Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

Drove to Banbury this morning. Much rain last night – fields flooded at Tadmarton and Broughton.

Mr Maclean went to London to return on Friday.

Visited Mrs Pearce. Called at School. Told Mr Elley of complaints against Horsman and Barton and asked him to make enquiries and punish for wrongdoing in School-time.

Visited Job Harris’s. He arrived safely at Eastbourne about 4 pm on Saturday.

Marion Harris one of my servants went home with sore throat last Thursday and returned this evening.

Very cold and wet. Visited Mrs Pearce.

From Banbury Guardian, August 21.79.

Swalcliffe, 15th August, 1879.

M. AND E. BATES

PRESENT their sincere and grateful thanks to those of their former Pupils and Friends who have so kindly contributed to the munificent and most unexpected testimonial, just presented to them, through the kind aid of the Ladies of Sibford Gower, viz., Miss Summerton, Miss Dix, Miss Mawle, Mrs. Fox, and Mrs. Hiorns.

Harry Shelswell brought his work to me this afternoon at 4.