morning rode over to Framfield where I breakfasted with my brother. I came home about 8:50. Myself and 1 servant at church in the morning; the text in the latter part of the 21st verse and the 22nd verse of the 2nd chapter of the 1st Epistle of St Peter: “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.” I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner.

After dinner I rode to Lewes. I drank tea with Mr Madgwick and paid him the bill I received of Joseph Fuller…I paid Mr Faulkner Bristow 5.8.0 in full. Paid Mr Madgwick 0.1.10½ for some trifling things bought of him today. Came home safe and sober about 8:50… Called at Halland as I came home…

Paid Ken Shelley in cash 3.13.4 in full for the same sum he paid in London for me; viz.,

The 7th instant to Mr John Levy in full on my account

To a skin parchment	0.10.0
For 50 leaves of gold	0.3.0
Porterage	0.0.6

Rec’d from my brother Moses by Philip in cash 2.14.6 in order to pay the same in London for him next week. In the afternoon walked down to Halland. Very busy all day. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me.

                         

In the morning my brother Richard came to see me and breakfasted with me, and he and myself and one servant at church in the morning; the text in the latter part of the 51st verse 17^th chapter Acts: “…whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

My brother dined with me on a beef pudding, a chick roasted and some turnip greens. After dinner I accompanied my brother to Mrs Vine’s of Heathfield, where he went upon his master’s business. We came back about 3:40… My servants went to church in the afternoon. In the evening read three of Sterne’s sermons. A very remarkable fine day, and I wish I could say my mind was as serene and calm as the weather. But oh, how great is the difference–one is calm and serene as nature and the season can admit, the other all tumult and anxious melancholy.

Paid Mr Jeremiah French 13/4 in full for the balance of the last year’s parish accounts due from Mr Piper. Also paid him 13/- in full for poor tax due from the devisees of Mr Piper; that is, myself and the other executors…

In the afternoon went to the parish meeting at John Jones’s where I made up the yearly accounts between Jeremiah French and John Vine Jr, the overseers and the parish, when there remained a balance of 4.16.11¾ due to Mr French and the other overseer John Vine. The overseers for the ensuing year are my own self, for the doing of which I am to have two guineas, and Richard Hope; the electioners John Watford and Joseph Durrant; churchwarden Jeremiah French, electioner John Vine Jr. I came home about 8:20 as sober as I went out.

Rec’d of Mr John Kennard £1 in full for 1 year’s land tax due at Lady Day last… Mr Porter’s maid drank tea with my servants… Thomas Durrant smoked a pipe with me.

Thank God pretty busy all day; nay, I may say very busy! Oh, how pleasant did business use to be in my dear Peggy’s life when the fatigue of the day was over! Then I had the opportunity of unbending my mind in the company of a most engaging and agreeable companion… [28 words omitted]…

This day was married at the church John Thomson and Mary Oliver, both of whom are parishioners of this parish.

Today were married at our church (with license) Sam Collins of Mayfield and Susan Evenden of this parish… I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner.

Mrs Piper’s servant drank tea with me. At home all day and very busy. In the evening Sam Jenner sat with me some time and lodged at my house.

This morning were married at our parish church Thomas Emery and Mary Geal, as was also Ben Brinkhurst and Dame Dallaway.

Sam Jenner breakfasted with me and then went home… At home all day. Not very busy. Paid Joseph Fuller Jr in cash 35.12.0 in full for the same paid per his order by Mr Bristow the 12th instant to Mr Will Margesson on my account. Very seasonable weather for the season; everything wears the prospect of approaching spring.

In the morning John Piper and I rode to Heathfield in order to buy some boards for repairs. We came home about 11:10. My brother came over in my absence and stayed and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner.

In the afternoon I went to bring my brother going on his road home. We went into Mr French’s, where we stayed and drank tea. I came home about 5:20. Lent my brother in cash 12/-.

In the evening I took a walk with Mr Elless as far as the park. Came back about 7:30. Rec’d of Mr James Bristed by the payment of Joseph Durrant 1.4.0 in full for 1 year’s land tax due at Lady Day last. Rec’d from Will Pennington Esq by James Fuller in cash £8, which is in full for 1 year’s land tax due for Mr Thornton’s salary for the year 1761.

A remarkable hot day–I think uncommonly so for the season of the year. Pretty busy in the afternoon.

Rec’d of Robert Hook in cash 8/-, which is in full for 1 year’s land tax for the manor [of Foxhunt][probably Heighton St Clere] in this parish belonging to the Lord Viscount Gage, due at Lady Day last, and which Master Hook received of the steward for me…

My late servant Mary Martin and her sister came to see me in the forenoon and dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some mutton steaks broiled. They stayed and drank tea with me and then went away…

At home all day and thank God pretty busy. In the evening Thomas Davy sat chatting with me until near 11 o’clock… We had today a great many claps of thunder, though not very near, it thundering almost the whole afternoon.

Dined or the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a rasher of pork boiled and some turnip greens. Paid Joseph Fuller Jr 7d for half a calf’s head bought of him today. At home all day and very busy.

Myself and both servants at church in the morning… We had a brief read for the rebuilding of the parish church of Coverton in Nottinghamshire, the expense of which amounts to the sum of £1646 and upwards, to which collection I gave 2d.

After dinner my old acquaintance Mr Tucker came to see me and dined with me on half a calf’s head boiled and a piece of pork boiled and some turnip greens. He stayed till we went to church and then went home. Myself and both servants at church in the afternoon…

In the evening my brother Moses came over, and he together with Sam Jenner drank tea with me. In the evening read 3 of Sterne’s sermons…

In the afternoon put out Anne Thomas Vinal to her mother Mary, the wife of Richard Parkes, to keep at 9d a week, her husband beings present and agreed thereto.