Thomas Turner

…Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 3.11.1½ in full on account of the parish, he being overseer. Very busy, there being a public vestry at Jones’s to choose new officers, I dined there on a buttock of beef and ham, a plum pudding and greens (my family dining at home on the remains of yesterday’s dinner). The company that dined at Jones’s were Mr Coates, Mr Piper, Mr Jeremiah French, Joseph Fuller, Thomas Fuller, Robert Hook, John Browne and myself, though after dinner there came in several more of the parishioners. We paid 12d apiece for dinner. After dinner I was sent for home but after I had done my business, I went down again and stayed till near 8 o’clock. The officers chosen for the year 1756 were: Joseph Fuller, church-warden; John Vine Sr, electioner; [alternate]; myself, overseer; Edward Hope, electioner.

My wife, myself and maid were at church in the morning; the text, Philippians 3:10: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made comfortable unto his death.” We all stayed the communion; gave all 18d, we paying for our maid. We dined on the piece of beef baked yesterday and a suet pudding. All at church in the afternoon; the text the same as in the forenoon. After churchtime my brother and Charles Diggens came over and stayed and smoked a pipe or 2 with us.

We came home about 1 o’clock. I dined on a meat pie and a batter pudding baked under some beef for tomorrow’s dinner. My wife and I drank tea at Joseph Fuller’s. Came home about 7 o’clock a little in liquor.

My wife and I at church in the morning…After dinner Master Hook and I went to Lewes. I received of Mr John Day 1.0.7½ in full for the parish of South Malling and for goods delivered to Philadelphia Goldsmith. The weather being very bad, we were obliged to stay all night; we stayed at the Cats. Paid Mrs Stemp 11/1, which was left when I was there at the time Mr Virgoe’s house was put up to auction.

In the morning I balanced accounts with John Jones and received of him 16/- in full to this day (except for 2 nights’ hay for 1 horse).

Jones Dr	1.14.3
Per Contra Cr.
I paid him for Mr T. Thompsett, and which I am allowed for	0.10.1¼
Do. for 3 bottles of brandy received at several times	0.6.0
Do. for Dr Snelling’s horse	0.1.6
	0.17.7¼
Paid for hay for my father Slater’s horse and for 2 gallons oats	0.0.8
To cash received today	0.16.0
	1.14.3¼

At home all day. We dined on a beef putting, piece of pork and greens. Sally Vine, Elizabeth Fuller and Barbara Vine drank tea with us. At church in the morning. The hop duty paid in at Lewes today. In the evening balanced accounts with William Burrage… [Paid him] for 1 day’s work and several jobs 0.1.8.

At home all day. At church in the morning. Paid Joseph Fuller for 2½ stone of beef received today, 5/5. Employed myself a-gardening all day. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Very busy in the evening. Wrote to Mr J. Madgwick and Mr William Roase…

This day Francis Smith and I balanced our account as to the money I have sent him to pay in London for me, and there was due to me 0.8.9½ … [He] paid for 1 gammon of bacon which I got for W. Harvey, 0.6.2½. I gave him today in cash 7.11.2½, which with the above balance of 0.8.9½ makes together £8, which he is to pay in London for me this week. Dame Vinal a-washing for us today. We dined on the scrag end of the neck of veal bought on Saturday with a piece of pork, light pudding and greens. Paid Thomas Freeman by his servant Nicholas Summers 0.12.4; to wit by cash 10/4 and by 1 pair of worsted hose 2/-, in full to this day… Paid Dame Vinal for washing 9d. Hilled up my beans and peas.

At home all day. Dame Vinal a-washing ½ the day. We dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. I borrowed of Thomas Davy 1 bottle of brandy and paid Mrs Day the brandy I borrowed of her the 30th of January last. I carried it myself and stayed at Mrs Day’s near an hour. In the evening Mrs Virgoe came over to consult me about her making of a will. Gave her the liberty to put me in as one of the trustees, and at the same time I assured her if there was ever an occasion, I would act. I also wrote my London letters in the evening.

My wife and I and maid at church in the forenoon… This day Richard Hards and Mary Morrice asked. We dined on the best end of the neck of veal bought yesterday and baked yesterday at Dame Marchant’s, a piece of pork, batter pudding and greens. My wife and maid and self at church in the afternoon; the text in the 29th chapter of Job, the 11th, 12th, and 13th verses: “When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.” From these words we had an excellent sermon upon charity. After churchtime my wife and I went down to Whyly. Came home about 9 o’clock.

At home all day. Dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. My brother and Charles Diggens here in the afternoon. Charles went to Mayfield. My brother stayed with us about 3 hours. I also carried down to Mr Porter’s some shag for a pair of breeches for Mr Porter; stayed there about 1 hour. Paid Thomas Fuller 23½d for 1 neck of veal at 6¾d. Rec’d of Thomas Freeman, by the post, one pair of women’s slinked [calfskin?] pattens. Rec’d of the postmaster 18d, being in full for 2 magazines and 14 buttons which were lost by his late servant. Thomas Davy came in after supper and stayed with us about 2½ hours. He and I looked over Gordon’s Geographical Grammar, and in particular the religions of all nations.