Tuesday, March 29 1757

In the morning John Hesman, John Watford and myself drew out my pipe of cider. They both breakfasted with us. Paid Mr French the guinea borrowed of him yesterday. Mr Will Rice came today and bought of me 2 coats and 2 waistcoats and stayed and dined with us…

In the afternoon Dame Martin came to our house and informed me that the man William Tull, whom Sarah Vinal has had a child by, was at their house today, upon which John Watford, Thomas and Joseph Fuller and myself went in pursuit of him; Thomas Fuller went round by Chiddingly and called at both the public houses there and then came to us at Edward Martin’s. We then went and took a view of who there was at both the ale houses at Whitesmith, but found no one that answered to our description of him. We then proceeded to Mr Will Funnell’s (where the man had formerly worked) who informed us that it was likely he might be at Mr Guy’s (a place where he had also worked) and accordingly we found him there in bed, whereupon, telling him our business, he very readily went along with us. In our road home we called at Mr Funnell’s and stayed about 1 hour. Then we proceeded on our journey home where we arrived about 11:15 and supped at our house. Thomas Fuller, John Watford and my own family sat up all night. About 2 o’clock the man made an attempt to get away, but was disappointed. We then called up Thomas Durrant, who sat up with us the remaining part of the night. N.B.: I spent 5d in pursuit of the man.

Sunday, June 9 1755

Thomas Turner’s former house in East Hoathly, East Sussex. Mar 2019

Myself and brother at church in the morning; the text in the 30th verse of the 18th chapter of the prophecy of Ezekiel: “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.” We had a brief read for the relief of the Philippine colony in Turkish Moldavia for about £2500. I collected upon the brief 2/6, and 6d I gave myself makes together collected in the whole on this brief 3/-.

Bett Carman dined with me on some cold roast beef and green salad. Myself, brother and servant at church in the afternoon; the text in the 6th and 7th verses of the 5th chapter of the Book of Job: “Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; Yet man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward.” Mrs Carman, Bett Carman and my late servant Mary Martin (who came to see me between churchtimes) drank tea with me. In the evening Thomas Davy, myself and Thomas Durrant took a walk to see Sam Jenner, who is very ill with an ague. Came home again very sober about 9:20.