April 19
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
April 19, 1997
Up at 8:00. We all went to Charlotte for Em’s dance. Trudie, Patrick, Rachael :), Wendy and Eric were there. Ate dinner at Trudie’s. Spent night at Katie’s. Cried a LOT today 'cause of poison ivy.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
April 19, 1960
Did many things before ironing. Went to see Ole at noon. Bess came about 2:30. When Lo came she took her home. We went on to cabin pretty late, had food cooked so didn’t take long.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
April 19, 1944
Nice and mild in morn. Cloudy in afternoon. Tennis on courts. Went to lunch with Valerie. All the kids were at lunch. Talked about graduation. We all hate to think about it. Studied during siesta. Took out dinner permission. Practiced at 2. Went to town library at 3. Letter from Mum and Jimmie. Read Fosdick and Macauley. Back about 6:30. Met Ann S. Her brother is coming next week. Dressed for recital. Wore new green dress. Went to recital hall at 7. Most of Miss Good Smith’s pupils were there. Charlene Miller and I talked. I played last - Arensky’s Etude. Home about 8:30. Talked to Mary Jo. Went to Tuck. Then wrote family. Betty returned unexpectedly about 10:15. No more peace and quiet. :)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
April 19, 1887
I got to Ann Arbor at 11 o’clock last night and feeling real tired. I did not try to walk home, but put up at the Arlington House and had a good sleep and my breakfast this morning. I got my hair cut and then had to run to catch the train, which I came to Delhi on. I left my satchel there and walked home. I stopped there a few minutes and then came over to see Kate and the baby. I took dinner here and stayed a while talking and holding daughter, then went home and stayed to supper, coming back again as I am going to stay with Kate and baby tonight. It has been a fine day. Have seen Jimie our mustang. He looks…
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
April 19, 1862
I have felt very sad all day. I am not well, I think is one reason I did nothing of note today. Fannie & Jim Parker had a difficulty this morning. He thrashed her a little. I hate to see them abused. If Mr. Henry was to stay long I fear we would have a bad time of it. I do hope he may soon return unharmed. Fannie baked some ginger bread for the children this evening. It rained a good deal after dinner. My little ones are well. Uncle Sam made some steps down by the pantry last Thursday to the piazza. Tom T. stays with us at night since Mr. Henry left. I am not much affraid of the tories. I finished Atheline’s chemise this evening. God protect my dear husband.
*(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 19, 1669
Up, and with Tom (whom, with his wife, I, and my wife, had this morning taken occasion to tell that I did intend to give him 40l. for himself, and 20l. to his wife, towards their setting out in the world, and that my wife would give her 20l. more, that she might have as much to begin with as he) by coach to White Hall, and there having set him work in the Robe Chamber, to write something for me, I to Westminster Hall, and there walked from 10 o’clock to past 12, expecting to have met Deb., but whether she had been there before, and missing me went away, or is prevented in coming, and hath no mind to come to me (the last whereof, as being most pleasing, as shewing most modesty, I should be most glad of), I know not, but she not then appearing, I being tired with walking went home, and my wife being all day at Jane’s, helping her, as she said, to cut out linen and other things belonging to her new condition, I after dinner out again, and, calling for my coach, which was at the coachmaker’s, and hath been for these two or three days, to be new painted, and the window-frames gilt against May-day, went on with my hackney to White Hall, and thence by water to Westminster Hall, and there did beckon to Doll Lane, now Mrs. Powell, as she would have herself called, and went to her sister Martin’s lodgings, the first time I have been there these eight or ten months, I think, and her sister being gone to Portsmouth to her husband, I did stay and talk and drink with Doll … So away:; and to White Hall, and there took my own coach, which was now come, and so away home, and there to do business, and my wife being come home we to talk and to sup, there having been nothing yet like discovery in my wife of what hath lately passed with me about Deb., and so with great content 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.)