December 4
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
December 4, 1997
Good day, but busy. I was grungin’ it in a big way, so that kinda sucked. Dad picked me up and I worked with Courtney and Ann. Didn’t get done till 5:30. Em and Eddie came and we went 2 eat at “Daniel’s.” Did homework with Friends and Seinfeld. Came home and talked 2 Ashley till 11:00. That was cool.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
December 4, 1960
Good day, but busy. I was grungin’ it in a big way, so that kinda sucked. Dad picked me up and I worked with Courtney and Ann. Didn’t get done till 5:30. Em and Eddie came and we went 2 eat at “Daniel’s.” Did homework with Friends and Seinfeld. Came home and talked 2 Ashley till 11:00. That was cool.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
December 4, 1938
Up early so that I could clean my bedroom a little. After breakfast and dressing we (M., D. and I) drove down to Sunday-school. Cloudy. About halfway down we picked up George, who was walking. The first thing he said was “Look at my lid, Patty.” He had gotten a hat (a real hat) in Knoxville yesterday. His grandmother said later he was so excited with it. After Sunday-school I stayed for church. Sat with Ella. Soon June Smalley came in and sat between us. She went to sleep during the sermon. Daddy sang. Mother didn’t stay for church. After service I waited for Barbara and we walked home together. I helped M. while B. read the funnies. During dinner I ate something in the relish that nearly burned my throat and mouth out. We all got tickled. After dinner B. and I washed the dishes and then went up to Helen’s. Played with kitten. Then H., B., and I went down and sat in our car and read the funnies. George and Allan came and pestered us with some talking device. Soon Jim came and we got out of the car and talked to him. Next Charles came. George went to C.E. Jim and Charles rolled a tin wheel down Marney’s steps and hit our car just as M. and D. came out the door to go to vesper service. About 3:00 Jim and Charles left so H., B., and I went in my house and played the piano. About 3:30 we left for C.E. We hid in the basement but soon Hugh, Ella and Jim and the rest came down and found us. Hugh followed Barbara every place. Mrs. Moore soon came and we started the meeting. Hugh led. But when his part of the program was finished he sat by Barbara. Jim acted up as usual. After C.E. Barbara, Betty, Helen and I waited for Daddy to come and take B. back to Mossip. We had a few weddings in the church until Daddy finally came. We all piled in the back seat and drove over to Mossip where we left Barbara June. Then drove over and let Betty off and on home with Helen. I went in and Mrs. Martin was just leaving. Studied my expression and finished my practicing. After supper I listened to Charlie McCarthy a little while and then washed the dishes and helped Mother with T.B. seals. Daddy kept the radio on till 8:00. After I helped M. I read till bedtime.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
December 4, 1887
I got up at 5 this morning built fires and sat in the kitchen and read until the rest of the folks arose. Went to church this forenoon it was about raining at the rime. Fred Neill and I took a walk down to the new railroad grade, and shanty this afternoon. It is growing colder tonight. Have been writing to pa and ma tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
December 4, 1871
Once more at Red Oak Shelter. How pleasant and comfortable to be here. The children have grown, and are full of fun. Little O comes to me and says “you may have a kiss.” Dear child. Katura cheerful and lively, and such a good cook.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
William B., 19 years old, P.O.W. in Delaware
December 4, 1864
Had Episcopal service. Mr. Kingsoliving read it, very fair and cool. Many reports of general exchange are floating about with some show of probability as General Schoepf says there will be one very soon.
*(William Hyslop Sumner Burgwyn Private Collection, North Carolina State Archives)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
December 4, 1862
Mrs. Jamison came soon this morning but not till we had breakfast as we generally eat by candle light about day break. She eat her breakfast & we got to work about 9. The waggon loaded up & got off by 12. I sent to Jarrett’s yesterday & got 50 lbs. of salt for 5$. That was doing very well I think. It is county salt. Very cold this morning & hard freeze. Mrs. Jamison warped the children’s dresses today & I finished Charlie’s shirt. Tena will not wash today as she attends to the spools.
*(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 4, 1667
At the office all the morning. At noon to dinner, and presently with my wife abroad, whom and her girle I leave at Unthanke’s, and so to White Hall in expectation of waiting on the Duke of York to-day, but was prevented therein, only at Mr. Wren’s chamber there I hear that the House of Lords did send down the paper which my Lord Chancellor left behind him, directed to the Lords, to be seditious and scandalous; and the Commons have voted that it be burned by the hands of the hangman, and that the King be desired to agree to it. I do hear, also, that they have desired the King to use means to stop his escape out of the nation. Here I also heard Mr. Jermin, who was there in the chamber upon occasion of Sir Thomas Harvy’s telling him of his brother’s having a child, and thereby taking away his hopes (that is, Mr. Jermin’s) of 2000l. a year. He swore, God damn him, he did not desire to have any more wealth than he had in the world, which indeed is a great estate, having all his uncle’s, my Lord St. Alban’s, and my Lord hath all the Queen-Mother’s. But when Sir Thos. Harvy told him that “hereafter you will wish it more;” — “By God,” answers he, “I won’t promise what I shall do hereafter.” Thence into the House, and there spied a pretty woman with spots on her face, well clad, who was enquiring for the guard chamber; I followed her, and there she went up, and turned into the turning towards the chapel, and I after her, and upon the stairs there met her coming up again, and there kissed her twice, and her business was to enquire for Sir Edward Bishop, one of the serjeants at armes. I believe she was a woman of pleasure, but was shy enough to me, and so I saw her go out afterwards, and I took a hackney coach, and away. I to Westminster Hall, and there walked, and thence towards White Hall by coach, and spying Mrs. Burroughs in a shop did stop and ’light and speak to her; and so to White Hall, where I ’light and went and met her coming towards White Hall, but was upon business, and I could not get her to go any whither and so parted, and I home with my wife and girle (my wife not being very well, of a great looseness day and night for these two days). So home, my wife to read to me in Sir R. Cotton’s book of warr, which is excellent reading, and particularly I was mightily pleased this night in what we read about the little profit or honour this kingdom ever gained by the greatest of its conquests abroad in France. This evening come Mr. Mills and sat with us a while, who is mighty kind and good company, and so, he gone, I to supper and to bed. My wife an unquiet night. This day Gilsthrop is buried, who hath made all the late discourse of the great discovery of 65,000l., of which the King bath been wronged.
*(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.)