Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Kirkland told me today that he would not return to Sibford after Christmas.

Mr Elley collects the Loggin Rents for me tonight.

Went to St Michael’s church this morning and heard Rev Arthur Tooth late of Hatcham. To St James’s this evening.

Bell and Rosa took tea with Miss Dix at Old Steine. I called there for them.

The Rev Edward Marshall of Sandford St Martin takes the duty at Sibford today. Mrs Mawle entertains him.

Harry left for Oxford to compete for an Academical Clerkship at Magdalen College.

Telegram from Harry to say he had not got the Academical Clerkship and was going on to Brailes.

Maclean went up to Oxford to Matriculation Examination at St John’s.

Mr Kirkland went to London on a visit for a day or two intending to go on to Sibford.

Returned with my party to Sibford, where we arrived at 5.30 pm.

Attended Boys’ Sunday School this afternoon. Miss S Dix told me the Methodists’ Sunday School was closed.

Visited Mrs Pearce and Mrs Mawle.

The cross to memory of James Barnes, for 25 years clerk of this parish, was erected during my absence. It looks very well and appears to give general satisfaction.

I have a troublesome cold and cough which I brought with me from Brighton.

Mr Woolgrove came into vestry this morning and handed me the offertory collected last Sunday.

Visited Misses Dix.

Ann Fox called to see me – she is even less able to make herself understood than when she went away. She appears to have returned from Beckenham last Wednesday. Staid with her sister Mrs George Harris in Banbury that night and come out by carrier the next day.

Sibford Wake Day. No school; which was not opened as intended last week owing to the backwardness of the harvest.

Mrs Turner assisted me at Penny Bank. There were no deposits except Frankie’s, but there were two withdrawals.

Mr Elley opened school this morning, but so few came that it was considered advisable to close it for another week.

Last week or more has been very foggy, but it is finer to day, though cold.

Visited Mr Hiorns, Mrs F Manning was there, and Mrs James Rimell came before I left. Hiorns told me he had tried three times to see Mr Fortescue about the lease, but without success. He said there was plenty of “stuff” on the farm to pay the rent, so that we might trust Mr Hands for a few days.

Canon Payne called to see me and I walked with him as far as the top of Swalcliffe Hill. Called on Dr Routh who was out but I saw Mrs Routh.

Rev Thomas Smith, Sophie and Annie walked over to tea and supper.