Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Visited Anna Aris. She was not in, but I saw her daughter Betty Wilks who said the boy had not arrived, and her mother was in a sad way about him.

Divine Service at 7 pm.

Much rain, so that I could not go to the School Attendance Committee at Banbury as I had intended.

Taught in School this afternoon. Visited Canon Payne who was downstairs and better. Miss A. Norris and Miss Powell were there.

Drove Kitty and Frank round Hook Norton and Lower Tadmarton.

Attended Band Committee this evening. The Treasurer knows nothing about how to keep accounts properly, so I had to take his book to set him a fair start.

Visited John Horsman and his wife.

W. Brown the Baker, a bad living man, is ill. I sent Webb to enquire how he was and to ask whether he would like to see me.

The woman Tennant who lives with him, in a doubtful capacity, replied that he was very bad, and did not want to see anyone. He has not been to Church since I have been here, nor perhaps for many years before, and is a notorious drunkard. I have spoken to him about his evil ways to no purpose, so far as I can see, and I believe my predecessors did the same.

Taught in Boys School this morning and choir in the evening.

Bell and I visited Mrs John Manning on the Hill who broke her leg a few weeks ago. She cannot yet get about very well.

Barber Haines called. I paid him for Banbury Advertiser in advance to end of January. He said he would pay his allotment rent as soon as he could sell his swedes.

Thomas Lamb and John West called at my request about the Band accounts. They had no memoranda at all to show what had been paid and by whom, previous to their coming to me, though they had received £14 or £15. They did not know exactly what the bill for the instruments amounted to, nor how much they had borrowed from Mr Wrench.

Drove Bell, Kitty and Frank to Tadmarton. Called on the Smiths at the Rectory. but they were not at home.

It was intensely cold. Attended Band practice this evening.

Miss Dix came to tea with Rosa. Miss Mann and her sister Emma were invited, but they wrote to say they could not come as their mother was unwell and they did not like to leave her.

Attended Guardians meeting at Banbury. Kitty Rogers and Frank went too, with Webb behind. Fine in morning, wet in afternoon.