Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Somewhat showery. Drove to Banbury and took duty as Manager of Savings Bank from 11.00 to 2.30. Introduced myself to Mr Ramsay the new Vicar of Swalcliffe who was pointed out to me at the gate of the Red Lion. He told me he was staying for the present at Major Norris’s Swalcliffe Park and that he was to be inducted next Saturday by Rev H Gepp Vicar of Adderbury whom ke knew, as Dr Wood was unable to come.

The mare had either bitten or rubbed her knees and fore hocks during the night and they looked so bad that I got the ostler of the Red Lion to put wet bandages on and she came out in them. She went extremely well, both going and returning. I got some lotion for her knees at Bartlett’s the Chemist, used at Newmarket and highly recommended.

Rain all day. Went up to School room this morning. Ezra Green and Harriet Sabin were at work cleaning.

Joseph Green called this morning for 17/6 due from Town Estate for mason’s work at Heath Farm. I wrote to R. Bentley & Sons, publishers, about my “Stories and Sketches from a Vicar’s Diary”.

Drove Bell to Bloxham and called on Mrs Kershaw who removed thither whilst we were in London. Dr Routh was there being in attendance on her and on her groom-gardener Truss.

Married at 2pm Edward Andrew Scruby, age 19, and Caroline Wilkes, of Wigginton, lately servant at Dr Routh’s. She has been living at Edward Scruby’s since she left her situation in disgrace. She calls herself 23, but she looks more. He is 19.

Whitsunday. Fine. HC at 8am, 15 communicants. 4/6. I was rather unwell this afternoon. I am usually so after early communion. Bell and I called on Mrs Shelswell’s. Miss Dix and Mr John were there. Mrs H Shelswell was not so well and had gone to bed again.

Whitmonday. Fine. School reopened with about 60 children after having been closed 2 months on account of scarlet fever. No child who has had the disease or “whose home is infected” (Franny’s words) is allowed to come. He sent a list of children who had had the fever, but it appears to be incomplete, as he does not mention Joshua Lines’s who are said to have had it.

The schoolroom has been well cleaned and disinfected.

I took Penny Bank and Clothes Club at 12 and Library at 7. I had all the money brought put into a dish of ‘Sanitas’ and fumigated the library books brought back. Miss Dix had taken some of te women’s clothes club money and entered it on their cards whilst the school was closed and sent me an account of it.

Visited Mr Cluff, J Woolgrove, W Haynes, Widow Hathaway Goughs. Saturday last I began to use the servants’ roomy bedroom as a writing room.

Divine Service at 9.15am.