Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Dean of Banbury supplied clothing in school room as usual.

Funeral of Lucy Ann Sabin daughter of Daniel Sabin, Temple Mill – 17 months old – one of twins. It was 20 minutes late, having waited for one of the girls who carried the coffin to borrow a white shawl from Mrs Wells who had gone to the Meeting-house.

Letter from Anne Pettipher pasted into the diary:

You will I think be pleased to know that my dear Husband departed this life with, to use his own words “A firm hope in God’s mercy”. The beautiful verse on the memorial card for several weeks previous to his death was so frequently on his lips that we thought we should like to send it to our friends. I have had many proofs of his sincere repentance.

He was not a man who could give expression to his feelings, especially to a comparative stranger. He was most earnest in his devotions during Family Prayer – insisting on kneeling till quite obliged to give up doing so.

I have had very nice comforting letters from every clergyman who has known him at Sibford – expressing their sympathy with me in my hour of trial and others’ sorrow at hearing of his death.

He kept up his naturally jocular manner, when in the presence of Friends and Neighbours to the last and endured his afflictions with extraordinary calmness – owing I suppose, partly to his great strength of nerve and uncomplaining temperament.

He thought you would think it strange we did not send for you, but considering his having been all his life a regular communicant, neither he nor I thought it necessary.

With kind regards to yourself and Mrs Stevens believe me
Sincerely yours
Anne Pettipher

Woodway Farm
Jan 24th 1879

Visited Mrs Pettipher of Woodway farm. She and her son spoke about my letter to Joseph Manning respecting his ordering the brick grave for her husband without my permission or payment of fee. After a good deal of somewhat rude language she said it was done in entire ignorance, and that whatever fee was due to me should be paid. I told her I should never ask her for it. She said her late husband offered the Churchwardens one shilling as his share of the contribution toward the church expenses for a year – and refused to give more because they did not make Fardon (quite a poor man) pay more. Mrs P and her son, to my surprise and disgust maintained that this was proper conduct – and said that the letter I wrote to Mr P on the subject a year or two ago did not need an answer. She was very excited, but calmed down before I left and read me several letters she had received from Clergymen and others sympathizing with her in her bereavement.