Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

I sent to the Lands’ Improvement Company £9.5.11 being the last instalment of a loan made to the Sibford Town Estates 25 years ago for improving buildings at Sibford Heath Farm.

Annie Webb, daughter of Eli Webb of Sibford Ferris called to ask my advice. She has given birth to a child in her father’s house of which she declares the father to be a young man living in the town where she had been in service for some years and who refuses to pay anything for the support of the child. I recommended her to apply to a respectable solicitor in Banbury to take out a summons against him. He said he promised marriage before he seduced her, and then behaved very ill. I spoke seriously to her about her sin etc, and she promised to act on my advice. The result was that the man offered to marry her – and I married them a few weeks afterwards.

Annunciation of B.V.M. Divine Service at 9.15.

George Harris, my tenant, sent me a notice, appended herewith. I did not reply to it.

Note loose in diary:

Sibford Gower
Mar 25th 1886

Reverend Sir

I give you notice to leave this land and premieses at Michaelmas ecept an alteration of rent as things are so much altered I should be please to arrange with you if we can come to terms

Yours obedient
G. Harris

Visited School, Thomas Green, Mrs Shelswell, Hannah Simmons.

Returned overcoats (Soldiers’) not sold to F.W. Harmer & Co of Norwich and cheque for £4 for those sold. The men in the parish were not so desirous of purchasing them as I thought they would be.

Drove Bell to Wroxton, took Webb. Preached Lenten Sermon this evening at Wroxton Church for Izatt. Very windy and rainy. Took supper at Vicarage. Intensely dark and wild night. Wind broke one of my lamps so we had to come along with only one light which was very unpleasant.