Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Buried Tarver’s baby.

Attended Guardians meeting at Banbury. Sent 33 cwts of apples to London, consigned to Skinner & Son Salesmen Covent Garden, in 72 baskets. The Railway charge was 1/- per cwt.

Brass Band receive their instruments; Mr Wrench of Shutford having advanced them £20.

Drove Bell, Kitty and Frank out this afternoon. Left the two latter at Mrs Shelswell’s to tea on our return.

Went up to Band room and saw instruments – stayed practising members till 9 o’clock.

Received postcard from Skinner & Son of Covent Garden acknowledging receipt of apples.

Called at Canon Payne’s, who is much better.

Thomas Green’s wife called this evening and asked for some linseed meal to make poultices for one of her children who has bronchitis. She also asked for some blackcurrant jam to make a drink for the child. Mrs Stevens gave her a pot.

Taught School this morning and attended Choir practice this evening.

Received from Skinner & Son cheque for apples sold, amounting to £12.12. My expenses this side were about £2.12 besides Webb’s time. There were 72 bushels of 56 lbs. The cost of freight by carrier and rail was a very heavy item.

Drove Kitty to Brailes and Winderton, Frank accompanying us. Kitty told us of Mr Mountain’s Gardener who was fond of fine words – Mrs M. asked him where a certain young cockerel was

“O, he’s secluded, mem, I thought it better to hisolate ‘im for the pro tem.”

I called to see John Horsman a day or two ago. He has been very ill with a sort of rheumatic attack. But he told me he thought he’d “had a lack o’ Paradise, or whatever it is as they calls it you know Sir.”

Visited Joseph Messenger, Joshua Green, Jesse Green, Benjamin Aris senior, Widow Bond, Widow Barnes, Charles Barnes, Thomas Wilks, Charlotte Harris, Susan Hunt, Anna Aris, Mrs Shelswell.

Visited school this morning and taught.

Visited John Reason, Bodfish, Jane Legge, Thomas Green, Thomas Holland, John Horsman, Ezra Green.

Mrs Hiorns called and asked me to write to Mr Ommanney recommending her to have charge of the orphan child of the late Mr Hawtin, Solicitor of Banbury, to whom he is appointed Guardian and who, she says wishes to place him with some one who will take care of him. He is 5 years old. I wrote to Mr O. and said only what I was justified in saying – viz that Mrs H. was a kind hearted woman who would do her best for the child if in other respects she was the sort of person required; but that she has no children at home.

Visited David Hone Senior, William Holland, Joseph dale, Thomas Aris, George Payne, William Barnes.