Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Visited Canon Payne. Mr Mann called this evening about the draining he has had done for me. Soon after he came in David Hone called for his money. I gave it to Mr Mann to pay him. He said it was 8/- with which Hone was “for once in his life” satisfied. I offered to pay Mr Mann for the tiles used, but he said I was welcome to them, they were not many and they were surplusage lying in his farm. He had no use for them and was sure the college would not object to their being used for such a purpose on the glebe of a parish in its gift : and that he could mention it to the authorities on the first opportunity. He made me a present of the cost of carriage and I thanked him for the trouble he had taken in the matter. He stayed an hour or two and made himself very pleasant.

Divine Service 9.15 am.

Drove to Banbury and took duty at Savings Bank from 11 – 2.

Rev James Hodgson, for 34 years Vicar of Bloxham, was buried today. I was invited to attend the funeral, but could not go, being due at the Savings Bank.

Mr Joseph Woolgrove called this evening and asked me to summon the Church Vestry Meeting for Easter Monday as usual at 10 am which I promised to do.

Good Friday. Fine day. Divine Service at 10.30 and at 3. About 130 persons were present in the morning, but less in the afternoon.

Frank ran in just before dinner this afternoon and said he had seen a snake basking on the border under the wall on the east side of the lawn. Webb and I searched, but could find nothing. Perhaps, indeed it was most likely imagination on Frank’s part, for we have never seen a snake since we have been here. In fact I have never heard of one being seen in the parish.

I affixed to the Church door a notice of Vestry Meeting to be held on Easter Monday in the School room at 10 am in accordance with my churchwarden, Mr Woolgrove’s request. This has been the day and hour of meeting so far as I can learn, ever since Easter vestries have been held here – and was departed from on only one occasion, viz last year, when at the request of both churchwardens, but at the suggestion of Mr Mann who was at that time people’s warden, it was held at 7 in the evening.

Divine Service at 9.15. Thunderstorm this afternoon.

Visited Mr George Dix, Miss Somerton, W.Fox who has been laid up with rheumatic gout ever since November. Also visited John Harris, and Mrs Dix, who is ill; but I did not see her.