Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Adkins’s little boy, aged 2½ died this morning of something like apoplexy. He had been ill about a week.

Mrs Way assisted at Penny Bank. School re-opened but small attendance. Drove to Brailes this afternoon. Charles Legge’s child has measles.

Visited Joshua Lines, Sam Woolgrove, Mr J Woolgrove – who promised to le me know whether Hands purposed selling corn on farm by auction next Monday. If he did not sell it I ought not to press for rent.

Harry Shelswell came to me this morning.

Visited School. Congratulated girl Webb on getting prize for needlework. Called registers and made entry in log-book. Mr Elley told me that a Miss Shemeld, who was a girl at the Friends’ School about twelve years ago was about to open a “dame school” in Sibford in a cottage – and had the promise of 11 children.

Drove to Brailes. Mr and Mrs Smith out. Visited Misses Dix and Mrs Hiorns.

Drove to Banbury. A very great number of female servants were standing about Parsons Street to be hired; the number last Thursday Statute fair day being much in excess of demand and wages being reduced in consequence. Brought out Chrissie Henderson.

Visited Mrs Hiorns who is better but I did not see her. Mrs Shelswell. Mrs Pearce is better but I did not see her. Ann Fox who has Sally Green to be with her at nights and a part of the day. Ann seems to get worse as regards her speech – she took me upstairs and pointed to a small oaken chest of drawers in one of the bedrooms and opened one or two drawers taking out an account recently sent her by Dr Routh for attendance etc amounting to £4 odd. I presume she meant that she wanted to sell the chest of drawers to pay the account – but am not sure.

Visited Widow Harris at Burdrop –

Widow Wilkes who has come to live with her son in cottage in Bonds End Lane formerly occupied by late Mr Sims.

Visited Richard Harris. Met Mr Enoch who told me he purposed speaking to Bonner the relieving officer and asking him to remove Mary Weaver to the workhouse. She is a tenant of his and he finds her and her cottage in a filthy state – and she is becoming or pretending to be imbecile.

I told him I had spoken to both Mary Weaver and Bonner on the subject some weeks ago. The guardians don’t want to increase their expenses by taking those who are already paupers, as she has been for many years, into the house, while they offer the “test” of the house to those who wish to throw themselves on the rates.

Visited Mrs Bond.

Dr and Mrs Routh and Marion Shelswell came to spend the evening.

Harry Shelswell brought his work to me this morning.

Taught in Sunday School and attended choir practice. Visited Mrs Pearce and Sally Green.