Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Visited Widow Keene who is much better than she was, but is unable to get about much. Gave her 1/- to get something to relieve pain she suffers in her stomach.

Visited Sally Green. Gave her 2/- to pay her expenses in going to see her daughter tomorrow.

Visited Mrs Shelswell whose son William is at home having left school (Infant Orphan Asylum, Wanstead) “for good”.

Saw Ada Grimbly, also Mrs Dix who has taken up her abode with Mrs Shelswell, her sister in law.

Visited Fox who married William Webb’s daughter recently, but no one at home.

Visited Mrs Lively and asked about her son a carpenter in London who is ill. She says he is at Guy’s Hospital having undergone an operation on the kneecap, and is going on well.

Visited Mrs James Rimell, to enquire after her daughter Gertrude who is now at school at King’s Linn and is very happy and well.

Banns of Marriage published between Thomas Green, Bachelor, and Esther Holtom, Spinster. Both of this parish.

Commenced this afternoon to chant the Psalms in church as a regular thing the last Sunday in the month.

Sent to Jones and Willis of Birmingham for carpet for pulpit stairs and for platform of Reading Desk.

Dorcas Scruby of Sibford Ferris called during my absence from home and asked Mrs Stevens to write out and head a begging letter to get an elastic stocking for her sister, Joshua Lines’s wife. Mrs Stevens said I was not at home, that if the Doctor said her sister wanted an elastic stocking I would see that she had it. Dorcas Scruby said that was not all. They wanted to see how much money they could get for her sister and that some in the harvest field had promised to give. Mrs Stevens replied that I would call and see either her or her sister.

Went over Heath farm this morning with Lewis Poulton and examined the work which has been done. A wall has fallen down since I was here last and it appears never to have been properly built.

Paid Poulton, Carpenter and Fox, painter, for work at the farm. Also Robins of Banbury for Kitchener, etc.

Attended Harvest Thanksgiving Service at Shipston-on-Stour this evening.

Received from Miss Wollaston of Clarence Hill, Tunbridge Wells, a note to the effect that she would give me £3 for my Village Library, to be expended in books at subscribers’ prices on the list of the Book Society, Paternoster Row.

Went to London with Rosa. Visited Captain Hales-Dutton at East India Docks. Staid the night at Mr Brown’s.

Visited Mr Mountain, East Dulwich. Returned to Sibford, leaving Rosa at the Browns.

Received note from Canon Payne asking me whether I could let John Buckingham, late of Swalcliffe, have a Sibford Ferris allotment.