Thomas Turner

We breakfasted at Framfield, and about 10:10 Mr Soundy and I set out on our intended journey. We arrived at Chailey about 12:05 where, after talking to my mother about 40 minutes, Mr Soundy proceeded on his journey to Horsham. The proposals I made to him are as under:

To let him the shop with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging yearly, or for any term of years, for £8 a year; and for him to take the whole stock at the appraisement of 2 persons indifferently to be chosen betwixt him and my mother; and also for him to take all the fixtures, and to pay one half of the money down and the remaining at 6 months’ end, and to enter upon it at Lady Day next.

He has agreed to consider of it and let me know his further resolutions soon. I dined at Mr Beard’s on part of a leg of mutton hashed (but spoiled in doing), a pigeon pudding and cold plum pudding, but all in very bad order… Were I to speak my sentiments freely, I think Mr Beard seems not happy in his choice. And really Mrs Beard appears to me to be a very indifferent partner.

About 3:50 my mother and I came from Mr Beard’s, my mother riding behind me. We came to Framfield about 6:15 where I stayed about 30 minutes. I borrowed of my mother in cash £3, but gave her no note. My brother came with me (to have the mare home tomorrow) and spent the evening with me and stayed all night. I think I never came home with more pleasure in my life than tonight. Not that it proceeded from any material business I had done in my journey, but to find my wife well and also myself sober and not to have spent any money in my journey. Oh, the reflection is pleasure immense! My wife in my absence paid Mr John Gosling in cash 3.4.1½, being on account of the parish and for what is called jail money. Thomas Davy at our house about an hour in the evening, but I believe did not stay a-setting [long?] time.

In the morning carried down Mr Peter Adams’s bill, but he not being within I left him a note for the balance. After breakfast I sent 18 bushels apples by Smith’s team to Uckfield miller to make me some cider of, and 10 bushels they were to take at Halland… After dinner Mr Peter Adams called on me; I delivered to him his bill…and he has promised I shall have it in 14 days from this day.

My wife paid Mrs Atkins a visit in the afternoon and drank tea with her, but I was obliged to send for her home about 5:45 on account of my brother’s and Mr Soundy’s (servant to Humphrey of Horsham) coming to our house to treat with me about letting the shop at Framfield to the said Mr Soundy, who stayed at our house until near 7 o’clock. I went with them to Framfield and spent the evening there (my mother not being at home, having been at Mr Beard’s at Chailey ever since Sunday last). The gentleman, I think, seems to be about 26 years of age, born in the suburbs of London, also served his time in Southwark, and has lived journeyman in several places in London. [He has] made 1 voyage to our American plantations, the agreeableness of which he greatly extols. He seems to be a very sober person, and one who, I think, appears qualified to move in a higher sphere of action than keeping a little shop at Framfield. We did not go to bed until near 1 o’clock, Mr Soundy and I proposed going to Chailey tomorrow to talk with my mother. Laid at Framfield all night and went to bed sober.

In the morning arose and put up the goods for the audit. Mrs Vine the elder breakfasted with us. In the forenoon carried up some goods to Mr John Vine’s for the audit. We dined on a cold heart pie and bread and cheese. In the afternoon carried up more goods to Mr Vine’s. My wife and I drank tea at Master Weller’s. In the evening read one of Tillotson’s Sermons…

After breakfast our maid went over to Framfield. My wife, self and nephew at church in the morning… We dined on a cold heart pie. All at church in the afternoon… My wife and I at home all day. Read 5 of Tillotson’s sermons. Our servant came home about 6:40, and what is remarkable we had not anybody in to stay all the day.

Paid Joseph Durrant in cash 2.5.9, being for the same sum paid for my use by Mr George Tomlin, hop factor (who sold Durrant’s hops), to Messrs Margesson and Collison. Notwithstanding Durrant owes me money and has done these 18 months past, he was so unreasonable and I think I may say unjust as to ask me for the above; but Oh, such meanness of spirit!… The gardener at Halland made my wife a present of some grapes in gratuity for my trusting him sometimes (only let me observe the difference in people’s tempers). In the evening read 2 of Tillotson’s sermons.

In the morning went and asked Dallaway for the money due to me; who seemed to make light of it. I also told him that I was very apprehensive Savage would trouble him, which was the reason that made me so uneasy. I also went and informed Joseph Fuller of my proceedings yesterday, who approved of them, and also Mr Coates, who also approved of them and gave me liberty of removing John Durrant and his wife into the part of the house where Richard Heath and his wife did live, I went from Halland to Mr Thomas Peckham’s, where I did at last receive my bill, viz., 0.16.11 in full of all demands, but 2d I spent and 3d I must abate or spend; so I chose the former and am determined not to trust them again.

I am well assured that I have lost money by this bill. I came home and dined on a heart pudding and cabbage. In the afternoon Mr and Mrs French and my brother (who came over for the mare) drank tea with us… In the evening Master Dallaway and his wife came and talked with me again about their debt and seemed to talk to me in a very imperious and insulting manner, which I find is all I get by my good nature in trusting people so long. Then if I but ask them for it, I am insulted in this manner. In the evening read 3 of Tillotson’s sermons.

After breakfast I rode over to Framfield and from Framfield my brother and I went to Uckfield to make up Tester’s affair with Mr Thornton, but he was not at home. My brother and I stayed about an hour at Halland’s in expectation of his coming home, but, as we found he did not, we went back and dined at my mother’s…

I cut out 6 round frocks for my mother. I also saw Savage and talked to him about Tester’s affair, who told me he had left his orders with Mr Charles Thornton to make it up; so he had nothing more to say in it. After drinking of tea at my mother’s, my brother and I rode over to Uckfield where I met with Mr Thornton, to whom I offered to give any security that either I or the parish could make, payable at Easter next to Savage for Tester’s debt due to them, and also to pay him his fee, which is 13/4. But he could not take it, for he said the only way that Savage would make it up must be to pay all the money down and also all charges, which I told him I would never agree to; so, if he did not hear any more from me between this and Tuesday next, he should proceed in the prosecution.

My brother and I drank part of a bottle of beer at Mr Thornton’s, and then he went over to Halland’s and drank part of 3 half-pints of wine with us. I came back by Framfield, but did not get off my horse. Called at Mr French’s to tell him how I made out; stayed and smoked a pipe. After I came home, I went down to Jones’s with Master Hook to consult with him about distraining Dallaway. Spent there 2d. Spent at Uckfield 16d on the parish account and 2d on my own. Rec’d of my mother 8/- for 2 gallons of brandy. I must, I believe, drink nothing but water, for I find a glass or 2 of liquor makes me drunk, for today I could not get home sober; but I will once more try if I cannot live without being guilty of this vice.

Paid Will Funnell 0.10.8 in money and goods for bricks, tiles and mortar used at Trill’s house for the use of the parish. Gave a man with a pass 2/-…. My brother came over in the afternoon and brought me the mare in order for me to go Framfield upon tomorrow morning. He stayed and drank tea with us. I paid Mr French the 18d borrowed of him last night. At home all day. In the evening read the 71st of Tillotson’s sermons.

As I was this day a-considering of the particulars that passed at the vestry yesterday, I think nothing sinks so deep in my heart as Dame Burrage’s affair, to see a poor woman supplicating our charity with 6 poor helpless children (all small) deserted by a husband (who was well-known to be a more than common industrious man and also one who did not spend his money, but readily and with cheerfulness shared it in his family) and who has been eloped from his family about 10 days. Sure the thought of it must pierce any heart that is not entirely shut up and has bid adieu to all humanity, and so must it more, if we only reflect and consider something great must be the reason to force a man from his beloved family, which undoubtedly has been this poor man’s cause. Many of the richest and leading men of our parish (though I think not the wisest) have long since been endeavoring to pull down the price of this and some more poor men’s wages (though not a man of ’em can say he ever asked more for a day’s work than he earned) by bringing in many poor into the parish from other parishes, some with certificates and some without, until the parish is full of poor, and those wise gentlemen’s scheme almost come to take effect. Here was at this time everything remarkably dear; viz., malt 3/9 and 4/- a bushel; Warwickshire cheese 4¼d a pound; beef and mutton 3d and 3½d a pound; and wheat 5/- a bushel, and nothing but daily expectation of working for small wages (nay, even for less than his due). Now let any of those cunning men, or even any other person, only lay his hand upon his breast and put it to his conscience, and at the same time let his tongue utter the dictates of his heart; then must the following sentence be pronounced: Oh, cruel and inhuman usage, oppression, fraud and grinding the face of the poor are our guilt! Oh, may the annals of future times never record so much barbarity!

[On a separate piece of paper inserted at this point Turner adds:]

NB: I do not any ways commend Burrage for leaving his family, for I think it a very unjust and imprudent thing in him, and more particularly so, as he the night before he went away received of Mr Jeremiah French £3, which he carried away with him. The only thing I endeavor to point out is the motive which has occasioned him to abscond.

…Paid Mr Heaver 6/- for 1 bushel of oatmeal received today… Paid John Lewer in goods and money 16/- in full for 32 lbs of butter received from him today. About 4:30 I went down to Jones’s, according to notice given on Sunday of a vestry. Our company was as under: Mr Coates, who did not stay long; Mr Piper, Joseph Durrant, Ed Hope, Richard Hope and John Watford went away about 7 o’clock, but the reason was because they found if they stayed they must spend their own money and not the parish’s. Mr Jeremiah French, Mr John Vine, Mr Adams, Joseph Fuller, Mr Hutson and myself stayed till 11:40. We spent upon the parish account 3/6, which I paid, and we afterwards spent our 7d apiece. We agreed upon the following particulars; viz., to allow Dame Burrage ½ bushel flour per week; to allow Edward Babcock ½ cord wood and ¼ hundred faggots; and also to allow John Dan the same quantity. Also it was agreed to pay Tester’s debt by a majority of 5 or 6 voices. I borrowed of Mr French 18d. Mr French and Peter Adams laid 5/- each; Mr Adams laid Mr French [could] go to the parish church of Hellingly and there hear a sermon (to be preached by the Rev Mr John Stone) [but] that when he [came] from church he [could not] repeat the text, which Mr French laid he [could], naming the chapter and verse of the text, and also each particular word contained in the text. At home all the forenoon a-writing.

At home all the forenoon. Paid Francis in cash 7.14.4, which, with a book debt of 1.10.7½… balances our account to the 1st day of this instant (the carriage of one cloth of wool to London excepted)… After Smith and I had balanced accounts, I found he had charged too much in my carriage bill by 6d, which he returned. He dined with us on part of the neck of mutton bought on Saturday, boiled, an apple pudding, turnips and some of the broth, After dinner I went over to Mr Francis Hicks’s at Chiddingly and weighed up his wool…for which [6.9.11] I gave him my note of hand payable to him or bearer on demand. Stayed and Smoked 2 pipes and came home about 5:20. Sent by Francis Smith 127 fleeces wool, weighing 9 tod 24 lbs, and which I gave him liberty to sell for me at 19/- per tod, and the cloth at 4/6. In my absence my wife paid Dame Trill 3/- in full for the keeping Ann Braizer, due today. In the evening carried down to Mrs Atkins a Warwickshire cheese and stayed about 40 minutes. Came home and wrote my London letters… Read part of the Apology for the Life of Bampfylde Moore Carew.