Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1877, September 5, Wednesday 

Visited Widow Keene. Met Mr and Mrs Nettleship of Barton on the Heath in road between “gate hangs high” and “Wigginton Heath”. Their carriage had broken down and I rendered them what help I could.

1877, September 6, Thursday

Visited Elizabeth Gibbs. Doctor says she cannot last long.

Juno bit Routh in leg.

Visited Mr Routh, not at home, and Mrs Shelswell.

1877, September 9, Sunday

Visited Elizabeth Gibbs, Mr Woolgrove and Joshua Lines’s wife.

Mr Montagu walked over this evening and had prayers.

I visited and taught in Boys’ Sunday School this morning.

Some boys who pretend to go to the Methodists’ Sunday School were wandering about when, to my mind, they ought to have been at school or chapel. I spoke to them but it did not appear to have any good effect. I spoke last week to Widow Lines of Sibford Ferris about her boys doing this, but she merely said that she thought I must be mistaken.

1877, September 10, Monday

Dined at Mr Cookes’s at Tadmarton this evening. Rev Walter and Mrs Bourchier were there. It is the latter’s first visit to this part of the country. I invited Mr Bourchier to preach at Sibford next Sunday, but he did not promise to do so.

1877, September 11, Tuesday

I wrote to Miss Wollaston of Tunbridge Wells last week asking for a contribution to the Library fund but have not yet heard from her.

Received notice of payment to Lands’ Improvement Company becoming due from Feoffees of Sibford Charity Estate on 25th inst.

1877, September 14, Friday

Visited Elizabeth Gibbs. Much weaker.

Called on Mrs Shelswell this evening. Percy Milburne was there on a visit.

1877, September 15, Saturday

Took luncheon at Mr Montagu’s with Mr and Mrs Bourchier.

Elizabeth Gibbs died this morning at half past six.

Visited Mrs Bond and her daughter. The latter is better than she was yesterday.

1877, September 16, Sunday

Visited Gibbs this morning and again this evening. His daughter Lucy Padbury told me her mother was to be buried in the Friends’ ground on Friday next.

Mr and Mrs Bourchier came over from Tadmarton to the service this afternoon. Mr B did not take any part in the service though I asked him to do so. There was an excellent congregation. They took tea at Miss Dix’s and Bell and myself were there too.

Visited Mrs Mawle, Mr Woolgrove and Joshua Lines. Also John Harris. Mrs Harris was very much hurt because Mr Bourchier did not call to see her. He certainly did wonders in seeing his old parishioners as it was.

Afternoon service (instead of evening) was resumed today.

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Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.