Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Visited Miss Dix, Mrs Woolgrove.

Drove Bell to see Mrs Pettipher senior who this day week met with a sad accident, having run against a projecting door bolt in the dark and destroyed one of her eyes. She is getting on pretty well, however, and is going to London to see an oculist next week.

Joe Dale’s younger child – the only one at home – a girl, who is subject to fits felt one coming on in the road. She ran home but fell on the very rough stone of the door way and cut her lip dreadfully. I saw the accident and sent off for the Doctor who came very shortly and sewed up the wound. I told Betsey Dale she should get her husband or else her landlord to take up the old broken stones and either put some better down or have none at all.

Mrs Henderson left going from here to Page’s at Swalcliffe Grange, to Lea, whence she was to be driven to Banbury by some friends who would be there.

Mrs Page’s sister, a Mrs Fox, formerly Schoolmistress at Alkerton – is schoolmistress in one of Mr Henderson’s parishes. She lost her character at Shennington, but of this Mrs Henderson is ignorant and we thought it better not to inform her.

Two Misses Lamb of Burdrop called. They brought Rosa some peaches and me a book about the Principles of the Society of Friends.

Sunday School treat. Gave prizes: 6 pictures, 8 books. The weather was very fine and the children enjoyed themselves greatly in the “Slinket” where I played at Cricket and Rounders with the Boys.

Harry went to a Lawn Tennis tournament and dance afterward at Winderton. He did not ask me to make any arrangements for his being late, but had asked his mother for money which she refused.

I sat up till very late, but fell asleep on a little bed without undressing. At 3.15 I awoke and on going to his room found him there asleep. He had returned at 1.30 and waked the Cook by throwing stones at her bedroom window and she had let him in.

Visited Canon Payne. Bonner called about Sally Green, Elizabeth Manning and John Hathaway.

Taught in Boys School this morning.

I resumed the afternoon service in church. The evening service has not been a success this year any more than in previous years for the church has been much hotter than in the afternoons and the congregations have not been so large. The interference with the Sunday School is also a disadvantage.

Intensely hot. Drove Bell to the Heath Farm and examined the work done by Horsman.

Called on Mrs Horsman.

Visited Mr Robertson at Swalcliffe.