Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Fine day. Left Banbury for Oxford at 8.30 am. Met Amy Ferguson at Oxford Station at 11.40. Shewed her the chief sights of Oxford. Brought her out here by the 5.25 train. Harry met us on the road out. Amy is on her way to Chester and breaks her journey here till Monday.

I was unable to attend the Band meeting at 8.30, but had previously sent a note to Thomas Lamb telling him the reason and recommending him to postpone the special business.

Mr Elley took rents of Sibford Ferris allotments for me.

Met Mr Macey, rector of Oxhill, at Banbury Station. His son and daughter were with him. The former of the two was going up for his Responsions Viva Voce, as a non-collegiate student. I saw him in the evening and was glad to hear he had passed.

Mr Willoughby M.A. of Worcester College, who is taking the duty at Tadmarton, came out and preached for me this afternoon. I drove him to Tadmarton after tea and preached the Harvest Festival Sermon there. The Collections were for the Horton Infirmary. Called on Mrs Smith at the Rectory.

Mr Austin Gardner called on me to consult me about his affairs. He has mortgaged his farm and house etc and appears to have been negligent in keeping up the payment of his interest and now the mortgage, represented by Munton & Stockton, the solicitors of Banbury, have given him notice to give up possession of all, although they have received rents from Coles, who rents the land, sufficient to pay all interest due. It seems a hard case and consequently I recommended him to write to Mr Walsh, solicitor of Oxford, and ask him what he could do.

Drove Amy Ferguson to Banbury on her way to Birkenhead. Bell and Harry accompanied us.

Met on our return Mrs Smith of Tadmarton Rectory who was walking to Banbury with one of her girls who was crying very much on her return to school at Leamington.

Delightful weather, as warm as July.

Buried John Barry Adkins aged 10 months, a twin son of John Adkins of Sibford Ferris.

Visited Austin Gardner. Saw Mrs Gardner only. Her boy William is going apprentice to a grocer at New Brompton. She asked me to ascertain the character of the people he is going to by writing to the clergyman, which I did and found theye were respectable people – but dissenters. I gave her 10/- to give the boy.

Visited School of Science and Art, Richard Austin, Widow Elizabeth Harris, Oliver Harris, Richard Walker, Miss Somerton, W. Harris.

Drove Bell to Sutton under Brailes, where I preached the Harvest Sermon.

Henry Bishop paid 5/- for windows his boy broke in the Schoolroom. Sent the money to Fox next day.