1886, August 9, Monday a
Took Bell to Swalcliffe to see carriages and furniture at the Vicarage which are to be sold by Graves and Miller, auctioneers, tomorrow.
W. Lines and his wife (coachman and laundress) who were in Canon Payne’s service over 30 years asked me to send an advertisement to the Oxford Journal for them which I promised to do.
Mrs Thomas Gaydon sent for me to call to speak to her when convenient. So I went up this evening. She told me that the girl Rose Newton (man?) had taken out an affiliation summons against her son Richard which was returnable next Saturday. She said Richard solemnly denies having ever “touched” the girl: that he had seen her and sometimes walked a bit with her. She had written to him many times. Her son William Gaydon’s wife saw Rose N. and George Aris in Banbury together last autumn and walked with them as far as Tadmarton. George Aris and Rose N. went to the Public House there – where he “gave her the slip” – Mrs Gaydon wanted me to write a letter to the magistrates. I said I could not do that; as “character” was of no use in such a matter. I advised that a respectable solicitor should be asked to appear for Richard and get the best evidence he could in his favour. Mrs. Gaydon said that the conduct of some of the young women and young men of the village was very disgraceful. Her house being close to the Cross she saw a great deal of it, and much more than she wished. I said I was shocked beyond measure at the conduct which I heard of.
Cutting from the Banbury Advertiser, 19 August 1886
A BRAILES AFFILIATION CASE.— Rose Newman, of Gally Hill, Brailes, charged Richard Gaydon with being the father of her illegitimate child which only lived a fortnight, being born in July. The doctor’s bill was 19s., funeral expenses 14s. 6d., and 4s. for maintenance while living.—Annie Coles, of Shutford, gave evidence that she saw Gaydon and plaintiff together on 19th of October, the time stated.—Mrs. Harriet Newman, the mother, said the young man used to go to their house always on a Sunday to visit her daughter, and he used to have a drink with them.—James Newman, plaintiff’s brother, gave evidence that defendant payed his addresses to his sister. —The Bench made an order for £1 17s. 6d., and expenses to be paid.
