Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Harry Shelswell came to me this morning with his work. I lent him Henry’s First Latin Book to work the exercises.

Visited Mrs Pearce whom I found much weaker than yesterday.

Visited Sally Green and the School. Spoke to Boy Robinson privately about his bad conduct yesterday. He said a girl named Hillman, who he said had gone to a “Conformity” and who does not belong to Sibford but came to visit her grandmother David Hone’s wife a few months ago, taught him “quomodo id facere” – other children looking on. He said his mother beat him naked last night after Mrs. Dale went and complained to her. I spoke in School very strongly about boys being rude to girls, and about girls tolerating such conduct.

I learnt that Miss Somerton had collected from old scholars of Miss Bates who keeps a small private school at Swalcliffe the sum of £50 which she was gone to present to her this afternoon.

Rain this morning, thunder-storm this afternoon.

Mr Maclean went with Dr Routh to play in a cricket match at Swerford.

Visited Mrs Pearce, Mrs Bond and Mary Wilks.

Very wet, and congregations very small in consequence. Visited Mrs Pearce after Church this morning.

Visited Mrs Pearce. Miss Dix assisted with Penny Bank. Drove Bell round Epwell, Shutford, Tadmarton and Swalcliffe this evening.

Cold and wet. Visited Mrs Pearce at noon, but she was asleep. I therefore went again in the evening.

Visited Widow Sabin, who told me that the boy Harry Horsman had cut her grandson William Sabin’s ear with a knife in the playground during “recess” a week or so ago, that the boy’s father Humphrey would not make any complaint, because he did not want any “fuss”.

She said also she wanted to see me about bad conduct of same boy Harry Horsman (a deaf, silly boy) and John Barton (a very young boy) to a little girl about 6 years old, bastard child of one of Mary Hone’s daughters (the unmarried one). The bad conduct took place at Burdrop one evening I believe she said. I told her the school master could not punish for ill behaviour out of school – that the parents of the girl should have gone to the parents of the boys or have spoken to the policeman or applied for a summons. I told her I was very sorry to say that some persons set their children a very bad example – and did not care what became of them or what evil they learnt or did, do long as they were out of their way.

Visited Widow Wyatt. From both her and Widow Sabin and others I learnt that Sally Green was very bad and noisy this morning, using vile language. I told them that they should apply to the magistrates to have her sent to the asylum.