Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Received £5 from Harry returned loan for his travelling expenses to Pitgavenny, Elgin, last November.

My leg was not well enough to justify me in going out today or I should have seen Rev Dr Hole and family who sailed today for Halifax, N. Scotia.

I wrote to Hole on Friday addressing my letter to him on board “British Queen” saying I was unable to travel with comfort and safety. He is gone as Rector of St Paul’s Halifax and taking wife, 10 children and nurse.

Trinity Sunday. Queen’s Accession. Anniversary of first Sunday this church was opened for Public Worship. It was consecrated on June 17 Wednesday, 1840.

Children’s Service at 3 pm. Evening service at 7. Rosa attended Holy Communion and Children’s Service. Visited Mr Dix and saw Joseph Manning there.

Meeting in Schoolroom to form Sibford Branch of North Oxfordshire Conservative Association. Mr Bennett, Hon Sec of the Banbury division came over. Mr Joshua Woolgrove was elected Chairman, Daniel Sabin Vice-chairman and George Padbury Secretary. I said I thought a layman should be Chairman and therefore proposed Mr Woolgrove. Not many were present as the Band of Hope Tea and Entertainment were going on.

Mr Elley had told the children they should not be absent from school to attend the tea which did not take place till 4.30 and that if they came prepared they could go from the school at 4 precisely. But Miss Capper met some of them coming to school and sent them back telling them to go to the field at once. Mrs Elley was very indignant at this interference and came to me about it. I told her she had better see Miss Capper herself and tell her she had done very wrong, which she did.

I drove Bell and Cassie to Brailes, Sutton and Whichford. Met Mrs Bradley and her daughters in Sutton Lane. We visited Mr Coplestone, the Rector of Whichford. Saw his mother, his sister Mary and himself.

Received letter from Rev Gabriel J. Davies, Vicar of Hellidon inviting me to drive over and stay with him next week which I promised to do.

Visited Ellen Hone who has a bad foot and cannot get about. The man who has been living with her some time has left. I spoke seriously to her and relieved her present needs.

Visited Fanny Barnes, Phoebe Payne called to speak to me about her boy George Henry whom she and her husband wish to work as a half-timer at the Friends’ School. I told her she must speak to the Attendance Officer, Mr Bonner, about the matter and he would tell her what to do.