Thomas Turner

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a green salad. Out part of the day collecting in land and window tax. Also made the window and land tax books. A most prodigious dry time.

This day balanced accounts with James Fuller and paid him in cash 2.4.2 in full on my account to the 9th day of March last. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a green salad. Thomas Davy and Mr Long drank tea with me. In the evening Thomas Davy took a walk with me, where I collected some window and land tax…

Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 2.2.0 in full for window and land tax. My brother stayed and dined with me on a fillet of veal roasted and green salad and then went away. Mr Coates’s servant and Sam Jenner drank tea with me.

In the evening went to see Mr Thornton and his bride, where I spent the evening in company with Joseph, Moll and Bett Fuller, Mrs Browne, T. Davy, Elizabeth Mepham, James Marchant, Mr Shoesmith, Mr Long and Sawyer Noon. I came home about 12:30, sober…

Rec’d of Mr Thomas Carman 1.5.0 in full for land and window tax due at Lady Day last. Myself and servants at church in the morning… We had a brief read for rebuilding the parish church of Ellington in the County of Derby, the expense of which amounted to the sum of £1280 and upwards, to which collection I gave 2d. Myself and both servants stayed the communion. I gave 6d. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a green salad. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Ripe… In the afternoon read part of Hervey’s Theron and Aspasio. In the evening my brother William came to see me and stayed with me all night…

I dined on a beef pie. At home all day. My brother came over in the afternoon and stayed and drank tea with me. This day balanced accounts with Mr John Gosling and made level on both sides. Thank God pretty busy all day…

…In the evening walked down to Halland with some bills on Mrs Browne’s account. Rec’d of Mr Porter in cash 6.14.6 in full for land and window tax due at Lady Day last. I wish I could say, ‘busy all day’. Paid John Nutley 5/10 in full to this day and then received of him 1.5.0 in full for land and window tax due at Lady Day last. In the evening read part of The Complaint.

After breakfast I rode with Thornton to the Black Boy where Joseph Gibbs and his wife signed a certificate, or at least a paper, whereby they yielded their consent for him to marry Mary their daughter, a spinster under age. From thence we went to Lewes where he took out a license to marry the young girl, myself being his bondsmen. We dined at the White Hart on part of a shoulder of mutton (my servants at home dining on the remains of yesterday’s dinner). We came home about 5:50. Spent nothing today, Mr Thornton paying my expenses.

In the evening walked down to Halland where I received of Mr Coates 26/- in full for half a year’s land tax due at Lady Day last… A very dull time for trade, but what is that when compared to the melancholy gloom that is in my mind in my calm and tranquil hours. There, there is a scene which would, I believe, move a heart if it was hard as the nether millstone.

I dined on a piece of bacon boiled and some greens. Thomas Durrant drank tea with me. In the evening Thomas Durrant and I walked to Honey’s Green where I received of Will Driver 4/- in full for half a year’s land tax due at Lady Day last.

My servant’s brother and the gentleman breakfasted with me and then went away. I rode with them as far as Uckfield. My servants at home dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, myself not dining anywhere. Came home about 6:20, but not thoroughly sober. Oh, my unhappy fate!… [113 words omitted]… 0h, how do I detest myself!… [40 words omitted].

Paid James Crowhurst in cash 3.1.6 in full for earthenware received from him today. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Gave Mr Thomas Carman cash for a bill payable to him or order —drawn by Thomas Massey on Mr Joseph Biddlecom, merchant at Deptford, or the Pennsylvanie or Carolina Coffee House, Burchen Lane, Wednesdays and Fridays…

In the evening one of my servant’s brother and a gentleman whose name was Powell, from Lindfield, came to see her and stayed at my house all night. In the evening wrote my London letters.