Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

William Holland’s wife called and asked if I could give her something “to get bread” as her husband had no work. I gave her 2/-.

Left Oxford for London at 9 am. Called on Dr. Stone, 14 Dean’s Yard, Westminster, Medical Referee for the Clergy Mutual Association, as the Directors wished me to do. He examined me and did not keep me for long. So I went on to Victoria, took train for Paddington and left for home by the 1 o’clock train. Arrived at Banbury at 3.20 but it was so wet that my horse was not in. I therefore took a cab out which cost me 9/-, which is about the same as 2nd Class fare from Banbury to London.

Emanuel Dale, a young man about 21 called and asked for assistance to pay his railway fare beyond Bletchley where he is going to a situation tomorrow. He is to have 8/- per week only and £5 at Michaelmas. He is to keep himself. So much for the permanent rise in wages effected by the Agricultural Labourers’ Union.

I distributed Coal tickets this evening at the Schoolroom and talked seriously to some of the women about the irregularity of their children’s attendance at School.

I withheld Ezra Green’s ticket, as school pence was owing, and Thomas Holland’s, as he owes 10/- for allotment rent. The respective amounts were paid a day or two afterwards and I gave them the tickets.

Mary Lively came for some wine for her daughter Elizabeth Manning and asked whether I could do anything for the daughter Ada who is going to a situation at or near Leamington next week. I asked what she wanted. She replied “Some flannel for a petticoat”. I promised to ask Mrs. Stevens to get it for her, which I did and sent it up.

Harry and Vere went to Brailes to play in a football match against Shennington. I drove them, taking Rosa, and continuing the journey came home via Winderton.

Visited Austin Gardner. Mrs Gardner showed me the plans of a new house which they are about to build on their farm at Sibford Ferris. It looks as though it would be a nice house. John Adkins of Burdrop is to build it, and it is to cost £800 to £1000, though she did not tell me so. The house in which they are at present living belongs to one of Mr. Gardner’s brothers, with whom he is at variance, and neither desires to do business of any kind with the other.