Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Bright and frosty.

Miss S. Dix called this morning to say that she had been asked to lend her house at Swalcliffe, lately occupied by Mr Robertson, as a Committee Room for the Radical Candidate, Sir B Samuelson. I suggested that she should offer it to the Conservatives – which she said she would do.

I drove Bell to Banbury to see her dentist, “Heygate Brooks”.

Called on Mr Fortescue at the Conservative Club and told him about the application which the Radicals had made to Miss Dix. He said the Conservatives had got a room – used as the Reading Room, lent them by Mr Norris. It afterwards turned out that they were unable to use this room for the purpose, as tea and coffee were sold there, and as Miss Dix or her uncle or both, declined to lend her house to the Radicals the Conservatives were glad to have it.

Sent a pair of some skates to Harry.

Miss S. Dix called this morning and showed me a letter from Stockton of Banbury, Solicitor, and agent for the Radicals asking her to lend her house for the use of the political party to which she is strongly opposed, (Samuelson being a Liberationist) and quoting scripture in the most disgustingly hypocritical way in support of his application.

Visited W. Holland, Joshua Dale, Thomas Holland (not in), Widow Hancox (not in), George Hone, Thomas Green, Thomas Henry Hone, John West, William Hall, Sarah Hone, Edward Fox, Benjamin Messenger, George Spicer and Anna Young.

Visited Sibford Ferris allotments where the road mending goes on slowly.

Frost gone – cold and raw – some rain.

Webb drove Mrs Stevens and Mrs Davies to Shenington to call on Mrs Daniel Shelswell who was not at home.

I wrote to my brother Richard at Chesterfield, MacCoupin County, Illinois, U.S.A. Also to Aunt Emma, 4 Clephane Road, Canonbury.

Buried Richard Wilson. Visited Mr George Dix, W. Payne, Decimus Alcock (out), W. Barton, W. Barton’s niece and Haynes (from Swalcliffe). The latter, a very young woman, quite a girl in fact, told me she was only married last Sunday. She told me she was a Wesleyan and her husband a Baptist.

Visited J. Holland, Widow Hancox, Joseph Green (another recent immigrant from Swalcliffe), Eliza Harris, Charlotte Harris, Thomas Wilks, Widow Lamb, Ezra Green, Widow Hunt, Thomas Aris, Widow Bond, Anna Aris (out), W. Coleman (out), Jesse Green, Joshua Green.

Attended Band practice.

Mr French of Hook Norton sent one of Carter’s carrying chairs for us to try with Rosa, but it is of no use with our steep stair case.

Damp and cold, with fog.

Taught Boys’ School this morning and attended Choir practice this evening.