Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

Distribution of coals commenced.

David Hone, who has not paid his allotment rent, sent his wife to ask for coal ticket. He would be sure to pay his rent on Wednesday as he had sold some Swedes which Reuben Sabin was to take in to Banbury on that day and would then receive the money for them. I let her have the ticket, and she paid the rent during the week.

Bessie wrote to Bell about the house in Richmond Terrace, Bayswater, which was given to Harriet for her life. The remainder of the lease, or rather the reversion, is to be sold, and Bessie thinks of purchasing it.

W. Lamb, assistant overseer, called for poor rates.

Webb drove Mrs Davies to Banbury to catch the 2.20 L&NW train to London.

Mr Wynne, the Conservative Candidate, called this afternoon, and at his request I got Charles Barnes to show him the way round the village and act as his nomenclator.

Received a Mourning Card from Mr T. P. Howe announcing the death of Mrs Wells on November 17th age 76.

Ruridecanal Chapter at Banbury Vicarage. The rain kept me at home.

Visited Miss Dix. Taught in School.

Visited Mr Davies. Sent out Church Defence Leaflets over the parish.

Thick fog. Rosa did not come down.

Fog and rain.

Taught in School this morning.

George Harris, draper of Banbury, called and I paid him Clothing Club account.

Visited Sibford Ferris allotments. D. Hancock still at work on the road.

Visited Widow Simmonds.

A very beautiful shower of meteors took place this evening. I never saw so many before.