Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

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.

Very wet. Frank could not leave to return to Chislehurst by the train 1.24 pm which he had intended to go by.

Harriet Sabin called and asked for help towards a pair of boots for the winter. I gave her a cheque for a sovereign for School-cleaning for Easter to Michaelmas which was 5/6 more than I gave her last year, and 2/6 in cash. I told her that I and others were willing to help her all we could, but that it was not to be supposed that we could help to keep her daughter Sarah.