April 6
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
April 6, 1998
School was good. Talked 2 Jon and he said he wrote me. Ate. Went 2 writing class. (Last one.) Came home. Had messages from Jon, Courtney, Ashley, and Zach, and Née. Jon called Née 2 get Courtney’s # so he could could talk 2 her about me. He’s going 2 give her the note.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
April 6, 1997
Up at 12:00! Hung out in PJ’s for a while. Watched TV. Walked Lucy. Em picked me up at 4:00 and we picked Dad up at the airport. Went to T.K. Tripps for dinner. Came home and watched “Simpsons.”
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
April 6, 1960
Couldn’t get up early today when I needed to. Called Amy, later Edna then Mrs. B. Lo picked me up for hair appt. at 10:20 was thru at 12:10. Lo had to go back at 12:30 for hers. Mrs. B. came over this P.M. We had coffee then she went to see Mrs. Gould she not good. All set for morning. Lo had bath and nails done. Pink called and Lo called Aunt Zella, Uncle W not good.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
April 6, 1944
Much milder in afternoon. Nice in morn, then clouded up. Can’t get a 5 minute take at 60 in shorthand to save me! I’m getting discouraged! Report in philosophy - no class Sat. so I’ll have the week-end to finish my report. Good lunch. Seems such a short time since spring vacation began a week ago. No house meeting. Studied til 3. Jane came in and we talked about boys, etc. She’s so funny!! Practiced til 4. Then went to town and got 2-piece dress that was being altered. Started to sprinkle but stopped. Cloudy. Back and tried it on for Mary Jo. She thought it was cute. To piano lesson at 4:30. Short since Miss Good Smith was going to Jr. vespers. Her hair looked so pretty. Betty and I stayed in Mary Jo’s room til dinner and cross-examined each other about religion!! We started in on Jane when she came. Fun and interesting. Good dinner. At 7:30 Jane, Betty and I went to vespers. Mr. Weaver back (been in hospital 5 weeks) and gave wonderful talk. Betty and I went to bus station afterwards and brought Jane and Noreen some. At dinner Betty gave me the “lovingest” look once and declared I was the nicest person. After dinner, she said she wanted to kiss me at dinner.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
April 6, 1941
Cloudy in morning. Cleared in afternoon. Milder. Dreamed last night that I almost got married. Funny. Miss Tindall back at Sunday school. I played for the beginners and primaries. Stayed for church. Sat with Ruth, Pan, and Ella. The latter had too much lipstick on -- looked terrible. Communion and Palm Sunday. Very interesting person in church. George borrowed a tunelon [?] or something from A.B. and played “There’ll Always Be an England.” Mary and William drove by after church. Mary can’t go back to school anymore this year -- she was so sweet. Early dinner. At 2:00 Mary and William came in car. They tooted the horn at George around the corner and we hid on them. Then drove out to Walnut Hill to Christian mission. Lester pre-school. Very good sermon. I couldn’t look at him all the time. Got out about 3:00. William, Helen, Mary and I went driving. Lovely out. Mary and I sat in back seat. Talked about school. I guess I hurt her -- she almost cried twice. I’m sorry. Passed Clay twice and William honked and waved. So did Clay and Helen. Very embarrassing for Helen but very romantic. Mary’s latest ailment is having crying spells. To Christian Education at 4:00. Hated to say goodbye to Mary. In C.E. Ruth led and afterwards she gave us all a lecture on behavior. Ouch! But really I did feel terribly ashamed although I didn’t show it. Helen didn’t like it -- but advice doesn’t hurt anyone. Went walking with Helen after we got home. Lovely Spring twilight. After supper I studied and at 7:30 Mom, Dad, and I went to an Easter contata at the South Methodist Church. I sat with George. How that poor boy suffered. Most of the music was very good, though. Had fun teasing George. Love today so much... Wish it didn’t have to end. Dread school without Mary.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
April 6, 1888
I finished working at the store this forenoon, closing up the old books, and opening a new set for Hopkins. Charlie made me a present of a $5 gold piece, which took me entirely by surprise. I took a walk with Mr. Harvey this afternoon. We went to the banks of Crystal Lake, and then to the sugar camps of Mr. Morrow and Fred Neill, where we had some sweet. Mr. Harvey and I were much disappointed in not receiving the Typewriter tonight. I got letters from ma and Kate tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
April 6, 1887
I got up his morning and built the fires. Wrote my copies and the most of a letter to Kate before breakfast. I went over to our house and painted all this forenoon. My classes at the College were small today and I expect they will be smaller the next two days. I sent Kate a Money Order for $25 today. Went to the store and posted the books after school. Mr. Case is not going away this week. He asked me what I could work half the time in the store for if he should want me. I got a letter from ma and another note from Nellie with a paper pattern of the baby’s hand. I went up to Mr. Small’s and ate Maple “Wax” this evening. They had a good company, but I didn’t stay long.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
April 6, 1862
We all attended church. Mr. Reynolds preached a very good sermon. Fannie had dinner nearly ready when we got home. As usual, I had headache. Mr. Henry & I went up the road by the hotel garden. We took Pinck & Zona with us. Zona has on her red flannel dress, the first time she has worn it. Mr. Henry lay before the fire all the evening. The old tanner Smith was here part of the time. I forgot to say Mr. Henry married another couple, Morris & one of old Jim Night’s daughters on the 3rd inst. They came after him at 10 o’clock at night & he went. I was vexed. I did not want him to go.
*(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 35, London
April 6, 1668
Betimes I to Alderman Backewell, and with him to my Lord Ashly’s, where did a little business about Tangier, and to talk about the business of certificates, wherein, contrary to what could be believed, the King and Duke of York themselves, in my absence, did call for some of the Commissioners of the Treasury, and give them directions about the business [of the certificates], which I, despairing to do any thing on a Sunday, and not thinking that they would think of it themselves, did rest satisfied, and stayed at home all yesterday, leaving it to do something in this day; but I find that the King and Duke of York had been so pressing in it, that my Lord Ashly was more forward with the doing of it this day, than I could have been. And so I to White Hall with Alderman Backewell in his coach, with Mr. Blany; my Lord’s Secretary: and there did draw up a rough draught of what order I would have, and did carry it in, and had it read twice and approved of, before my Lord Ashly and three more of the Commissioners of the Treasury, and then went up to the Council-chamber, where the Duke of York, and Prince Rupert, and the rest of the Committee of the Navy were sitting: and I did get some of them to read it there: and they would have had it passed presently, but Sir John Nicholas desired they would first have it approved by a full Council: and, therefore, a Council Extraordinary was readily summoned against the afternoon, and the Duke of York run presently to the King, as if now they were really set to mind their business, which God grant! So I thence to Westminster, and walked in the Hall and up and down, the House being called over to-day, and little news, but some talk as if the agreement between France and Spain were like to be, which would be bad for us, and at noon with Sir Herbert Price to Mr. George Montagu’s to dinner, being invited by him in the hall, and there mightily made of, even to great trouble to me to be so commended before my face, with that flattery and importunity, that I was quite troubled with it. Yet he is a fine gentleman, truly, and his lady a fine woman; and, among many sons that I saw there, there was a little daughter that is mighty pretty, of which he is infinite fond: and, after dinner, did make her play on the gittar and sing, which she did mighty prettily, and seems to have a mighty musical soul, keeping time with most excellent spirit. Here I met with Mr. Brownlow, my old schoolfellow, who come thither, I suppose, as a suitor to one of the young ladies that were there, and a sober man he seems to be. But here Mr. Montagu did tell me how Mr. Vaughan, in that very room, did say that I was a great man, and had great understanding, and I know not what, which, I confess, I was a little proud of, if I may believe him. Here I do hear, as a great secret, that the King, and Duke of York and Duchesse, and my Lady Castlemayne, are now all agreed in a strict league, and all things like to go very current, and that it is not impossible to have my Lord Clarendon, in time, here again. But I do hear that my Lady Castlemayne is horribly vexed at the late libell,1 the petition of the poor whores about the town, whose houses were pulled down the other day. I have got one of them, but it is not very witty, but devilish severe against her and the King and I wonder how it durst be printed and spread abroad, which shews that the times are loose, and come to a great disregard of the King, or Court, or Government. Thence I to White Hall to attend the Council, and when the Council rose we find my order mightily enlarged by the Sollicitor Generall, who was called thither, making it more safe for him and the Council, but their order is the same in the command of it that I drew, and will I think defend us well. So thence, meeting Creed, he and I to the new Cocke-pitt by the King’s gate, and there saw the manner of it, and the mixed rabble of people that come thither; and saw two battles of cocks, wherein is no great sport, but only to consider how these creatures, without any provocation, do fight and kill one another, and aim only at one another’s heads, and by their good will not leave till one of them be killed; and thence to the Park in a hackney coach, so would not go into the tour, but round about the Park, and to the House, and there at the door eat and drank; whither come my Lady Kerneagy, of whom Creed tells me more particulars; how her Lord, finding her and the Duke of York at the King’s first coming in too kind, did get it out of her that he did dishonour him, and so bid her continue …, which is the most pernicious and full piece of revenge that ever I heard of; and he at this day owns it with great glory, and looks upon the Duke of York and the world with great content in the ampleness of his revenge. Thence (where the place was now by the last night’s rain very pleasant, and no dust) to White Hall, and set Creed down, and I home and to my chamber, and there about my musique notions again, wherein I take delight and find great satisfaction in them, and so, after a little supper, to bed. This day, in the afternoon, stepping with the Duke of York into St. James’s Park, it rained: and I was forced to lend the Duke of York my cloak, which he wore through the Park.
*(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.)