January 4
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
January 4, 1997
Today was beautiful like yesterday. Got up at 12:30! Me and Mom went on another joyride in the deep country. Got back at 4:00. Watched “Clueless” again. Talked to Karen. Ate dinner. Me and Bryan stayed up till 1:00 with T.V.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
January 4, 1960
Did a big wash, Mrs. B. came over for coffee. Her group playing cards at Mrs. Belcher’s this P.M. So cold, clothes froze stiff hard to get off the line. Front line broke as the last pieces were taken down. Lo had den lamp fixed. New switch, so good, have missed it.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
January 4, 1941
Bright, cold, windy. Fever all gone. Up a little in afternoon. Got lessons. Have bad case of sneezers. Butterscotch pudding at noon. Ate too much as usual. George came to see how I was faring. Glad I’m descended from Robert E. Lee.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
January 4, 1887
I attended the chapel exercise this morning at the College and learned what my duties are to be. Had I known how things are I would never have come, but as it is I shall have to endeavor to fill the bill. I only expected to teach Bookkeeping and penmanship and perhaps Arithmetic, but I have those and also Geometry and Geography. I feel tonight like saying, if I had only known—but I did not. I called at Mrs. Neil’s this afternoon and saw her and Jessica. It has been snowing all day and still storms. I wonder tonight how Kate is and wish I could be with her and talk over this matter. I made arrangements today to board here at Mr. Waters. I have learned that there will be no spring term of school.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Columbus T., age 31, North Carolina
January 4, 1874
Did not go to church anywhere. Read some Texas Presbyterian Clergyman’s defense of Infant Baptism and Pouring and Sprinkling instead of immersion for Baptism. Phamflet some 80 pages, Usual arguments. This is a vexed question but it seems that the great learning of the age is unable to settle it. It may be on account of prejudices — human preferences and associations. One thing is settled beyond all dispute — the importance of piety. This all can agree upon. When the lust of the eye and the pride of life pass away it may be the same way with religious controversy that is acrimonious discussion. Wrote to Geo. McCrindell and the friends [HP] at Burnt Grove and replied to letter of Nov. 18, 72.
*(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 4, 1862
I was busy all day. I swept the yards in the morning & began to sew about 9. I made 11 double napkins for Willie. One side good cloth, the other old table linnen. I hemmed one after night & Mrs. Fanning & I doubled some thread out of thumbs. Atheline & Jim married tonight. They did it on the sly order. Mrs. Fanning & I went down to Fannie’s house to see it. No one but Fannie & Jinnie for witnesses. We took Zona as she was up. Pinck & Willie asleep. Aunt Tena & Uncle Sam hostile about it. They did not know it till it was over. I feel sorry for them. They are faithful servants. I don’t know what Jim & wife will do for a bed as Parker has gone to J. R. Love’s after more hands. He started this morning. John not come yet, will be here tomorrow. I think I did not get to sleep till near 12. Jinnie slept in the house tonight & Jim & Atheline had her bed. Got done sowing wheat today. The corn not in yet. Rather cool today.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)