December 14
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
December 14, 1997
Up at 10. Finished X-mas tree. Studied. Showered. Went to McGregor with Wendy, Eric, Em, Cap, etc. Good. Studied. Went to church thing with Mom and Kathy. Practiced guitar. Felt good.
Anna L., age 76, Illinois
December 14, 1960
Up early, rolls a disappointment. Mrs. E. came at 10:30. I had done a lot but more to come. Had a good meeting exchange and potluck. All enjoyed it.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
December 14, 1938
Practiced. No chapel. Usual classes. Home for dinner. Back again. Had good time with Elma and Mary before school. Usual classes. [In left margin: “Drill Team went to Norris.”] Mary helped me with my dress in last period study hall. After school I went up to the old building and met Mrs. Moore. We went to the auditorium to practice with Carol Watson. I practiced my dancing and Carol played “Beautiful Lady in Blue” for me to dance to. Some children in the back watched me. Quite embarrassing but I just forgot they were there when I got started. When we had finished I went down to Goodman’s with some tickets but they weren’t home. Walked part way with little Foster girl and rest of the way with two of her friends (going). About 3 mins. after I had gotten home Mother came. I went over to Mrs. McClure’s and sewed some more. Came back and practiced and studied. Daddy home. After supper (not dishes) I listened to One Man’s Family and sewed. Kept radio on till after 8:00 but sewed all the time. Then Mother fitted my dress for the hem. Didn’t start for bed till 9:00. Nice day. Cooler.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
December 14, 1887
Studied penmanship considerable this forenoon, writing some cards for practice, which I pasted on a piece of cardboard and took up to my classroom this afternoon. Received the Western Penman tonight, which has some good lessons in both writing and lettering. I have not studied much tonight. It is snowing some, has thawed all day.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
December 14, 1862
Warm this morning, wind from south. I am going to meet Mr. Henry after dinner. I hope I may not be disappointed. The darkies all gone but Jinnie. She is getting dinner. We have sweet potato pudding for dinner. Willie is up with Tena as Atheline is gone someplace. The other children at play. I will stop as I have to mix the pudding & I have nothing else to write.
I eat a hearty dinner of back bones, irish potatoes & pudding. I took Zona & went down to the mill. Took my bible. I read while she played around me. We went down about three o’clock & waited for Mr. Henry till near sun down but he did not come. Three men stay here tonight from Transilvania, two of them soldiers. They are on their way back to Love’s Reg, the 62nd. I have read the book of Deut. today, 34 chapt. I do wish Mr. Henry was at home. I live on hope, always hoping he will come tomorrow. The heart would soon sink in despondency if it was not for the bright hope of another day. Very warm tonight. I think it will rain soon. May God have mercy on our soldiers & protect them through this war & grant us, I beseach Thee Oh merciful God, a speedy & honorable peace is my prayer morning, noon & night.
*(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 34, London
December 14, 1667
Up and to the office, where busy, and after dinner also to the office again till night, when Mr. Moore come to me to discourse about the 200l. I must supply my Lord Hinchingbroke, and I promised him to do it, though much against my will. So home, 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.)