Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Mixed weather, rain, hail, bright sunshine and frost.

A Ruri-decanal chapter was held at the Vicarage (St Mary’s) Banbury. I did not go, as the weather was bad.

Bell and I walked to Swalcliffe this afternoon and called on Mr and Mrs Hall at the Rectory Farm. They have only recently been married.

Mr Hall who is Guardian of the Poor for Swalcliffe and one of the Rating Committee told me, in confidence, that the Committee had raised my assessment from £17.10 to £25. He had endeavoured to prevent it but unsuccessfully. I suppose that my Vicarage is worth £25 or more, if Mrs Norris’s house and Miss Dix’s are worth £25 each.

Divine Service at 7 pm. 70 or more people present.

Fine bright day. Frosty. Drove Bell and Frank to Banbury. Took Burdon. Horse nearly fell at bottom of Pitch Hill and got up “Long hedge” with difficulty. So I stopped at Swalcliffe and had some “frost nails” put in her shoes, after which she went better.

From Banbury we drove to Wigginton to the re-opening of the church after restoration. We were too late for the commencement of the service, though we were not much behind, about 2.35 instead of 2.30. The Bishop of Oxford preached. He is beginning to look very old – but his voice is firm. We had tea in schoolroom afterwards, and then returned home, not caring to stay for the evening service owing to the cold and the slippery condition of the roads.

There has been a heavy snow storm in North Wales and Scotland.

Letter pasted into diary

Received Dec 2 1886

21 The Butts
Warwick

Sir

I hope you wont think I have taken to great a liberty in writing a few lines to you to ask you if you would be so kind as to give me and my wife a Testimonial as we are trying to obtain this situation as I have sent you the advertisement the cooking is very plain and I feel sure I can manage it would you be so kind as to speak particularly as to cleanleness as that is one of the chief things the solicitor tell us if you would be kind enough to grant me this favour I should feel greatly obliged thanking you and Mrs Stevens for your past favours bestowed upon us

I beg to remain your
Humble Servant
William Line
late of Swalcliffe Lodge

PS please send it to me as I may send it in with my application.

I replied to the effect that I was sorry to learn, and to know that they had given way to intemperance at Swalcliffe, and said that if they would “sign the pledge” which I sent them I would write a favourable testimonial. I have not yet (Dec 30) received any reply.