Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Sent wine to Elizabeth Gibbs who is worse. Visited her before church this morning.

Elley complained to me of conduct of John Manning before church this morning. I therefore called on the grandfather Thomas Manning and told the boy I could not retain him in the choir or Sunday School unless he apologised to Mr Elley for his impertinence.

Visited Widow Cakebread.

Visited Mrs Herbert,

Mrs Dix

and Mrs Elizabeth Gibbs for 2nd time today.

received fontlet for private baptisms one day last week from Jones & Willis, Temple Row, Birmingham, price 5/-.

Examined large font in church. The leakage can be easily repaired, and I instructed Barnes to repair it.

Hannah Hone called, gave her lunch.

Harry went with Annie S to Bridlington.

Visited Zilpah Rymell, Joshua Lines’s wife, John Holtom’s wife, John and Job Padbury, Samuel Lines (not at home), Richard Haines (not at home)

Widow Hillman and her son Ezra, Widow Keen and found her suffering from acute rheumatism; called on Doctor Clebbert(?) (Routh’s deputy) who said he would go and see her this evening.

Visited Widow Hathaway and her son. Visited Gough. Visited Buckingham and found him down stairs improving rapidly.

Visited Job Harris, Eli Webb, Tailor Hall, Mr Joseph Dix.

Drove to Banbury to bring Mr Brown out.

Stephen Hands sent one of his children down to say that the boiler of the new Kitchener was broken and that the masons must have done it in putting it in. I said I would speak to Horsman, but I thought it was broken by putting water in when it was very hot.

Went to Banbury. Drew £100 from Savings’ Bank for repairs of Heath Farm.

Widow Prophet’s daughter brought me license paper to sign. I told her to leave it. Then, having heard on several occasions that Mrs Prophet violated the terms of her license very often by allowing drinking on the premises I asked Mr Woolgrove who said decidedly that he would not sign it if he were asked because he was sure the house was not conducted as it should be. Mr Richard Lamb said he would sign it (but not if I refused to do so) because Mrs Prophet had an idea that he had injured her husband by refusing to aid him in getting a full license. At the same time he thought he had been a sufferer from his men leaving their work to go there to drink. Mr Richard Routh said that he would on no account sign it.

I sent for Mrs Prophet to call on me in the evening. When she came I cautioned her and signed her paper, telling her that if I refused to do so at any time on account of disorder etc at her house she would not be able to get anyone to sign it and would lose her license altogether.

Visited Elizabeth Gibbs (and) Joshua Lines’s wife.