Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

Club Day.

Drove into Banbury and brought out Rev Julius Henderson, Vicar of South Banbury who preached the sermon. I dined with members of Club. The only farmers there were Mr Henry Hiorns and Mr Frederick Manning. The Doctor was also there. Mr Henderson dined with family at Vicarage.

Band played on my lawn in afternoon attended by many members of club and others, but the rain was coming down heavily all the time. Mrs Stevens supplied them with tea, coffee, cake and bread and butter. Things passed off very quietly. As Mr Henderson had to return to Banbury for an early celebration tomorrow morning and I could not let him walk home in the rain, I sent Webb to drive him to Banbury.

Divine Service at 9.15.

Drove to Brailes – “Tea-pot club” – a branch of the Tysoe Insurance which has £2000 in the Bank.

Visited Misses Dix.

Heavy storm passed over Brailes – we did not get much of it at Sibford.

Received a letter yesterday from War Office stating that George Williams alias (Daniel Padbury) died on February 9th last of Addison’s disease. Ann Payne called today with letter her father had received from War Office saying there was £8 odd balance to come to representatives. I wrote and claimed it for the father.

Drove Bell and Frank to Ratley to call on Mr Evans, the Vicar who was not at home. We went into the church.