Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Visited Mrs Shelswell.

Attended Band Practice. The men had some sample uniforms (old soldiers) to try on. Blue, with yellow facings: 15/- the suit, including scarlet cap. They are almost as good as new and are to cost only 15/- the suit.

Made offertory for organ fund to close the account.

Attended Choir practice this evening.

Penny Bank. Very little to be done in this way now. The Actuary of the Banbury Savings Bank told me that nearly all the clergy in the neighbourhood had given up their Penny Banks finding the good done by them totally inadequate to the labour involved in keeping them up.

Received letter from Dr Routh resigning his seat in the board of Trustees, chiefly because one trustee has talked in the village about what was said at Trustees meeting and he, Routh, has been rudely treated by one man. He alludes to the conduct of Mr Mann who told Robert Austin that Mr Routh and all the other Trustees except himself voted against the farm being divided and let in part, to Robert Austin. Hence the Carter will not speak to Routh when he sees him. Routh told me this afterwards in his own house when I called to see him on the matter. He spoke very bitterly of Mr Mann’s conduct – but said he had his living to get by his profession and therefore did not wish to offend anyone.

Drove Bell to Banbury. Sent apples to Aunt Emma and to Bessie.

Visited Mr Woolgrove – Mrs Woolgrove was ill in bed. I paid Mr Woolgrove from Offertory the balance due to him on the organ account. Mr Mann told me he had given the receipt for the cash paid for the organ to Mr Woolgrove. Mr Woolgrove says he has never had it. Mr Mann has not given me particulars of receipts and expenditure on this account though he has been asked once or twice and has promised to do so.

Rain and high wind.

Visited Sarah Hone. W. Barton’s wife was there – I spoke to her about the allotments. She said they would not like to give up their 7/6 piece.

I saw a lamb of Lewis Poulton’s lying in field as though it were nearly dead – and called on his wife at the house to direct their attention to it. When Mrs P. and myself entered the field, the lamb jumped up and ran away.

Visited Benjamin Aris, Widow Bond, Thomas Barnes, Henry Harris.

Divine Service at 7 pm with sermon. 40 present.

William Payne came to ask me to witness signature of himself and Lewis Poulton to draw club money from Banbury Savings Bank. Poulton signed in Vestry after Service. The Club is doing very badly.

Bell and I called on Rev H. Merritt White at “Burdrop House”. We saw him, but not Mrs W. who was “nursing the baby”.

Visited Mrs Shelswell, Mrs John  Barnes and Mr James Rimell.