Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

… Mary Hone. Also William Barton’s wife who has been acting as nurse for Elizabeth Holland in a difficult and unpleasant business. The Doctor said he would see that she was paid, and has referred the matter to me.

Visited Widow Sabin and Charles Lines’s wife.

Mrs Shelswell and Mrs Knight (Mrs Milburn’s sister) called this afternoon.

William Coleman called and paid me 10/- part of his allotment rent, leaving 3/9 unpaid.

Fine. Attended choir practice. Mr Montagu called and I walked with him as far as the top of Pound Lane.

Sent notice to Sibford Ferris tenants who are in arrears and requested them to pay up this week.

Zilpah Rimell called in a little bit of ill temper to say her husband would not keep on his allotment and as he had paid his rent in advance. He did not give notice because I gave them all notice that they might have to give up their allotments at last Michaelmas. I told her I should not have said anything if he had come up at rent night and said so. But he is a dreadfully uncouth fellow and belongs to an uncouth family. His wife however ought to have taught him better manners by this time.

Thomas Priestman called to pay his S.F. allotment rent, and asked whether I could not give him something back as they had to pay rates etc. I told him the Charity was not for the assistance of the ratepayers. But I gave him a shilling with which he seemed much pleased and expressed himself grateful. It is rather a good sign when a Beershop Keeper is badly off. But perhaps his wife (late Widow Prophett) takes care of the purse.

Canon Payne, by invitation drove me to a meeting of the Church of England Temperance Society at the town hall Banbury. It was called a “Conference” – and a very good paper was read by a young tenant farmer from Witney way – who advocated the giving men in the hay and harvest field money instead of beer.

I took luncheon with Canon Payne in the morning and dined with him on our return.