Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Visited school this morning.

Received note from Clerk to Board of Guardians of Shipston-on-Stour Union recommending that Austin should appear before the board. Called at his house and saw the boy who looks very bad indeed, and is evidently quite unfit for work. Left note for R Austin with his mother.

Visited Widow Cakebread and Ezra Hillman.

Mr Turner called in response to a note I sent him and arranged to summon a Library Committee meeting for tomorrow evening at 7 o’clock.

Divine Service this evening, 72 persons present.

Wrote to J M Clabon, 21 Great George Street, Westminster, asking for grant from Miss Rebecca Hussey’s Book Charity. This is the second application I have made to him on behalf of our Lending Library.

Visited school.

Visited Edward Holland. I had heard he was “very ill”. But I found him sitting by his fire. He had kept his bed only one day with a cold. His son was at his dinner with a child on his lap and the young woman Holloway was there. i did not feel that I could speak about her being there before them all; though I am told on good authority that there is only one small bedroom in the house.

Attended Miss Dix’s sewing class. Read and prayed at close.

Visited Widow Keene and John Padbury.

A fully attended Library Committee meeting was held this evening at the schoolroom. Every member was present except Rosa. Certain rules were made, notably that the Vicar was to be ex-officio president and the Vicar and churchwardens ex-officio trustees and members of committee. The meeting was adjourned after 2½ hours sitting, to 7 o’clock next Thursday evening.

Mr Sharp a quaker gentleman of Ettington who is to lecture at Brailes on Tuesday next on “Volcanoes” on behalf of the Church restoration Fund and who is at present staying with Mr R Routh called and offered to give the lecture here on Monday evening next for the benefit of our Library Fund. I thankfully accepted his offer.

Miss Capper a quaker lady called with a parcel of books which she offered to present to the Library.

Mrs Stevens and self visited Rev Mr and Mrs Izatt of Balscott.

Robert Austin called to say that he took his apprentice William Charles Webb to Shipston on Stour this morning and the Guardians on seeing him and having a report from their medical officer on the boy’s condition cancelled his indentures before a magistrate and sent him into the infirmary of the workhouse. Austin refunded half the premium he had received with him, ie £6.

Taught in Sunday School this afternoon; 25 boys present in morning and I believe 27 in afternoon.

Having a cold I did not attend choir practice this evening.