Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Conversion of St Paul. Only Frank, my servant Eliza and the Clerk were present beside myself.

Snow last night. Rapid thaw all day with dense fog.

Buried Mark Barnes’s youngest child Mark; the certificate gave the name Mark Aram Barnes, but as I baptized the child privately by the name of Mark only, I so entered it in the Burial Register.

I did not have the children at Church owing to the inclemency of the weather, and told Mr and Mrs Elley to give them some bread and milk at 11. The children were pleased enough.

Thaw continues. Drove to Brailes. Mr Davies accompanied me. Called on Mr Smith, who told me he had written to tell me he had made up his mind to resign his living in favour of his son-in-law Garrard.

Thaw continues. Wrote to London & County Bank to transfer £150 from deposit account to drawing account and sent deposit receipt for purpose.

Called on Mr Dix, Mrs Dix, Miss Somerton and John Harris senior.

Fine. Thaw continues.

Webb unwell : not at work.

Snow and rain.

Joseph John Lamb called for Sibford Ferris allotments land tax for Richard Austin who is not well.

Webb still at home suffering from diarrhoea and sickness. I called to enquire after him. Charles Barnes is doing his work.

Webb still at home.

Sent £2.2 advertisement “To Ecclesiastical Patrons” to the “Globe” newspaper.

Visited W. Fox, H. Keene, S. Goff, Mr Oddie, H. Simmons.

The roads are unusually soft and muddy even for this time of year, owing to successive frosts and thaws.

Very showery.

Attended Choir practice this evening. The boy Edgar Lines was not there. He sat in the men’s seats this afternoon and was absent this morning.

Webb took Doctor’s certificate to go on his club. Charles Barnes is still doing Webb’s work.

My advertisement to Ecclesiastical Patrons etc appeared in the “Globe”.

Sent half price copy of De Bello Gallico in A.C.S. to A. G. Jupp Grammar School, Northgate, Chichester per Simpkins.

Purification of B. V. Mary. Fine day. Service at 9.15.

Visited Dr Routh (not in), Hannah Simmons, Eli Webb (not in), Mrs Shelswell to congratulate her on her son Harry having passed his final examination for Incorporated Law Society. He and his brother Arthur called here this afternoon.

Walked to Hook Norton and took service for Mr Cox who is conducting a mission at Malvern. Service at 7. Mr Davies accompanied me. We called at the Rectory both before and after the service. Miss Godson was there before service.

Snow and rain.

Received Government Inspector’s Report of School. Visited School.

Visited Thomas Aris.

Administered Holy Communion to Hannah Simmons. Her daughter in law from Swalcliffe was with her.

Called on Dr Routh to speak about Trustees Meeting and accounts.