Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Fog and thaw continued.

Mr. Routh was buried at 11.30 in the Quakers’ burial ground. Many persons were there. There was a large wreath of hot-house flowers on the Coffin, which was borne direct from the hearse to the Grave where one short prayer was offered by a nephew of the deceased. The people then for the most part entered the Meeting house. Richard Lamb junior invited me to go in but I could not do so as I had an appointment at 12 with Pensioner Green, an old soldier living at Traitor’s Ford and who wants me to write to the District Pension Office for him. Vere was also expecting me.

…. Visited Hannah Keene to-day. She told me of one her daughters who died some years ago in a very happy frame of mind. “She see’d the beautiful Angels hovering over her bed, and when things comes to that pass, you know they hasn’t long to stay with us, ‘as ‘em Sir?”

Anniversary of my dear mother’s funeral at St. Margaret’s Ipswich in 1843, and of my own marriage at Holy Trinity Halifax, in 1853.

…. Richard Reason called to ask whether I would speak for him if he made application to the Board of Guardians tomorrow to make some allowance, as he was unable to work having a “frosted hand” and was destitute. He said he had not been able to earn more than 5/- a week on the average since he was here in the Spring. He owed Mr. R. Lamb £3 for rent. He went to work for him, “hooing” turnips at ???? per acre – but they did not tell him how much an acre he was to have. Mr. Lamb he said treated him as “destitute” and gave him 2/- a week to live on. Got him to take 9 lbs of mutton – of a sheep which met with an accident – at 7d. per lb. – and keeping the balance for rent due to him – gave him 4/4 at end of job, for 9 weeks work.

He has been working for Mr. Mann at turnip pulling but could not make more than 5/- per week at it; and in similar employment at Mr. Pettipher’s has got his hand frost bitten. Of course he wanted me to see his bad hand, which I did, much against my will.

Some children came to tea with Frank, viz:-

Mary Thame, Bessie Thame, Henry Thame, Daisy Thame, Willie Thame, Sally Fox, W. Colegrave, Polly Hiorns.

Bricks now cost 30/- per 1,000.

Harry went to London to visit the mother and brothers of Miss Edith Crosley a pupil and scholar of the Royal Academy to whom he has become engaged.