Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Drove to Adderbury to luncheon with Mr Gepp and take part in selection of music for next Choral festival. Mr Bailey of Milton and Mr Evans of Ratley were there. Mr and Mrs Wyatt of Broughton came in after noon.

Mrs Shelswell called to consult me about value of reversion to £8000 odd on life of her brother aged 51 – which is to come to her son Oscar on his death. He has offered £1000 in addition to £400 or £500 already had. I asked her to let me have fuller particulars and I would get information for her.

W Hall called with his allotment rent and Jesse Green called and asked me for allotment. I promised to consider the matter and let him know in a day or two.

Visited Miss S Dix and returned certain music books she had lent me for yesterday. Visited school. Singing lesson going on. Teaching very indifferent.

Drove to Brailes and Shipston.

Received letter from Rev Osbert Mordaunt Rector of Hampton Lucy about William Spicer who has been in farm service there for past year, but who injured his hand with a gun about 3 months ago and has not been able to do any work since. Mr Mordaunt has a better opinion of him than I have been able to form – the boy appears to have told him that I had spoken to him about confirmation, but that he had declined becoming a candidate then. W. Spicer is now at home where he will remain until he is fit to go to work again. I spoke to him yesterday but was not very well satisfied with his manner.

Drove to Swalcliffe, Tadmarton, Shutford and Epwell.

W Poulton called on business this evening. I asked what it would cost to put boarded floor down in passages of this house. He said the cost would be 1/6 per sq. foot for flooring only. The preparation would be mason’s work. The carpenters would thus amount to £11.