Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Took Boys’ School morning and afternoon.

Churched Mrs Austin Gardner and Ezra Green’s wife.

Mrs J. Rimell called to see Rosa whilst we were at church this afternoon. Katie Mountain was staying at home with her.

John Hathaway is kept alive with brandy and milk. They always send to me for the former, and its provision becomes a serious draw on my resources, being as much as the whole weekly income of the Loggin charity for Sibford Ferris. I fear he has been more or less of a tippler all his life and that his wife has helped him waste his earnings, and has been, if anything, worse than he.

Visited John Hathaway. Met and talked with John Adkins.

Edward Scruby, Anna Aris and Mrs John Prophett.

The Flower Show took place at Swalcliffe Park.

Rev. Thomas Smith with Sophie and Maud, Miss Bassett Smith and Miss Nelly Basset Smith came to the Show and to tea here afterwards.

Robert Austin called and asked me whether I would see Jesse Bishop and ask him to agree to the division of the Farm suggested by Messrs Mann, Woolgrove and Page. I said I would.

Administered Holy Communion to John Hathaway and his wife who had been confirmed but never been communicants. Indeed they had almost never been to church.

Met Mr Leicester, surgeon, and told him to send to me for anything that Hathaway might need.

Visited Mrs Horsman. Mary Lively called on me to speak about her daughter Elizabeth Manning whose allowance of 2/6 per week has been discontinued by the Guardians because she has three unmarried sons doing well and able to assist her, and because the Doctor certifies that though not able-bodied she can do light work and assist in the maintenance of herself and child. I told Mary Lively that I had nothing to say in the matter, but that her daughter was able to go to Banbury last Saturday and consequently she was able to go before the Guardians and state her case if she wished to do so.

Elizabeth Manning sent for me to go and see her a few days ago saying she was ill in bed. I imagine she had gone to bed to excite my sympathy. But as she is strongly suspected in the parish of being a loose woman, my wife strongly advised me not to go, and as she has forsaken the church and removed her children from the Sunday School to send them to the Methodists, or the quakers, under Miss Capper’s influence, I declined to go. The next day she told Mrs Elley she wanted to see me about the Guardians taking off her allowance which quite determined me in my refusal to go to her. I therefore sent word that she must apply to the Guardians either personally or through Bonner.