Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

The Swalcliffe “Mummers” called this evening in extraordinary attire. Emily Tanner, our maid, answered the knock at the door and on seeing the horrid object, banged the door in his face and cried out, running in to the diningroom and exclaiming “Oh Sir, such a nasty man at the door”. She was quite upset. I went and spoke to the Mummers who were quiet and respectful enough. They wanted to give me a “performance” but I told them it was too late at night.

Joseph Alcock junior was outside here this afternoon with a coal cart of Tustains of Shutford. He told me he had work for the winter, and if that failed he thought he would go to the “Plush weaving.” So I wrote to Rev Thomas Jones, Rector of Llanbedr, Ruthin to that effect. Mr Charles Gillett, Banker of Wood Lawn, Banbury aged 66 died last Friday and was buried in the Friends’ Cemetery here today.

John F. Inns called and asked for loan of schoolroom for supper for the so called “Reading Room” on the evening of January 3. I replied that they might have it if it is not otherwise engaged.

Very cold. I sat in my study with little oil stove which Rosa had lighted to warm the room but the unconsumed gasses affected me so powerfully that a few minutes after I had sat down to dinner I never felt so ill in my life. It was a very severe kind of giddiness. But I managed to get up to bed and take a saline draught which did me good and after an hour’s sleep I felt much better.

Visited James and Laura Dyer and John and Mary Webb and saw Eli Webb, his father, who is lying there. He has not spoken or moved since Friday last. The children are very sad about their grandfather’s illness. The little boy, aged 6, has until the grandfather’s illness slept on the latter’s side of the bed “to warm it for him, Mother”.

Continued Annual meeting of Sibford Lending Library. Tea at 5. Meeting and Entertainment.

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I visited widow Joseph John Lamb, and spoke to her about Matilda Barnes.

Bright and frosty in early morning followed by dull cold weather. I visited Mr and Mrs Moore. The latter has frequently had fits of an epileptic character during the last month or two. They last 2 or 3 minutes on each occasion but she says she is not much the worse after they have passed. She generally has a sort of warning of their coming on, and lies down to avoid the danger of falling.

I visited evening class in which singing from notes was being taught. Spoke with Mr and Mrs Langley about the proposition to have the dancing class held in the Schoolroom. They said it would be very inconvenient and they would not be able to have anything to do with it.

W. Lamb called for Rates and Taxes.