Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Cold and bright. Drove Bell and Frank to Brailes and Winderton.

Called to enquire for Mr Smith. He had a fainting fit a week or two ago and was very bad. He is better, but cannot see anyone.

Visited Dr Routh and Mrs Woolgrove.

John Ainge died this morning somewhat suddenly – though he had been ailing a long time.

Rather heavy fall of snow this morning. Very few children in School. Only 4 in afternoon.

I did not go out all day.

Visited Mr Ainge, also Mrs Pettipher, senior, who returned a few weeks ago from Bridgewater, near Boston, U.S.A. where she went at the end of last summer with her brother a Mr Prophett who is an undertaker etc there. She appears to have enjoyed her visit and voyages very much.

Visited Elizabeth Harris, Hannah Simmons, John Reason.

Mr and Mrs Davies came to tea.

Dr Routh asked me to say at Guardians’ Meeting that something ought to be done to prevent spread of smallpox by provision of Village hospitals or otherwise; for the disease existed at Hook Norton, and this afternoon a navvy (I understand) who had it full on him came to his house at Sibford Ferris and waited there for two hours to see him (the doctor).

Snow this morning, but bright and calm afterwards.

Edith Lines daughter of Joshua came for her Penny Bank money, placed there by the School trustees for her when she leaves School. She will not be 13 till May, and has not passed 4th standard. She has been engaged by Mrs Garrard of Brailes as a nurse maid. I told her I could not give her the half crowns till she was old enough to leave school. I afterwards saw Mrs Elley about the matter, as the child said Mrs Elley had told her she might leave.

Took Frank for a walk up Pound Lane. The snow has been very deep there and had to be cut out by the road men to allow of vehicles passing up and down.

Mr and Mrs Davies came to bid us farewell. They leave for Hellidon tomorrow. We shall miss them very much for their society has cheered us very much in our somewhat isolated condition.

Mr and Mrs Davies left for Hellidon this morning. Austin Gardner drove them in wagonette and pair. The snow is still rather thick on the ground.

Rev. F. Garrard of Brailes came about the girl Edith Lines. He quite understood the matter, but his wife took the girl’s word that she was qualified to leave school. They will take a sister of hers for a time. The mother of the child (Joshua Lines’s wife) came to me in the evening and I explained matters to her. She expressed herself as quite satisfied. I gave her a soldier’s overcoat for her husband.