Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

My cold much worse to day, probably aggravated by the extremely piercing wind in the church yard yesterday afternoon. So I lay in bed all day. We had snow this evening, the first of the season. Frank walked home this evening. He was at Mrs May’s at Adderbury last night and burned his new overcoat by accidentally falling against a tortoise stove, or sitting down on it. He lunched at Tadmarton Rectory and took tea at Miss Dix’s at Swalcliffe.

Very bright and frosty. Ground covered with snow. I was extremely hoarse. Bessie stayed at home all day.

Delightful sunny day. I spent the day in bed with severe cold on chest.

Circumcision. I spent the day in bed. No services in church.

Fine. Went up to school and taught, but suffered for it. Frank went on two days visit to Mr and Mrs Thomas of Aylesmore Farm, Brailes.

Bright, fine, cold. Frank at Brailes. Library Committee at Vicarage this evening. Mr Cluff Librarian, Mr Inns,  Miss S Dix, Rosa and self present.

In bed all morning, Mr Langley came down this evening to go through school accounts and stayed to supper. Frank returned from Aylesmore.

Dull. Langley came down this afternoon about school accounts and “Form ix”.