Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

Wrote to Mr J. Playster-Steeds of the London Literary Society asking him to return my manuscript.

Visited Hannah Keene. Received note from Mr C. Fortescue asking for use of School for a Conservative meeting on Monday next and inviting me to take the Chair.

D. Hancock who is still repairing road at Sibford Ferris allotments came to me for his wages to date.

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

Mr Davies came to tea. Banns of Marriage published between Lambley, of Swalcliffe and Lines, daughter of John Lines, coal carrier of Sibford Ferris.

Showery, but mild. High wind at night.

St Andrew. Divine Service at 9.15.

J. Lamb called for Sibford Ferris poor rate.

Visited Sibford Ferris allotments. Called on Mr Woolgrove.

Mr Wynne, the Conservative Candidate, addressed the electors in the School room this evening. I took the chair. W. H. Harris (“Beardy Will”) of Sibford Ferris who was rather the worse for drink somewhat interrupted the speaker with ejaculations and remarks and there were some navvies from Hook Norton who tried to annoy him, but he took it all very good humouredly and the meeting passed off without any disorder. Mr Wynne came down here to supper, with Mr Davies, after the meeting.

I sold 7 pots of Blenheim apples today to a dealer from Milcombe at 5/- per pot.

Fine bright day. Drove Bell out this afternoon. Visited the Misses Dix.

Drove to Banbury. Mr Davies accompanied me. The Guardians Meeting had been postponed on account of the polling, but I had received no notice to that effect.

On way down I stopped at Swalcliffe School-room which was the polling place of our district in order to give my vote. But the labourers from the neighbourhood had come to “poll early” and as I saw no probability of being able to get in for an hour or more, I went on to Banbury and polled on my return when everything was extremely quiet, and we had almost the whole place to ourselves.