Thomas Turner

Paid John Shelley for his brother, Benjamin Shelley, in cash 2.2.3 in full for the same sum paid this week in London for me… I dined on part of a leg of mutton boiled and some turnips. In the evening balanced accounts with Joseph Durrant and paid him 8/3 in full. My servant sat up with Mrs Hicks, and Thomas Durrant took part of my bed.

At home all day, but very little to do. Rec’d of Thomas Overing one guinea for the expense our parish has been at on account of the death of Will Lidlow, and he accordingly took his body to Chiddingly in order for interment.

In the forenoon walked down to the Nursery where the body of Will Lidlow was, who was found dead in our parish the 11th instant, the coroner’s inquest being to sit touching the same. Accordingly Mr Attree, one of the coroners of this county, came and swore the jury; viz., myself the foreman of the jury and the other 12 were:

1. John Watford Sr	7. Henry Godley
2. John Watford Jr	8. James Hutson
3. Francis Turner Sr	9. William Osborne
4. Francis Turner Jr	10. James Marchant
5. George Bannister	11. John Baker
6. Joseph Durrant	12. John Braizer

The verdict brought in, as it appeared plain by the examinations of the people who found him, that he was in liquor and laid himself down on the ground and perished through the inclemency of the weather.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a light pudding. Rec’d of Will Driver 4/-; ditto of Mrs Atkins 26/-, both in full for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last. Rec’d of the collectors of excise by James Fuller in cash £8 in full for the land tax assessed on the officer of excise’s salary for the year 1763. In the evening Joseph Fuller Jr, Robert Hook and Mr Bannister came into my house, and the weather being extremely bad, we sat down to brag. I won 4/6.

My father Slater stayed and breakfasted with me and then went home. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. At home all day and pretty busy. In the evening Joseph Fuller and Thomas Durrant. sat with me some time.

…Mrs Browne drank tea with me. I received of her in cash 4.5.0 in full and also 10/- in full for half a year’s land tax due St Michael last. My father Slater came to see me in the evening, and he, Mrs Browne, Henry Godley, Thomas Durrant and myself and Mr Bannister played at brag the evening. I won 20 ½ d. They all, excepting T. Durrant, supped with me on some bread and cheese and went away about 2:10. My father Slater stayed with me all night.

This morning about 7:30 in the morning was found dead in our parish Will Lidlow, a person belonging to Chiddingly, supposed to have dropped on account of his being in liquor and to have perished by the inclemency of the weather. At home all day and very little to do. How should such instances as these teach mankind to shun that hateful vice of drunkenness, a crime almost productive of all other vices.

Rec’d of Mr John Morris in cash 3.15.0 in full, also received of him 2/- in full for half a year’s land tax due St Michael last. I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner, At home all day and very little to do. A very wet day.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner. Rec’d of Will Eldridge 8/- in full for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last. Sent Mr Nicholas Wake of Winton enclosed in a letter by the post one bill on Mr William Margesson… At home all day and but very little to do. In the evening wrote my London letters. A very wet day…

Myself at church in the morning… Thomas Durrant dined with me on a leg of mutton roasted. Myself and servant at church in the afternoon… After churchtime Mr Carman and I walked into Mr Porter’s, where we stayed and smoked a pipe or two. After I came home, Mr Bannister, Thomas Durrant and an officer of excise from Hailsham came into my house and stayed and smoked a pipe or two with me. A very wet day.

I dined on a light pudding and potatoes. At home all day and very little to do, and I think I may say quite ill. Rec’d of Joseph Fuller 1 leg of mutton weighing 8 ½ lbs at 3 ½ d. A very wet day.

Sent by John Watford to the general receiver of the land tax for this county, who collects today at Maresfield, in cash £41 and the 2 bank bills I received of Mr Porter the 27th ult., value £35, which makes together the sum of £76 4 and is in full for half a year’s land tax for this parish the salary outset due at St Michael last. He accordingly brought me back a proper receipt.

I dined on the remains of yesterday’s dinner with the addition of a light pudding and turnips. At home all day and very little to do. In the evening Mr Dodson called on me, but did not stop. A very wet evening. Received of Joseph Durrant 14/-; ditto of Mr James Bristed 12/-, both in full for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last.

A very wet morning. A person come to settle in this parish as a farrier dined with me on part of a neck of mutton boiled and some turnips. Rec’d of Ed Foord 3.4.0; ditto of James Fuller 1.8.0; ditto of Mrs French £16; ditto of Mr Carman 1.6.0; ditto of Ed Hope 1.8.0; ditto of William Wenham 0.16.0, all of which is in full for half a year’s land tax due at St Michael last. At home all day and very little to do.