Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1884, May 5, Monday 

Mr Elley says he has 117 children on the books and that the number of infants is almost greater than he is qualified for under Government regulations. I authorized him if he found it necessary to write to the parents of out-town children and say we could not accommodate them any longer; also to decline to take children under 5 years of age.

A miserable day, very wet, with thunder.

1884, May 22, Thursday 

His sister, at Swalcliffe, and William Barton’s wife at Burdrop have recently been serenaded with rough music for their violation of the seventh Commandment. Canon Payne says he would not hold up a finger to stop the rough music as it is a wholesome expression of public opinion which is of considerable use. I agree with him.

1884, June 2, Monday

Whit Monday. Bank Holiday. Club Day. Divine Service at 11. Mr. Mann had written to me declining the invitation of the stewards to attend the dinner because they had taken no action on the unfavourable report made by the Actuary last year, although both he and I had spoken to several of the members during the year and urged them to do something.

99 Benefit Members were present at the dinner. The men’s side of the church was crowded. The Bandsmen sang, and the service went extremely well.

1884, June 9, Monday 

Cold and showery. Miss Dix took Penny Bank for me.

Miss Norris, of Swalcliffe Park called this afternoon and brought some flowers and strawberries for Rosa. She would have liked to see her, but as the latter was in bed and not quite well enough to see strangers, Bell put her off for the present.

Bell and I called on Mr and Mrs Oddie this evening.

1884, June 10, Tuesday

Fine. Visited William Barnes. (No one in), Widow Anna Aris, David Hone Senior, William Holland (all out).

Sally Barnes who told me that her son William and his Father in law Charles Holtom, a bad fellow, were very nearly having a stand up fight together outside the Wykham Arms on Club night on account of some rough words which the latter gave his daughter Eliza, Barnes’s wife on the morning of that day, when she remonstrated with her father about his bad goings on, especially with William Barton’s wife. Eliza Barnes was so upset at the prospect of a fight between her husband and her father that she had a sort of fit which was repeated at intervals for a day or two so that the doctor had to be called in.

Visited John Reason, Charlotte Harris, Dorcas Scruby, Eleanor Hone, Ezra Green, also the school. Also John West, Thomas Henry Hone, Charles Legge (out), Thomas Lively (out), Thomas Holland, Thomas Green (out), B. Messenger, Widow Hancox (out), Mary Hone, Sarah Hone (out), Widow Wyatt, Misses Dix, John Horsman.

Administered Holy Communion to Rosa, Cassie Hemming and Bell.

Rev Thomas and Mrs Smith came and stayed to tea.

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Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.