Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

St John Evangelist’s Day. Divine service at 11 am. Frosty, bright sunshine. Frank walked to Banbury to lunch with the Fortescues and tea at Mr Rose’s and to go to Adderbury to stay the night at Dr Robertson’s.

Scripsi applicationem? pro officio principalis in Collegium ad edocendum magistros Scholarum Elementariarum ad Cheltenham.

Cutting from the Banbury Advertiser, 27 December 1894:

SIBFORD GOWER.

AT THE FIRST PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, all five of the Parish Councillors were present, viz., Messrs. F. Inns, J. Abbott, J. Lamb, G. Spicer, and D. Sabin ; also Mr. Lamb, by virtue of his office. After the legal formalities, the meeting was proceeded with by the election of Mr. Daniel Sabin as provisional chairman, Mr. Frederick Inns being unanimously elected chairman for the year, Mr. Lamb was duly elected to fill the office of clerk. No treasurer being forthcoming the appointment was left over to the next meeting, inquiry to be made in the meantime. It was also resolved that an order be given to the overseers for a payment of £5, payable on the 15th of January next, to meet expenses incurred, and a small available balance to hand. The meeting was of a most interesting character throughout, a few of the public being present to watch the proceedings.

Innocents’ Day. Divine service at 11 am. Rather high and intensely cold wind. Buried Mary Hone aged 82 who died in Banbury Union Workhouse. The head porter who came with the hearse brought me the usual certificate signed by James Bonner, but made out for Sarah instead of Mary Hone. I gave it back to him asking him to point out the mistake and request Bonner to send me a correct certificate, which he promised to do. The name was correctly entered in the receipt for Clerk’s disbursements which Charles had to sign. The porter turned out to be a man named Nichols ? who, about 18 years ago entered my service from Mollington with good recommendation from Mr Bollington, a farmer, and one of the Guardians. But the lad got “home-sick” the second day. I found him standing in tears over the carriage instead of cleaning it, and of course dispensed with his services. The funeral was ¼ hour late and I was on the point of returning home. The porter told me he had been misdirected and got to Sibford Ferris, whence, of course he had to return.

Bird, of the Heath farm, sent a postcard saying that the high wind had taken some slates off the roof. I ordered Green, the mason, to look at it and give me an estimate for the necessary repairs.