Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

1878, November 17, Sunday 

Taught in Boys’ Sunday School this morning and in Girls’ School this afternoon.

Baptized Richard Haines’s baby privately.

Visited Dr Routh.

1878, November 18, Monday

Gave out coal tickets personally at houses to many of the people. Visited Sylvia Sabin, Widow William Keene whom the Guardians have not allowed anything yet. She is in her 70th year and says she could do with 2/- per week. If it were not wicked she “could lie down and faint, rather than go into the house. The food and clothing etc. are plentiful, but the people in the wards behave so badly.” I spoke to Mr. Herbert, the guardian, on her behalf, and gave her 2/-.

Visited Joseph Messenger. Took Penny Bank money at school, morning and evening. Mrs Turner assisted.

Visited Thomas Hone – George Messenger – William Coleman whose son sailed for South Australia last week together with some young men from Sibford Ferris, viz.:- Amos Lines, H. Harris, W. Keene, George Lines. Coleman tells me his son is very religious having joined the Methodists.

Visited also Elizabeth Manning whom I had to reprove for the way in which she spoke of Mrs Routh.

John West, Thomas Henry Hone, Thomas Lively, C Legge, C Harris, Widow Wyatt not at home, Sarah Hone, Sarah Green, Ann Fox, J Horsman, F Horsman not at home, S Young ditto, B Aris, Thomas Aris, Thomas Holland, Mary Hone, Eliza Lamb saw her at West’s, Thomas Sabin, Widow Henry Sabin, Benjamin Messenger, Mrs Shelswell, Mrs Dix, Thomas Coleman, John Coleman, Edward Fox, Hannah Young, Joshua Green, Jesse Green, Joseph Dale, George Spicer, Thomas Wilks whose daughter Mary has had another violent fit, Betty Wilks, Thomas Aris, George Payne, William Payne, Miss Somerton, Joshua Aris, Solomon Geydon, Ezra Green not at home, Edward Holland, William Holland.

1878, November 19, Tuesday 

Visited Reuben Sabin – gave him ticket for 10 cwt coals and told him that as he had gone into business he would not be eligible in future – he was out of temper as usual – said I had taken the land from him and he meant to keep it. I told him I could not have taken it from him as he had never been the tenant. He said he had consulted a solicitor who had offered to see him through it. I told him he had probably not stated the facts to him correctly – and recommended to him not to be foolish and burn his fingers.

Went to Brailes. Box of astronomical slides lent by Mr Hurst of Linden House Littlemore for use of Dr Routh arrived. Coal distribution today under Charles Barnes’s supervision.

Click on an entry date to view an image of the original diary page.

Read about the Rev Edward Stevens here.