Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Rain. Divine service in Church at 7 pm. 46 present, including the Doctor. Bell and I called on Misses Dix after Church.

Fine. Drove to Banbury. Hyde went in with me partly as a holiday for himself and partly to take a basket of apples to Mrs Graham Jones. I took the carriage to Sole’s to have the break iron bent into its place. It was done in two minutes while I waited. I paid Sole’s bill for £6.3 up to present date. Met Mr Oddie at Banbury. He told me of a scandal of the grossest character which had occurred at All Saints’ Bloxham in consequence of which Mr Boissier had told Mr Bridger, the Head Master of the Lower School that he would give him 24 hours to get out of the county before informing the police of his doings. Bridger, who dressed like a clergyman and was rather “forward” had married a widow with means and a family. He left this country for Spain within the time allowed. I am glad to hear he is only a “sham clergyman”.

Frank had written to say he would come to Banbury by 4.15 pm train to-day. As we were driving along Alcock’s Lane we met a little girl who handed me a telegram from Frank saying the 4.15 Banbury train had been taken off and he would arrive at 2.48. I went down to the Station to meet him but he did not arrive by it. Met a strange clergyman at Maycock’s who introduced himself to me as Mr Russell, new Vicar of Hook Norton.

G Selwyn Edwards, District Inspector of Drawing, visited School this morning.

Mrs Neil, of Burdrop, a woman who has been living with Joseph Messenger as his wife, and has 3 children by him and is living at John Lines’s, sent to say she would like to see me. So I went this afternoon. She was in bed. I had to go to her room by a ladder. She showed me bruises, and a wound on her head which she said he made last night. I gave her 2/- to get food for her children, but recommended her to go into the workhouse with her children where they would be properly fed and taken care of. I spoke to her very plainly of the misery she had brought upon herself.

I visited Miss Sabin.

Anniversary of my dear mother’s burial at Saint Margaret’s, Ipswich in 1843 and of my marriage at Saint James’s Church. Halifax, Yorkshire In 1853.

I did not go out during the day but in the evening walked as far as Mr Woolgrove’s, and then to “the Elm”.