Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Rehearsal for Choral festival in my Church this evening – under Mr Wells’s conductorship. His manner and language were so strange that every one inferred he was the worse for liquor. He told the choirs he did not come there to waste his time and to be humbugged by them – several parishioners who were present appeared much distressed. I was almost boiling over with indignation – but allowed him to close – after having done very little real work. He left by conveyance he had come in immediately after practice. I feel that I cannot have him again.

Taught in Sunday School this morning. Preached at Christ Church, Banbury this evening – though it was very showery.

Fine day.

Mr Smith came this evening to enquire about Choral festival at Deddington tomorrow.

Visited William Holland and Mrs Bond.

Choral Festival at Deddington. I took a choir of 15 in Reuben Sabin and John Harris’s carts. I drove Bell, Rosa and Frank. Mr Smith and the girls from Brailes were there. Mr Duffield Falkner the coroner shewed us his collection of old oak furniture – some of it very handsome. We had pleasant journey there and back, but there was a good deal of rain in the afternoon.

Buckingham’s wife, Sibford Ferris called and asked me to lend them 3/- to get some seed potatoes. I told her I had been compelled to make a rule not to lend money to my parishioners – I gave what I could where needful – and I had helped them so much. Though, I did not say so to her that I feel I can not do any more just now.

Visited Anne Fox who seems to have had an epileptic or paralytic attack on Sunday last with rupture of a blood vessel internally. She is very ill indeed.

The painting and papering of our bedroom over the kitchen is going on this week.

Visited Anne Fox – who is conscious but cannot speak.

Went to Banbury.

Prayers of congregation desired on behalf of Ann Fox. Visited her with Mrs Stevens.

Taught in Sunday School this afternoon and attended Choir practice this evening.

Mr Hitchcox was at Church this morning for first time since I called at his house and found him in bed with a skin disease.

Visited William Holland’s wife, and Ann Payne. A brother of the latter named Henry Padbury is reported to have committed suicide at Stratford on Avon last week – and another brother Daniel who was a soldier in India 85th foot is reported to be dead.

Mr Kirkland was taken unwell this evening similar though not nearly so severe an attack as he had before Easter. Sent for Mr Routh who came and gave him some medicine.

Went to Banbury. Kirkland and Maclean accompanying me to purchase some wood for floor and lining of summer house which they are building on the lawn.

I sent out 200 tracts respecting Ascension Day supplied me by S.P.C.K.