Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Harry returned from Oxford – “ploughed” 4th time for Responsions.

Tay is still better.

Rosa kept her bed all day, her hip being very painful.

Very wet. Taught in School. Visited  Tay. Doctor came to see Rosa and said she must have a splint for her leg.

Visited Thomas Lively.

I sent a second 10/- stamp to Charity Commissioners for stamp on order for new trusteeship of Fuel Land.

One 10/- stamp is for appointment of trustees and the other for Vesting property in them.

Visited Sibford Ferris allotments, met Canon Payne and had talk with old John Barnes.

Visited Tay who still improves, also Widow Aris and Dr Routh.

Taught in Sunday School this morning and attended Choir practice this evening. Mr Montagu called.

Frederick George, infant son of Thomas Fox of Blenheim who was baptized yesterday week died suddenly on Saturday. An inquest was held to day – verdict “died from natural causes.” Mary Hone called and asked me to bury the remains at 4 pm tomorrow.

Visited Tay.

Whilst the Doctor was here this evening a messenger came to say that his father was taken ill.

Rosa had a splint fixed on today.

Fine. Taught in School this morning. Thomas Aris’s wife came for some wine for her husband. I spoke to her about the boy Albert Young (son of late Widow Sarah Young who was her husband’s sister). She said he was very troublesome. Her husband told him he should not live with him unless he kept better hours. He gets very little work to do, and stays out till very late at night.

Visited Thomas Holland, W. Barton, Mary Hone. Miss Dix called. Mrs Shelswell stayed all night with Rosa.

Buried Fox’s baby. Very stormy in Church yard.

Received Notice of Inspection on 10th and 13th January. Visited School.

St Thomas’s Day. Fine and cold. Divine Service at 9.15 am when Austin Hillman’s wife was churched. Drove to Banbury this evening and preached at Christ Church. Only 30 present. Took supper afterwards with Mr Henderson who is very unwell, and has been for some months, with a bad cough. Cold, bright, frosty night.

My dear mother has been buried 38 years today. And 28 years ago today I was married.

Went over Sibford Ferris allotments to give instructions respecting temporary stopping of gaps in hedges made by felling trees, Coles of the Elm having sent boy Scruby to say that his cattle were getting in. I found ten or a dozen enjoying a pleasant luncheon of turnip tops, savoys and cabbage. Gave old William Harris 1/- to stop up the gaps.

Met Blind Keene and had a long talk with him. He has killed a bullock this week and I therefore bought 37 lbs of beef of him for £1.7.9.