July 27
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
July 27, 1997
Up at 10:00. Chilled in hammock. Ate lunch. Me, Albert, Bryan, Dylan, Talia, Steven went on boat ride. Family went to Cracker Barrel. Drove home. Tim called me! He wants to bathe. :)
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
July 27, 1960
Got up at six to make cookies for pot luck. Margaret to pick me up, going to Lauderdale Lake. A lovely place and nice cottage and so clean. Mrs. Dyslin very friendly had a good meeting quite a ride and very hot. Reached home 4:30. After going to cabin to eat left to pick K.J. up. Listened to convention after getting back.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
July 27, 1944
A scorcher. Bright blue sky and banky clouds and nice breeze, though. Card from Betty Loft. She’s working in a defense plant in Manchester, N.H. Mary Jane is up at Crab Orchard. Mr. H. dictated 3 contracts and a long letter before lunch. On the way back at noon I stopped at Pop’s office and there was an announcement of Y.W.C.A. activities for August and a letter from Mary Lamm. It took me most of the afternoon to type the contracts and another lengthy letter. More people came in. Left a bit before 5. Hot but beautiful afternoon. Mum was dusting when I got home. Lounged around and got very sleepy. Bath and supper. Kay called and wanted me to go to the show. I told her our plans and arranged to meet her. Dressed and left about 7. Still very warm. When I was across the street from Arnolds’, Sarah called “Hi, Pat” and precious little Becky piped up “Hi, Pat.” I asked Becky if she were having fun and she jumped up and down and said so sweetly “Yes.” She’s darling. I want oodles of little girls and boys!! Went by Kimmie’s but they weren’t home yet. Back up by Kay’s. We walked down to Princess. No Margaret and Roby so we went in the Acme for drinks. When we came out there was Margaret just going in — Roby was waiting inside. We got 4 seats together and saw Ann Sheridan and Dennis Morgan in “Shine on Harvest Moon.” It was ever so good! I’ll admit Dennis Morgan has some good points! Kay thinks he’s wonderful! Out about 9:30. Mr. H. was waiting for the girls. We parted. Going by Youngs’ Mrs. Y. called out to us that Kimmie had gone down to the show to look for us and had stayed to see the picture. We didn’t see her. Kay walked up to Marshes’ with me. Had fun. Stephens opens the 11th (September). Hazy night. Hot. Found Mum listening to radio. I sat out in front yard and curled my hair. Mum came out on the steps. A couple passed on other side of street and down at corner under the light they had a shuffle and he knocked her down. She lay very still. He dragged her up on the bank and walked off. Mum was just going in to call the police when she got up and ran after him, accusing him in strong language of having stolen her $25. They returned to the spot where she’d fallen and appeared to be searching for the missing money. Then they started off again, she still accusing him loudly. They walked straight enough so we decided they weren’t drunk. She stopped once and struck a match to a cigarette. They went on, seemingly on the verge of another fight. Ignorant fools! I was thoroughly disgusted! Pop came just as we were going to bed. Sultry night.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
July 27, 1887
Been hoeing for Fred again today. He had Ralph Balch there cutting his rats. It has been very hot and just after dinner, I felt the heat pretty badly. I drank a large amount of spring water, but it did not make me feel bad. Fred has one spring , which seems to have some iron about it, and it quenches thirst immensely. It rained a little just before we came home tonight. I feel as tired as I did last night.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
July 27, 1862
Rather cool this morning. We had catfish for breakfast. Mr. Henry got a very nice one yesterday from one of Smith’s negroes at the bridge. He let the negro have some wire & he is to get one third of the fish that is caught. Atheline was sick yesterday evening & is not well this morning, headache. Jinnie has taken the children to Mrs. Night’s. Willie is no better. Mr. Henry has gone up to see Mrs. Cook. He wants to send some work to T. Cook by Cordelia so I am alone. I am writing in the hall. I must now see about dinner & then I must write to Dora & co. I want some dumplings for dinner. Mrs. W. Johnston sent here last night for some coffee. Mr. Henry will let her have 5 lbs. for 5$. He sold 5 lbs. for 5$ last week. That is a dear drink. We have had dinner, had black berry dumplings for they were very nice. We had honey & cream with them as sugar is getting to scarce. It is selling at 40 cts. per lb. in Asheville. I took a nap before dinner & now Mr. Henry is taking one. Old Mr. Boyd & daughter eat dinner here today. She is going to stay down at Ratliffe’s where Mr. Boyd is at work. Mr. Boyd’s family are not doing well. One of his daughters leads rather a loose life at home.
I want to take a long walk this evening. Willie seems right better today. That is, he is not so cross. My teeth have been aching all day. Mr. Henry got me hot ashes twice last night. They ached very badly for a while. We have not been up with Willie for several nights. I have written to Sister Jane & co. 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.)
Samuel P., age 34, London
July 27, 1667
Busy all the morning at my office. At noon dined, and then I out of doors to my bookseller in Duck Lane, but su moher not at home, and it was pretty here to see a pretty woman pass by with a little wanton look, and je did sequi her round about the street from Duck Lane to Newgate Market, and then elle did turn back, and je did lose her. And so to see my Lord Crew, whom I find up; and did wait on him; but his face sore, but in hopes to do now very well again. Thence to Cooper’s, where my wife’s picture almost done, and mighty fine indeed. So over the water with my wife, and Deb., and Mercer, to Spring-Garden, and there eat and walked; and observe how rude some of the young gallants of the town are become, to go into people’s arbours where there are not men, and almost force the women; which troubled me, to see the confidence of the vice of the age: and so we away by water, with much pleasure home. This day my plate- maker comes with my four little plates of the four Yards, cost me 5l., which troubles me, but yet do please me also.
*(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.)