Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

Cold East wind.

Inspected Sibford Ferris allotments.

Visited George Payne, John Reason.

Spoke again to Eleanor Hone about having the man Mumford living in her house, although she is not married to him, and reminded her that the 3 months of their banns would soon be out. She said the man never had enough money to get married with, he spent it all in drink. I told her I would marry them for nothing and lend her the money to pay the clerk his fee – but that she ought not to have the man there until they were married. She told me Mumford was brother to Dorcas Scruby’s mother – a bad lot to the backbone, I am afraid.

Attended Brass Band this evening.

Charles Barnes called and said he had no coal for Church fires, Mr Woolgrove having omitted to send it. So I told him to order some at Charles Lines’s to go on with.

Drove Kitty Rogers to Hook Norton. Called on Hiatt the Draper, who told me Dorcas Scruby had had goods from him in advance on her Clothing Club ticket, and having got the ticket had apparently taken it to another tradesman.

Visited T.H.Tarver, Thomas Coleman, George Green.

William Gaydon’s wife came this morning and asked me whether she might have the coal and clothing. I replied that she could not, as her husband was not born in Sibford Gower.

Taught Boys’ School this morning and attended Choir practice this evening.