Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Rain and high wind.

Attended Sunday School this morning. Spoke to boy Jarvis a poor-law apprentice to Richard Walker the blacksmith about his behaviour; both Walker and his wife having complained to me about him. The boy said Mrs Walker was very kind to him, but the man got the worse for drink very frequently and then knocked him about very cruelly. I told him to behave well to his master and then if he had any complaint of undue severity he must come to me or go to the nearest magistrate.

This afternoon Walker’s child was baptized and the man came to me in the vestry. I taxed him with drunkenness and ill using the boy, warning him of the consequences and telling him that if the boy complained to me about the treatment he received I should be compelled to take the matter up. Walker being quite sober, was very civil – said he would sign the pledge and come to church a great deal better than he had been in the habit of doing.

Baptized children of R. Walker, D. Ainge and T. Aris.

No Choir practice this evening.

Visited Mrs Shelswell ; Henry Bishop ; Mr Oddie ; Joshua Lamb ; Richard Lamb ; Joshua Lines ; Charles Lines ; Anna Aris ; Thomas Aris ; Thomas Wilks ; Charles Barnes ; Betty Wilks ; Sam Woolgrove ; John West (not in) ; Lewis Poulton ; Jane Legge ; Sarah Hone ; Thomas Green ; George Green ; Thomas Lively ; E. Scruby ; Thomas Holland.

Took Boys Confirmation Class this evening in Schoolroom : first time this season : gave them each a piece of cake and a mug of tea at conclusion.

Walked to Swalcliffe and took wedding for Canon Payne.

Took Girls’ Confirmation Class in vestry this afternoon at 3.

Mr Woolgrove called this evening and told me of the disgraceful goings on at Burdrop. Edward Scruby’s wife and W. Barton’s wife being very immoral women. He said he had caught the former and James Hone one Sunday morning on the Hook Norton road in flagrante delicto. The latter has Charles Holtom constantly there.

Received Government Grant for School £50.4.4.

Taught School this morning.

Drove Bell and Frank to Banbury. Paid £152.2.6 to London & County Bank there for my account at Oxford.

School Attendance Committee at Banbury.

Drove Miss Maria Dix in and out.

Taught in School all the morning.

Ellen Hone came  and asked for coal ticket which I refused to give her as she has still the man Mumford living with her, and I decline to encourage such conduct in any way and told her so.

Visited Heath allotments where Ewings is laying the hedge on the north side. Also the Plantation where William Hall and John West are laying the hedge.

Charles Barnes called to settle coal distribution.