Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Ascension Day. Holy Communion at 8am. Morning Prayers at 10, Service with sermon at 7, when 50 persons were present in congregation.

Elizabeth Manning returned thanks at 2nd service for benefits received at Horton Infirmary.

Mrs F Milburn and Mr Oscar Shelswell were at early service. I called on them at their mother’s.

Visited Elizabeth Manning, gave her 2/6, the last of the 8 I promised her. Also Marion Hone who was out. Left 2/- with her sister for her. She says Hands is always sending her sister Maria out to beg for him. The young woman does not like it. I said I would rather she did not do it and that Hands has no occasion to beg, if he will only work like other men.

Called on Mrs James Rimell and Miss Dix.

Went up to Heath Farm with Poulton and Horsman to see about repairs. Mr Stephen Hands, the tenant, seemed unwilling that I should go down to the new larch plantation to see what timber there was fit for use. But I went through it accompanied by Poulton senior. We found that all the largest trees, from 50 to 100 in number, had been cut and removed.

Wet.

Rehearsal for Choral Festival at Banbury, Christ Church. Gascoigne took the choir. I drove Miss S Dix and Rosa.

Drove to Brailes with Rosa. Miss Honor Braddell was there. Observed horses in allotments as I passed. On returning saw them in the pound. Tay the blacksmith told me they belonged to Stephen Hands.

Very wet.

Visited Boys’ School this afternoon and taught. Preached at Brailes this evening, Mr Smith being rather unwell.

Thomas Wilks called and complained of damage done to his allotment by Stephen Hands’ horses on Saturday. Said he would go to Mr Norris about it. I wrote to Stephen Hands about cutting the larch trees, calling on him for an explanation and apology and suggesting that he should compensate the men whose crops had been injured by his horses.

Choral Festival at Great Tew. The choir went from here in the covered carts belonging to the carriers John Harris and Gascoigne both of whom are in the choir. It being very wet at the time we intended to start

Mrs Stevens, Rosa myself did not get there till after 12 o’clock. The choir left Sibford at 7 and arrived in good time for rehearsal at 9.30. It was raining very heavily when we started home in evening, but cleared up after all our rugs had got wet. Mr Smith, Sophie, Minnie and Annie went to the festival.