Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Drove Bell to Banbury intending to take her to Stratford on Avon to see Trinity College School which is for transfer. I had previously written to Mr Curry the Head Master and asked him to telegraph to me at Banbury Post Office if it would be convenient for him to see us. But there was no telegram – so we returned home – after waiting a while at Grimbly’s and having some conversation with Mrs Grimbly and her daughter. It rained nearly all the way home.

We met Mr and Mrs Wyatt of Broughton on our way in. They were coming out to Sibford to call on Miss Dix. Miss Augusta Stevens was staying with them before she came here and was to have returned to them.

Richard Gaydon and John West Secretary and Treasurer of Sibford Band called and asked me whether they ought to pay Mr Griffin £5 to forward to the Musical Instrument Manufacturers on account as an earnest of their good faith. They had commissioned him to order the instruments and therefore, I told them, they should take him the money, getting a receipt from him, and giving them the Manufacturers’ receipt when he received it. I talked to them very seriously about neglect of Church.

Miss Dix and Mrs Henry Stevens called, and told me of the arrangements for funeral of late Miss Stevens. She is to be buried at Swalcliffe tomorrow at 2.45 pm.

Miss Emma Mann and a Miss Berridge called. The former brought word from her father that having caught a severe cold yesterday he would be unable to meet Mr Woolgrove here this evening as had been arranged, to go through church accounts.

I visited Mr and Mrs Stevens at Miss Dix’s.

Mr and Mrs Woolgrove came to tea.

Joseph Tarver and his son Esau Tarver of Handy Water Farm who received notice to leave their two acre allotments this Michaelmas independently brought me a notice this morning that they would give up their allotments Oct. 11 1885. They have already held them nearly two years since taking their farm, which is contrary to the intention of the Trustees, and simply want to wear the land out. I have already let both the 2 acre pieces as I have understood all along that they were going out this Michaelmas.

I therefore wrote to Fortescue & Sons, Solicitors of Banbury stating the case and asking them to write to them on behalf of the trustees.

Funeral of Miss Stevens at Swalcliffe. Mr Payne and myself officiated. Mr and Mrs Stevens, Miss Dix and myself went down in Mourning Coach. My carriage took Bell, Frank and Miss S Dix. Called on Payne afterwards. Miss Dix took tea here – and Miss S Dix came in afterwards.

My cold still troublesome.