January 19
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
January 19, 1997
Up at 11:00. Had breakfast. Went to library with Mom. Went to Zebulon with Bryan and Kathy. Went to Trisha’s party. Me and Sean pecked! Spent night at Ashley’s with Renée. :) Fun!
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
January 19, 1941
Bright, beautiful, very cold. Went to Sunday School and Church for first time this year. A substitute minister delivered the sermon -- most of which was addressed to the ceiling. He is nice, though. Dined in bedroom, then read paper and talked. Can hardly wait to see “The Letter.” Helen came and went to Dad’s office with me to type. Then Christian Education. Miss D. and Helen had a disagreement. I asked Miss D. why she thought God made man and she said it was to glorify God and serve Him forever. Helen thinks maybe He did it just to amuse Himself. Goodness! I hope that isn’t being sacrilegious! Sometimes I feel the same way. George ate with us at night. Reminisced and nearly died laughing. Told jokes. While doing dishes George imitated different people till I thought I’d die!
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
January 19, 1887
I went over to my house this morning, or rather about noon and found it about the worst drifted I had anytime. I finished a letter to Kate, and wrote an order to Carter & Carrick of Boston for some pens. Did writing as usual and taught this afternoon. The mail failed to come in tonight so I have no letters from home yet and the bookkeeping works are not here. The roads are so drifted there is no telling when the stage will come. I didn’t do my writing tonight, but told stories, ate candy and visited with Fred, as he is going to the lumber camp in the morning.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Columbus T., age 31, North Carolina
January 19, 1874
In the House to day the bills passed were of a local character such as the laying off and construction of a road from Wilkesboro to Taylorsville, and bills of incorporation. In the Senate bill preventing the selling of cotton between sunset and sunrise in quantities less than a bale passed without a dissenting vote.
Took the train at 4 P.M. for Haywood to see Sister Julia and husband, — observed the form of a lady in front of me which seemed to be familiar and noticed a gentleman walk in and take a seat by her, when it was settled in my mind that it was Miss Emma Taylor and her Curtis whom I met at Franklinville in Randolph Co. Had a pleasant chat until passing through the bridge over Deep River. I was reminded that I was at Haywood and must get off. Hasty leave. Found sister and family quite well. Reported all changes and news from home & retired late.
*(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 19, 1862
Cloudy, looks like rain. Harrie wants to go to Asheville this evening, seems to be doing very well. Willie’s bowels still loose & he’s fretful. Dinner will soon be on & my book is nearly through. I hope to preserve this journal ’till my dear little ones get able to read it. We have turkey for dinner. I hear the children calling me so I must go to them. No news at this time. Harrie left after dinner. Mr. Henry & I went to old Quinn’s. I fear we have seen Harrie the last time as I fear he has consumption.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)