Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Richard Austin’s niece, Coles, a woman of 45 or more who is a notorious drunkard came and asked for some port wine and brandy for him. But she brought no doctor’s order, and I did not feel that I could trust her, as she steals her uncle’s money when she can get a chance and gets drunk. So I took some wine and brandy with me and entrusted them to her father who said it was of no use to trust her.

Dull and cold. Drove up to Sibford Heath. Hancox has removed all the straw from the Furze Land. Some was sold to Soden, and the rest to a Banbury man. Drove to Swalcliffe and consulted Mr Norris on the matter. He said he owed Hancox £5 or £6 for butter and would see if he could not retain it for the charity on account of removal of straw contrary to agreement.

Visited Richard Walker, blacksmith, about the boy Jarvis who tells me that Walker refused to teach him his trade and sent him out to work for Ainge and took his wages. Walker and his wife charge the boy with an indecent assault on their little girl aged 3 or 4. I said Walker would have to account to the Guardians of Headington Union who had paid him £12 premium with the boy. I informed him that I felt it my duty to write to the Guardians about the boy, but would give them a few days to consider the matter themselves and they should come and let me know if they altered their present determination of not having the boy in the business.

Visited Rev Mr White, Richard Austin, Thomas Keene and the Misses Dix.

Very cold. Slight shower this afternoon.

Visited John Reason, Widow Thomas Manning, Anne Fox, Richard Austin.

Wrote to “National Society” about the “Teaching of the Prayer Book.”

Jesse Bishop called and handed me a written notice to quit the Heath Farm at Michaelmas next year.

Lovely day.

Harvest Festival. Mr Graham Jones and Mrs G. J. preached evening. Came to tea and supper. Largest congregation I have ever seen here. Church very full.

This evening Lord, sidesman of Tadmarton, came with a note from Mrs Smith of the Rectory Tadmarton asking me to tea with her next Sunday as she heard I was going to preach the harvest Sermon there. I replied that as Lord told me Rev Mr Willoughby offered to preach in the afternoon I should give him some tea here before driving to Tadmarton.

As a matter of fact the churchwardens have not asked me to preach, though the sidesman has told me that they are anxious I should do so and the people want me. I told Lord to expect me next Sunday, and that if Mr Willoughby came here in the afternoon I would drive him to Tadmarton.