Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

Examined school.

Library Committee met in schoolroom this evening. Dr Routh came home with me afterwards. Told me that Mrs Holtom of Bilberry Cottage, Sibford Heath, was ill and needed some wine. I said I would send her some and go and see her. He told me of very bad rumours concerning Hands the tenant of the Heath Farm.

Rev Mr and Mrs Roberts of Long Compton called.

Mr James and Miss Minnie Smith came to early dinner. Annie and Harry returned with them.

St Thomas. Continued examination of school by giving elder children some letters to write to me about the Lecture on Volcanoes.

Visited Heath Farm, looked over work lately done by masons.

Visited Mrs Holtom at Bilberry Cottage. Sent her some broth.

Visited James Barnes who had an attack of syncope(?) whilst I was there, but he recovered consciousness after receiving some brandy.

Met Miss Maria Dix who said she had been sending James Barnes two or three guineas, “collected by a few friends”.

Spoke to Soden of White House. He says he has never recovered the rent in advance for land which I would not let him have and which he had paid Fox of Blenheim who went away to Wellesbourne. Soden seemed to think I had no right to “turn Fox out without notice”. I told him I did not turn him out, but that he turned himself out by ceasing to reside in the parish.

Gave half crown to mother of each child belonging to the working class who had attended school not less than 250 times during the year.

Drove to Banbury. Roads muddier and softer than I ever knew them before.

Paid Davis’s account for tiles for school, also Jarvis for insurance of school buildings and farm in County Fire office.