Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1894, September 22, Saturday 

Received a letter from W Langley who is at Marden, Kent, asking that the school might remain closed till Oct 8th as his work there was not finished. I think it should be granted, as he was engaged on terms among others, of 5 weeks’ holiday at Harvest, and the closing of the School in the Spring on account of fever was not at his request. I sent a note down to Mr Woolgrove asking him to speak with me in the vestry tomorrow about it. Drove to Banbury to bring out Frank who had written to say he would arrive from Tutbury at 5.11 pm. I did not get away till 3.20. The mare went slowly, so that I did not reach Banbury till 4.50. I drove direct to the station. The train was 20 minutes late. So I put the mare up at the “Red Lion” and gave her a feed of corn. She came out very well. Frank drove. I sent a large tea-canister full of “Williams’s Bon Chrétien” pears, plums and damsons to Bessie. The carriage was 10d which I paid. We reached home about 8:20.

1894, September 23, Sunday 

A little rain this morning and a good deal in the afternoon. Mr Woolgrove came into the vestry after morning service. He agreed with me that the School might have the usual five weeks’ Harvest Holiday this year as requested by Mr Langley. Yesterday I received a note from Mr Riddle asking me to preach Harvest sermon for him on the 7th inst. I replied, by Carrier that I was unable to promise to do so, as my own Thanksgiving service was fixed for that day, but that I or Harry or both of us would be free and glad to help him on the 30th.

1894, September 24, Monday 

Slight rain in morning. Fine afterwards. Joshua Lamb called for Loggin Poor Rate £1.4.2½, i.e. 33 per cent more than last time when it was about 18/9. Frank walked to Hook Norton and took dress coat to Osborne, tailor, for repairs, and ordered a pair of black trousers. Called on Mr and Mrs. J Woolgrove to enquire after the latter who was thrown down in the yard by a sick stirk on Sunday afternoon. She was bruised, but not seriously hurt. Mr Woolgrove said Jesse Bishop had been abusing him again in very vile language about the Farm business some years ago, when he fell out with the Valuer he employed. He abused me also to Woolgrove and said he would write to the Bishop about me. Woolgrove replied that he could do it at once. I enquired of Sam Miller, our land agent, when Bishop insulted me about the matter some time ago, whether he had any cause of complaint. He said “Not the least, so far as the Trustees are concerned.” Both Austin and Bishop are very sore and even insulting about that business, but they have no real ground of complaint against anyone but themselves.

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