Thomas Turner

…I dined on a veal pie. Rec’d of Mrs Hannah Atkins £3 in full for the same sum assessed on her lands etc. by the poor rate made the 17th instant. Also received of her in cash 2.18.6 in full.

In the afternoon my brother Moses came over and stayed and drank tea with me. In the evening my brother-in-law Sam Slater came back from Lewes and stayed at my house all night. I took part of Thomas Durrant’s bed. At home all day and pretty busy. Paid the Rev Mr Porter in cash 2.7.6 in full for 5 sacks of oats on Mr John Vine’s account.

In the forenoon walked up to Mr Vine’s in order to speak with Mr Bailey, where he held an audit for the tenants of the Rt Hon Henry Pelham Esq deceased. I dined there in company with about 20 more on a buttock of beef boiled, a leg of veal and bacon boiled, a hot veal pasty and part of a sirloin roasted, greens and two raisin and currant puddings.

My brother-in-law Sam Slater called on me today, but did not stay. This day was fought a main of cocks at our public house between the gentlemen of East Grinstead and the gentlemen of East Hoathly for half a guinea a battle and 2 guineas the odd battle. It was won by the gentlemen of East Grinstead, they winning 5 battles out of six fought in the main. I saw three battles fought, but as I laid no bets, I could neither win or lose, though I believe there was a great deal of money sported on both sides.

Mr Dodson today in my absence paid Mr George Peckham 5/6 in full for fulling some linsey on the parish account. This day Mr John Vine signed a deed whereby he consigned over to Mr Abraham Bealey, myself & Mr Joseph Fuller all his effects whatsoever both real and personal, in order to dispose and make the most of it we can for the benefit of ourselves am other creditors. Rec’d of Mr Robert Turner in cash 2.17.8 in full on his account with Mr John Vine.
 

In the morning went up to Mr John Vine’s, and after breakfast I rode to Lewes upon Mr Vine’s business. I dined at the White Hart in company with about twenty more upon a fillet of veal roasted, a ham boiled, a leg of mutton boiled, a forequarter of lamb roasted, 2 hot pigeon pasties, 2 raisin and currant puddings, greens, potatoes and green salad. The reason of my dining on an elegant a dinner was on account of my having business with Mr Bailey, steward to the devisees and heirs of the Rt Hon Henry Pelham Esq deceased, who held an audit there today.

Came home about 8:20. Spent today upon myself, horse, ostler and turnpike 15d.

Rec’d of Ann Inkpin by her mother 46/- on account. In the morning I rode to Maresfield (there being a [sitt]ing of justices) in company with Mr Porter, where Mr Carman endeavored to appeal to our poor rate, but could not obtain any redress. I also verified the last year’s account of the parish upon oath. I paid for a new warrant and summons 5/.

I dined at the Chequer in Maresfield (the second sitting) with about 32 or 33 more on some roast lamb, roast beef, boiled beef, plum pudding, green salad, greens and carrots. Came home about 7:20 with Mr Porter. Spent today upon myself, horse, ostler and turnpike 20d. In the evening wrote my London letters.

Rec’d of Thomas Reeve in cash 9/-, which with the 5.11.0 I received before is in full for the poor tax assessed on him by the poor rate made the 17th instant. Very little to do in the shop today. Rec’d of William Wenham 40/- in full for poor tax assessed on him by a poor rate made the 17th instant.

After breakfast I intending to come away, I gave Mr Hill’s servant 12d, the man who cleaned my boots 6d, and to my very great surprise, Mr Hill permitted, nay almost forced me to pay the expense of my horse at Yalden, which was 5/-. Now this is what I could not have once thought would be so. I always gave Mr Hill, when at Hoathly, entertainment both for himself and horse, though I might use the same excuse Mr Hill did, of not having a stable of my own. And then I went entirely about Mr Hill’s business to Yalden, which was to talk to him about the money he owed me. Because had I written about it, Mrs Hill would in all likelihood have discovered it, and as it was unknown to her, so he desired it might remain a secret. Oh, ingratitude, ingratitude! thou common but hateful vice, a vice which in my opinion clouds all our other virtues, and I think no man guilty of it in a higher degree than Mr Hill. Mr Hill accompanied me on my road as far as Tunbridge where we dined on a calf’s head boiled, a piece of bacon and greens, and then we parted, he for Yalden and I for home.

I just called at my brother’s in Tunbridge Wells, but did not stop, as I also did at my Aunt Ovendean’s at Boarshead, but did not stay. Came home thank God very safe and sober about 7:20. Spent today on myself, horse and ostler 2/2.

In the morning, it being wet, I concluded to stay another day. In the forenoon I took a walk with Mr Hill to visit a patient. Came back and dined with Mr and Mrs Hill on some pork bones boiled and greens.

In the afternoon we took a walk to see Mereworth Place and Church, the first the seat of the I think late earls of Westmoreland, but now Lord de Spencer’s, and the seat as beautiful a little seat as I ever saw, there being and great deal of extreme good painting, some very fine marble and everything of ornament very noble. The church is modern built and excessively handsome, but small. We came back to Yalden where I supped with Mr Hill and stayed all night. Gave the servant who showed the place 12d, Mr Hill paying the person who showed us the church. We spent about 7d each at the public house.

After breakfast Mr Hill and I set out for Maidstone where he gave me a bond for £60, dated today, bearing interest at £5 percent per annum, the same witnessed by Thomas Pope Jr. The above bond is in lieu of the £30 for which he gave me his note of hand the 5th day of November last, as also the £30 lent him the 15th of January last, both of which notes of hand I gave up to Mr Hill. He paid me the interest; viz., 1.2.6 due on the said notes to this day.

I bought of Mr Thomas Pope Jr a parcel of thread etc. amounting to 5.15.0, for which I paid him, and he is to send it to the White Hart Inn, Southwark, carriage paid. We baited ourselves and horses at Maidstone and came back to Yalden about 6:20. In the evening we took a walk and came back and supped with Mr Hill on some sausages in company with two gentlemen his acquaintances, the one a writing master, the other a wheeler and philosopher. I stayed at Mr Hill’s all night. Spent today 13½d.

In the morning I set out for Yalden to see my old acquaintance and cousin (and I ought to have reason as well to say worthy friend). I called at the Hand and Scepter on the road to Tunbridge where I dined on some cold beef and baited my horse.

I got to Yalden about 3:10. After I came there Mr Hill and I took a walk and called and spent an hour or two with a gentleman of his acquaintance. We came back about 7:20. I supped with Mr Hill on a loin of lamb roasted and green salad Spent the evening with Mr Hill and stayed all night. Spent on myself, horse and ostler and turnpike 2/-.
 

My late servant stayed and dined with me. At home all day and very busy. My late servant stayed all night.
 

In the forenoon went down to Halland where I received of Mr Coates 2.16.0 in full for the same sum assessed on him by a rate made the 17th instant towards the relief of the poor.

Sam Jenner at work for me all day, and dined with me on a piece of beef roasted. In the afternoon walked up to Mr Thomas Reeve’s, where I received of him in cash and by a bill on the parish account 5.11.0 in part of poor tax. Rec’d of Thomas Davy 16/- in full for poor tax. Sent Mr William Margesson in cash £100 by Ben Shelley, which was delivered to himself by Mr H. Dodson and Sam Jenner. My late servant stayed all night.