DIARY OF REVD JOSEPH THOMAS JAMES HEWLETT (1830)

Transcribed by Nigel Hammond, with the French portion translated by David C Taylor – both former members of the Abingdon Common Room. Edited by Sarah Wearne, Abingdon School Archivist

JANUARY Friday 11: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Did duty for Dodson2 at St Helen’s. Called on Strange – dance at Mrs Tyrrell’s. Saturday 2: Duty at St Helen’s. Called at Cowcher3. Sunday 3: Dined with Roberts4 at Steventon. Duty at Drayton – in afternoon went up to Dodsons – Sir C Saxton5 there. Supped with Baster6.

Monday 4: At home all day – writing &c. Tuesday 5: Dined at Barrett’s7 – very large party – played at Blindman’s Buff. Wednesday 68: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Cowcher came and had a glass of wine – went there and had twelfth cake – rode with Dodson. Thursday 7: Called on Graham9 – rode to Oxford – Dame (?) came. Friday 8: Called on Baster – went out shooting with Dr Tomkins10 – dined at home. Saturday 9: Duty at St Helen’s – at home all the evening Sunday 10: Preached at St Helen’s and dined with Dodson.

Monday 11: Called on Dodson with Ben Morland11 – the Bowles’s12 returned. Tuesday 12: Walked out with my gun. I called at Saunders’s – called at Bowles’s – Hester supped here. Wednesday 13: Supped with Hester. Thursday14: Dined with Mr Baker. Friday 15: Cowcher came and had a glass of wine – supped with him. Saturday 16: Duty at St Helen’s – called on Mr Badcock – spent the evening at Graham’s. Sunday 17: Walked over to Oxford with Neate and dined with Powell.

1 Feat of the Circumcision 2 Revd Nathaniel Dodson Vicar of Abingdon 3 Edward Cowcher, surgeon 4 Revd John Roberts Rector Rotherfield Greys, where Hewlett had been curate 5 Sir Charles Saxton, Recorder of Abingdon 6 Charles Baster, Attorney 7 James Barrett, East St Helen’s Street, lawyer 8 Epiphany 9 William Graham, East St Helen’s Street, lawyer, Mayor 1838-9, Governor of Christ’s Hospital 10 Dr Charles Tomkins, Boar Street 11 Benjamin Morland, Sheepsted House, Marcham, solicitor 12 William Bowles, Fitzharris House, Governor Christ’s Hospital Monday 18: Powell13 came over and dined with me with Cowcher and slept here. Tuesday 19: Walked over to Oxford and back – dined in Beaumont Street – went to Cowcher’s. Wednesday 20: At home – Mr Walker came – smoked a cigar with Owen – Mr W supped. Thursday 21: School began – walked to Oxford with Dodson – and home by myself – snow and rain – called at Mr Law’s and settled our accounts. Friday 22: Ill all day – sermon published. Saturday 23: Wined with Belcher14 – preached at St Helen’s – spent the evening with Baster. Sunday 24: Rode to Oxford – dined in College15 – rode home with Hester16.

Monday 2517: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Walked about with Dodson and Morland – dined with Mr Bowles. Tuesday 26: Rode over to Oxford and dined with the Provost (of Worcester College) – had Sheard’s18 gig. Wednesday 27: B and J Morland19 and Godfrey20 dined – Strange21 and Bostock came in the evening. Thursday 28: Rode to Oxford with Ben M. Dined with Sir C Saxton. I went to Ball. Hitchings &c dined here. Friday 2922: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Went to Rob Lulham’s shooting with G (?) Badcock. Saturday 3023: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Mrs Bowles called – duty at St Helen’s – called at Russell and Cowcher’s – supped at Hesters. Sunday 31: Preached at St Helen’s – dined with Dodson.

FEBRUARY Monday 1: Goodlake came and dined – went to Oxford with him and Barrett – went to hear the Tyrolese Minstrels24. Tuesday 225: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Beaumont Smith came and brought young Walmsley – dined and slept.

13 Revd Baden Powell, Savilian Professor of Geometry, Oriel College, Oxford 14 William Belcher, Mayor of Abingdon 1826, 1835-7, 1839 … 15 Worcester College 16 Dr James Hester 17 Conversion of St Paul 18 Richard Sheard, Nags Head, Abingdon 19 John Morland, West Ilsley, brewer 20 Daniel Godfrey, Town Clerk 21 William Strange, Wine and Spirit Merchant, Governor Christ’s Hospital, father of William Alder Strange, headmaster 1840 – 1868 22 Anniversary of accession of King George IV 23 King Charles I martyr (anniversary of execution of King Charles I 1649) 24 An Austrian touring choir 25 Candlemas Wednesday 3: Dined with Russell – with Godfrey &c &c. Thursday 4: Wined and cigarred with Cowcher. Friday 5: At the soup committee and round helping – dined with Neate26. Saturday 6: Shot pigeons with Neate. Killed 14 out of 18 – dined with Neate and Cowcher. Sunday 7: At home – the boys wined with me.

Monday 8: At home all day – Boys allowance commences. Tuesday 9: Rode over to Oxford and dined in College. Wednesday10: Dined with Cowcher. Thursday 11: Over to the Vinerian, Giles elected27 – dined with Skelton with Mrs Rawlins. Friday 12: BLANK Saturday 13: Out hunting. Sunday 14: Rode up to Ilsley Chilton for Ben

Monday 15: J Badcock28 and W Blackall wined – Marsh and Round dined – loo all night. Tuesday 16: Dined with Miss Tombs – cigarred with Graham. Wednesday 17: Rode out and met Mitchell of Wadham – the Misses Price’s came here – supped with Cowcher. Thursday 18: Dined with Evans29 of Pusey – with the Symmonds’s. Friday: Wined with Baster and supped. Saturday 20: Rode up to Greys30 – dined and slept at Roberts’s. Sunday 21: At Greys – very wet.

Monday 22: Rode down from Greys and found Mrs H gone to Oxford, rode to Oxford and home – J Badcock and W Blacknall wined here – supped with Cowcher. Tuesday 2331: [Holiday at the Exchequer] Dined with Waite32. Wednesday 2433: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] – very ill, at home all day – Mrs H confined at half past two am – Fanny34 born. Thursday 25: Rode to Oxford – Barrett, Knight, Baster35 and Bowles played a rubber. Friday 26: Rode out with the hounds after four o’clock – a good run. Party at Hester’s.

26 Revd Thomas Neate, Tubney Lodge 27 John Allen Giles elected to a Vinerian Scholarship 28 John Badcock, Wick Farm, Radley 29 Revd William Evans, Rector of Pusey 30 Rotherfireld Greys 31 Shrove Tuesday 32 William Waite, miniature painter Ock Street 33 Ash Wednesday 34 Frances Mary, Joseph and Charlotte Hewlett’s fifth child and second daughter, died 13 October 1839 35 Charles Baster, Attorney Saturday 27: Out hunting at Culham. Graham and Waite dined here. Sunday 28: Rode over to Oxford and dined with Marsh.

MARCH Monday 1: Called in at Cowcher’s and supped there. Tuesday 2: Had a row with Mrs Tyrrell36 – Neate dined here. Wednesday 3: Coursing at Frilford – dined with J Badcock – Mr Floyd37 there. Thursday 4: A holy day38. Went over to Oxford – lunched with Webb and Wilson. Evening with Haynes [or is it Strange’s?]. Friday 5: Walked to Marcham with Dodson – afterwards to Oxford – saw Mr Green – bad cold. Saturday 6: Hunted at Garford – Duffield out39. Dined with Graham – with Romney &c. Sunday 7: Rode to Oxford – called at Mrs Brasier’s – dined in College.

Monday 8: Thomas and six Worcester men called – they had a fight at Pickman’s – dined with Thomas and slept there. Tuesday 9: Rode home in the rain – called at Cowcher’s and afterwards at Hester’s. Wednesday 10: Worked in the garden – and dined with Hester, Miss Trules and Mrs Waite. Thomas came over about the bill hooks. Thursday 11 (blank) Friday 12: Spent the evening at Owen’s – with Strange &c – hunted with Osborne. Saturday 13: Rode over to Oxford – duty at St Helen’s. Sunday 14: Preached for Dodson and dined with him – Powell preached a charity sermon.

Monday 15: engaged to dine with Thomas Mr Eyston40 called. Tuesday 16: Thomas, Burlton, Clifton Palmer and Coussmaker dined here. Wednesday 17: Dined with Godfrey and the Morlands. Thursday 18: Dined with J Nicolls – and/at the club – lost. Friday 19: Hunted with the Craven41 – dined with Mr Eyston and his brothers. Saturday 20: Drove (?) to Oxford with Price – duty at St Helen’s – evening with Cowcher. Sunday 21: duty at Chilton, dined at Milton.

Monday 22: Went to Baster’s – Strange supped here. Tuesday 23: Dined with Graham, Miss Tombs42 &c – Marsh and New came over.

36 William Tyrell, dealer in hops, Air Balloon, Ock Sreet 37 Thomas Floyd, Frilford 38 This is not a public holiday and nor does it mark a Christian festival. 39 Thomas Duffield, Marcham Park, Joint Master Old Berkshire Hunt 40 Charles Eyston, East Hendred House 41 Craven Hunt, West Berkshire and East Wiltshire 42 A relation perhaps of Colonel John Tombs, several of his sons came to the School Wednesday 24: Rode to Oxford and dined with Mr Cork. Spent the evening with Miss Tombs’s. Thursday 2543: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Dined with Hitchings – slept at Croziers. Friday 26: Dined with Bowles. Saturday 27: Went to Oxford to bring home the boat44. Sunday 28: Duty at Marcham and Pusey. Breakfasted with T Badcock and dined at Pusey.

Monday 29: Went up the water – took Cowcher with us – had a bad headache. Tuesday 30: went up the water supped with Graham Wednesday 31: Rode to Steventon, dined with Roberts – called on Holcombe45. APRIL Thursday 1: Dined with Mr Smith. Friday 2: Wined with poor Charley. Saturday 346: Evans of Pusey called – staied (sic) at home and read Guy Mannering47. Holford’s bill. Sunday 4: Duty at Marcham – preached for Dodson – rode to Ardington called at Eyston’s and Wapshare’s48 – dined with Dodson.

Monday 5: Badcock, Blackall and Hitchings dined and spent the evening here. Mary had severe fits. Tuesday 6: Very ill – rode over to Oxford in the evening and dined in College. Wednesday 7: Dined with Gould – returned early in the evening – with Cowcher. Thursday 8: Walked to Sandford – returned in four oar with Thomas &c – who dined here. Easter Holy days commenced. Friday 949: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Duty at St Nicholas and assisting Dodson – dined alone and home all the eve. Saturday 10: Rode up to Chilton and Ilsley – dined with Ben Morland. Sunday 11: Duty at Marcham and St Helen’s for Dodson. Leary came down and dined. Graham came in the eve.

Monday 1250: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Went to Oxford in gig and dined in Hall. Tuesday 1351: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Went down to Sandford in four oar and dined with Thomas &c.

43 Lady Day, the Feast of the Annunciation, one of the Quarter Days 44 The School used the Pembroke College boat which they collected at the end of the University term 45 Revd James Holcombe Vicar of Steventon 46 End of Lent term, University of Oxford 47 Guy Mannering 1815 by Sir Walter Scott 48 Revd Charles Wapshare, Rector of East Hendred 49 Good Friday 50 Easter Monday 51 Easter Tuesday Wednesday 14: [Holiday at the Exchequer] Went to Wittenham in the boat and dined with Hayward. Thursday 15: Rode to Milton and dined with Graham. Friday 16: Rode to Oxford in carriage with Dodson – dined with Burlton52. Saturday 17: Rode to Steventon and dined with Cowdery53. Sunday 18: Duty at Marcham and Garford – dined with Morland’s.

Monday 19: Cowdery and Tyrrell, Cowcher and Owen spent the evening – school began. Tuesday 20: Leary left – went to Baster’s in the evening. Wednesday 2154: Rowed up to Sandford. Thursday 22: Baster’s sale – there and at [Noitins?] in the evening. Friday 23: St George, King’s Birthday kept. Half Holy day – at Baster’s sale and Hester’s in the evening Saturday 24: Went to Oxford – dined with Blackall and Badcock – wined at Ensworth’s55. Sunday 25: Duty for Randolph56 – dined with Badcock.

Monday 26:Dined at Bowles’s – Dodson, Smith, Cowcher and Graham. Tuesday 27: Went up the water – took Strange with me. Wednesday 28: Rode over to Oxford and called at Dixon’s – dined with Mr Swann57 and rowed home from Sandford. Thursday 29: Rowed up to Nuneham and took Graham home. Friday 30: buck[?]58 day – Holy day – went up to Nuneham. MAY Saturday 159: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Went to Sandford with Graham. Sunday 2: Duty for Randolph – dined with Duffield.

Monday 3: Called at Spenlove’s60 – went fishing in the evening and dined at home. Tuesday 4: Went fishing and wined with Graham – Evans there. Wednesday 5: Shot rooks at Bowles’s – Mrs Dixon came – went up to Nuneham with Bowles and Cowcher – supped with Bowles – Charlotte’s61 birth day – she went to Oxford and stayed all night. Mr Wightwick62 called.

52 Revd Francis Burleton, Worcester College, Oxford 53 James Cowdery, Steventon Farm, Abingdon 54 Beginning of Easter term, University of Oxford 55 Thomas Ensworth, Wine and Spirit Merchant, Corn Market, Oxford, landowner Rectory Farm, West Hanney 56 Revd Herbert Randolph, Vicar of Marcham 57 Charles Swann, Sandford Mill, Sandford-on-Thames, proprietor of Sandford, Wolvercote and Eynsham paper mills, had 3 sons at the School 58 If the word is buck it could mean free – a free day 59 St Philip and St James 60 John Spenlove, brewer and maltster, Abbey Brewery, Mayor 1832-3 61 Charlotte Hewlett, his wife Thursday 6: Rowed Cowcher and Bowles up to Nuneham – Neate dined with me – off Jack all supped here. Charlotte returned with her mother. Friday 7 Went to call with Charlotte on Anne Spenlove – went out fishing with Castle63 – no sport – had a cigar and glass of brandy water with Miller. Saturday 8: Went to Nuneham fishing and shooting – supped with Owen. Sunday 9: Duty at Marcham – very wet – breakfasted with Tom Morland – dined at home – spent the evening at Cowcher’s.

Monday 10: Went out with my gun with Neate and supped with him – with Goodlake and Skelton who rode over – Dame returned home. Tuesday 11: Dined at Mr Bowles’s with Waite and Dodson. Wednesday 12: Dined at home and walked with Cowcher to Wittenham and Clifton. Thursday 13: Firman’s bill due. Went to Oxford with Dodson and Miss Wapshare and Mrs Hewlett. Dined in College – paid Wharton and went to the Horticultural Meeting. Friday 14: Went up to Nuneh down to Sutton with Barrett – fishing – to Bird’s lectures64 and to Hester’s to sup. Mrs H at Oxford. Saturday 15: Went up to Nuneham and met Hughes’s and Miss Grant. Supped at home. Evans lunched here. Sunday 16: Duty at Marcham – dined with Tom Badcock – Mr Sugworth and Smith65 there.

Monday 17: Very unwell – till evening. Walked out with children and supped at home. Tuesday 18: Went down the water fishing – wined at Graham’s – Dr [?] and Goodlake there. Wednesday 19: Went to Pusey fishing – brought Routh66 home. Thursday 2067: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Wined with Graham and went fishing – supped with Cowcher. Friday 21: Rowed up to Sandford – saw Mr Swann senior. Saturday 22: Went fishing with Dr Tomkins – to Sutton. Barrett supped. Mr Wise68 of Banbury called. Sunday 23: Duty at Marcham and Drayton – wined with Baster – supped with Cowcher.

Monday 24: Marsh came over – I dined with Sir C Saxton and Kinsey69. Tuesday 25: Marsh dined here with Knapp70 &c – Webb and Pym came.

62 Charles Wightwick, Dean, Bursar and Vice-Gerent Pembroke College, Oxford 63 George Castle, Chemist and Druggist, Bath Street 64 Mr Bird gave series of three lectures on astronomy: the earth, the moon and the sun. 65 possibly the Revd William Smith, Tesdale Usher and chaplain to the county gaol 66 Martin Routh, pupil at the School 1830 – 1837 67 Ascension Day 68 John Wise, surgeon, High Street, Banbury 69 Revd William Kinsey, Rector of Rotherfield Greys 70 Henry Knapp, Northcourt House, Abingdon, Banker, High Street, Abingdon Wednesday 26: Went over to Oxford – dined in College with Pym &c. Thursday 27: Master Smith performed in the School room – Cowcher’s and Hester’s here – Miss Spenlove called. My uncle and Miss Cock came over. Friday 28: Went to London – dined and went to Covent Garden71 – met Sherwood. Saturday 2972 73: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Went to Westminster Abbey and Somerset House – dined and to the Adelphi74. Sunday 30: Walked about with Thomas &c – dined with Beaumont Smith.

Monday 3175: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Went to the Colliseum – Zoo. gardens with Smith – down the tunnel76 – dined with Leary and went to Covent Garden. JUNE Tuesday 177: [Holiday at the Exchequer] Walked about with Leary – dined and went to Drury Lane78. Holford’s bill due some time now about. Wednesday 279 80: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Returned home – walked with Miss Anne &c. Mr Swann called. Thursday 3: Went over to Wittenham and rode back with Cowcher. Friday 4: Spent the evening with Owen – Southby &c. Saturday 5: Went to Oxford and dined with Hitchings and Vynd[?] Sunday 6: To Marcham and West Ilsley – called at Graham’s at night.

Monday 7: Called at Hesters and walked with him – supped with Cowcher – Bowles there. Tuesday 8: Dined with Hester and supped at Cowcher’s – Mrs H went to Oxford. Wednesday 9: Graham dined with me and supped – Mrs H returned with Patty. Thursday 10: Went over to Oxford in gig – dined in St John’s – settled Wharton’s account. Friday 1181: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Dined with Neate – played Loo82. Saturday 12: Mr Crabtree called and dined – drove him over to Oxford. Sunday 13: Duty at Marcham and at St Nicholas. Dined with Bowles.

71 The Theatre Royal, Covent Garden 72 Restoration of King Charles II 73 End of Easter term, University of Oxford 74 The Adelphi Theatre 75 Whit Monday 76 Pedestrian tunnel at the Zoological Gardens Regents Park, built by John and Samuel Dickson in 1830, the zoo did not open to the public until 1847 77 Whit Tuesday 78 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane 79 Ember Week 80 Beginning of Trinity term, University of Oxford 81 St Barnabas 82 A card game based on tricks Monday 14: Spent the evening with Baster and Cowcher – very wet. Tuesday 15: Dined with Hutchings and his brother, got very wet – going and returning. Wednesday 16: Dined with Crabtree at University – very unwell. Drove Barrett home. Jones’s bill 1 month £16. Thursday 17: Spent the evening with Cowcher. Mr Rayner there. Friday 18: Drove Swann to Bampton – Goodlake, Strange &c dined here. Saturday 19: Went up the water to Sandford, met Marsh – home to supper. Sunday 20: Duty at Marcham and St Nicholas – Dodson and Bowles dined here.

Monday 21: Went up to the boat race and rowed home through the wet. Tuesday 22: Mrs H went to Oxford. I rode over to the Horticultural and dined in St Giles’s – home early and supped with Cowcher. Watson’s bill due Wednesday 23: Went to Commemoration and dined with Skelton who was ill – rode home early and supped at Cowcher’s. Thursday 2483: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Went out fishing – Baster, Neate and Cowcher supped here. Friday 25: Tremendous thunder storm – went to the Ock with Neate – supped at home alone. Saturday 26: The King George IV died at a 1/4 past three in the morning. Went to Sandford – the John’s men at Nuneham. Went to Oxford to change the boat. Went to Sandford. Mrs H returned. Sunday 27: Duty at St Nicholas and Marcham. Spent the evening with Graham and Cowcher.

Monday 28: Went to Sandford with the 2nd Crew. Tuesday 2984: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Went to Nuneham – large party there – raced the 2 boats – and afterwards joined Barrett’s party. Mrs H went to Oxford. Wednesday 30: Went up to Nuneham with Mrs Cowcher and Anne Spenlove. King85 proclaimed at Oxford. JULY Thursday 1: Holy day for the proclamation – joined the procession. Wined at the Mayor’s – cards with Strange. Friday 2: Rowed up to Nuneham – cigarred and home to supper. Saturday 386: Thunder and rain – till 5 – rode to Milton and piped it. Sunday 4: Duty at Marcham and St Nicholas – went to Frilford with Mrs H.

Monday 5: Cigarred with Cowcher – supped at Spenlove’s. Tuesday 6: Maberly’s87 dinner – cigar at Pope’s88 – supped at home – queer all night. Mrs Dixon called – Miss Cook and Miss Dodd.

83 St John the Baptist 84 St Peter 85 William IV 1830-1837 86 End of Trinity term, University of Oxford 87 Election dinner for John Maberly, Abingdon Whig MP Wednesday 7: Dined with Hayward – rode home with Cowcher. Thursday 8: Visitation89 – dined with Archdeacon. Supped with Cowcher. Friday 9: Wined with Strange – who got gloriously drunk. Supped with Cowcher. Saturday 10: Dined with Hayward with Graham and Cowcher – home early. Sunday 11: Duty at Marcham and St Nicholas – drank tea at Spenlove’s – went to Dodson’s.

Monday 12: Rode out. Called on Stone – supped at home with Hester. Tuesday 13: Hellmers came – took him to Nuneham after dinner. Wednesday 14: Went to Oxford and lionized Hellmers – dined with Marsh. Thursday 15: Rode to Windsor and saw the King’s funeral – called on Leyerd [?] Friday 16: Maitland called – got home from Windsor – went to Frilford rabbit shooting. Bad face ache. Saturday 17: At home not very well – Henry got beastly drunk – Evans, Pusey, called: Hellmers left. Sunday 18: Duty at St Nicholas and preached at St Helen’s – dined with Graham.

Monday 1990: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer and South Sea House] Assizes – Holy day91 – in Court92 – dined with the Sheriff – went to Spenlove’s with Maitland. Tuesday 20: Holy day – in Court – Walesby dined here and Bowles in the evening. Row at Pope’s [Crown & Thistle] – Webb called. Wednesday 21: Went to Frilford shooting with Knapp – supped at Cowcher’s. Thursday 22: Went to Nuneham with Spenlove’s – Mrs H went to Oxford. Friday 23: Mrs H returned. Went fishing with Barrett. Saturday 24: Went fishing in Graham’s boat. Sunday 25: Duty at St Nicholas and Marcham – dined at home – sermon in the evening – called at Graham’s – supped at home with Barrett and Graham.

Monday 26: Dined with Hester – went up to Nuneham in the evening – with Rumbred. Tuesday 27: Up to Nuneham with Millers, Spenloves &c. Mrs H went to Oxford. Wednesday 28: Up to Nuneham with Sir C Saxton and [?] Dined and returned home late. Watson’s coal bill. Thursday 29: Up to Nuneham with the Spenlove’s – supped there with Neate – Mrs H returned. B [?] left. Friday 30: Election – went up to Nuneham – large party – Eyston &c – A S went to London.

88 Esther Pope proprietor Crown and Thistle 89 This could be a reference to the biannual Visitation of the School by the Mayor and Principal Burgesses, as decreed by John Roysse in 1563. However, there is another Visitation mentioned on 9 August. 90 Coronation (King George IV 1821) 91 The School had a holiday when the Assizes met as they made use of either the schoolroom or the schoolyard. 92 Hewlett was declared insolvent in 1831, and again in 1839, this could be a reference to his own appearance in court for unpaid debts. Saturday 31: Chairing Maberly93 – rode over to Oxford. Wined with John Badcock – W Blackall. AUGUST Sunday 1: Duty at Marcham and St Nicholas. Bowles’s called.

Monday 2: 94 Went to Nuneham with Spenlove’s and Neate. Tuesday 3: Spent the evening at Graham’s. Rubber with T G95 and Knapp. Wednesday 4: Dinner at Nuneham – Little Acton here. Thursday 5: Wilson came – went over to Oxford to dine at St John’s – Horsemanship96 – Mrs H returned. Thursday 6: County Election – dinner. B [?] Smith came down. Friday 7: Examination97 and wine party. Saturday 8: Duty at St Nicholas – dined with Mayor98 – at home in the evening with B Smith.

Monday 9: Visitation – large party to the Speeches99 – dined with Mayor. Dr Hall100 – Visitor. Tuesday 10: Barrett brought up before the Mayor – dined at home – supped at Cowcher’s. Wednesday 11: Set out for Nuneham – very wet – wined and played rubber at Spenlove’s. Thursday 12: Went fishing to Culham Bridge – supped at home. Friday 13: Intended to go to Evans’s – wet morning – went to Oxford – wined with Webb – went to Horsmanship with Lord Norreys101 and Hy Bertie. Saturday 14: Dined at home – very wet – Cowcher wined here – I worked at his house afterwards. Sunday 15: Duty at Marcham. Jail. St Nicholas – wined with Bowles.

Monday 16: Dined at Duffield’s – Evans, Bowles, Dodson, Jowett102, Goodlake there. Tuesday 17: Fished in Spenlove’s Meadow – Ansell’s and Cowcher’s dined here – Henry left. Wednesday 18: Rode to Bablock Hythe – fished – went to Owen’s – cards &c &c.

93 John Maberly re-elected MP for Abingdon in 1830 94 Hewlett has crossed out what is the entry for next Monday – 9 August – evidence that he in this instance was writing his diary up in arrrears 95 Thomas Goodlake 96 The word looks like Horsemanship, there was a family called Horseman living in Souldern at this time. 97 Examinations for Pembroke College places, there were 3 days of exams and the results were announced on the day of the Visitation 98 James Cole 99 Speeches and Orations by the boys 100 Master of Pembroke College 101 Lord Norreys and Henry Bertie, sons of the Early of Abingdon 102 Revd James Forbes Jowett, Rector of Kingston Bagpuize Thursday 19: Entered Graham’s child – called at Milton and Steventon – dined at Graham’s with Evans. Mrs H went to Oxford. Friday 20: Went with Knapp to Frilford rabbit shooting – Mrs H returned home. Saturday 21: Drove Mrs H to Harwell and Milton and after dinner – Godfrey to Oxford – wined at Ensworth’s with Lord Norreys &c. Went to the Horsmanships. John came. Sunday 22: Duty at Marcham, St Nicholas and gaol – wined and supped with Graham – cigar with Cowcher.

Monday 23: Fished with Tomkins – dined with Graham – Blind Hookey103. Tuesday 24104: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Rode to Hagburn (sic) – dined with Bowling. Wednesday 25: Went to Oxford with Graham – dined at Mitre – went on to Henley – Red Lion. Thursday 26: Drove from Henley to Ascott and London – went with T Sherwood to Rainbow &c. Friday 27: Walked about town – dined at Cooper’s – Adelphi. Cyder (sic) Cellar105. Saw Wainwright, Eden &c. Saturday 28: Returned from London – left at 2 – home at 10. Sunday 29: Duty at St Nicholas and Gaol. Drank tea and supped with Col. and Mrs Tombs.

Monday 30: Dined at home – supped at Cowcher’s – Dame there – rode to Frilford on Graham’s horse. Tuesday 31: Went to Cuxham – Henry Hayward106 there. SEPTEMBER Wednesday 1: Went shooting – bad sport – Alsop dined at Blackall’s Thursday 2107: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Out shooting – very unwell went to bed – better afterwards. Friday 3108: Out shooting – lunched at Paul’s – Alsop wined. Saturday 4: Returned home – went to Oxford – wined with Ensworth – Horsemanships. Sunday 5: Duty at St Nicholas and Gaol – sacrament at St Helen’s.

Monday 6: St Giles’s Fair – all the children at Oxford – Graham &c played loo here – up till 3 – lost. Tuesday 7: Shot my way to Goodlake’s – no sport. Evans dined. Played whist – lost. Wednesday 8: Out shooting – killed 8 brace and ½ - Graham &c dined.

103 A card game sometimes used in gambling 104 St Bartholomew 105 The Cider Cellar was a basement tavern in the Drury Lane / Covent Garden area much frequented by theatregoers 106 Henry Hayward of Stirlings House, Wantage, later of Ewelme 107 London Burnt (Great Fire of London) 108 School recommenced after summer holiday Thursday 9: Very wet – whist all the morning – went out coursing – dined with Goodlake. Friday 10: Out shooting – met with an accident and cut my face – killed 6 brace – returned home with Goodlake – Banting’s bill due £59-14 – Owen’s bill due £25-16. Saturday 11: Went to Oxford in fly with Dodson – wined at Ensworth's. Sunday 12: Duty at St Nicholas. Tom Sherwood came – Graham and Baster in the evening. Mrs H ill.

Monday 13: Went shooting to Radley and dined at Sandford. Large party. Tuesday 14: Went shooting to Frilford and dined there. Wednesday 15: Races109. Dined at Frilford – went down with Knapp. Thursday 16: Races. Party to dinner at home – returned with Spenlove’s Friday 17: Lounged about and dined at Graham’s – play in evening. Saturday 18: Shot at Culham – dined at home – loo in evening. Sunday 19: Duty at Marcham and St Nicholas – dined at Graham’s – supped at Cowcher’s – Hellmay bill due.

Monday 20: In School – dined at Cowcher’s – up very late. Paid Mrs Wilkins and Isabella £5 Tuesday 21110: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Went over to Oxford with Tom – dined at home and wined with Strange. Wednesday 22: Mayor’s feast in the yard111 – went hunting with Morrell and dined at Wittenham – Graham and Sherwood supped. Thursday 23: Sherwood went to Cuxham – settled matters with old Copeland112 – took the boys to the play. Friday 24: Dined with Mr Knight – went to the play – B there. Saturday 25: Walked out with my gun – killed 2 brace and ½ - Graham and Strange called – loo – recommenced with M. Cellier. FROM HERE THE DIARY IS WRITTEN IN FRENCH Sunday 26: Duty at Marcham, St Nicholas and Steventon to Baster’s home. Supped at home.

Monday 27: Pay J Copeland the butcher £50 – I went to Mr Graham and in the evening to take tea with Mr Spenlove and I went for a walk on the highroad. Tuesday 28: Went to Cowcher’s in the morning with some preserved ginger and I had dinner at the newly established hotel with the trustees of Wrigglesworth and in the evening to the theatre with Miss A Spenlove and Mrs Cowcher and her two eldest daughters and I took supper and I attended on Mrs Cowcher at her place Wednesday 29113: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] I dined at Graham’s with the farmers. I paid Mrs Wilkins £5.

109 Abingdon Races on Abingdon Common 110 St Matthew 111 Mayor’s dinner to the Corporation and inhabitants: 219 dined in the Coucil Chamber and 649 ‘potwallers’ in the School Court 112 Joseph Copeland, butcher, Bridge Street, Abingdon Thursday 30: In the afternoon I went to Mr Evans at Ilsley where I dined and slept. OCTOBER Friday 1: I went hunting. I dined at Mr Evans’s place and I returned home with Mr Sherwood. Saturday 2: I had a headache, but after an emetic I felt better. I went to Graham’s house where I played cards. Sunday 3: I went to St Nicholas’s church where I preached and in the evening to Graham and Cowcher.

Monday 4: There was a fair in this town and my pupils had a holiday. I went to Spenlove’s and I spent the whole morning with Miss A Spenlove. In the evening I went to the fair114 and to the theatre with Hester who had supper at my place. Mrs Taylor came who had supper with me. Tuesday 5: I walked in the evening on the ground and went to the theatre with my pupils and Mrs and Miss Hewlett and Mr Hester. Wednesday 6: I went by coach to Appleton to hunt. I killed three pheasants. Thursday 7: Went for a walk and in the evening to the theatre with Mr Hester and Mrs Hewlett. Friday 8: Had dinner at Mitchell’s home. Godfrey owes me £1 10s. I owe Strange £1 3s. Saturday 9: I went hunting. I killed two quails. I preached at St Helen’s. Sunday 10115: I preached at St Nicholas and had supper at Cowcher’s.

Monday 11: I drank some wine at Cowcher’s and I went in the evening to the theatre with my pupils. I sacked Mrs Wilkins for her improper conduct. Tuesday 12: I went to Baster’s where I drank wine and after that we both went to the theatre and we supped at my home. Paid Mr Emmens £17 13s 6d. Gearing £30. I gave a (promissory) note to Mr Copeland for £50. Wednesday 13: I went hunting to Appleton but the wood was full of hunters. I had supper at my place. Thursday 14: Powys and Wilson came to my place to dinner and we all went to the theatre. Friday 15: Powys and I went hunting at Frilford. Strange &c came to my place in the evening and we played cards. Saturday 16: I went to Steventon to bury a child. To St Helen’s – and to the theatre. Munday 17: I went to Steventon, to (Rotherfield) Greys and to Reading where I rested at T Garrard’s place.

Monday 18116: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Went to the examination at Reading School and I dined with the burghers.

113 St Michael 114 A hiring fair for servants 115 Beginning of Michaelmas term, University of Oxford 116 St Luke Tuesday 19: Returned to Abingdon through Beenham and Streatley where I dined. Powys and I went to the theatre. Wednesday 20: We went, Powys and I, hunting in Appleton. Mr Strange &c. came to my place in the evening. Thursday 21: Powys returned home. I went to the theatre. Friday 22: J Wainewright came to my place. We went in a large party to the theatre for the benefit of Miss C Jackman. Saturday 23: I went to Frilford. Mr and Mrs Hester came here in the evening. Sunday 24: I preached at St Nicholas and in the afternoon we went W and I to Oxford where we had dinner and we had supper at Badcock’s.

Monday 25: Half-day holiday. I went to the theatre. Tuesday 26: We went in a large group to the theatre for the benefit of Miss C Jackman. Thomas &c had supper at my place. Wednesday 27: Went to Oxford on horseback but my mare became lame. I returned in a post-chaise with Martha and we went to the theatre. Thursday 28117: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Mr Bird118 began his lectures. We had supper at Hester’s. Friday 29: We attended the readings, and after we went to the theatre. Saturday 30: We attended the lectures for the last time. Bowles, Baster and Cowcher had supper at my place. Sunday 1: Preached at St Nicholas and dined at Barrett’s at Milton.

NOVEMBER Monday 1: Went to the theatre for the last time. Tuesday 2119: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Went to Milton to dine. Found Roberts &c there. Wednesday 3: Went to Oxford with Mrs Hewlett and my daughter in the coach. Thursday 4120: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Sacked Barrett and Jane. And I went to Oxford with Bushell. Had dinner at Badcock’s. Friday 5121: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] Went with pupils to Cowcher’s and I had supper there. Saturday 6: Went hunting to Bagley. Marsh and Bowling had dinner here and they slept here also. Sunday 7: Preached at St Nicholas and went to Oxford to have dinner.

Monday 8: I took wine at tea at Spenlove’s with Goodlake, Knight &c. Tuesday 9: Dined at Jowett’s with Dodson and New. Wednesday 10: Went to Ilsley but it was too wet for coursing. I dined at the hotel and returned at four in the morning. Thursday 11: Dined with Graham with Dodson &c. Mrs and Miss H returned home.

117 St Simon and St Jude 118 Mr Bird’s series of 3 lectures on astronomy – the earth, the sun and the moon 119 All Souls 120 King William landed 121 Powder Plot 1605 Friday 12: I had a headache and I shut myself in my apartment all day. Saturday 13: Preached at St Helen’s and I took a cigar with C. Baster – supper at home and played cards. Sunday 14: Preached at St Nicholas and went to Oxford where I dined with Marsh and supped with T Badcock.

Monday 15: Knight and Barrett played cards and had supper with me. Tuesday 16: Went to Hester’s and had supper with him, Mrs Hester and Godfrey and J Morland. Wednesday 17: [Holiday at the Exchequer] Went to Oxford and dined at my College122. After my return had supper at Cowcher’s. Thursday 18: At Oxford again - dinner with Thomas. My wife being at Hester’s, I hurried there. Friday 19: Supper at Spenlove’s with Mr and Mrs Cowcher and Knight. Saturday 20: Spent the evening with Baster after having preached at St Helen’s. Sunday 21: Preached at St Nicholas and had dinner in college. Price and Brazier went with me. For St Nicholas £28 12s.

Monday 22: I hunted. In the evening at Cowcher’s with Miss A Sp123. Tuesday 23: Went hunting at Frilford without success. Wednesday 24: There was a lot of noise caused by the election of a Mayor. Thursday 25: At home all day. Friday 26: The prisoners124 were taken. Thomas, Walesby &c dined at my place. Saturday 27: Preached at St Helen’s. Sunday 28: Dined in Pembroke College with Sayce.

Monday 29: Took Mrs H to Oxford in the coach and dined in College and pigeon shooting. Tuesday 30: Dined with our Provost125 and had supper in the common room. DECEMBER Wednesday 1: Dined in College and left at nine o clock in the evening. Thursday 2: Baster and Cowcher supped with me. Mrs H returned from Oxford. Friday 3: Sayce, Goodlake &c dined with me. Saturday 4: Dined at Maskelyne’s. Bushnell went with me. Sunday 5: Went to Oxford and dined with Williamson – a big fire at Cumnor.

Monday 6: Mrs H left for Oxford. I supped at Hester’s. I went hunting at Frilford. Tuesday 7: Graham and Baster had supper with me. Wednesday 8: I went to Oxford, had lunch in St Giles and took wine at Ensworth’s. Thursday 9: I had supper at Cowcher’s.

122 Worcester College 123 Anne Spenlove 124 Machine breakers and agricultural rioters were active in the area at this time and thee were many arrests 125 The Provost of Worcester College Friday 10: I had a cigar with Owen. Graham and Baster supped with me. Saturday 11: I preached in St Helen’s and dined with Graham, Baster, Cowcher etc. Sunday 12: I read prayers at St Nicholas and lunched with Skelton and supped at Badcock’s – a big game…[illegible - cards?]

Monday 13: We had lunch with Williamson in New College. Tuesday 14: we went to Gyngell’s We had lunch with Hester. Wednesday 15: We went Gyngell’s. Thursday 16: I went to Cowcher’s Friday 17126: We went to the Prague Minstrels127. Saturday 18: And to the Prague Minstrels again, with the Spenlove’s. Sunday 19: I read prayers at St Nicholas, and lunched at Skelton’s with Mr Grant.

Monday 20: We went to see Gyngell with Anne Spenlove, who had supper with us, and her father as well. Tuesday 21128: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] I took wine and my pupils had supper at Graham’s. Wednesday 22: I lunched at Graham’s house after going to Oxford on horseback with Tom. Thursday 23: I went hunting in Marcham. And I gave a dinner to the Burgesses. Friday 24: I went to Bagley. Marsh dined with me and we played cards with Strange. Saturday 25129: [Holiday at all the Public Offices] My wife and I went to Oxford to dine. Sunday 26: I took prayers at St Helen’s and took tea and supper at Cowcher’s.

Monday 27130: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] I went to Radley with E Cowcher and the Cowcher’s dined with me. Tuesday 28131: [Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, and South Sea House] A big evening party at Cowcher’s. I had a headache. Wednesday 29: I dined with Kinsery at Trinity, and I slept in Oxford. Thursday 30: I lunched at my uncle’s on their wedding day. Friday 31: I lunched at Wilson’s in St John’s and I played cards and won £8 10s.

126 End of Michaelmas term, University of Oxford 127 A Bohemian wind band 128 St Thomas 129 Christmas Day 130 St John 131 Holy Innocents Day