Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Taught Sunday School Boys and Girls this afternoon. Attended Choir practice this evening. Visited Mrs Shelswell, did not see Mrs Pearce as she was in great pain. Visited Mrs Mawle. Sharp frost.

Frost – boys sliding on pond last day or two. Miss Dix helped with Penny Bank. Visited Solomon Geydon and Mary Weaver.

Visited School, Mrs Pearce, Widow Sabin, C Coleman (not at home), A. Fox, Mr Hitchcox at Blenheim and took Mrs Stevens and Frank; Mrs H was not at home. Weather very severe. Called on Poulton and ordered ventilators for the School rooms.

Visited Mr Dix (not at home). Presented to Widow James Barnes a Church Service and Hymn book (cost 10/-) paid for with balance of money subscribed for tombstone to her late husband. Service at 7 pm with sermon. I am suffering from bad cough which keeps me indoors except when compelled to go out.

Visited Mary Weaver this evening. She fell down in the snow this morning when going up to Mr Bonner the relieving officer at Burdrop and had to be wheeled home in a barrow. She was in bed when I called. Her brother Joshua Green was in charge of house. He said she was off her head and they had fastened her in her room to prevent her getting down stairs as she set fire to herself this morning for the second time. She told me she was comfortable and free from pain, but she did not remember anything about being brought home in a barrow. Bonner had been to see her and left money for necessaries and had also made arrangements for her removal to the “House” on Monday.

Charlotte Webb of the “Pig and Whistle” Cottage has scarlet fever – caught the Doctor says from a tramp who called at the house for a drink of water. Charlotte gave it him but he was in such a filthy state and smelt so horribly that it made her sick at once – she being rather delicate – and in 3 days scarlet fever developed itself.

Visited Sunday School. My cold is still bad.

Nursing myself.

Nursing myself.

Visited School, Mrs Pearce, Miss Dix. Arranged for obtaining supply of new and revised edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern for Choir and to sell to members of congregation. Divine Service this evening. Renewed my cold.

Sore throat. Received note from Maclean saying he had passed “Smalls” at first attempt. His Latin prose was so good that he was excused College lectures in that subject for great part of the term and the examiners complimented him on his “books”.

Sore throat, insomnia. Bell got doctor to send me a draught, which did me some good.

Stephen Hands called and paid his rent £65 to Michaelmas last.

Better, having slept well last night, thanks to the doctor’s draught, but did not go out all day.