Diary March 1896 - Jan 1897

26 March Mentioned at Parish Council meeting that Drs. Prance and Washbourne offered their services with respect to vaccination

29 March Report that there had been over 600 cases of smallpox in Gloucester to date and 17% had died

7 April Report that 3 days before a case of smallpox had been removed from Parton Manor. This led to many questions and noisy dispute

30 April Case of smallpox on the Green

4 May Official return of smallpox cases to date gives total 1470 with 43 deaths. 25000 vaccinated or re-vaccinated since the outbreak

6 May About 500 in Churchdown vaccinated out of population 750 (last census)

15 May Dr. Smithe did not put any trust in the statement of Croll's or Prof. Geikie that the world must be at least 80,000 years old

29 May Smallpox in Gloucester persists - 41 cases and 19 deaths in past week

3 June Suggested at Parish Council meeting that a well be sunk and a pump fixed for the use of the Centre (of the village) and Brookfield district. Agreed if consent obtained and cost not in excess of £10

13 June Anthony [probably Morris] referred to state of parish say 70 years ago: much of land not enclosed; women and children were to work 8am to 5pm, both times announced by ringing of church bell; etc.

14 June Witnessed the eclipse of Jupiter by the moon

22 June The Old Elm (Churchdown) said to have been put up for sale, and £3000 and over had been offered for it

26 June Mr. Tuthill reported that he had undergone an operation for hernia in a private London hospital - charged 2 guineas per diem

4 July Nellie Matthews of Chalford came to help Rose - at 1s/6d per week.

10 July The Old Elm sold by auction to a brewery of Long Ashton for £3550

5 Aug. Visit to Deerhurst Church and Saxon chapel

19 Aug. Fall from tricycle injuring face and shoulder [less serious than feared. Did not have to consult doctor]

24 Aug. Geo. Davis instructed by surveyors of Taxes to get out fresh assessment of the parish in accordance with Agricultural Act lately passed - every place with 1/4 acre of land or more to be separated into 3 assessments, houses, buildings, land. [Worked on this assessment with G. Davis 25 and 26 Aug.]

4 Sept. Frequent references to his collection of Scandinavian coins

21 Sept. Sale of Annandale Lodge (opposite school) by Messrs. Bruton Knowles & Priday. House and grounds sold for £4,100. Price of building land adjoining sold to Mr. E. Lea for £1,650 [area 1924 sq. yds.]

7 Oct. Stated that Lord Ellenborough, one time Gov. Gen. of India, formerly owned property in Churchdown

27 Oct. [Rate demand notes [year not stated] enclosed here]

10 Nov. Juryman at inquest on child. Death caused by asphyxia caused by convulsions

12 Nov. Stormy scene at Parish Council meeting arising from discussion re. the administration of Wyndowe's Charity. "The Dr. is greatly put out"

9 Dec. Informed that he and his wife had become grandparents (son Arthur had a daughter on 7/12/96)

17 Dec. Earthquake at about 5. 40am. Description

1897

10 Jan. Advised to apply for salary to be increased to £100 a year

15 Jan. School Board increased the salary by £10 [total not stated]

18 Jan. Had difficulty in reaching Cheltenham Station owing to shortness of breath (weather very cold)