Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

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.

Some snow. Visited Moore, a new comer into cottages where Bloxham and W Cakebread used to live. The new people have bought the property.

Visited Jessie (daughter of Betty) Wilks, Widow Thomas Lamb whom I did not see, her door being locked. Mrs Thomas Lamb junior told me the old woman was about as usual. Visited Anna Young. Mr and Mrs Hopkins, Widow Green (not in). Mr Cluff called about Library business this evening.

My diarrhoea has returned. I took brandy and uncooked arrow root on Bessie’s recommendation. It was effective.

Received School Report on Drawing from Department of Science and Art “Excellent”.

4th Epiphany. Took duty in church as usual. Intensely cold, east wind in afternoon, almost a blizzard. HC 13, Offertory 8/4, Afternoon Collection 6/- for Sunday School fund.

Visited Mrs Alcock. Mr and Mrs Wells called to enquire after my health.

Bright sunshine, intensely cold. The thermometer in my bedroom, on the mantel shelf though there was a good fire, stood at 40°F but rose to 42° in the morning.