Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Harry married Miss Mabel Leake at All Saints’ Notting Hill.

Mr Riddle called. I was in bed asleep. Rosa was out. So none of us saw him.

I was in bed till tea time. I arranged for Rosa sending for Dr Routh in the morning if necessary, but as the complaint seems to be yielding to weak brandy and water and corn flour, I did not send for him. Wrote to Riddle and asked him to come out on Sunday afternoon.

Snow, sunshine and frost. Intensely cold. I am having very sleepless nights, but the diarrhoea etc are better. It is intensely cold.

Received letters from Harry (at Queens Hotel, Hastings), Frank (at Chislehurst), and Bell (at Hawtree, or going there today). The wedding passed off without a hitch. Bell seems much pleased with the Leake family and Harry’s popularity. Alfred Howe’s wife was at the church with our Aunt Emma.

I had a fire all night in my bedroom, yet the inside of the window was covered with frost.

3rd Epiphany. Calm and sunny. No service in church this morning. Mr Riddle came over this afternoon. I got up to dinner.

Fine. I am getting on but do not get to sleep very well till 5 or 5.30 am. I cannot get my feet warm.

Bright. More snow. Intensely cold.

Got down to dinner. Mr Riddle called. Mr W Lamb, assistant overseer, called for Rates and taxes. Asked for use of school room for Parish Council meeting on Friday or Tuesday, which I granted. Suggested that the PC should send in at the rate of ½ or ¾ cwt coal for each meeting when a fire was needed instead of paying to school fund 6^d or 1/- for coal and oil used. He and I both thought this method would simplify matters as it would be troublesome to pay 6^d or 1/- items received into the School Banking Account. I said however that I would mention it to the school trustees.

Very cold with East wind. Mr Platts called with Mr Oddie. I had got up before dinner with the view of going out visiting in the parish, but they both advised me not to venture out. So I stayed in doors.

Snow all morning. Got down at midday. Visited Mary Sabin, Anna Aris, Miss Sabin, School. Called to enquire about Mr Abbatts who is ill. Visited Miss S Dix.