Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Visited Meadows who is laid up with a bad leg. Conversed for some time with his wife who tells me that Michael Woolgrove of Sibford Ferris is her brother. Their father kept a little school at Sibford Ferris and did land measuring.

Visited John Padbury whose mind appears to be becoming affected. He tells me his father died in the mad house at Hook Norton.

Visited Mrs Reason whose husband is mentally afflicted. She tells me she has three lodgers now, the last comer being a young man formerly a teacher in the Friends’ school but who was disciplined for drunkenness and for some time lived at Mrs Prophett’s the beer shop Little Sibford, to the scandal of the place whether justly or not. He works as a labourer for Mr Routh.

Visited Buckingham who with his family have lately come from Swalcliffe. Wife appears weak and poorly. Gave her some wine.

Visited Mr Scruby. Wife better, but not at home.

Called on the young woman Hone and gave her 2/- for attending to Mrs Hands.

Visited Old Payne and his daughter on Little Sibford Hill.

Visited Widow Manning, gave her 2/6 and spoke about her going to the Horton Infirmary as an in-patient. She proposes to leave her children at home under the care of her daughter Fanny.

Went to Banbury and ordered 2 dozen wine for charity.

Received forms from Charity Commissioners in which they describe Sibford as in the parish of Swalcliffe.

Henry Sabin’s daughter came over this evening asking whether I could give them some champagne as the Doctor said it was the only thing that would do them any good. I had none in the house but was able to borrow a bottle of “Sillery” from Mrs Shelswell.

Visited school. Went over Little Sibford allotments. Conversed with Samuel Woolgrove there. Richard Scruby, although one of the stewards, appears to farm badly and has been digging up the pathway between his own and the adjoining piece which belongs to Edward Scruby.

Visited Sally Green who has removed to a cottage adjoining Ann Fox’s.

Returned form to Charity Commissioners calling their attention to the fact that they had wrongly described Sibford Gower as being in the parish of Swalcliffe. They had asked me to forward them the last feoffment deed or a copy of it for inspection. I could not find it in the chest and therefore wrote to Mr Miller saying that possibly the solicitor in Banbury who prepared the lease of the farm had it. If so, Mr Miller must have sent it to him and in that case I asked Mr Miller to request the solicitor to forward it to me.