Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Sent a brief memoir of the late Canon Payne to the Guardian.

Visited Richard Austin of Sibford Ferris who is suffering from dropsy. he is a curious man – very fond of his own opinions on every subject. He has never been to church since I have been here, though I have spoken several times about his duty in this respect. He says he was baptized at Great Bourton. He sometimes goes to the Friends’ meeting House but does not like it to be insinuated that he is a Quaker, a sect for which he appears to not have a great amount of respect. I fancy he has quarreled with some of them which tinges his views. He says my church is too noisy – and there is too much formality.

Drove Bell and Lottie to Brailes with some Four-shire Books. Saw Mr Smith who told me of John Cooper’s serious illness at Burlington. He is a Solicitor (son in law of Mr S.) and was agent to the Conservative Candidate. He worked very hard; had haemorrage of the lung, was unable to vote, and the Radical Candidate got in by a majority of one.

Showery and close. Visited Hannah Simmons. Was pained to hear her talk about the death of her grand child Eliza Simmons who was sent to London to a Home, by Misses Norris and Canon Payne. She was confined in a lying in Hospital and died, the doctor told me, of pleurisy. The old woman says they “killed her.”

Services at 10.30 am. and 7 pm.

Drove to Tadmarton this afternoon and took service at 3. Preached funeral sermon for late Rector, Rev. Edmund James Smith. The church was full, a great number from Swalcliffe being present.

I had given notice of a Children’s Service at 3 in my own church, but had to postpone it.

Rev. C. H. Daniel, Bursar of Worcester College, took the service at Tadmarton this morning.

Mr. MacDermot and Mr. Salmon spoke to me about the sequestration which I had advised them to obtain. They had promptly asked on my advice.

Took Penny Bank at school this morning.

Received from the Clergy Mutual Life Insurance Office, in which I am insured for £1000 that my premium is reduced from £60 a year to £56.18.2.

Taught in School from 9 to 10 this morning.

Mr Elley said he wanted another desk, not having sufficient accommodation for the children in the 3rd and higher Standards. I told him to communicate with Poulton and ask him to give me an estimate for a desk to correspond with those now in use.