Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Very cold with a little rain. Bell and I visited Mary Sabin, Miss Dix and Mr & Mrs Ainge. The latter showed us a photograph of herself and her husband, which Frank had taken when he was at home and sent them this morning, and with which they were greatly pleased. We then walked round Tyne Hill and Pound Lane home.

Cold, some rain. Drove Bessie round Sibford Heath, Epwell and Tyne Hill. Received letter from cousin William Green, Sarisbury, saying they would be much pleased to see both myself and Bell on Monday next. So I wrote and said we would both come.

Jewell sent in his account for the year and wants to buy my apples if he can.

xxi Trinity. Attended Boys’ School this morning. Paid out Clothing Club, gave some boys who had been very irregular at choir practice only 1/8 instead of 2/- at Mr Langley’s suggestion. The roads were very muddy, and there was some rain. Ordered some straw of Ainge yesterday, 10/- worth.

Jewell came in about purchasing my apples in the orchard. I told him I had been told they were worth £5 and he might have them for £5 worth of pigs killed about next Christmas, but that I had not recently looked at them. He said he would see them and let Rosa know his mind about them. Lively drove Bell and me to Banbury. The weather was good, but there had been a frost during the night – the first this season. Left Banbury at 11.36. Saw Welburn, Vicar of Wardington, at the station. He had been very ill with pneumonia and was going South for a fortnight’s change of air. Rev B Smith travelled with us as far as Reading.

We reached Southampton at 3.32 and left for Swanwick 9 miles at 3.55, arriving about 4.30. My cousin William Green, and his eldest daughter, Kate, met us there with a handsome little mare and dogcart. I had not seen him for over 30 years. He said we had not met for 37, but I am inclined to think I saw him once at his place of business in Albury Road where his chief trade consists in the manufacture of watermark apparatus for Bank of England and other Banks’ notes, cheques etc. He has retired from active business in it four or five years and leaves the work to be done under the superintendence of his eldest son and a manager. The latter resides on the premises, the son, Frank, at Foots’ Cray, driving or riding to town every morning. All the family were at home except Frank, and received us most hospitably in their well appointed and beautiful home. Mrs Green (Harriet) Maude, Effie and Charlie, the second son. They are all very kind and nice.