Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Frosty. Visited Tay. taught in Girls Sunday School. Gave notice of Confirmation to be held at Swalcliffe Church on March 17th next. Published the banns of marriage of Mary Jane Barnes daughter of Thomas and Sarah Barnes of Sibford Gower – with a young man in service as a groom in Warwickshire.

Preached Sermons for the Diocesan Church Building Society.

On December 2 I paid for the “Times” for 7 months to be sent daily from the “Union” at a shilling a week including postage.

William Harris Senior of Sibford Ferris called and paid me part of his allotment rent due.

Visited Tay. Spoke to his wife about Holy Communion. She said she had been confirmed and I expressed some surprise that I had never seen her at the “Lord’s Table”. She said she would tell me why it was – “Because I told Miss Cook that she, Mrs Tay, was a very wicked woman.” She said Miss Cook treated her very badly, and said I would not “give” the post office to Mrs Tay because she was such a wicked woman”. I said it was too late to rake up old grievances and enquire into what had been said by Miss Cook 5 or 6 years ago – and asked her why she did not come to me and ask me whether I said such a thing or not. I think I made her feel very much ashamed of her self for having or assigning such a reason for neglecting her religious duties and privileges.

Went to Banbury and brought out some ice for Tay. Harry came home. There was an almost total eclipse of the moon this evening for which I was quite unprepared, and which we saw as we were coming from Banbury.

Visited School, Mrs Austin, Thomas Coleman, J West, G Messenger, D Hone junior (no one in), Charles Legge, Mrs Wyatt, Thomas Lively who has been very ill, but is better.

Dr Routh called this morning.

Drove Bell, Rosa and Frank to Blenheim farm to see Mr and Mrs Mann and family. There were two daughters and the youngest son at home besides Mr and Mrs M. He showed us over the house pointing out the alterations he had made in it, and which are manifestly improvements.

Visited Mr J Woolgrove, Mr Turner.

Visited Tay this morning and administered the Holy Communion to him. His wife and Widow Eliza Harris being present. Visited Mr John Enock to ask him to make a will for Tay, but he was not in.