Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Sharp frost, calm, bright.

Sophie and Maud Smith called to see Rosa.

Bessie Gardner and several other girls of the tradesmen’s class came to my house for confirmation class from 5 – 6 pm.

Snow this morning which soon disappeared.

Taught in Boys’ School this morning.

Very small congregation at Church.

Heard William Henry Sabin his Catechism in Vestry after service this afternoon.

Rev C. E. Adams Diocesan Inspector visited School. I drove him to Tadmarton afterwards.

Visited Hannah Keene. Boys’ Confirmation Class in School room at 7 pm. Mug of tea and piece of cake.

Mrs Hancox Senior and her daughter Mrs G. Harris came to Vicarage at 8 pm for instruction for Confirmation.

St Matthias. Divine Service at 9.15.

Mr Willy, Curate of Epwell, and his daughter Ada called, in a wretched pony and cart. They would much better have walked.

Damp morning.

Service with Sermon at 7 pm.

Paid Dr Routh my account for year 11/6.

Drove Bell and Frank to Brailes ; called at Vicarage – no one at home.

Rain nearly all day.

Paid Miss Harris my subscription to B. & F. Bible Society – 10/-.

Cutting from Banbury Advertiser, 26 February 1885

DRUNK IN COURT.—Thomas Messinger, labourer, Tadmarton, was charged with being drunk in Court, on February 5th.—Defendant pleaded guilty. There were two previous convictions.—Supt. Wyatt deposed that defendant was summoned to this court upon a charge of being drunk, at Tadmarton, on the 24th January.—Defendant: I didn’t have a swallow of beer in Tadmarton all that day.—Witness (continuing) said defendant appeared in Court to answer that charge very drunk and noisy, and had to be removed out of Court.—The Chairman: That makes three times within the last twelve months. You have to pay some money to-day for the last conviction. Are you going to pay it.—Defendant: No, sir. I should have paid it if this affair had not turned up.—The Chairman: You will be fined £1 including costs. That will make £2 11s. 6d. you have to pay—Defendant said he had no goods, and no money, and was sent to gaol for six weeks, with hard labour.

Visited Widow Thomas Manning and John Manning’s wife. They are respectable people but are badly off, as he was ruined by failure of Oxford Building Society. I gave him 10/- to pay his children’s School fees, as they pay 3d per week each being tradesman’s children.

Visited John Reason.

William Hall called for money for hedging at the Heath Farm.

Took tea at Miss Dix’s with their cousin Rev. Edward Dix and his sister. Mr Mann and his son Walter were there – Walter having been formerly a pupil of Mr Dix’s.

Held Girls’ Confirmation Class at 5 pm at Vicarage.

Taught in Boys’ School this morning.

Holy Communion offertory 10/- Organ.

Mrs Woolgrove called to see Rosa this evening.