Thomas Turner

…In the afternoon Mr Porter’s children drank tea with me. This day was played at the common belonging to this parish a match of cricket between 11 boys of this parish and 11 boys of Laughton parish, which was won by our youth with great ease. In the evening Thomas Durrant and I walked out a little way for a walk, it being a very fine evening…

John Watford at work for me part of the day; he dined with me… Paid Mr Jacob Bell in cash 2.15.0, which is in full on my account with Messrs John and Jacob Bell. At home all day and thank God very busy

In the forenoon rode out a little way, but did not stay. I dined on a piece of beef roasted and some horse radish. Sam Jenner and Charles Diggens drank tea with me. Pretty busy all day.

In the forenoon Mr Joseph Fuller Jr and I rode to the fair at Horsebridge, in order to sell my horse and he to buy stock. We dined at a public house on some roast beef… Came home about 8:50, sober. In the evening I wrote my London letters. A very fine pleasant day as is common for the season of the year. My servant very busy in my absence.

Myself and both servants at church in the morning… We had a brief read for rebuilding the parish church of Packington, alias Lackington, in the county of Leicester, the expenses of which amounted to the sum of £1013 and upwards, to which collection I gave 3d. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. No service at our church in the afternoon, Mr Porter preaching at Mayfield. My servants both walked to Waldron Church, and in the afternoon I took a walk out, but to no one particular place. In the afternoon I read part of Young’s Night Thoughts…

In the morning my brother came over and breakfasted with me, but did not stay… Rec’d of his Grace the Duke of Newcastle from Will Michell Esq by Mr Thomas Carman 24.15.0 in full for land and window tax due for Halland House and woodlands at St Michael last.

At home all day and thank God very busy. Mr Ellesy, Joseph Fuller and Sam Jenner smoked a pipe with me in the evening.
 

…At home all day and really very little to do.

I dined on a leg of mutton roasted and sweet sauce. In the afternoon finished posting my day book. James Durrant and Thomas drank tea with me. In the evening Thomas Durrant and myself walked up to Richard Hope’s, but did not stay. Joseph Fuller and Thomas Durrant smoked a pipe with me in the evening; but very little to do all day.

…In the forenoon my old friend Mr Thomas Scrase called on me, but did not stay… Bett Mepham drank tea with me. In the evening walked up to Mr John Vine’s to receive my audit bill, but could not get the money, notwithstanding I stayed several hours; but, however, I cannot say I came home quite sober.

A very dull heavy time for trade. Posted part of my day book. Rec’d of Mrs Browne’s servant 36/- and by a land tax receipt 10/-, which I paid the steward at the audit together with 15/3 of my own money which she is debtor to me for, and which is in full for ½ year’s rent on her account at St Michael last.

…In the afternoon posted part of my day book. In the evening Joseph Fuller and I walked down to see Mr Carman where we stayed and supped on some boiled sausages and came home about 9:50 very sober. Lent Mr Jeremiah French in cash 5.5.0, for which he gave me not any note. A very windy cold day, and really a very dull time for trade–I think more so than I ever knew before at this season of the year.