From September 1872

150 Years Ago: from The Bicester Herald September 1872

Friday 20 September Launton Harvest Thanksgiving Services

On Sunday last, September 15, the annual thanksgiving services in Launton church to Almighty God for the safe in-gathering of harvest, were held. The church was decorated for the occasion. In the east window were two pots of flowers and evergreens with a cross in the centre. At each side of the window were very ancient paintings referring to the four Evangelists. Those on the left being Saints Matthew and Mark, and on the right Saints Luke and John. There were also some small designs with “T.H.E.” Along the side of the altar rails were several green house plants in pots in full bloom. Across the chancel on a white ground in different coloured letters was the text “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” The pulpit was also decorated with flowers and foreign grain. On the left side of the chancel was a motto “Peace and Plenty.” The pillars and candlesticks were entwined with evergreens, and the font was adorned with several kinds of fruit and flowers, and two sheaves of corn, with a cross of moss on the top. In the north aisle were designs of evergreens and flowers. Over the door another ancient painting representing lilies.

The services were partly choral. Special hymns for harvest thanksgiving were sung, including Hymn 360, We plough the fields and scatter (Hymns Ancient and Modern.) The Rev. J. C. Blomfield, M.A., rector, read the prayers, and the Rev. F. Yorke, M.A., vicar of Fritwell, preached the sermon, that in the morning from Jeremiah viii, 20, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” In his discourse he said he had come to tell them of the heathens in their own lands. In one place there were three parts of the people who did not attend any place of worship whatever, and it was for them he would ask their assistance that day. In the afternoon, the preacher chose for his text Galatians ii, latter part of the 20 th verse. At the end of each service a collection was made on behalf of the home Mission Society, which amounted to £3 17s 9d.

Friday 27 September PETTY SESSIONS. Tom Sansom’s Visit to the Bull Inn, Launton.

Thomas Edward Sansom, stall proprietor, Launton, was charged with having been drunk and quarrelsome, and refused to quit The Bull public house when requested to do so by the landlady, at Launton on September 7 th . From the evidence of Mrs Freeman, the landlady, and Susan Cox, domestic servant at the house, it appeared that on Saturday September 7, about one o’clock in the day, defendant went into the house the worse for drink, and called for beer. Mrs Freeman refused to draw him any when he turned saucy and abusive.

- Defendant said he went in the house to have a row with a man, who had set some chaps on to upset his stall. They began turning “rusty” with him, and he turned “rusty” with them. He was not drunk, for he had only had two pints of small beer. Defendant was ordered to pay fine and costs 9s 6d, or seven days. The cash was paid.

[Editor’s note: Tom Sansom was 18 years old at the time of the incident. I have no idea what sort of stall he had. In the census he is simply listed as a farm labourer. I have no other information about him other than some more appearances in court over the years.

Joseph Freeman and his wife were about to give up running The Bull Inn, and a William Freeman took over. There were a great many William Freemans in Launton in the Nineteenth Century, and it is not always certain which is which; nor if Joseph (who came from Piddington) and William were related.]