Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Intensely cold N.E. wind.

Some of the School children having injured the Harmonium in the School room I asked Mr Elley to repair it which he said he could do, and told him I would pay him. As the instrument is useless, Maria Dix conducted the choir practice at her house.

Jesse Green’s wife was churched this afternoon. I called to congratulate her – she had not come in, but I saw her husband and the baby.

Harry returned from Brailes at 2.30 pm. Webb drove him to Banbury for 6.24 train on his way to Derby. Telegram this morning from Rev Walter Clark saying it was imperative that Harry should be at his post at 9 tomorrow morning.

Kirkland much better, but did not go out. I walked to Epwell this evening and called on Mr Montagu. Webb staid at home with Kirkland this afternoon. Bell staid this morning.

Trustees Meeting at 2 pm. School was kept on in one room. Canon Payne could not come being laid up with gout. Mr Norris took the chair.

Visited Misses Dix and Mrs Mawle. Confirmees Class Boys in School room at 7 pm.

Old Mr Sims – 85 or 86 – a quaker, died this morning.

Divine Service at Church at 9.15 am.

Visited and taught in School.

Visited Widow William Keene, not at home.

Choir practice with Mr Wells this evening.

Visited Edward Scruby who is very bad with inflammation of heart and lungs. He was asleep and I would not let his wife awaken him, promising to call again in the morning. I had thought he was a Quaker as I don’t remember ever to have seen him at Church and he works for Mr R Routh. He seemed so respectable a man that I mentally accounted for his not coming to Church and not touching his hat to me by supposing him to be a quaker and I am under the impression that some one told me he was one. His wife now tells me he has been baptized and confirmed and that “when he goes anywhere” which is barely once a year he goes to church.

Visited Dr Routh.

Visited Rev Canon Payne, Edward Scruby, Richard Scruby and Job Harris who are all ill.

Invited Mr Wells the organist to breakfast and afterwards sent him as far as Bloxham on his way to Adderbury.

Mr Woolgrove called this evening having seen Mr Sims of Hook Norton about the farm, and told him he thought the Trustees would take £170 per annum for the farm on 7 years lease, giving back £40 per annum for the first 3 and £10 per annum for the last 4 years. Cost of lease to be divided equally. I told him I hoped that the Trustees would be able to let it to a good tenant for £170, returning 20 or 25 per cent for manure the first year, 15, 10, 5 – on lease for 7 or 8 years.