Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1877, July 17, Tuesday 

Went to Birmingham to Congress on Domestic Economics as a branch of Elementary Education and read paper on “Text Books”. Slept at Rev Brooke Lamherst’s Vicar of Tamworth. Dined each day at C. E. Matthews, Oakgates, Augustine’s Road, Edgbaston where I met Miss Cobden daughter of the late Richard Cobden MP, Miss Smith of the Oxford School Board, sister of Professor Henry Smith, and Miss Bramston daughter of the Dean of Winchester.

The Congress lasted till Thursday evening. On the Friday July 20th I went to Bridlington to join Rev Thomas Smith as guest of Mr and Mrs ??? Cooper 74 High Street.

1877, July 22, Sunday

Preached in Bridlington Priory Church this evening. The Rev Hubert Sheere Curate of Bloxham took my duty here for which I paid him 2/2/-. He baptized privately the child of Sydney Bond and wife which was born about 10 days after their marriage.

1877, July 23, Monday 

J Fowler butcher married to Sylvia Bishop by Mr Montagu, curate of Epwell acting for me in my absence.

1877, July 29, Sunday

Visited Widow Hillman and her son who is better and about again but unable to work.

Visited Mr Joseph Dix and read and prayed with him. He appears to be gradually getting weaker.

Visited Widow Cakebread and Elizabeth Gibbs.

Attended Boys Sunday School this morning.

1877, July 30, Monday

Girl Anna Hone daughter of Thomas Hone senior called and asked me to sign her papers as candidate for free passage to New Zealand at expense of Colonial Government. I told her I would do so when she had got the other necessary signatures. Her father was imprisoned some few years ago for a criminal assault upon this daughter. Two of her brothers were as boys convicted of burglary and sent to a Reformatory. They are now in America.

1877, July 31, Tuesday 

Horsman, mason, sent note to say that plaster was bad in places at Heath Farm. I said I would go up and see it.

Went with Warwickshire Field Club to Cropredy, Willscote, Edgcott, Wardington, Chipping Campden, Aston le Walls, Farnborough, where we lunched at Archdeacon Holbeck’s, Warmington and Shotteswell – dined at White Lion, Banbury.

Mrs Walton daughter of Elizabeth Gibbs stopped me in Chipping Warden and asked me about her mother.

Widow Young called to say that Sydney Bond’s baby was dead and to ask whether I would bury it tomorrow and wait till Saturday for the certificate. I refused.

1877, August 1, Wednesday

Girl Hone called again and asked me if I would give her a pair of boots towards her outfit. I replied that I would when I was sure of her going.

1877, August 2, Thursday

Spent the morning at the Heath Farm giving instructions to the masons and carpenters as to the work.

Visited the Misses Dix and Elizabeth Gibbs who was much pleased to hear I had seen her daughter.

Funeral of Sydney Bond’s baby.

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Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.