Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Paid many visits in Sibford, among them to William Poulton, carpenter, who in answer to my request said he should not remove his timber from the front of the church till he was forced. His wife also was very rude and even passionate and tearful about it. “I a’ allays lent water for the church and lent a hammer too when they was decoratin’ for Harvest Festival, and I a’ done a good deal like o’ that for the church I ‘ave. But now I ain’t a goin’ to do no more. When you preached your first sermon in the church I did say I thought as how we’d got a nice good gentleman at last for a clergyman, but now you no sooner comes into the town than you wants to take the bread out of our mouths you does,” said she, whimpering.

“No, Mrs Poulton, I don’t want to take the bread out of your mouths but I want to take your timber away from the front of the church, where you have no right to put it and where it constitutes a nuisance in more ways than one. I would rather you did so at my friendly request than at any compulsion. But you will have to do it.” I left them still talking.

Returned to Oxford.

Hughes came this evening.

Went to Sibford. Met Rev Vernon Green Vicar of Littlemore at Oxford Station and Canon Payne at Banbury.

Funeral of labouring man named Hone, the first I have had in Sibford. There was a very high wind with rain so that I could stand in the church yard only with difficulty. I had a very dark drive back to Banbury this evening. John Harris junior a postman of a district the other side of Banbury was with me. His parents are tenants of my cottage, and as he walks out to see them on Sunday mornings he is glad to get a “lift” on returning.

Received from Miss L. M. Moor, Devizes for examining her pupils £1.16.0.

Called on St. George Hock of Pembroke College.

Went to Sibford.

Received from Miss Ackerley, Sefton House, West Derby, Liverpool, £1/2 for examining her pupils’ exercises. Returned from Sibford by 4.45 train from Banbury. Leonard came to dinner. Stock of Pembroke, Mack, the Cingalese of Exeter, and Frank Coghlan, of Balliol were invited but could not come. Hughes came this evening.

Went to Sibford.

Took first Baptism at Sibford, George Spicer, age 2 days, died this afternoon.

I called on Hughes at Jesus College this evening.

Thomas Braddell went down for Christmas vacation. I called on Hughes this evening.

Called on Herbert Jackson.

Great fire in St. Aldate’s early this morning. Went to Sibford. Very small congregation this evening owing to the snow.

Visited William Mannings’ wife. She purposes going to Horton Infirmary on Monday. Met Canon Payne. Visited Miss Dix. Returned to Oxford. Mr and Mrs Wilson and Fred came this evening, also Miss Harbage and Herbert Jackson.