Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Attended school morning and afternoon.

Visited Soldier Green (pensioner) who was recently married in London to Kate Herbert a servant living at Addington, but belonging to Tadmarton and having two sisters living in the parish, viz Bodfish’s wife and John Holtom’s concubine.

Visited Phoebe Payne, George Green, and Thomas Lively (out).

Library committee at 6.30 this evening. Resolved to get books from Religious Tract Society with aid of grant.

Gave out Coal Tickets for Town Estate.

Bright and frosty.

Attended school in morning.

Phillips of Sibford Ferris carter to Mr Woolgrove, but a Brailes man, is very badly off with large family. Mr W. discharged him two or three weeks ago. His wife is ill and they are almost starving. She sent to me for help. I sent for the man. He came, and said he had offer of situation at Kilsby near Rugby but was to go and see the gentleman. He wanted keep for his journey etc. So I gave him 5/- for the purpose.

George Harris, my tenant, paid his rent up to Michaelmas last.

Very fine this afternoon. We took Rosa in her wheel chair round Pound Lane, Pig & Whistle, etc.

William Lamb called for Rates and Taxes.

Received from Simpkin Marshall & Co £38.13.11 for sales of A.C.S. for half year ending Dec 31 last.

Trustees’ Meeting at 2 pm in the School room.

Mr Mann proposed that certain allotments at the Heath which now let for £1.10 per acre should be reduced to £1. None of the tenants have ever complained to me of the rent ; on the contrary there has always been a great desire to have the 7/6 pieces as being better land and more accessible than the others.

Mr and Mrs Davies came this evening.

Visited Hannah Keene who had a “stroke” yesterday, and fell down in her cottage near fireplace whilst washing up after breakfast. No one went to the cottage till 7 or 8 at night when Long the baker, her landlord, went to see whether she was safe. He got help and I found her well cared for. I have always feared that the poor old woman would be either burnt to death or be taken ill and suffer for hours – or even die – without help, as her cottage is a lonely one up the yard behind the Baker’s at Sibford Ferris.

Visited Hannah Simmons and William Fox.

Baptized child of Thomas Adams, junior, of Blenheim.

Visited Boys’ and Girls’ Schools and taught Choir this evening.

Mary Evans, sister of Eliza Barnes widow of my late clerk, died. She was at one time housemaid in service of Mr Lea rector of Tadmarton. Her health became somewhat delicate, so he set her to teach the village children in a small “dame school.” She has been of feeble intellect for many years and in very delicate health.