Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Drove to Banbury.

Broughton and Brailes Toll gates done away with today.

Harvest Thanksgiving services. Holy Communion 8 am. A second celebration at 12. Afternoon sermon preached by Rev Thomas Smith of Brailes. The offertories for the day amounted to £4.16.4. I did not have notices printed as in previous years, because of the expense which I did not charge to the collection.

Visited Boys and Girls Sunday School this afternoon and gave boys their Club money.

Visited school. Distributed coal tickets. School attendance officer called this morning.

Visited Thomas Sabin, Widow Sabin, Sally Green, Charles Coleman (out), William Coleman where I could make no one hear? – though a fire was burning and there was some white needlework lying on the table – Mary Ann was probably at home but shame prevented her from seeing me.

Visited Widow Manning and George Messenger, Mrs Pearce, Charles Lines (out).

Coal distribution commenced. Henry Bishop sent his boy to school. He spoke to me last night about doing so – asked whether the Trustees would let him come for less than 3d per week. I said I did not think they would.

I took scripture lesson this morning from 9 – 10.

Harry Shelswell brought his work to me at 12.

Drove Bell to Tysoe this afternoon.

Called on Hancox, stone mason and paid him £4 for stone to memory of late James Barnes the subscription list for which was as follows:-

I wrote the inscription for the stone as follows

Erected as a token of Public Respect to the memory of James Barnes For 25 years clerk of this parish

Born

Died September 1. 1878

“I am the Resurrection and the Life,” saith the Lord.