December 5
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
December 5, 1997
Jerry took me, Chrissi, Zach, and Renée to Renée’s. Scott and his friend came. Me, Chrissi, and Scott were hoochin’ it in the bed. Scott’s awesome. Ashley came back from work. Me, Renée, and Mrs. D went to get take-out and a movie. Everybody ate. Scott and Zach left. Us girls watched “Inventing the Abbotts.” Good.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
December 5, 1960
Loie’s birthday. Joe and Jim came up to set laundry tubs. Jim helped a little while then went. Ralph came and cemented a few holes. Joe didn’t finish until nearly noon. Lo called to say she wanted to go to Elgin which we did. Came to cabin quite early ate and were home right after 7:30 when 'phone range and Dorothy called to say her mother had passed away. Sitting in her chair when D. got home. Lo sent telegram to Ruth, later I wrote to Harry too. Called Ole. Went to Carrie’s with the news. Zella called to wish Lo happy birthday.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
December 5, 1938
(m) Practiced. Went to chapel in old building then marched to new building. Mr. Black gave a talk on character. Miss Goodwin got after Nancy and Mildred Tilley for talking. Usual classes. Mr. Ballard was out during Algebra but he gave us some problems to work. Had fun. Home for dinner. Said my reading to Mother. Back to school. Usual classes. At 2:30 I took my expression at old building. The 6th grade were practicing a jazz band in the auditorium so we couldn’t practice dancing. Went around to some teachers’ rooms after my expression and left some T.B. seals. Then back to old building. When school was out I spoke to Carol Watson about playing for me at Mrs. Moore’s program in January. She could so I gave her some music to practice. Cloudy. I got Mary to walk to the old building with me while I saw some more teachers. Then she walked a new way home with me just a little. At Mrs. Winslow’s corner I met Doris Margrave and walked with her to Yeargan’s corner. Then home. Mother was getting ready to go out. Soon she left and I studied. About 20 mins after she had left she came back. Noone had been home that she had gone to see. After my lessons I practiced. Daddy came for supper. After supper and the dishes I got ready for bed. Daddy had to go to a Sunday-school meeting at Mossip. At 8:00 I listened to Lux Radio Theater with Fred MacMurray and Madeline Carroll in “The Princess Comes Across.” A mystery. Pretty good. I sewed while I listened. Then to bed.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
December 5, 1887
It has been a very fine day. I sawed up a few chunks this morning then went up town and voted against whiskey on the local option election held in this county today. I brought home a new bible to do some engrossing in. It is for the pulpit of the new church. Have been at work on it all the afternoon. My arm got to feeling so bad tonight that I had to give up writing. I hope nothing will have to make me give up penmanship. Una has been quite sick at times today.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
December 5, 1862
Mail brought a good many letters but nothing new. Burnsides has taken McClelland’s place as commander of the feds. All quiet along the lines now though. They expect a battle soon about Nashville, Ten. God give us a complete victory is my prayer & grant us an honorable peace. We finished the harness today by 2 o’clock. Raining all the morning & sleeted & snowed some in the evening. Mrs. Jamison went home this evening through the rain. It was raining this morning when she came. Jinnie & Atheline mixing wool today. Tena washed some for the children to be dried by the fire.
*(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 5, 1667
At the office all the morning, do hear that Will Pen, Sir W. Pen’s son, is come from Ireland, but I have not seen him yet. At noon to the ’Change, where did little, but so home again and to dinner with my clerks with me, and very good discourse and company they give me, and so to the office all the afternoon till late, and so home to supper and to bed. This day, not for want, but for good husbandry, I sent my father, by his desire, six pair of my old shoes, which fit him, and are good; yet, methought, it was a thing against my mind to have him wear my old things.
*(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.)