Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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Jesse Bishop came this evening to ask whether the Trustees would abate his rent (£120 for Sibford Heath Farm, about 160 acres). I said the Trustees would consider any application made them in writing. He said he thought they would meet tomorrow, the 21st. I replied that he had no reason to think so, for there had never been a meeting before the end of the year to my knowledge. I could see that he did not want to pay his rent and yet wished to see how I should take it. So I told him in very firm and unmistakeable tones that if the rent were not paid tomorrow I should have to put the matter into the solicitors’ hands. He said a good deal about the Farm Committee not keeping their promises, about Austin’s bad farming, and my “refusing to let his children come to school for less than 6d per week” or to bring the matter before the Trustees, and committed himself to other untrue statements for which I had to reprove him very sharply.

Received note from Jesse Bishop saying he could not possibly pay his rent today but that he would pay £40 in a week and the balance as soon as possible. I called on Dr Routh, my co-Treasurer, and we agreed that I should write to him to the effect that we accepted his offer of £40 in a week and that we could give him a fortnight after that to pay the other £20. If the amounts were not paid on or before the days named I should instruct Solicitor to apply to his (Jesse Bishop’s) sureties. I also reminded him that the Trustees could claim for 9 months’ rent.

I visited William Kay, and his daughter, Mary Wilks. I told her what Mr Bliss said about Eliza Harris’s niece and executrix. She seemed to think he said it only in joke, but was surprised she should joke in such a manner, with strangers and in such a a place. She seems to have confidence in her that she will distribute the assets in accordance with the directions of the will. Mary Wilks told me she had not made any charge for nursing, etc, but had had some articles of furniture whilst the niece, and a nephew living at Tysoe had taken the rest. I pointed out to her that they should all have been sold for best price they would fetch, and the proceeds duly accounted for. She saw that at once and said she asked the niece (Maria Walker?) whether that ought not to be done.