Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Frost in morning. Thaw at noon, rain in afternoon, snow in evening, frost at night!!

Very hoarse from cold – did not attend either Sunday School or Choir practice.

Sarah Goff, aged nearly 70, feeble in body and mind and nearly blind came into the Church before doors were opened for service this afternoon or the bell was rung – and in trying to pass by the edge of the stove pit, the grating being up for attending to the stove, she fell in and broke her wrist. I sent the Clerk this evening to make enquiries about her.

Rev. Gabriel J. Davies came as usual this evening to help carry Rosa up stairs. He kindly comes every evening and generally in the morning to help with her.

Sharp frost last night. Roads very slippery this morning.

Rev. H. A. Pickard, Her Majesty’s Inspector came and took needlework. The children have done very badly, passing only 70 per cent, doubtless due to the irregularity of attendance caused by the epidemic of measles and whooping cough which prevailed last summer and autumn.

Mrs Davies called this afternoon and Mr Davies this evening.

Thomas Webb, the carrier, called this evening and said that William Hall’s children had stolen two shillings from his shop and told people that I had given them the money.

Received letter and photo from Lily Stevens, daughter of my only brother Richard who lives at Chesterfield, Macoupin County, Illinois, USA.

Bell and I visited Mr and Mrs Mann at Blenheim farm. The ground was covered with snow, but the sun shone bright and we had a very pleasant walk.

Sent Webb to drive Mr and Mrs Davies to Banbury on their way to Helidon on a visit of inspection. The living has been offered to Mr Davies by the Patron Mr Holthouse.

Snow. Drove to Banbury. Drove out Mr and Mrs Davies.

I invented carrying apparatus for steep gradients so that Webb and I can carry Rosa up and down our steep staircase without difficulty. None of the carrying chairs I have ever seen are of any use in this house.

Visited Sarah Goff and Phillips.

Applied to Religious Tract Society for grant for Village Library.

More snow at night.

Visited Mrs Shelswell, Mr Norris, Mr Dix, Mr and Mrs Davies, Mrs Turner. Bell was with me.

Visited T. Holland, W. Hall, J. Coleman, H Keene, Joshua Lines.

Great excitement at Burdrop this evening. It was said that a man had left the Bishop Blaise for Shutford the worse for drink in company with James Gilkes who had suddenly missed him when they got along Shutford Road. Charles Lines and several other men took lanterns to look for him without success. I saw them in Alcock’s Lane on their return. The man supposed to be lost is a clock-maker from Hornton.