July 2
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
July 2, 1997
Got up and watched Rosie and 90210. Played solitaire. Did Mom’s Jane Fonda. Hard! Showered. Talked to Karen. Ate lunch. Organized cabinet under sink. Eddie took me to Goodwill and I got the pants I saw yesterday. Came home and watched story. Dad picked me up and we went to Becca’s swim meet. Came back and played cards.
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
July 2, 1996
Watched Rosie O’Donnell Show and ate. Bathed Lucy. Me and Shannon rode down to Preston to rent a movie. Watched “The Brothers McMullen.” It was O.K. Me and Mom went on errands. Watched “Something to Talk About.” Good. Ate dinner. Chilled with Bryan.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
July 2, 1960
Cooked meat, prunes etc. Quite warm. Lo picked me up at 3:30 to take me to Dr. He thot I doing pretty good so won’t go back! Waited a while for Loie to finish at office. Out to cabin a while before Cooks came. We had packed a lot as we were staying over. A bad storm started about 10:30. Later went to sleep and guess I slept better than Loie.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
July 2, 1944
Another blazer. Bright and beautiful. Up about 8:15 and got dressed for Sunday school. Pop left before I did. I walked down with George. He and Harvey and Max were the only members of the orchestra so it didn’t play for the opening exercises. Pan, Kimmie and I went in Mrs. Spencer’s class with Millie and the girls her age. Like Christian Education it was dull and meaningless. Mrs. S. is sincere and knows the Bible but she, like all the other S.S. teacher I’ve ever known, doesn’t know how to teach children about God and religion. I got so disgusted. We went upstairs for the closing exercises. Mr. Denny put the money in for his 80th birthday. Then afterwards we walked down to the Methodist Church. It hadn’t started. Sat with Roby. Mrs. Harris sat in front of us. Mr. Brewster gave a good sermon. After church I walked up to Youngs’ and sat on their porch awhile. Mr. and Mrs. Y. had gone to Clinton and the girls have to get their own dinner! But Pan loves to cook. I got home about 12:30. We had dinner at 1. I just wasn’t hungry. After dinner we heard the Wings Over Jordan broadcast and those spirituals were beautiful. About 2:30 I went down to Kimmie’s. She and Pan were just eating dinner!! I sat down with them and we kidded. Kimmie gave me some jello. Kay came down. We flattened tin cans while Pan and Kimmie washed the dishes. Kimmie was going into raptures over the music on the radio. Ann Ray came for Pan and about 4 we all left. Pan and Ann Ray went to town and Kimmie and I left Kay at her grandmother’s. Then we walked on over to the Hudsons’. Cars passed us and men whistled — made Kimmie so mad! One car stopped at the end of the bridge, a man opened the door and looked back expectantly at us. We suddenly became interested in the river below! They drove away! The road up to Hudsons’ was awfully dusty but fortunately no car passed us. Marg. and Roby were in the living room. We all sat around and Kimmie and I took turns playing with Mitzie, a precious little white kitten. Mrs. Hudson brought us cokes — refreshing is the word! Then I played, upon command, just about my whole repertoire! Pan called and wanted Kimmie to come home 'cause she was all alone. So Kimmie could just play one piece. About 5:45 we left and Mr. Hudson offered to drive us. K. and I promised to go to League with them if they’d come over with us then. Agreed. So Roby took the wheel and actually got us safely back to town. We said 'bye to Mr. H. and walked up to Kimmie’s. I decided to mush radly home for a little supper. Mum sat in kitchen with me. I just had some dessert. Very hot. Got back down to Kimmie’s about 6:30 and we 5 went down to the Methodist Church basement for League. Others came. Mary Lou led the singing and Ann Ray led. Out a little after 7. We said ’bye to Marg. and Pan and Kimmie, Roby and I walked down to the Christian Church. No one was there but soon Kay, Dot and Dr. Bell’s girl came out from Christian Education. We all talked in front of the church. Kay was so sweet. Soon Mary and Horace came and Mrs. Farmer. Mary didn’t look very well — she hasn’t been to work since Wednesday. She hadn’t seen Kimmie since Easter. Horace gave her a lovely moonstone ring for their anniversary. She was so sweet to me. We all went in together about 7:45. I sat between Mary and Kimmie. Dr. Bell came down and spoke to us. About 8 the service started. Mary coughed quite a bit and had to keep swallowing pills. After the sermon 2 girls were baptised. Immersion. Out about 9:15. Everyone greeted us. Pan and Ann Ray popped up. We all stood outside and talked. Mary wanted to drive us home but we wanted to walk. Said ’bye. Kimmie and I, Pan and Ann Ray set out for home. They stopped by to tell Mr. and Mrs. Young where they were going. We met Martin up by the vacant lot — he’d just taken Bobbie Jo home. We kidded with him. He’s so funny and sweet! I asked them in for some cake. Mum said we could have drinks, too. So we sat out on the porch and refreshed ourselves. Soon Jimmie Carroll and George came over to see what all the racket was about. Pan said, “Tell your friend to come over, too.” And they replied that they were waiting for him — Ashley Pays or Faze or something. He’s 31! I gathered from the remarks that he’s somewhat of a wolf! We all kidded and had fun. Jimmie called me Pat. I didn’t feel at all out of place! We broke it up about 10:15. The boys felt gypped ’cause they’d missed out on the eats so Mum told them to come back alone some time and she’d feed them. To bed about 11. Fun today.
Marcy S., age 17, Ontario
July 2, 1941
Up about 7:00. Beautiful morning. Up and dressed and started day off fine. Packed car. Mrs. Boggs came out and wanted me to play the piano. In we went and I played a few pieces. Rather out of tune and fingers out of practice but still okay...
After breakfast we left town and drove out to Geneva on the Lake. Mary’s first view of Lake Erie -- we got out and looked. Water and sky so blue. Drove on. Went through Erie, PA. Then drove along Lake to Hamburg. Lovely homes -- I love it all. Mary felt sickish so she got in the back and slept. Beautiful scenery -- and we were ever nearer Hamburg. I was all expectation.
Finally arrived in mid-afternoon. We went to a drug store-restaurant and had lunch -- big fruit salads. It was cool and lovely there -- Mary loaned me her red earrings and she and Mom agreed that I looked like a Mexican. Mary felt better then.
Went further into town and found a parking space. Mum went up to Aunt Florrie’s office -- Mary and I followed. Aunt Florrie insisted that we stay for dinner -- that Aunt Edith was expecting us, but Mum was firm -- or at least tried to be -- and said we’d just stop by the house a few minutes and see Aunt Edith. But I knew that gleam in Aunt Florrie’s eyes!
Drove out to Highland Avenue and up the driveway to number 52. Aunt Edith welcomed us with open arms -- she asked me in private if Mary were Helen -- and she also raved about Mary’s Southern beauty. We all sat in the living room and talked. I felt so good -- thinking of the summer with Mary at Oliphant that lay ahead -- and here we were at dear Aunt Edith’s.
Presently -- after Aunt Edith had firmly informed Mum that we were staying for dinner! -- Mary and I, after freshening up a bit, went for a walk. Teased her about Lester -- had fun. Passed two boys once and they just looked -- Mary is so pretty.
Returned and got ready for dinner. Aunt Florrie came and then Jack -- he has a job as life-saver at some lake -- he was obviously quite taken with Mary. After we had sat down to a scrumptious meal Aunt Florrie’s boss came -- a huge man -- who sat with us and kept us laughing. He, also, was quite attracted by Mary. Jack committed a number of “social errors” and we all -- especially Mary and I -- nearly died laughing. Between courses Jack was dispatched to get some ice cream for dessert. We had cake too -- so help me, I never ate so much. Thought I wouldn’t live through it. Aunt Edith said Prof was here for dinner just last night -- he’s working here somewhere -- and that he’d be sorry to miss us.
We hated to take leave of them but around 7:00 Mother deemed it necessary since we had to go through the customs. I wanted to wash the dishes but Aunt Edith wouldn’t hear it. Mary fell in love with her, too. We finally pulled ourselves away -- with Jack looking regretful! :)
It was lovely and cozy driving on again towards Buffalo -- and everything looked dearly familiar. Once Mother remarked that Aunt Edith had said Prof would miss seeing me, but I hastily intervened with, “No, you mean Mary.” But Mum didn’t and that was the beginning of relentless teasing from Mary.
We stopped just inside the city for gas -- before crossing the border. It was fast becoming dark. On again to the Peace Bridge -- Mary said she felt funny leaving the good old U.S.A. -- and to think that her family was in one country and she in another.
No trouble (!) at customs -- after all our worry over Mary’s birth certificate (which she never did get) the man didn’t even ask us where we were from! After making a safe entrance we went straight to Auntie Marguerite’s in Fort Erie.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
July 2, 1888
Uncle Robert and I picked some strawberries this morning. After the washing was most out, Kate, Una and I went to Dexter, going by Blodgett’s, and selling them 10 quarts of strawberries. I took Uncle John a quart also. I had my hair clipped for the hot weather and haying. The Dr. is afraid that I may be deaf in my right ear. Willie cut hay this forenoon and we worked in it this afternoon, but did not draw any. Una got a bad bump today, blacking her eye.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
July 2, 1887
It rained a good deal last night and this morning, soaking the ground up in good shape. I picked quite a lot of cherries off from one of our trees today; they were excellent. Kate put up a number of cans. Mr. Bradford put on the second coat to my cistern this forenoon. The little Hubbell boys thought they were helping me a good deal by sifting some sand. I sowed grass seed on the Buckwheat ground this afternoon, and hope there will come more rain to wash it into the ground. Hitched up and went up to town towards evening to get my mail and do a little trading. It has been hot today. I promised to work at the store next Monday.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
July 2, 1871
Last evening I saw a deer leap over the sand hills. A shower is coming, we need rain badly. The boys brought more wild plums.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
July 2, 1863
Had headache all day yesterday. I felt it a little Wednesday. Mr. Henry & I did not go to sleep last night till 12 o’clock. We have so much to talk about when he gets home. We talk nearly half the first night he gets home. He bought a beautiful silver cup with glass bottom. I tell him I must claim it. He says ’tis for little Hooker as he calls the baby. He is so kind & good to me & the children. He stopped at Rach Miller’s, they are all well. He saw Mollie Henry at his Aunt Miller’s. She is spending sometime there. I gathered some beans today for dinner & strung them. My head got well Thursday evening after I eat some cherries. They certainly helped it as my stomach needed an acid. We had beets (our first) for dinner & apple dumplings today. I did but little work. The baby fretful with his neck. We began to cut wheat last Wednesday. It is only ripe in spots, not generally. Wheat is very good, also oats. The sheep Night brought home are doing well. I began Harrie’s other sock this evening. They will be very nice when done. I have one done. It is fine yarn & tedious to knit. No news this morning. My bowels have been running off this evening, paining me a good deal. A swarm of bees went off yesterday after they settled.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
July 2, 1862
Cut Willie two skirts off the sheeting today. Hemmed both on machine & but little else. Hanes is gathering cherries every evening. They are ripening fast. Fight still going on at Richmond. The hands are saving wheat.
*(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
July 2, 1667
Called up by a letter from W. Coventry telling me that the Commissioners of Accounts intend to summons me about Sir W. Warren’s Hamburg contract, and so I up and to W. Coventry’s (he and G. Carteret being the party concerned in it), and after conference with him about it to satisfaction I home again to the office. At noon home to dinner, and then all the afternoon busy to prepare an answer to this demand of the Commissioners of Accounts, and did discourse with Sir W. Warren about it, and so in the evening with my wife and Deb. by coach to take ayre to Mile-end, and so home and I to bed, vexed to be put to this frequent trouble in things we deserve best in.
*(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.)