Thomas Turner

At home all the morning and busy. We dined on a piece of cold bacon and the remainder of the neck of mutton boiled, with a green salad. After dinner rode over to Framfield to carry over some buttons to my brother Moses. Drank tea there and came home about 6 o’clock. Paid to Joseph Fuller 12d for a bullock’s heart.

At home all the morning. We dined on cold bacon and a piece of neck of mutton boiled and green salad. After dinner I rode over to Framfield to borrow 2 cheeses of my mother until Friday; drank tea there. Came home about 6 o’clock. Dame Merricks drank tea with my wife. I paid Dame Trill 6/- in full for keeping Ann Braizer to yesterday. I also gave them 2/6 towards their own maintenance. In the evening read part of the Freeholder.

At home all the morning and busy. Paid Joseph Fuller 15½ d for 1 neck of mutton, 4½ lbs at 3½d. In the afternoon went down in the park to a cricket match; to wit, the Street against the Nursery quarter [now the hamlet of Halland]. I played and we beat them, having 6 wickets to go up the last hand. Came home about 10 o’clock. Spent no more than my shilling for the game. We dined on a piece of cold bacon and a little piece of the scrag end of the neck of mutton boiled. Bishop Stillingfleet’s motto: “Serve God and be Cheerful.”

My wife and I neither at church in the morning on account we stayed at home to be bleeded, but we were disappointed, Dr Stone not coming. We dined on a piece of cold bacon and the remains of Wednesday’s dinner with a bread pudding. My wife, self and maid at church in the afternoon… After churchtime my wife and I walked up to Mr Piper’s. We stayed and smoked 2 pipes and drank tea and nothing else.

At home all day. This day I resigned up my school to Francis Elless. We dined on the remains of Wednesday’s dinner. In the afternoon my brother Moses came over and took up a suit of clothes for Peter Adams’s son. In the evening read part of the Freeholder where I find the following quotation from Seneca when he is advising the fair sex to abstain from interfering with politics: “I will discover to you a philter that has neither drug nor simple nor enchantment in it: Love, if you would raise Love.” The motto of the Rt Hon Lord Chancellor Somers: “Useful rather than conspicuous.” The Freeholder gives my lord a most exalted character for virtue, humility and wisdom.

Friday, May 14: At home all day. My brother William came to see us. He dined with us on the remains of Wednesday’s dinner with a few ratios [rasher] of pork. I appointed to go to Uckfield Fair, but my brother’s coming prevented my going. In the afternoon Thomas Cornwell, Thomas Durrant and myself sued my pond in the orchard and caught two small perch only. My brother went away about 10:15. In the afternoon I was sent for over to Mrs Virgoe’s to talk with Mr Thomas Tourle Jr who has a mortgage on Mrs Virgoe’s house of £100 at 3½ percent per annum. There is now about 2½ years’ interest due, and he seems to be very impatient for his interest, so is to have the whole 3 years’ interest paid when it becomes due, or otherwise (he was so kind as to tell Mrs Virgoe) he should enter upon the house.

At home all day…In reading Homer’s Odyssey, I think the character which Menelaus gives Telemachus of Ulysses, when he is speaking of his war-like virtues in the 4th book, is very good.

“Heroes in various climes myself have found…

[4 lines omitted]

Wise to resolve and patient to perform.”

And again Telemachus says in the 395th line:

“’Inclement fate! ‘Telemachus replies,

‘Frail is the boasted attribute of wise.’”

We dined on the shoulder of veal bought on Saturday last, stuffed and baked in the oven with a flour pudding under it. James Rabson, Martin and Gower of Laughton drank tea with us, they buying a great many things. About 6 o’clock Joseph Fuller and I went and took an account of Thomas Tester’s goods, which we valued at about 6.13.0, though I believe it is justly worth £8, and then not over-valued. We called at Master Piper’s and smoked 2 pipes and drank part of 2 bottles of beer. I also called in at Joseph Fuller’s, but did not stop. Came [–] about 9:30. I this day lent Joseph Durrant my horse to go to Berwick upon….

In the morning I got up and went to Lewes. My brother, having lately strained his ankle, is become worse with stirring upon it a little yesterday; so he could not go with me. I got to Lewes about 8:30. I breakfasted at the white Horse in company with Mr Fletcher, Mr George Beard and Mr Relfe of Ripe. After breakfast I gave Mr Fletcher 1 bill… which I drew on Messrs Margesson and Collison, value 14.19.0 in full on account of Mr Samuel Ridings. I bought a parcel of goods of him, which I left at the White Horse. Paid Mr John Madgwick 5/1½ for goods bought today as under:

5/8 yd cloth	0.4.4½
½ yd green napped	0.0.9

I dined at Mr Isaac Hook’s on a leg of mutton and caper sauce (my family at home dining on the remains of yesterday’s dinner). After dinner I went to the White Horse where I smoked one pipe with Mr Fletcher and drank part of one pint of wine, which was all I drank the whole day. I looked out some earthenware at Mr William Roase’s. Spent 7d. Got home about 4:30. After I came home, I agreed with Robert Hook to take all his brother Jenner’s butter which he makes this year at 6d per pound, delivered here or at Lewes. I am to find crocks.

I was sent for down to Mr Porter’s in the morning to inform Francis Elless, the person who is intended to take the school, when I choose to resign it, and I agreed to the 17th instant. We dined on a knuckle of the shoulder of veal bought on Saturday, a piece of pork and greens. Sent Francis Smith by his man T. Hemsley in cash £18, which he is to pay in London for me. I also sent him in bad half-pence 6d. Borrowed of John Watford hay for 1 horse tonight. My brother came over about 7 o’clock in order to go to Lewes with me tomorrow to meet Mr Fletcher, Mr Samuel Ridings’ rider; my brother stayed all night.