Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Mr Ellis died at about 6 o’clock this morning.

Finished hay making at the “Slinket”. There is said to be 2 tons well got up.

I have employed

• B Messenger, mowing: 8s.
• ditto, carting: 3s. 6d.
• Widows Young and Robinson, 5½ days at 1/6, 8s. 3d.

?Superintended? by Percival Webb to whom I gave 3/- as a present.

Mr Herbert called and paid me his rent to Lady-day last. He charged me £6 per ton for hay and 5/- per week for mare in his field 4 weeks, although I understood when last I spoke to him that I was to have the “bite” in the orchard. We have now arranged that he is to have permission to turn sheep or cattle into the “Slinket” and I am to send the mare into the home fields.

Mrs Ezra Green’s mother came for wine. She says her daughter who is in the family way has cut herself with the spar of a chair.

St Peter’s day. Divine Service at 10 am.

Called on Widow Cakebread; at the school; and on Mrs J. Dix.

Miss Maria Dix called this evening for flowers for church.

Stephen Hands paid his rent.

Wrote Scheme of Instruction for Sunday Schools to commence tomorrow.

Attended boys’ Sunday School this morning.

Holy Communion 32 communicants. Offertories for books etc for Sunday Schools., £1.11.9.

Visited Mrs Mawle and Mr Elley. Banns of marriage between Sidney Bond and Harriet Green were out today. Banns between J. S. Fowler, Butcher and Sylvia Bishop daughter of Mrs Bishop at the Wykeham Arms and a member of our choir were put up.

James Barnes is better but not able to take his duty.

The remains of the late Mr Ellis were buried this afternoon at 4 o’clock. He married a daughter of a Mr Tennant who rented a small farm belonging to Mrs Cooper, sister? of Mrs Mawle at the Cross, afterwards held by Tennant junior, then by the widow of the carter, now by Geydon son-in-law of Widow Cakebread. Mrs Ellis is much younger than her husband was. He was 75. He had carried on a farm near Moreton in Marsh belonging to Lord Redesdale for many years, but having been very unfortunate he had to leave. I learn that Lord Redesdale gave him £500.

Went to Heath Farm and told Hands he might have

1. a Kitchener in kitchen
2. a larger boiler in wash-house
3. and stable formed out of a barn

all of which he had asked for and Mr Miller had agreed to.

Married Sidney Bond and Harriet Green at 8 am.

Church cleaning is going on this week and I have lent my horse and man to draw water on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Went to Brailes and arranged for visiting Bridlington with Mr Smith and staying there if possible on Sunday July 22.

Sent manuscript of paper on Domestic Economy, Text Books for Birmingham Congress on 17, 18, 19 inst. to Secretary, Society of Arts, London.