Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Drove to Banbury with Frank, who left by 12.24 train for B Thorneywill Esq, Tutbury, Burton-on-Trent, where he is to help in some Amateur Theatricals tomorrow. He purposes to return on Saturday. It was fine, mild and dry, but rather cloudy. Mrs Kershaw and Miss Heskett came to tea.

Gave Elizabeth Manning Certificate of Marriage of Edward Dyke and Annie Brooks Lively which took place Oct.7.1891 at Sibford. She brought me a postal order for 2/6. I told her they should have sent 3/7 but they might send the balance at another time.

Received invitation for Bell and myself to visit my cousin William Green, Highlands Sarisbury Southampton. He says Maude is not yet home.

Dull and a little rain. Visited Miss and S Dix this evening. Bessie Thame was there. Mr Thomas, farmer of Brailes, called this evening and asked me to publish Banns of Marriage between himself and Miss Cluff on Sunday next. They have fixed Oct 16 for the wedding.

I visited Florence Manning, Mrs Holtom of Sibford Heath was there.

Matthew’s Day, Litany and Ante Communion at 11. Churched Mrs Jewell before service. Sent off Magazine matter, wrote sheet about Harvest Festival etc and sent it to Potts of Banbury to print. Called on Miss Dix this evening about the decorations etc. Walked round Sibford Ferris etc at night. The preaching appears to be still going on at the Evangelists’ tent.

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.