Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

Fine. Married Eliza Webb, daughter of William Webb of “Pig & Whistle” to James Claridge. Churched Mrs Lovell.

Mary Robinson, age 19, came to Vestry and asked me to assist her to get a situation. She was for 3 years 4 months with Mrs Flint of Market Harboro as housemaid. The Flints left for Cork and she not liking to go so far away took a situation with a Mrs Walker of South Yardley, Acock’s Green, Birmingham. She was there only 3 weeks, left because she was unwell, the place being too hard for her. She had to do a lot of scrubbing, and the stooping hurt her head. She had brain fever in Sibford and the doctor said much stooping might bring it on again. Then she went to Mr Bliss, Solicitor, Banbury, fell down and sprained her ankle. I had heard that either she or Emma had been dismissed from her situation because of dishonesty. She said there was not the slightest truth in the charge. Mrs Bodfish had first told her of it, and she had heard that Betty Wilks had told Mrs Lively and that the letter had told some one else. She has been home 3 weeks. Her last two mistresses decline to give her a character for so short a period, and Mrs Walker of South Yardley who had a character of her from Mrs Flint has destroyed it. I said she might mention my name.

I called at widow Reason’s this evening to give her the value of her clothing club ticket, but found she had gone to bed. Called on Mr Oddie to enquire after his wife, who is ill at Scarborough. She is better. I asked him who was his informant as to the alleged dishonesty of Mary Robinson. He said it was Leake and he gave him to understand that it was the girl’s mother who told him.