Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1879, November 6, Thursday 

Library Committee Meeting at 7 pm. A full attendance. Decided to spend £5 on new books and to have a tea meeting on Wednesday week – also to print catalogue.

Visited School at 11 am and called Registers.

Visited Widow Young. Her boy Albert has left his situation – near Stratford – “They gave him only the ends and corner of bacon to eat – kept him to sleep in same sheets for twelve months – were a very bad lot – father nearly always drunk and quarreling and fighting with his wife, sons and daughters – such goings on as were not fit to be named.” How much of this account is true I don’t know – But Widow Young gave the boy a good character – He brought all his year’s wages £5 home to her except 4/- which he had had during the year. He has not been able to get another place and is now engaged breaking stones on the road.

Visited Benjamin Aris, Ezra Green (not in), Dale, Turvey, Mrs Shelswell.

Mr Timmins of Hook Norton Leas sent me 4/- for offertory last Sunday.

Joseph Alcock asked me to let him have an allotment – I told him I would if I could, that I was not aware of any being vacant at the Heath at present – and that married men with families had first offer.

1879, November 7, Friday 

Went to Banbury to meeting of Subcommittee for Election of Choirmaster of Deddington Deanery Choral Association and Organist of Adderbury. We met at Old Bank – Mr Cobb being one of Subcommittee as Churchwarden of Adderbury. The other members were Mr Gepp and Mr Highton. We succeeded in making a selection of 5 or 6 candidates.

Visited Mary Wilks – Her mother asked whether the Trustees would help pay her doctor’s bill £1.18. Mary’s mind is evidently deranged under her repeated fits.

Bought shawl for G. Spicer’s mother, Widow Careless.

1879, November 8, Saturday 

Visited the Goffes at Sibford Ferris and George Messenger. Mutton to the latter and Mary Wilks.

Met Mr John Enoch and spoke with him about Mary Weaver – He thinks she is not fit to be by herself and so to get her to apply for an order for the workhouse has given her notice to leave her cottage – which she rents of him. He told her to apply to the relieving officer today, so that she might go into the house on Monday next.

1879, November 9, Sunday

Bad cold and very hoarse. Fine open autumn weather we have had now for several weeks.

Called on the Misses Dix. Their Uncle George having removed from Swalcliffe, where he has lived for the past 11 or 12 years came to church today for the first time as a parishioner of mine.

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Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.