Shaky finances
As to the position of the College. At first Sewell alone responsible, though others were ready to back him. When Singleton left, Sewell managed to pay off all current expenses and the College was making more than its yearly expenditure. Heathcote was started clear on the understanding that he should be responsible himself for the current expenses of his term of office, Sewell remaining responsible for the old debt (about £11,500) and Heathcote paying over to him the surplus after expenses were cleared.[Heathcote left and Sewell] enters into office. The debt had been about £16,000 altogether. He pays off the current expenses though not really himself liable for them. The first two or three terms receipts below expenditure, afterwards matters mend. It now makes about £10,000 and spend £8,000. Of this £1,000 each year goes to Mr. Bowyer for the lease, the other £1,000 towards the discharge of the original debt. So if we continue to flourish and the Warden’s life is spared, all will be very well.

William Wood’s Diary 1855-1861, ed. by Mark Spurrell, is available from Oxfordshire Record Society. These excerpts are presented to give a flavour of life at Radley in the 1850s