Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1885, October 3, Saturday 

Mr Davies and I took walk this afternoon intending to go to Brailes, but the rain rather hindered us, and George Spicer’s wife met me and asked me to go and baptize Thomas Adkins’s baby which was in a bad way, so I had to return at 5 o’clock for the purpose.

1885, October 4, Sunday

Very cold.

Preached a Harvest Sermon at Tadmarton Church this evening and took supper with the Rector, Mr Smith and his family afterwards. There was a capital congregation and the singing was very hearty though rough. The “twang” is entirely different from that of Sibford, though only 3 miles off. I noticed the same thing at Shenington 5 miles distant, a few years ago. Webb drove me there, and I walked back.

1885, October 5, Monday

Visited John Reason who has wonderfully recovered from the paralytic stroke he had last year, though he is not able to work.

Annie Martin came on visit.

1885, October 6, Tuesday

R. Austin called this morning and said there was a talk in the village to the effect that I was going to send a surveyor over the farm and make him pay for bad farming etc. I told him I knew nothing of it; but that I was making arrangements for the Farm Committee to go over the farm and report to me any matter to which they desired to draw my attention.

Drove Bell to Chipping Norton to meet her sister Bessie. She arrived at 11.30 and left at 4.15. It rained nearly all day. We put up at the White Hart?, the best hotel in the place – dined; and sat there till it was time to return. We saw her down to the station but did not wait for her train as it was raining and wanted to get home before dark.

1885, October 7, Wednesday 

Taught in School.

Visited Eliza Lamb.

Bell and I visited Mrs Morris, George Hone, Thomas Green and Thomas Holland.

Preached Harvest festival Sermon at Swalcliffe. Mr Davies and myself dined with Canon Payne – but he was not well enough to attend the service. We drove down, but walked home.

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Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.