Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Rent night for Heath allotments. Men gave 2/2 towards hospital fund.

James Sabin has left Sibford, but has not paid his allotment rent.

Joseph Hone of the cottage near Heath Farm applied for an allotment, but as he has one at Epwell, I told him I did not think I could let him have one even if there were one vacant which there is not.

Frederick Horsman succeeds John Harris junior in quarter acre allotment. While the latter takes 2 acre piece lately held by Robert Austin.

Sent 3½ guineas to Horton Infirmary from offertories.

Robert Braddell left to take up residence at Oxford. Thomas Braddell accompanied him.

Sibford Wake, being Sunday after Old Michaelmas Day.

Catechised children in church this afternoon. Taught in Boys’ Sunday School both morning and afternoon.

Visited Widow Cakebread and the Misses Dix.

Met Holland senior this morning and talked with him for some time. He tells me that in former years many men left without paying their allotment rents.

Severe storm last night. Wind very high.

Cleopatra’s needle lost in Bay of Biscay but recovered next day. Five men supposed to be lost out of crew of Olga which was towing her.

The storm blew down several large trees, one of mine. It blew down 12 sacks of apples in my orchard, broke chimney cowl to pieces, stripped some thatch off my cottage and did other small damage.

Received parcel of books for Lending Library from the Book Society – 79 in number; not quite enough to begin with.

Holland junior called to ask for James Sabin’s allotment. I told him he would have to pay the rent 5/- in advance. This he was not prepared to do. I told him I would keep it open a little time for him.

Visited Meadows, gave his wife 10/- towards Doctor’s bill.

Married Thomas Green son of Joshua Green to Esther Holtom, daughter of John Holtom.

Visited school and Heath allotments. Gave Tarver junior permission to remove some clay from his allotment to his father’s to benefit the soil of each.

Jesse Bishop has a fine crop of carrots. He says they grow 10 to 20 tons per acre. He reckons to have 10 to 12 this time. He gets £2.15 per ton for them at Banbury.

He asked me whether I should turn him out of his allotment because he had taken a few acres of ground near bottom of Pitch Hill. I told him I should not. But if he took a farm it would be a different matter.

Visited John Coleman this evening. He has bought the crop on James Sabin’s allotment and thinks it would not be right to seize it for the rent. I told him he had better not remove it for a few days. He says James Sabin is not likely to pay unless forced to do so.