April 27
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
April 27, 1997
I was 1st awake. Felt real sick and had a lot of homework so Mom came to get me. Did homework. Watched “101 Dalmations.” Did homework. Drove to Zebulon with Bryan and Kathy. Went to grocery store. Felt sick. (Tummy.) Ate some. Watched “Simpsons” and “King of the Hill.” Cracks me up!
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
April 27, 1960
Up and made pie for pot luck, a small cake for ourselves. Lo took me to the parsonage. A big turn out and good time. Lo brot the “Post” with Bob’s article in it. Very interesting. Talked with Amy. We had a letter from Bob. Had gotten his candy.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
April 27, 1944
Stop Day. Up about 10:30. Studied history. Maids cleaned the room. Cloudy but not raining. The men cut the pass this morn and it smells so good!! Real good lunch. Finished history during siesta. Betty wrote her book report and we had a big fuss. Made up, however, and at 3 started out for the show. Met Mary Lou, Betty P., Connie, and Valerie so we went down to Uptown with them. Couldn’t get seats together though. Saw a corny Phil Harris short and then “Nine Girls,” a murder mystery. Very good! Out about 5:30. Went through P.O. Betty got a letter from Ray — his autobiography. How exciting! Good dinner. No vespers because of Burrall play. Cleared after dinner. Beautiful sunset. Kath and Mary came in after dinner to read Ray’s letter and told us about some positively sickening book on sex a girl upstairs had and they had read. Betty got mad and told Kath she needn't to come down anymore if that was all she could talk about. I felt ill. Kath said we were abnormal ’cause we weren’t interested in sex and Mary said we should know things like that to be educated. Well, if that’s education I don’t want it!! They ruined the evening. Jane walked over to library with Betty and I. Sun going down ball of fire. Decided to go for walk. Jane went over to Wales to see Neen and Betty and I went over, too, later. They were waiting for some girls to call from home and Jane couldn’t be persuaded to leave until she had heard. So Betty and I went for walk. Went to Bing’s for soda. Back about 9. I washed my hair.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
April 27, 1887
The baby’s ear seemed to trouble her so this morning, that I had the Dr. look at it when he came to see Nellie. I went to Dexter with Henry this forenoon, and got some medicine for the baby, and did various other errands. Henry got a load of tile. I called at uncle John’s harness shop and saw him a minute expected some one would find fault because I was running out, but no one knew I live where there is Diptheria, I guess. I went home a little while this afternoon, but came back soon.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
April 27, 1862
Cloudy this morning but bright now in the evening. Mr. Henry gave Atheline an emetic this morning, she is a little better. Jim has Willie & Zona & Mr. Henry are asleep. I am in my “studio” down by the branch. I must stop as I want to take a long walk this evening. No more at present. Mr. Henry & I took a tramp through the wheat & then out to Quinn’s. I got me a nice bunch of flowers, lilacs at Quinn’s. We left the children with Fannie. It was late when we got back, dark.
*(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 27, 1669
Up, and to the Office, where all the morning. At noon home to dinner, and then to the Office again, where the afternoon busy till late, and then home, and got my wife to read to me in the Nepotisme, which is very pleasant, and so to supper and to bed. This afternoon was brought to me a fresh Distringas upon the score of the Tangier accounts which vexes me, though I hope it will not turn to my wrong.
*(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.)