Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

Called on Canon Payne to make arrangements for Feoffees’ meeting and wrote to Rev W S Miller asking whether Monday January 14 next at 2 pm would suit him.

Mr Sharp gave his lecture on Volcanoes this evening. There was a very good attendance of working people and children and many quakers. Receipts £1.3.

Press cutting from Banbury Guardian, 20 December 1877

LECTURE — On Thursday evening an interesting and instructive lecture on volcanoes was delivered in the schoolroom at Sibford Gower, by Mr Thomas Sharpe, of Ettington, who kindly gave his services for the benefit of the Sibford Lending Library. The Vicar occupied the chair, and the lecture was illustrated with excellent diagrams of the Working Men’s Educational Union. There was a large attendance of the parishioners, by whom the lecturer was warmly received and accorded a vote of thanks for his generous services.

Commenced examination of children in school in respective standards marking passes of each.

Went to concert at Tadmarton this evening. Took Bell, Rosa and Annie Smith. Supper at the Rectory.

Hancox the mason of Tysoe brought two tombstones for churchyard. One to Ann and Temperance Colegrave; the other, a white marble one with gilt lettering to Thomas Edward Colegrave. I inspected the stones before allowing them to be set up. The first mentioned was unobjectionable. The inscription on the 2nd runs thus:— “In loving memory of Thomas Edward Colegrave of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Died at Middleton in Teesdale”, etc. I pointed out to Hancox that there should have been a “who” before “died”. He said that was how Mr Fox sent him the inscription. I told him the omission was not serious enough to induce me to reject the stone, but that he should always submit the inscription to the clergyman before writing it on the stone. He said he knew he ought, for his book told him so; but he thought Mr Fox had submitted it to me. I told him Mr Fox had not done so, and that it was his business to submit such a matter to the clergyman in all cases.

Visited Mrs Durham, removed with 2 sons from Winderton to Sibford Gower

Continued examinations at school.

Took luncheon with Canon Payne. Paid him Loggin rent for year. Received from him 5/- which Buckingham had paid towards his rent. I said I would give Buckingham the balance 8/9 as I knew he was badly off, having a large family and having had a considerable amount of illness during the year.

Divine Service this evening. Very boggy and dirty, but a good many men were present.

Harry came home.

John Harris senior called and asked me to let him have 2 acre allotment about to be vacated by Esau Tarver.