Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1885, January 13, Tuesday 

William Golder, late Labourer and Agricultural Labourers’ Union agitator – now carrier – called to pay me his allotment rent. I spoke to him about his two children being unbaptized. He has some anti paedobaptist views – but laid the greatest stress on the fact that he did not know anyone who led such a Christian life as to justify him in asking them to become Sponsors.

He himself has ceased to attend either Church or Chapel because he finds so many who do attend are so very much behind their religious professions. He was very polite, but very foolish. I said what I thought right at the time, and added something about the claims of the Church as against Dissent. He said he valued the Clergyman very highly that the Clergy of the Church of England were a “pillar of learning” in every parish in the land.

1885, January 14, Wednesday 

Received note from David Ainge saying he would like to take the upper part of Sibford Heath Farm now or at a future time but not making any offer. I wrote that if he would make an offer I would bring it before the Trustees.

Miss S. Dix called to ask me about the School at Littlemore, late Mr Hurst’s, as they think of sending Henry Thame for a few months. I told her they had better refer to Mr Green, the Vicar.

Buried Zilpah Rimell’s baby.

Mr Harold Goad, upholsterer etc, 4 Crop Street, Barnstaple wrote to me about account Harry owes him. I replied, but did not pay it. Harry has had an iron bedstead and bedding and a tricycle etc of him. I spoke to Harry very strongly about his continued extravagance and folly.

1885, January 16, Friday

Cold wind. No frost.

Visited Henry Norris Esq, and Canon Payne of Swalcliffe. Rev Richard Payne his son a naval officer was there.

Roads very muddy.

Visited Brass Band this evening. A Committee meeting afterwards. Albert Young, one of the members, lighted his pipe and began to smoke. I requested him to put it out saying it was quite against the rules and very disrespectful. But he would not put it out. I therefore left the room reminding the members that they had full power to put a stop to such conduct and leaving them to consider what they should do with the offender.

1885, January 17, Saturday 

Harry returned to Kentisbury, Webb drove him to Banbury. I had to give him a sovereign to go back with, as usual.

Buried Mr George Harris.

Joseph Pettipher called and asked me to sign a requisition to Mr Albert Brassey to stand in Conservative interest for North Oxon. I did so.

Click on an entry date to view an image of the original diary page.

Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.