January 18
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
January 18, 1997
Me and Renée woke up at 12:00! Ate cinnamon rolls. She left at 1:15. Went to Crabtree with Courtney. Fun. Came home and ate. Talked to Renée and Ashley. Talked to Sean :). Talked to Karen.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
January 18, 1941
Cloudy, cold, dreary. Felt as if I had lost something when I woke up -- a friend. Hate days like this too often. Practiced and studied. Still going around in terrible circles. Will things never straighten out? Life is such a muddle. Poor Diary! You do get the worst of everything! I wish tomorrow were Monday. I miss Mary. Reread some of her notes today. Oh! I will be great because she believes in me!
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
January 18, 1887
Last night was a cold one; and the thermometer was down to zero this morning. It is 10o above tonight. I fixed up my class register this forenoon and did some copy writing. Went over to my house this morning. I had to wade through some deep drifts. I took about ½ bushel of snow out of the up stair part that had blown in at the crevices. Went up this afternoon and taught writing. Had 26 scholars. Called on Dr. Taylor to tell we must have more table room and chairs.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Columbus T., age 31, North Carolina
January 18, 1874
Up earlier than usual. Took a long walk before breakfast. Read the morning paper containing an account of the Ex-President Johnson-Holt controversy as to where the guilt lies in the execution of Mrs. Surrat said to be an innocent woman. One blames the other, but the article in question heaps the guilt upon both — and I believe both are blameable and very likely feel the lashings of conscience.
Visited the Baptist Sunday School, for the purpose of going into the Infant Department presided over by Mr. & Mrs. Dodd. Exercises creditable to themselves and children. The children are up or down promptly at the sound of the words “one, two.” Have been finishing up this diary to date, not having begun until the month was half gone. Visited Cowles & Nicholson Anderson. [In left margin] Day beautiful and not quite so cold. 11:15 P.M. Must retire.
*(Worthy of Record: The Civil War and Reconstruction Diaries of Columbus Lafayette Turner, Ed. Kenrick N. Simpson, courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina.)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
January 18, 1862
A beautiful morning but cloudy in the evening. I did some mending for the children. Mrs. Jones was here this evening & got 4 lbs. wool. Harrie & the children went to the mill after dinner. We had turkey today for dinner. Bets McKinnish & Milla Penland eat dinner here. Bets got 19 1/4 lbs. wool on Thursday last to spin. She brought Jinnie some stocking yarn today. Tom Tidwell brought his mother up to Taylor’s this evening. Tom has been in nearly two weeks. Taylor started to the salt works last Tuesday & came back this evening. Heard on the road he could not get any so he turned & came back. I hope Eliza may not stay long on the place. Willie was a little sick last night, vomited some but did have to get up with him. The other little ones well. Mr. Henry at the mill all day.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)