Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Received letter from Graves and Miller, Land agents etc of Banbury, acting for Jesse Bishop asking whether the Trustees would give an undertaking that they would pay Jesse Bishop for acts of husbandry in the event of Jesse Bishop’s giving up the farm. I replied that on my own authority I can only say that the Trustees would do what they were compelled in law to do as regards Jesse Bishop; since their duty was to administer the Town Estates strictly for the benefit of the parishioners of Sibford Gower. I added that if Bishop wished to make any application to the trustees he might do so at their annual meeting which would take place early in January next, and of which he would be duly apprised.

Mr Montagu went down to call on Canon Payne this morning, and to visit his old parishioners at Epwell this afternoon.

Mr and Mrs Davies and Miss Dix came this afternoon to tea.

I visited William Henry Sabin and filled up another Horton Infirmary letter for him; as he has frequent fits.

Visited Eliza Lamb, Summerton new Baker and Grocer, and Thomas Barnes.

Mr Montagu visited his old parishioners at Epwell this morning. I drove him to Banbury on his return to Thenford this afternoon.

Chipperfields’ Show of a View of Venice – and the Bombardment of Alexandria; with the performance of a learned pony and the usual master and clown with Punch and  a dancer outside, the latter three being little girls from 7 to 12 or 13 years of age. I took Frank who was very much smitten with the beautiful little girl in silks and satin and gold and silver and spangles. I treated three boys Edgar Lines, Jarvis and the elder Jesse Lively to the show and they were much pleased. F. Inns had taken his children in, and was delighted and recommended me to take Frank. Inside the show I met Mr Woolgrove and Mr John Lamb, the Quaker, who thought it a very good thing that the people should have some harmless amusement and agreed with me that in these remote villages they did not get quite enough of it.