Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Fine, bright, still intensely cold. Rosa received letter from Harry saying they arrived safe at Windermere at 5 pm on Saturday. Harriet Sabin came to ask advice about Sarah who leads the poor thing a wretched life and would not let her go to bed all last night, bitter as it was.

Visited Widow Green, Anna Young, Elizabeth Manning, George Green, Thomas Hall, Anna Aris, Widow J Lamb. Daisy Sabin was there and I had a serious private talk with her. I called on her mother also, Sarah Sabin was there. I wish to speak privately to her but I could not as there was a young man there Green Hill the grocer’s of Shipston. Visited Elizabeth Bond and W Payne and John Horsman. Emanuel Dale’s wife was there. Thomas Aris no one at home.

The afternoon was pleasant, but very cold. Visited Mary Sabin who is worse.

Wrote to Miss Anderdon. Received nice letter from Frank. He says Miss A will allow £130 plus £30 for tutor. A delightfully calm and sunny day, but still intensely cold. Visited school, Mr and Mrs Ainge, Mrs Turner, Jane Messenger, G Spicer, Edward Fox Ezra Green. Distributed some coal tickets to day and yesterday. Widow Mary Sabin died during the night aged about 86.

Mrs Rugg wrote that Annie Martin died on 7th. inst and was to be buried near Birmingham yesterday.

Received another letter from Mr Stone about the proposed gardening lectures, and replied to it and wrote to Poulton in enclosing it. A very bright but intensely cold day. I did not go out.

Cutting from the Banbury Guardian, 14 February 1895

SIBFORD FERRIS.

A LARGE RAT.—During threshing operations on the farm of Mr. R. H. Lamb on Friday last, an unusually large rat was killed. Its length, including the tail, was 19¼ inches and it weighed 17 oz. It would be interesting to know whether specimens of this size are often found in a wild state.