Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1885, December 17, Thursday 

Visited Thomas Wilks, Widow Thomas Lamb, Ezra Green, Elizabeth Holland whom I accused of falsehood to me last night. She said she had given 2/- to her husband a week or two ago and told him to pay it to Charles Barnes, and thought he had done so. She was huddled up over the fire and seemed very unwell and very miserable. She said tomorrow would be pay night and she would pay him the whole sum due. As a fact however, she paid him only one half of it, i.e. 2/-.

Visited Canon Payne and paid him Loggins rent.

1885, December 18, Friday 

Damp. Thick fog.

Visited Joseph Messenger. He was not at home, but I found his wife at Mrs Lamb’s. They have left the cottage which they have occupied so many years and taken one of Mrs Turner’s where James Hancox has been living. It appears that Joe has been somewhat “off his head” of late – and has an idea that he is being robbed, that his wife gives away his goods and that she is guilty of infidelity with other men. Now he is pretty well and denies that he ever said anything of the sort. She told me this with tears in her eyes. They both sleep at old Mrs Lamb’s, as she is not fit to be left alone.

Visited Hannah Keen, Hannah Simmonds, John Adkins, John West, Thomas Henry Hone, David Hone.

Thomason brought Charity Clothing, which was sold in the School room as usual.

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Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.