Thomas Turner

Myself and servant at church in the morning, the text in part of Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of some beans and a piece of pork. Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… After churchtime drank tea with Thomas Durrant and then took a walk. Came back about 6:40.

In the evening was buried at our church William Elphick, who died at Buxted (though he was an inhabitant of this parish) aged 84 years. In the evening Thomas Durrant and Joseph Fuller Jr smoked a pipe with me, but did not stay any longer. A very wet showery day, and about 2:30 we had a very remarkable loud and long clap of thunder.

Rec’d of Ellen Pierce the following note, for which I gave my note to return the same again on demand, or else the money; viz.,

I promise to pay Ellena Pierce or order One Hundred Forty Pounds for value received this 18th July 1763.
per me Richard Day,

and according to her private agreement with Mr Day it is to bear interest at £4 percent per annum, so that is due upon it the 18th instant, both for principal and interest, the sum of l45.12.0.

Sam Jenner coming to do some work for me in the afternoon dined with me on a cold veal pie, some boiled tripe and garden beans. At home all day and very busy. In the forenoon it was extremely wet weather. In the evening read part of Burnet’s History of the Reformation. Master Jenner sat with me some time in the evening.

I dined on a cold veal pie, some boiled tripe and peas. Just as I had dined, my brother Moses came in, who dined on the remains, and he and Mrs Cayley, who bought some things in the shop, drank tea with me. Paid Benjamin Shelley in cash 7.15.5 in full for the same sum he paid in London for me this week… Also received a receipt from Messrs Barlow, Wigginton and Francis, as also from Mr John Perchard, that the bill value 9.4.0 sent the former, and the bill value 8.10.0 sent the latter the 10th instant, came safe to hand… At home all day and very little to do.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a plain baked bread pudding and some garden beans. At home all day and really very little to do. In the evening read part of Burnet‘s History of the Reformation.

I dined on part of a neck of veal boiled, and some beans. Mrs Fuller, widow, buying some things in the shop in the morning, breakfasted with me, as did Miss Fanny in the afternoon, and drank tea with me. Rec’d of Mrs Highwood by Mr George Bannister 30/- in full for 1 cask of brandy. At home all day; busy in my garden all the forenoon, and in the afternoon and evening read part of Burnet’s History of the Reformation, which I esteem a very impartial history, as the author has everywhere treated his subject with moderation and coolness, which is in my opinion always a sign of learning and virtue.

Sent Mr John Perchard…8.10.0… Also sent Messrs Barlow, Wigginton and Francis…9.4.0… I dined on a veal pudding and some green peas. At home all day and but very little to do.

Rec’d of John Shoesmith 17d on account. Mrs Hicks took part of my servant’s bed.

I dined on some beans and pork. In the afternoon went to Master Durrant’s hayfield, where I stayed and worked a-haying an hour or two. In the evening went into Master Durrant’s where I stayed and smoked a pipe or two; came home about 10:50.

Mrs Betty Hicks took part of my servant’s bed, as did Thomas Durrant part of mine, they having company. In the afternoon wrote my London letters. But little to do in the shop all day. A violent hot day. In the day read part of Burnet’s History of the Reformation.

In the morning my brother came over with some cloths and breakfasted with me. Myself at church in the morning …Sam Jenner dined with me on some pork and beans. After dinner we walked to the parish church of Little Horsted where we heard a sermon preached by the Rev Mr Francis Warnford, rector of that parish, from Luke 15:2,3: “Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because they suffered such things? I tell you Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” After churchtime we walked down to Mr Hill’s, where we stayed and drank tea, and came home about 8:30, very sober.

Mrs Betty Hicks took part of my servant’s bed on account of Mrs Brook her sister’s illness.
 

Robert Hook a-gardening for me all day and dined with me on some beans and pork. Paid him 12d for his 2 days’ work. At home all day and pretty busy. In the evening read part of Burnet’s History of the Reformation.

Dame Akehurst a-brewing for me today, as was Robert Hook a-gardening for me, and both dined with me on some pork and peas and beans. Rec’d of Benjamin Shelley in cash 4.10.6 in full… At home all day and pretty busy.