Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Somewhat foggy, but otherwise fine. Visited Mrs Turner, Thomas Keen and Job Harris. Messrs Miller and Abbotts collect the allotment rents this evening. Mrs Shelswell’s furniture was sold by auction at Burdrop to day.

xxi Trinity. Attended Boys’ School. Published for first time Banns of Marriage between Westbury, widower, and Harris, Widow. Charles said they were living at Chilloway Barn which Emanuel Dale has recently left. Each has a family. The niece has work on Blenheim Farm. They have been living, he was told, as man and wife. Mr Mann made them promise to get married as soon as possible. I did not hear where they came from.

Baptised Albert William son of Edward Andrew and Caroline Scruby. Harriet Scruby was godmother. She is a tall and good looking girl and knows well how to behave. She has been living at a place in Castle Bromwich for a year and is returning in a few days.

I visited Mr Ainge and saw him in bed. He is a trifle better.

Suffering from pain in chest for past day or two from indigestion. Visited School and taught a little. Took Clothing Club and Penny Bank money. Very cold wind. The women had their Harvest tea in school room, and also a dance afterwards. The band played one or two tunes outside the school room and then, it was said, marched to Sibford Ferris. I found them at the outside of the “Bishop Blaize” at Burdrop. I did not say anything to them, but I thought that while the men played fairly well the beer played very ill. All was quiet and orderly enough when I went into the school room. I had told the women it must be closed at 11. I visited Miss Dix and then walked round Sibford Ferris and the Elm.

Fine and dry. On enquiring of Mr Langley and Mrs Langley about the tea and dance last night, they said everything was very quiet and orderly, but they did not close quite by 11. The school floor had not been scrubbed as there was not time. Mr and Mrs L had put down some “Sanitas”. I requested Mr L to let the women know they must scrub it on Saturday. He told me that Poulton said that if the floor were danced on much, it would probably go in entirely as it was getting much worn and shaky. At 11 am I married Miss Sarah Cluff to Mr John Alfred Thomas, of Chaylesmore Farm, Brailes, and went to Breakfast at Mr Cluff’s afterwards. I walked round Pound Lane and Tyne Hill. Called at Jane Messenger’s and Mr Ainge’s. The latter seems a good deal better. Heard an example of Soldier Henry Harris’s rudeness.