Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

John Horsman’s (mason) daughter came again for wine and asked for soup or beef tea or mutton broth for her mother as a matter of course because the Doctor ordered them, but I told her that her father who was at work for the Trustees and to whom they were paying over 33/- per week for the work of himself and his boy, should provide necessaries for his wife; for that he was in a very different position from a labourer with 12/- or 15/- a week and a good many mouths to feed. I saw Horsman himself afterwards and told him so. But as he said he was hard pressed for money, being unable to get what was owing to him in some quarters, I advanced him 10/- and did the same on subsequent occasions until he had finished the work then in hand when I paid him the bill amounting altogether to nearly £5. But I gave the girl nearly a pint of wine for her mother, though it is the second supply within a week. Visited her in afternoon.

Visited Mrs Shelswell. A Farm Committee met in the School room this evening at my request, present Messrs Hall, Page, Woolgrove, myself in the Chair. Mr Mann was absent though I had sent him a notice. They settled what candidates for the 2 acre pieces should be accepted; also as to certain repairs at Heath farm, tenders for which had been sent in by Poulton, Horsman and Fox.

Visited William Poulton and spoke to him about repairs at Farm. Visited Charlotte Harris, Mrs Horsman.

Holy Communion. Sermons and Collections on behalf of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution amounting to £2.10.9 – which I made up to £2.12.6.

Published for first time the Banns of Marriage between George Hone bachelor of Burdrop and Elizabeth Miles of Hook Norton late servant at Mrs Shelswell’s, who has behaved somewhat indifferently and it is surmised, very badly.

Harry is having his holiday and wants to come home. I declined to let him do so at first, but he wrote to his mother and begged very hard; so at I consented. He has been staying at Ilfracombe. This morning he writes asking the loan of £1 to come home with, though he has not repaid the last he borrowed. However, I sent it him, through Bell.

Visited and taught in school.

Privately baptized Sarah, daughter of John and Jane Manning (late of Oxford). The mother came to me in the vestry on Sunday afternoon and asked me to do so. I thought her manner then somewhat singular; but this morning there was nothing amiss. I afterwards ascertained that the poor woman has been in the Lunatic Asylum once or twice.

Visited Miss Dix. Rev. Edmund Smith, the new Rector of Tadmarton, and Mrs Smith called.

Mr Elley helped to carry Rosa down stairs and up.

Lewis Poulton called to consult me about the new Infants’ Gallery in the School.