April 16
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
April 16, 1998
Took Ash home at 8:30. Went 2 Tarboro. Bruce and Wendy came, too. Slept most of the time. Home by 5. Came home at 6:30. Ate. Jon called. :( He doesn’t know yet. Talked 2 Ash.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
April 16, 1997
Normal day. Pretty DAMN boring, actually. Went to Driver’s Ed. Mom picked me up and we got me some sunglasses. Cool. Came home and packed for Dad’s. Watched story. Went to Dad’s. Had dinner. Me and Dad went to GRAND SLAM for batting practice with the team. I did awful. Came home and did homework. Showered. Did more homework. Talked to Karen and Ashley.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
April 16, 1960
Up and doing as the folks were coming in time to eat with us. Did a number of important things early and then called Mrs. B. She came over for about an hour. Lo didn’t come home to eat lunch. Had a long day it seemed. Folks came early. We went out to cabin before Lo came. Cooks came with G.B. Had our meal but no work done up when it stormed no lites. Left dishes and went home.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
April 16, 1944
Cloudy and rainy again, darn it! I hate this weather. To church at 12 in old winter clothes. Good dinner. Mary Lou’s Harvey - who has proposed to her! - is leaving this week. Most of the air corps has either gone or is going. Studied and wrote letters in afternoon. Didn’t go to supper. Jane came back from show - “The Purple Heart” - and told us all about the soldiers she and Neen found themselves stuck with at show. Jane is a scream! Neen came in and we four decided to take a bus ride - against the rules! - as soon as it got dark. Mary Jo went out to a meeting at Mr. Weaver’s. About 8:15 Betty and I - all dressed up - left the hall one way and Jane and Neen another. Met at corner and got bus. Made transfer in middle of town and were quaking in our boots for fear we’d get caught - that is, Jane and Neen were. Betty and I didn’t realize our danger if there was any. Took east-west bus out to residential section. Fun riding along in bus with lights out! We got off near fraternity and sorority houses and walked by the barracks. Began to think of consequences if we were caught! Had some excitement over a car that Jane and Neen thought contained the boys who trailed them Friday night. False alarm, though. Saw quite a few soldiers but didn’t “pick up” any! Began to get worried when bus didn’t come. Finally caught it about 9:30 though. Transferred in town and back to hall quite awhile before census. Talked to Mary Jo. Kath and Mary came in. At 10 President Wood came over and told us all about the Stephens of tomorrow - quite a place!! Had cookies. To bed at 11.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
April 16, 1941
(m) Lovely, warm. Chapel in morning. Harry Wester played piano, harmonica, and sang. Reverend Taylor spoke to us. Test in English to start new term off. Made my forty words in typing. Got a lot done in fifth study hall. Have scanning in Latin poetry. After school Helen and I went to town. I had a headache and felt awful. Got my white slippers from shoe shop which have been dyed navy. Look so good. Got travel book at library. Ride home with Mrs. Stovers. George and Helen went to town again, but not me! I practiced and ate supper. Dress rehearsal at 6:30. Teachers and ushers as audience. Forgot half my things and Miss Alford got mad as I ran home during first act and got them. Mom drove me back. Got so tired of changing clothes. By 10:00 still weren’t through. Had to have pictures taken. Mom came for me and fussed to Clueny and Davis about late hours. Clueny said I made 99 on test. Home late. Very tired. Dad away. We took Cummins down the line. Very warm at rehearsal.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
April 16, 1888
I helped ma and Kate wash this forenoon and did a little gardening also. I went to Dexter this afternoon. I started on foot but got a ride with Geo. Phelps. I walked back, stopping to supper at father Queal’s. It has been a fine day.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
April 16, 1887
The clock alarm went off at 3 this morning, but Fred and I after listening awhile to the howling wind concluded it would be a bad day on the lake and went to sleep again. Will have to wait until Monday before going home to my Kate, now. I went to the house and packed, and tied up my trunk so it is all ready. Went up town after breakfast and settled up some business, which I forgot last night. Called at Waters’ a while. Had a kind of fear today noon and felt miserable, feel better now. I made some ink out of a powder I received from Boston, it seems to be good ink. I went up to the Court House and gave some to the clerk and treasurer. The wind is cold from the north today.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
April 16, 1862
I cut two pair drawers this morning for Mr. Henry & cut some for Jim of his cloth. I nearly finished Mr. Henry one pair. I spent the evening at Mrs. Fanning’s. Before dinner I helped Uncle Sam put in some glass in the dining room. He has put the sash in & hung the blind today. I tacked in some glass upstairs also today. It has rain a little all day with occasional sunshine. Atheline has pieced the sleeves of Uncle Sam’s shirt. I cut them too short. I have no word from Mr. Henry. Oh! the horrors of war. I want to hear from him so badly. No telling when he will be back. Shield him from all harm is my constant prayer. Almighty & merciful God spare my own dear husband to me & my loved ones I pray.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Samuel P., age 36, London
April 16, 1669
Up, and to my chamber, where with Mr. Gibson all the morning, and there by noon did almost finish what I had to write about the Administration of the Office to present to the Duke of York, and my wife being gone abroad with W. Hewer, to see the new play to-day, at the Duke of York’s house, “Guzman,” I dined alone with my people, and in the afternoon away by coach to White Hall; and there the Office attended the Duke of York; and being despatched pretty soon, and told that we should not wait on the King, as intended, till Sunday, I thence presently to the Duke of York’s playhouse, and there, in the 18d. seat, did get room to see almost three acts of the play; but it seemed to me but very ordinary. After the play done, I into the pit, and there find my wife and W. Hewer; and Sheres got to them, which, so jealous is my nature, did trouble me, though my judgment tells me there is no hurt in it, on neither side; but here I did meet with Shadwell, the poet, who, to my great wonder, do tell me that my Lord of [Orrery] did write this play, trying what he could do in comedy, since his heroique plays could do no more wonders. This do trouble me; for it is as mean a thing, and so he says, as hath been upon the stage a great while; and Harris, who hath no part in it, did come to me, and told me in discourse that he was glad of it, it being a play that will not take. Thence home, and to my business at the office, to finish it, but was in great pain about yesterday still, lest my wife should have sent her porter to enquire anything, though for my heart I cannot see it possible how anything could be discovered of it, but yet such is fear as to render me full of doubt and disgust. At night to supper and to bed.
*(The Diary of Samuel Pepys M.A. F.R.S., edited by Henry B. Wheatley F.S.A., London, George Bell & Sons York St. Covent Garden, Cambridge Deighton Bell & Co., 1893.)