December 26
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
December 26, 1997
Always such a sad day. Not 2 bad, though. Me, Mom, and Kathy went 2 some crappy shop center by the airport. Watched story. Then we went 2 see “As Good As It Gets.” Good. Came 2 Dad’s. We all went 2 the Rogers’ little party. Kinda boring. Played on computer and went in Phish chat room. Nutin’ special. Cried about face.
Anna L., age 76, Illinois
December 26, 1960
I up early, Lo too. Cleaned up some. K.J. up at 10:00. She went on 11:17 to Beloit to see Jean off on plane for the East. Bob and David stopped in a minute on way to Mich. We got ready to go to Elgin so picked folks up at cabin. Don stayed to watch Ball game. Returned about 4:30. Helen there so ate a bite with us and went to town, other dates. Don raring to get home so came in and packed up, they left about 7:30.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
December 26, 1938
Noone in our household got up till 12 o’clock. Rainy, dreary day and cool. After “breakfast” and the dishes I prepared for the weather and got George to go down to Elma’s with me to leave a note inviting her to my party tomorrow. I didn’t go all the way but sent G. on because I was afraid she’d think I was coming after a Christmas gift. G. said Elma wasn’t home anyway but he gave it to her Mother. G. and I walked home and talked about Oliphant. I stopped at Helen’s before I went home and asked her about tomorrow. She had me come in and look at her gifts. I played with Puss a little and then went home. The rain about ruined my hair. I went home and practiced, wrote in this and made my bed. Then from about 5:00 till 6 I sat in front of the fireplace with M. and D. and read “Tale of 2 Cities.” Very good. Then we ate supper about 6:30. Ate too much again. Went to t.b.b. and then dried the dishes while Mother washed and at 8:00 made doll clothes while we all listened to Lux Radio Theater’s “Snow-White and Seven Dwarfs.” Walt Disney was the guest. Then after the program was over we opened our Christmas cards. I was too sleepy to stay up long, though so I went to bed about 11:30. Excuse this awful writing but my hand is numb with cold since I am writing this in the North Pole (my bedroom) on Wednesday morn.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
December 26, 1887
I have been sawing wood with Fred Neill all day over at his folk’s house. He will help me in exchange. I ate dinner there, but came home to look after my chores. I did not get quite as tired as I expected to, not being used to working so long at a time. I went up town tonight, mailed some letters and got the mail. It snowed all the afternoon.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
December 26, 1862
Till Morris left this morning soon after the mail came. Her & I slept together last night & Mr. Henry & Mr. Peake, Till & I did not go to sleep till after 11 o’clock. Betsey went home yesterday evening. Fannie has been cooking yesterday & today. Jinnie will cook tomorrow & next day. Atheline gone to Haywood to see the Common Negroes. She went yesterday. Mail brought no news. Mr. Henry & Mr. Peak went to Asheville after dinner, dark when they came home. The children have no shoes yet. The negroes all shod.
*(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 26, 1667
Up and to Westminster, and there to the Swan, and by chance met Mr. Spicer and another ’Chequer clerk, and there made them drink, and there talked of the credit the ’Chequer is now come to and will in a little time, and so away homeward, and called at my bookseller’s, and there bought Mr. Harrington’s works, “Oceana,” &c., and two other books, which cost me 4l., and so home, and there eat a bit, and then with my wife to the King’s playhouse, and there saw “The Surprizall;” which did not please me to-day, the actors not pleasing me; and especially Nell’s acting of a serious part, which she spoils. Here met with Sir W. Pen, and sat by him, and home by coach with him, and there to my office a while, and then home to supper and to bed. I hear this day that Mrs. Stewart do at this day keep a great court at Somerset House, with her husband the Duke of Richmond, she being visited for her beauty’s sake by people, as the Queen is, at nights; and they say also that she is likely to go to Court again, and there put my Lady Castlemayne’s nose out of joynt. God knows that would make a great turn. This day I was invited to have gone to my cozen Mary Pepys’ burial, my uncle Thomas’ daughter, but could not.
*(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.)