Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Visited school this morning and this afternoon.

Gave Joseph Manning instructions to make a library bookcase.

Sent out to new Feoffees the printed copies of deed and gave the deed itself to Mr Elley to take charge of for public inspection.

In answer to a question respecting the New Code needlework Mrs Elley said her children could manage it very well, but that certain materials would be required. I told her to let me know what she wanted and I would get them, or she might get them and I would pay the bill.

Harris, draper of Banbury, wrote asking me to let him have a share of the Clothing Club business, and mentioning Mrs Oliver Harris, Mrs Eli Webb, Mrs Edward Scruby, Mrs George Payne, Mrs Joshua Dale, Mrs Thomas Barnes as “having expressed their preference voluntarily of going to him”.

I called on Mrs Thomas Barnes, not at home, Mrs Dale who said she had not promised and was very well satisfied with Hiatt of Hook Norton, and Mrs George Payne who said she had not made Harris any promise. I told them all I was willing to help Harris as he was a Sibford man and an industrious respectable fellow but that he had only a small shop and a by no means so good an assortment of goods as those who served a great number of clothing clubs and that if they went to him it must be entirely at their own wish and on their own responsibility.

Visited David Hone’s wife, Mrs Thomas Rimell and Thomas Manning.

Met Mrs Hillman who told me her son Ezra (at Eastbourne) was not so well. That someone had given her 5/- towards keeping him there longer and that she was going up to Miss Dix to see her about the matter.

Visited Widow Hancox, gave her 2/-. She says she caught cold in her legs sitting in church last Sunday!

Called on William Golder. Visited Mrs Oliver Harris about Clothing Club tickets being allowed at Harris’s the Draper of Banbury.

Also Sally Barnes, Mrs Eli Webb and Mrs Richard Scruby. The latter certainly kept her boy from school to mind the other children whilst she went to Miss Dix’s “Serving School” at Mrs Hillman’s. I think some others were kept from school for the same reason.

Visited Widow Keene, John Padbury and Widow Hillman. The latter heard from her son Ezra this morning. The doctor says Eastbourne does not suit him and he will therefore return on Saturday.

Old George Messenger spoke to me in Shepherd’s Close and told me that he had paid the rent for his allotment (which Thomas Messenger had) in advance many years ago when he first took it. I told him I had nothing to do with the matter. It was in the Feoffees’ hands to do what they pleased, but that I could not stand by and see the charity robbed.