Thomas Turner

In the forenoon my brother Moses came over to acquaint me of the death of Philip Turner, natural son of my half-sister Elizabeth Turner (the boy we had the care of, as also his maintenance according to the will of my father). He lived with my brother in order to learn the trade of a tailor, and died this morning about 5 o’clock of a scarlet fever, aged 15 years.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. After dinner lent Mr Dodson my horse to go to Lewes upon… Paid Mr Porter 12d for his fee for burying Joseph Hutson yesterday; also paid John Streeter his clerk’s fee for burying Joseph Hutson yesterday. At home all day and pretty busy in the afternoon.

In the afternoon Sam Jenner a-gardening for me. Rec’d of Dame Fitness 3/- in full for one year’s window tax due at Lady Day last. Lent Will Eldridge five pounds, for which he gave me his note of hand payable to me or order on demand.

…Sam Jenner went to Lewes for me in the forenoon and came back about 12:20 and dined with me on a hot veal pie. After dinner myself and Mr Dodson went down to the funeral house, I to attend the funeral, and he as an underbearer. I gave away the following goods:

Mode Bands:
1. The Rev Mr Thomas Porter
Italian Crape Bands:
1. James Hutson Sr	3. William Hutson
2. James Hutson Jr	4. John Hutson
Men’s White Kid gloves:
1. Rev Mr Thomas Porter
Men’s White Lamb Gloves
1. Thomas Turner	2. John Braizer
Women’s White Lamb Gloves:
1. Mrs Gibbs
Women’s Black 2d Chamois Gloves:
1. Mrs Hutson Sr	3. Mrs Hutson Jr
2. Mrs Browne	4. Mrs Molly Hutson
Men’s 2d Chamois Gloves:
1. James Hutson Sr	3. William Hutson
2. James Hutson Jr	4. John Hutson
Maids’ or Girls’ 2d Chamois Gloves:
1. Molly Browne
Favors:
1. Mr Henry Dodson	8. Henry Bray
2. Thomas Durrant	9. Henry Godley
3. John Gasson	10. Samuel Harman
4. Samuel Dallaway	11. Isaac Turner
5. Will Burrage	12. James Browne
6. Will Henly Jr	13. Roase Page
7. Richard Tealing

Total distributed:

1 Mode band

4 Italian crape do.

1 pr men’s white kid gloves

2 pr men’s white lamb do.

1 pr women’s do.

4 pr Women’s black 2d chamois do.

4 pr Men’s do.

l pr Maids’ do.

13 Favors.

We brought the corpse to church and buried it about 8:20. Afterwards I and Thomas Durrant walked down again to Mrs Browne’s to bring home the things left. Came home about 9:40.

Rec’d a letter by the carrier from Mr John Crouch and Mr Paul Hornsby acquainting me the respective bills I sent them the 22^nd instant by Shelley came safe to hand and were placed to the credit of my account. Also a letter from Mr William Margesson acquainting me that he had received from William Burrage 5.5.0 on my account, which I have received of him on the parish account, it being for 35 weeks’ pay (which he allows this parish toward the expenses attending the keeping his wife and family) due the 28th day of March last…

Rec’d of Will Henly by the payment of his wife 3/- in full for one year’s window tax due at Lady Day last. I also received of her at the same time in cash 17/6 in full on account of her husband. Rec’d of Richard Braizer 8/10½ in full. Rec’d of Mrs Elizabeth Browne by the payment of her servant Henry Godley 24/- in full for the same sum assessed on her by a poor rate made the 17th ult. (The above was not in cash, but a coffin, for which I received the money of the heirs of John Vernon.)

Today there being a court-baron held at Whitesmith for this manor, I walked there in company with Mr Joseph Burgess who was admitted to a house [now the King’s Head) lately erected in this manor by Mr John Vine, but to which he [Vine] was never admitted. However (upon the steward’s promise that he should have it as his property) Mr Burgess bought it [he had been operating it as a public house already] and as I observed before was this day admitted to it for the first admittance. The day of payment agreed upon between Mr Vine and Mr Burgess was Midsummer. Mr Burgess, not having got his money for payment, immediately after he was admitted surrendered it to me and my heirs (in the way of a mortgage), but upon condition he, the said Joseph Burgess, pays the sum of £50 to me upon Midsummer Day next. When the said mortgage is to be discharged, Mr Burgess paying all the court fees, except 2/- I paid, the agreement being for him to pay 30/-, which was the whole charge (except my 2/-).

I dined at the Chequer at Whitesmith, the house where the court was held, on a piece of the brisket of beef boiled, a leg of mutton boiled, a forequarter of lamb roasted, 3 chickens roasted, 2 raisin and currant suet puddings, green salad etc. in company with about 20 more (my family at home dining on a piece of beef boiled, a suet pudding and greens). I stayed till about 5:20 when, being sent for to go to Mrs Browne’s, I came away and went immediately to Mrs Browne’s, where she gave me some further orders relating to the burying of her brother tomorrow.

I came home about 7:50. My brother came over to my house in the evening, but did not stay. Spent at the court today in whole 4/3.
 

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. After dinner my brother Will called on me and dined at my house on the remains of what I left. In the evening Thomas Durrant and I walked down to Mrs Browne’s to carry a shroud etc. for her brother. From thence we walked to Will Driver’s at Honey’s Green to collect in some land and poor tax, but were not so lucky as to get any. Came home about 8:20. A very hot day, and but very little to do in the shop all day.

Sent Mr Paul Hornsby…8.16.0. Also sent Mr John Crouch…£10. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Rec’d of Mr James Bristed 12/- in full for half a year’s land tax due at Lady Day last. Rec’d of Joseph Fuller Jr one bill drawn by Mary Ranger of Waldron on Mr Gale Winbolt Sr at the East India House, Leadenhall Street, London, dated the 18th instant, 1764, payable to me or order, ten days after date, value £24… Rec’d of Joseph Fuller Jr in cash 8.5.0 in part of money he sold stock for yesterday at Whitesmith Fair (the late property of Mr Vine).

In the evening Mr Bannister myself, Joseph Fuller and Sam Jenner went over to the ale house kept by Mr Burgess, where we stayed about half an hour and spent 2d each… Paid Mrs Porter (for the Rev Mr Porter) the 10/- I received yesterday of Mr Henry Crowhurst for one year’s tithe due from the widow Rich at St Michael last.

At home all day, but not all busy. This morning about 5 o’clock died Joseph Hutson, aged 19 years, of a diabetes.
 

Mr John Richards called upon me in the morning and breakfasted with me. In the forenoon walked up to Mr Vine’s about his affairs, where I gave him two guineas and 3 half, out of the cash received on his account.

I lent Francis Turner in cash 6.6.0 on the parish account and took his and his son’s note of hand for the same, payable to myself and Mr Carman as churchwarden and overseer, our or either of our orders on demand, for value received of me, and to bear interest at £4 percent per annum. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, with the addition of a green salad.

In the afternoon my servant went to Whitesmith Fair. I received of Mr Henry Crowhurst the sum of 1.5.0 in full for one year’s window tax (3/-) and 22/- in full for the same sum assessed on the widow Rich by a poor rate made the 17th ult. I also received of him 10/- in full for one year’s tithe due from the widow Rich to Mr Porter at St Michael last. At home all day, except as before mentioned.

Rec’d of Francis Turner in cash 15/- in full for half a year’s land tax and one year’s window tax due at Lady Day last. Myself and Mr Dodson at church in the morning… We had a brief read for rebuilding the parish church of Alverney in the county of Salop, the expense of rebuilding which amounts in the whole to the sum of £1104 and upwards; I collected upon the brief 2/- and one penny I gave myself makes collected in the whole on this brief the sum of 2/1. We had a vestry called, and we stayed in the churchyard to consult whether we should lend Francis Turner the sum of six guineas on the parish account, in order for him to discharge a debt with which he is threatened with an arrest if the same is not paid tomorrow; it was the unanimous consent of all present to lend him the said sum. The persons present were myself, Joseph Fuller, Richard Hope, Edward Foord and Joseph Durrant.

After the vestry I went into Mr Porter’s and signed the brief. I dined on a piece of beef roasted and horse radish. Rec’d of. John Vine Jr in cash 14/6 in full for one year’s window tax (3/-) and half a year’s land tax (10/-) due at Lady Day last, and the remaining 18d with a bill of carpenter’s work (30/6) brought in at Easter and passed in the yearly parish account, makes together the sum of 32/- and is in full for the same sum assessed on him by a poor rate made the 17th ult. Myself, Mr Dodson and servant at church in the afternoon… Rec’d of Charles Vine in cash 3/- in full for one year’s window tax due at Lady Day last. After churchtime Mr Dodson and I walked down to ask Sam Jenner how he did, with whom we stayed and drank tea and came home about 8:20.

A very fine pleasant day, but when I consider the nature of my circumstances, that is no one person to whom I may entrust the management of my affairs, it almost drives to distraction.

I dined on part of shin of beef stewed. Paid Barbara Vine by her mother in cash and goods 27/- for part of the wages due from her father. At home all day and very little to do in the shop. I received from Thomas Overing 1 guinea out of which I paid John Mott 4/6, William Farley 5/3 and Thomas Collingham 5/3. In the evening read part of the 5th volume of Collins’s English Peerage. An excessive fine day and seasonable for the time of year.

Rec’d of Joseph Durrant in cash 0.17.0 in full for one year’s window tax (3/-) and half a year’s land tax (14/-) due at Lady Day last. Rec’d of John Jones in cash 0.15.0 in full for one year’s land tax (12/-) and one year’s window tax (3/-) due at Lady Day last. Rec’d of James Hutson in cash 1.17.0 in full for one year’s window tax (3/-) and half a year’s land tax (10/-) due at Lady Day last, and 24/- of poor tax assessed on him by the rate made the 17th ult… Rec’d of Mr George Bannister in cash 5/- in full for window tax due at Lady Day last. Rec’d of Edward Hope in cash 1.11.0 in full for one year’s window tax and half a year’s land tax due at Lady Day last.

After breakfast I rode to Maresfield to meet the general receiver of the land tax, where I paid his deputy Mr Thomas Gerry the following cash:

100 Guineas	105.0.0
10 half-do.	5.5.0
1 quarter-do.	0.5.3
2 shillings	0.2.0
	110.12.3

which, with the salary allowed for collecting, is in full for one year’s window tax and house duty, and half a year’s land tax, due from this parish at Lady Day last.

I called at my brother’s at Framfield as I went and as I came home. Stayed and dined on some new biscuit (my family at home dining on a beef pudding). Came home about 3:20. Spent today upon myself and horse 3d. Rec’d by the carrier today a receipt from Messrs Barlow, Wigginton and Francis for the bill sent them the 14th instant and which they have acknowledged to be in full. I also received a receipt from Mr Thomas Neatby & Son for the bill value £20 sent them the 14^th instant. Paid John Shelley for his brother Ben Shelley in cash 8.13.1 in full as under:

To money paid the 16th instant to Mr Robert  Nixon in full on my account	1.18.6
To do. the l6th to Mr Miles Stringer in full on my account	3.10.6
To money paid the 16th of May to Mr Thomas White in full on my account	2.0.6
To do. the 16th to Mr Ralph Doubleday in full on my account	1.2.6
To money paid for some garden seeds Bought for me	0.1.1

In the afternoon very busy; in the evening, read part of The London Magazine for April.

Rec’d of Thomas Reeve by the payment of his daughter in cash 2.9.0 in part of land and window tax; rec’d of John Cayley by Joseph Burgess in cash £2 in full for half a year’s land tax and one year’s window tax due at Lady Day last.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a plain suet pudding and some pea soup. Took from the cash I have received on my trust from being one of the executors and devisees of Mr William Piper deceased 3.12.0 in full for one year’s window and half a year’s land tax due at Lady Day last. Rec’d of Edward Foord in cash 3.7.0 in full for 1 year’s window and half a year’s land tax due Lady Day last; also received of him in cash 14/-, which with the cash received of him the 23rd ult. makes the sum of 7.8.0 and is in full for the same sum assessed on him by a poor rate made the 17th ult.

In the evening walked down to Whyly where I received of Mrs French 17.14.6 in full for half a year’s land tax and one year’s window tax due at Lady Day last. Rec’d of Richard Hope in cash 1.15.0 in full for one year’s window and half a year’s land tax due at Lady Day last. Mr Dodson in my absence received of James Fuller in cash 2.2.0 in part of land and window tax; rec’d of Thomas Davy in cash 11/- in full for one year’s land and window tax due at Lady Day last; also received of him 5/- in full for 1 year’s interest due on his note of hand the 28^th day of February last to myself and the other executors and devisees of Mr William Piper deceased.

Very busy today in making the new land and window tax books, as also settling other accounts, that I was almost the whole day continually busy a-writing. Dame Akehurst coming to brew for me tomorrow took part of my servant’s bed.