Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Summer day. Taught Boys School ini morning.

Buried Richard Payne at 5 pm.

Visited Dyer at Colony whose wife is very ill with bronchitis. She did not want to see anyone, so the husband said.

Ann West came to the Vestry at 4.30 about confirmation, I find she cannot read at all.

Visited Mrs Shelswell.

Fine day.

Confirmation at Swalcliffe. Bishop Dr John Fielder Mackarness. Chaplain Mr Holmes. Canon Payne, ill and consequently unable to be present. I called to see him. Mr Smith Rector of Tadmarton, Mr Willy Curate of Epwell, Mr Gerahty, Curate of Shutford and Mr Powell were the only clergy present.

I presented 42 candidates, viz. 17 boys, 16 girls, and 9 married women.

Dined in the evening at Mr Norris’s. Mr Smith of Tadmarton and myself were the only local clergy there and indeed the only guests except the Bishop and his chaplain.

Visited School this afternoon and had my boy candidates in church for half an hour before going down to the confirmation.

Harry returned to Kentisbury but I had to provide him with travelling expenses as usual.

Visited Hannah Keene.

High wind and clouds of dust.

Visited John Horsman and wife, also Thomas Webb.

Alice and I walked to Brailes this evening to take some Four Shire Books, but did not call at the Vicarage.

Pleasant shower this morning.

Drove to Banbury and took duty at Savings Bank.

Visited Anna Aris and Miss Dix.

Met Dr Routh who told me he wished to withdraw from the Trusteeship of the Town Estate, because Mr Mann had told Robert Austin what transpired at the last meeting which has made the latter very dissatisfied and rude to the doctor in consequence. I told Routh that we could not spare him and that if R. Austin was rude he had better take no notice of him; Austin can not have any right to complain at having to leave the farm, for it was he who gave the Trustees notice.

Showery.

Buried Joseph Pettipher’s baby.

Visited School and taught.
F. Inns, saw Mrs Inns and family
T Meadows, J. Holder.

Vestry meeting held in Schoolroom about the pond. I in Chair. No resolution come to.

Mr Richard Lamb proposed “that the Vestry approve of the plan adopted by the Rural Sanitary Authority except that it is desirable to enclose it at the ends, so as not to leave a passage for cattle through it.”

Mr W. Fox proposed “that this Vestry approve of the plan adopted by the R.S.A.”

Mr F. Inns proposed “that the R.S.A. be requested to leave the pond in same shape, of same size and with same walling as before – simply repairing where absolutely necessary.”

There were 27 ratepayers present, but a majority of those present did not vote for any motion. I therefore declared them all lost, which I was very sorry to do.