Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Very few children at School this morning and consequently closed it again for the week.

Dull and cold compared with yesterday.

Visited Heath allotments and Sibford Ferris allotments.

Drove Bell out this afternoon and then sent carriage to George Harris to repair front wheels.

Sent to enquire about Emma Horsman, who was still insensible, and died in the evening leaving 4 children, the eldest only 8.

Ezra Green called and asked me to write an order for medical relief as the Doctor refused to attend his children. I told him I had no authority to do that and that he ought not to need it. He had not asked the Doctor himself but the latter had told Green’s wife he could not attend unless he were paid, and they owe him an account which they make no effort to pay. I told Green to go to the Doctor himself – to tell him he would pay as soon as he could, if he would take the amount by instalments, and ask him to see the children. If the doctor then still declined to attend, he should go to the Relieving Officer and state his case.

Dull and cold. Visited Joshua Lines.

Mrs Shelswell, Miss Mawle, Miss Dix and Miss M. Dix came to tea. Miss Shelswell came afterwards.

Mr and Mrs Mozley of Wigginton called.

Visited Widow Stockford mother of James Tay’s wife who comes from South Newington. Mr Whitehead, the Vicar, brought her here last week, as she is over 80 and thought she would like to be under her daughter’s care. Mr Whitehead wrote to me about her – as she was widow of his old clerk and a very worthy woman.

Mr Oddie called this evening. Visited Richard Staines and Brass Band practice room.

Bell and I visited Miss Dix. The Mann girls and Miss Shelswell were there.

Rev J. Smith, Mrs Smith and Sophie called.

Buried Emma Horsman.

Visited Ezra Green whose youngest child but one died this noon. I found 6 women and 5 children in the down-stairs room where there was a great fire and a boiler with clothes on it. The room was dreadfully hot and close so that the little boy who lay apparently dying could not get much good air into his poor little lungs. I told them they should not be there and that the window should be opened. Ellen Hone and the woman Coles from Sibford Ferris, Thomas Aris’s wife and others were there. The worst lot that could be brought together out of the parish.

Visited Thomas Henry Hone, Thomas Green and D. Hone junior.