Thomas Turner

In the forenoon my brother came over to stand the shop for me in my absence today, this being the day appointed for the assessors of the land and window tax to carry in their assessments to Maresfield, and there being a meeting of the commissions of the land and window tax.

I set out for Maresfield about 11:20. I got my assessment properly signed and allowed. I dined at Maresfield in company with George Medley Esq, Mr Peckham, Mr Tapsell and gentlemen to the number of 18, exclusive of myself, and really most of them were considerable property.

My brother and servant at home dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. I spent 3/8, but it really was in the company of my betters. Came home about 8:50, very sober, my brother went home busy today in my absence.

In the forenoon walked down to Halland with some goods. I dined on a piece of bacon boiled, a green salad and the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day.

Molly Fuller and Thomas Durrant drank coffee with me, it being a wager between my servant and T. Durrant relating to Molly Fuller’s marriage, which was lost by T. Durrant and paid this afternoon.

Thank God very busy. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr, myself and Mr Long smoked a pipe or two with Thomas Durrant.

…At home all day and indifferently busy. Several claps of thunder during the day; in the evening we had a very smart shower of rain and something of a squall of wind. Sam Jenner, coming in just before the rain, stayed all night.

I dined on part of the pound of mutton bought yesterday baked in the oven and a batter pudding under it. Rec’d of the Rev Mr Thomas Porter 2.15.0 in full on account of Master Baker… In the afternoon Mr Porter and I walked up to the dwelling house, late Mr Piper’s, in order to settle some account relating to our executorship.

We accordingly balanced accounts, and the balance of cash in hand was £32, which cash I have now in my hands as treasurer to our said trust. We stayed and drank tea at Mrs Piper’s and came home about 7:20.

In the evening filled up and witnessed a bond from Stephen Fielder of Buxted to John Piper of this parish for £69, the interest at four pounds percent per annum, the bond dated the 12th day of January last. Not very busy in the shop today.

Paid Mr William Blackwell, paper-maker at Hawkhurst, in cash 4.15.6 and by rags 2/-…in full for the following paper received by him today:

12 wtd. brown couples	}
6 reams mid. hand	}
2 cap	} 4.5.0
20 reams at 4/3	}
6 bundles pound	0.12.9

…My brother came over in the forenoon and he and Sam Jenner, who was a-gardening for me part of the day, dined with me on a piece of veal boiled and a piece of bacon and green salad.

My brother being kind enough to stand the shop for me in the afternoon, I took a ride to a cricket match about 4 miles distant, there being a match played between the parishes of Uckfield and Isfield [vs] the Borough of Lewes and ten miles around. It was decided in favor of the former, having only 14 runs to get in the last innings. I came home about 9:20, very sober. Spent upon myself, horse and turnpike 10d.

My brother stayed and supped with me and then went home. Very tired and somewhat ill in the evening with a violent pang in the head. My brother very busy today in my absence.

…Sam Jenner, a-gardening for me all day, dined with me on a veal pudding and green salad. At home all day and thank God very busy.

Lent Mr Porter the £32, being the balance of cash in my hands belonging to my trust, on his note of hand, payable to John Piper and myself or our order on demand, and with interest at £3 percent per annum. So at this time I have not any cash in my hands relating to my trust.

In the morning my brother Richard and Mr Henry Holt came to see me and breakfasted with me. Myself, brother and his companion at church in the morning… My brother and his companion dined with me on part of a shoulder of veal roasted and stuffed, a gooseberry pudding and green salad. My brother, his companion, myself and servant at church in the afternoon… My brother, his companion, Sam Jenner and T. Durrant drank tea with me, and after tea we went to bring my brother going on his road home. We called in at Sam Jenner’s and smoked a pipe. Came home about 8:40.

…In the afternoon two of Mr Carman’s daughters drank tea with me. At home all day and but very little to do. In the evening wrote my London letters.

This is the day on which I enter into the 35th year of my age and may I (through the assistance of divine grace), as I grow in years every day increase in virtue and piety. Then and not otherwise shall I live the life designed for me to lead on earth in order to my happiness in heaven to all eternity.

Sent Mr John Crouch…£10. I delivered to Mr Shelley per my servant in cash £50 in order for him to pay in London for me… Sam Jenner, at work for me part of the day, dined with me on the remains of yesterday’s dinner and a green salad.

Molly Wheeler, Mr Coates’s servant and Dame Alcorn drank tea with me. At home all day and very busy. My brother came over in the evening to take up some cloths, but did not stay. Samuel Jenner, being to help my servant brew tomorrow, took part of my bed.

Sam Jenner stayed and assisted my maid in brewing and dined with me on a knuckle of veal and a piece of bacon boiled and green salad. At home all day and but very little to do.

In the evening read part of a work called Bishop Beveridge’s [Private] Thoughts, which I look upon as a very serious good thing and full of sound divinity, neither leaning too much to the side of Arminianism or the contrary to Calvinism. A most remarkable dry time, and the wind today violently high and very cold.