Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Visited school and taught a class. Fetched Annie Martin from Mrs Shelswell’s this evening.

Received letter from Honourable Mrs Hamilton about Alice Holtom and replied that I thought she ought to receive her first communion on Easter Day.

Visited Job Harris who is still confined to his bed. I asked him whether he would not like to have the prayers of the congregation next Sunday – he replied he “didn’t know” – and when I pressed the matter he said people might think he was worse than he really was. I said what I thought right and left him.

Visited Edward Scruby and the Widow of Richard Scruby. Ann Lines was there – she told me her daughter Rhoda had come out of the Horton Infirmary. Her eye is better but not quite well.

Went to Banbury with Mrs S. Went to Savings’ Bank and opened accounts for Frank William Stevens and Mary Ann Lines of Sibford Ferris – the former for £2.14 , the latter for £1, transferred from Penny Bank account.

Service at 7 pm.

At home, with cold on chest and sore throat.

Dr and Mrs Routh and Rev George Montagu came to dinner.

Mr John Hitchcock Senior of Horley called this morning.

At home nursing myself. Canon Payne called.

Painters commenced to paint front of house.

Wet. Cold better – but still I found it somewhat difficult to get through my duties with comfort.

Holy Communion small attendance, offertory 7/7. Small congregation this afternoon – Funeral of Richard Scruby. Members of Club to which he belonged attended.

Holy week. Service in church at 9.15.

Rosa’s turn at Penny Bank but as she had cold I took it alone.

Took classes of lately confirmed girls at 3 at Mr Elley’s. Boys at 7 at School room.

New grates arrived which I purchased in Banbury on Saturday. John Harris said he had broken one – told Marion so – afterwards told me he had not said anything about it. On subsequently enquiring at Robins’s I found that he had really smashed one and replaced at his own expense.

Service at 9.15 am.

Library Committee meeting this evening. Mr Elley came down to my house at about 9.30 and said Mr Turner had insulted Mrs Elley – he was very much excited about the matter – but Mr T appears only to have made some remark about Mr Elley’s not being present at the meeting and leaving him to make all preparations for it. I said what I thought it my duty to say – reproving Mr Elley on the whole for not trying to live at peace with his fellow librarian and at being too ready to take offence.

Called on Mrs Bond.