Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

I lay in bed till noon, resting my leg. Blacksmith Walker’s wife called to arrange for funeral on Friday next at 3.30 pm of George Wise’s child, aged 10 months, which died of croup this morning.

Heavy rain with thunderstorm from 11.30 – 2. On Monday morning last Mrs Padbury’s big black dog bit the little boy Benjamin Hyde. The same dog bit Frank 4 or 5 years ago. I went to see the boy. The bite seemed a severe one. The mother had sent for the doctor. My leg is somewhat better today.

Fine bright morning. Thunderstorms and heavy rain at 2.30 pm. Soon cleared up. Buried George (son of George Wise carrier, of Sibford Ferris) age 10 months, at 3.45. The funeral was a quarter of an hour late.

Fine, but threatening all day. Drove Bell and Miss Sottick to Hook Norton. We had scarcely left our door when we met Captain and Mrs Paul, who were coming to call on us. They were driving and would not turn back. We went on to Hook Norton. I called at Bull’s, the Vet Surgeon, to pay small account, but he was not at home and Mrs Bull did not know what it was. I called on Osborne, Tailor, and paid him a guinea on account of Frank. We called on Cox at the Rectory. He tells me he has been appointed to his late father’s living in Devonshire and will be going there in about six weeks. He told me the living was in the gift of certain electors, former and present landowners of the parish. Mr Kendall, of Great Tew, and his curate called whilst we were there.

viii Sunday after Trinity. Taught in Boys School this morning. My leg is better, but feels somewhat weak. Bell and Rosa visited Miss Sabin and Widow Mary Sabin for me. It was cooler today, but we had no rain.