Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

Thomas Lamb the thatcher called with bill for work at Heath Farm which I paid.

Mrs Coles and Mrs James Sabin were churched.

Visited Hannah Keens, but she was gone to bed.

Visited Samuel Woolgrove, J Buckingham.

Visited Stratford on Avon with Mr Brown and Mrs Stevens.

Mason from Bloxham brought tombstone etc and erected in churchyard to memory of late Mr Joseph Mawle. The lettering of the f’s in the words “affectionate” and “of ” makes them look like t’s.

Signed license paper for Tennant at Bishop Blaise Inn.

Visited

• James Sabin, ill
• Elizabeth Gibbs, better
• Joshua Lines’s wife, worse
• Mr Pettipher senior, dropsy
• Hannah Keene, better.

St Bartholomew. Morning Prayer, Litany and Ante Communion.

Mrs Inns was churched.

Visited Widow Cakebread, Joseph Dale – Ill, Elizabeth Gibbs.

Elizabeth Gibbs’s daughter Mrs Padbury came this afternoon and asked me to go and see her mother as she thought she could not live. I went across and conversed and read and prayed with her.

Taught Boys’ Sunday School this morning.

Visited Buckingham – well and was at work from middle of week.

Visited

• Widow Keene, better
• Joshua Lines’s wife, a little better
• Misses Dix who told me that the Buckinghams sent their children begging all over the place although Mrs Norris of Swalcliffe sent up to them almost every day.