Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Ascension Day – Holy Communion at 8 am, 2 communicants. Offertory 7/6.

Drove Bell to Hook Norton. Called on Mr Gem, the Curate and the Misses Godson, none of whom were at home.

Visited Henry Lines, not at home. Saw his daughter Fanny.

Visited Widow Hancock, Ezekiel Hancock, William Golder who has recently married a daughter of Hall the Tailor of Sibford Ferris.

Divine Service at 7 pm. No School holiday this year on Ascension Day as they had one last according to custom on Choral Festival day.

Kirkland went to Dundee. Maclean to London for a few days.

Visited Anne Fox who is better, but her intellect appears to be affected.

Visited James Rimell, Sally Green. Thomas Sabin, not in.

Joshua Lamb called and asked me to lend him my cricket bats etc for use of Band of Hope. I said I would think about it.

Mrs John Harris Senior died after years of suffering. She has never been able to get out since I have been at Sibford.

Made collections in Church for the Diocesan Spiritual Help Society in response to the Bishop’s pastoral letter. Amount 16/6 in morning, same in afternoon. Mr Hitchcox was not there, but he sent 2/-.

Attended Boys’ and Girls’ Sunday Schools this morning and Choir practice in evening. Walked to Epwell afterwards and called on Mr Montagu.

Mrs Turner assisted at Penny Bank. Several withdrawals, presumably to spend on Club day.

Received a letter from Mr Pym, Statuary, Shipston on Stour, asking permission to erect tombstone in Church yard “To commemorate the Existence” of Thomas Rimell etc etc. I replied that unless the friends particularly desired that form of words I would much prefer “Sacred to the memory of”.

Adkins, mason of Sibford sent me 10/- for permission to erect stone to memory of Reuben Sabin’s little girl who died of fever in Banbury last year.

Wiliam Payne’s wife called to give me information respecting her late brother Daniel the soldier reported to be dead, to enable me to fill up a form sent me from the War Office.

Visitations at St Mary’s Banbury, the first by Archdeacon Palmer late Corpus professor of Latin in the University of Oxford.

Very wet day.

Mr Henderson promised to preach “Club Sermon” at Sibford next Monday.

Dinah Coleman called to make arrangements for funeral of late Mrs Harris.

Drove to Banbury. Mr Maclean returned but walked out as he missed the train by which I expected him. Met Canon Payne at Swalcliffe as I was going to Banbury and had a long talk with him. He leaves for his holiday next week.

Visited School and taught a class.

Buried remains of Charlotte Harris, wife of John Harris Senior age 67.

Visited Ann Fox, Widow Henry Sabin was nursing her.

Drove Bell to Hook Norton.

Whitsun. Holy Communion at midday. Visited Sunday School, Boys and Girls. Visited Mrs Mawle.