Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Dull and raw, with some wind. Ordered new books for Library, and sent cheque for £3.7.2 to Simpkin, Marshall & Co who sent me pro forma invoice.

Funeral of Miss Gibbs of Banbury, formerly of “The Elm” Sibford Ferris. I read in church all the service except the Prayer of Committal and the Benediction prayer. The wind was so high that it blew my surplice and hood over my head as nearly as it could. Mrs Elley called this afternoon and told me that Mr Stewart, the lecturer on gardening, was lodging at her house. Mr Stewart called on me at 6.20 pm. He was evidently much gratified with the reception he had met with in the place. He said there were 70 present on Tuesday night, about 100 on Wednesday. He said he thought the men more than usually intelligent and added that he would probably be here again in the summer. Very showery afternoon and evening.

Rain nearly all day. Mr Elley brought accounts of Charities and Penny Bank Ledger. Henry Bishop called this evening about the land and cottage. I told him I should require a security for payment of rent not only in my own interest but in that of my successors in the Benefice. It was arranged that he should see me again in a few days.

A good deal of rain afternoon and evening. The congregations were rather small, but somewhat better than they have been.

Fine, bright, mild. Took Clubs and Penny Bank money at school. Visited C Leaver, Widow Hancock, Mrs Alcock and Mrs Turner. Children’s entertainment in school room this evening. Met Dr Routh who told me that there were 27 cases of influenza at the Friends’ School. He told me also that Mister Wynne, who has just “failed” for £250,000 was supposed to have “bolted”. Also, that Mr Brassey had been selected as the Conservative candidate for the Northern division of the County of Oxford.

Fine. Trustees’ meeting at 2 pm. Present Rev A E Riddle in chair, Mr Woolgrove, Mr Stall, Mr J Ward Shellswell. Jesse Bishop presented himself without having written as I told him. He was extremely rude to us all and did himself no good. He made a sort of incoherent statement of complaint.

Children’s second entertainment in school room this evening. Public admitted on payment, 6^d front seats, 3^d back.

Distributed clothing tickets in accordance with resolution of Trustees yesterday. It was not given out as usual just before last Christmas as we were not sure that we should have money to pay for it. I visited Joseph Alcock, Widow Aris, Thomas Aris, Widow Bond, Thomas Coleman, Edward Fox, J Fox, Ezra Green, George Green, Thomas Green, Widow Green, Widow Harris, Thomas Holland, Widow Hone, Thomas Henry Hone, Thomas Lamb, Widow Lamb, Widow Manning, Benjamin Messenger, Jane Messenger, William Payne, Widow Sabin, John West Senior, John West Junior, Widow Wyatt. Frank Wilkes, Widow Young, John Lively, John Bloxham.