Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Taught in Boys’ School this morning.

Emma Lines brought a note from Louisa Lines asking me to visit Sarah (“Sally”) Lines, her mother in law, which I did this evening. The old woman is very ill. She wanted me to witness her signature, or rather mark, to an order to withdraw her money from Banbury Savings Bank and to empower her daughter, Mrs Widdows, to receive it. The old woman when young had a very indifferent reputation and had several bastard children. She then “married” James Lines, her own nephew, who died a year or two ago from the kick of a horse belonging to Richard Lamb which he was driving when the worse for drink.

The old woman seemed very penitent this evening and very thankful to me for going to pray with her. She wished very much to receive the Holy Communion but was afraid I would refuse it to her. Barber Haynes’s wife is nursing her.

Snow.

Joshua Lamb called for Sibford Ferris (Loggin) Poor Rates.

Visited Sally Lines and gave her the Holy Communion. Barber Haines’s wife and Polly Lines received with her. Mrs Haynes told me afterwards that Sally seemed very much happier in her mind since she had seen me last night.

Banbury Clerical Society meeting at Rev J. R. Izat’s, Wroxton Vicarage. It was an excellent meeting; but we did not take up our standing subject, the Book of Joshua, all our time being occupied in discussing Izat’s paper on the Report of the Committee of Convocation respecting the Spiritual Condition of the working classes, and whether the Church was doing its duty or not.

John Adkins, of Sibford Ferris, called this evening and asked me to fill up paper for Warneford Hospital at Leamington for his child Alice who has received an injury to the foot which does not yield to the treatment recommended by Routh.

Drove Bell to Brailes to the Induction of Rev Fred Garrard as Vicar on presentation by Mr Smith. Mr Pritchard Vicar of Newbold and Rural Deacon was the Inductor. We had a cup of tea at Mr Garrard’s after the service which was an interesting one, and being at 2.30 pm all the school children and a considerable number of parishioners were present.

Mrs Shelswell was here to tea with Rosa.

Foggy. Bell and I lunched at Wigginton Rectory with Mr and Mrs Mozley. Mr and Mrs Whitehead of South Newington Vicarage, and their son and daughter were of the party.

Visited school; Mr George Dix, but he was getting up so I did not see him. I saw Miss Dix there.

Visited Maryann Harris who has been very unwell and under Doctor’s hands, but is better and about again.