June 28
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
June 28, 1997
Up at 11:00. Dad picked me up at 12:00. Went to McGregor and swam with Becca. Played a tiny bit of tennis with Dad. Home at 4:00. Showered. Watched “Casper.” Rogers came for dinner. Watched “Jerry McGuire” and played solitaire.
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
June 28, 1996
Went to Becca’s drama thing. Picnicked at the Rose Gardens. Drove to Charlotte. Saw Trudie’s baby, Rachael Marie. She’s beautiful. We had dinner there and I held her 2 times. Came to Katie’s. Listened to music and watched some of “Dying Young.” Sad. We talked and had popsicles. Miss Sean.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
June 28, 1960
Mrs. B. came over for an hour or so. I woke up so early was really tired by noon. Closed all windows etc. Very threatening and later had quite a bad storm. Didn’t last too long. Had a little snooze. Lo came about 5:00 and out to cabin. Didn’t stay long as Lo wanted to do nails.
Marcy S., age 19, Tennessee
June 28, 1944
Hot and sultry. Up about 6:30 and practiced. Got breakfast. About 7:30 Mr. Harris called and said he didn’t know what he was doing yesterday. He wanted to know if I were coming down this morn - guilty conscience! I said yes and he said he’d tell me about it when I got there. I felt so funny inside - couldn’t finish my breakfast. Mum got up just before I left. She had a stomach ache. Mr. Pridemore came. I dreaded going to the office more than I dreaded it the first day. But when I got there I found a note from Mr. H. saying he’d be at the farm today - getting sobered up, no doubt. I felt so restless. Found a book in the book case - Religion in Life Adjustments and read it most of the morn. Very good. Some ladies came to the Red Cross rooms about 10 - they were going to bring their lunch and make a day of it. Mum had planned to go but didn’t feel well enough. The 12 o’clock whistle blew before I knew it! Didn’t feel like much lunch. I walked back about 1 with George (Gunpowder McClure) who, with his Sousa horn, was going down to band practice in the same building where I work. Mr. H. was there when I walked in. Mr. Johnson was just leaving. I nearly disgraced myself by bursting into tears, for some silly reason. Mr. H. called me in almost immediately to take a letter. Mrs. Davis came in and brought us each a piece of cake. We weren’t hungry so put it aside. That was sweet of her! Then I made a divorce bill and a deed and some other papers for Felton Saunders. He popped in and out and I finished in record-breaking time, without having to do anything over and without getting flustered. Mr. H. was raving to Felton about how calm I was, etc. etc. Ever so often he’d come in (Mr. H.) and talk. Once he said that Mrs. Harris and I should get better acquainted because I was so different from her. He said she got all flustered and couldn’t adjust herself easily. It seems that I take everything very calmly, which in Mr. H.’s opinion is about the highest virtue a person can possess, and adjust myself with ease. Well, I nearly dropped my teeth! And said I wasn’t aware that I possessed the virtue. Another time he said I had the best disposition of anyone he knew. A man thinks more of his wife than anyone, quote Mr. H., but he wishes that she had the ability to adjust herself and take things calmly. Well, if I were in her shoes, I might not be so calm, either. But I certainly hope my husband doesn’t have an affection for the bottle. He winded up by telling me I was the best secretary he’d ever had. He sent me to the P.O. once and then I took another paper and about 3:40 he let me go 'cause it was really too hot to do anything. He donated the cake to me and I put it in my purse to smuggle home. I stopped by the Red Cross rooms and told Mrs. Davis the cake was delicious! Hope Mr. H. doesn’t tell another tale! I stopped by Pop’s office and Jean gave me the mail. Three letters for me! I struggled up the hill and surprised Mum by getting home so early. Had to go in back door (imperiling Mr. Pridemore, who was up on a ladder by the door) since the front had been painted. Sat in living room and read letter from Maggie Luft (ours crossed), Jane and Little Betty (at last!). Then I told Mum about the afternoon’s experiences. She broke the news that Earl was coming up at 5!! So I took a bath and got all prettied up. Then I sat out in the front yard and waited for the gentleman. It was getting cloudy and looked very much like rain. About 5:15 Earl showed up and we sat out in the yard and talked. He looked nice in his white uniform. The sun ventured out and Earl took some pictures of me with his movie camera. About 6 he left, to return at 7:15 and take me to the show. I didn’t want to go but felt it my duty! Went in and played the piano a little. Then it started to rain and blow. The sun was behind a great dark cloud that was all gold-rimmed and the clouds looked so bright. I ate a little supper and then the storm really came. We closed things up and I retreated to the bedroom. The lightning was very close. Mum kept discovering open windows and things she'd left outside and made me so nervous. We yelled back and forth at each other. Then there was a flash of sparks flew up from one of the light sockets by my dresser. I just about gave up the ghost and was too scared to scream. A few minutes later there was another flash and crack of thunder - I thought it had stuck the Waterhouses’ or some place nearby. George came to their side door and very calmly announced that it wasn’t the Watkinses’ house. Found out later it was a chimney at the high school. I sat there till the storm had passed around, though it was still raining. It was so lovely and cool out! And everything looked fresh and green again. It was after 7:15 and I wasn’t ready. The telephone kept ringing but I wouldn’t let Mum answer it. When it was safe she did and it was Earl saying he’d be up at 7:45. I dressed and he came on time. It was still sprinkling a little and lightning was flashing around. He had borrowed his cousin’s car so we drove down and parked by post office. He’s a very scatter-brained driver. We went to Princess and saw “Hey, Rookie.” Pretty good. The program was good, too. Earl put his arm across the back of my seat and got quite chummy. I didn’t encourage him, though. Out about 10. We met Charles Walker and Ickey Davis outside and talked to them awhile. The former is a soldier and the latter just got his wings - both home on furlough. The moon and stars were out and it was lovely and cool. Water had apparently gotten in the engine ’cause the car just wouldn’t start. Finally some men very kindly pushed us. We made it home okay and parked in front of the house. Sat and talked till about 10:30. Early has improved a lot but I could never be serious with him. He’s going to Chicago for the week-end and asked me to go to the show Monday night - he leaves Tuesday. Pop isn’t home yet. Mum and I went to bed about 11. I’ll be 20 tomorrow. Just can’t believe it!! Out of my teens! I feel that I will really live this year for the fist time!
Aloys F., age 16, County Cork, Ireland
June 28, 1926
Was delighted last night to find Fr. Pat had arrived unexpectedly. He came to see Páp before he goes to Germany. – Slept out for 8 and so had to go to 10 Mass and Communion. Worked in the morning, but only got through half as I had to do messages. Páp played his latest songs for Fr. Pat to-day. They are really glorious. If he would only get them published he would make a great name. – Read in paper that there are terrible floods in Germany, and the wild deer are roaming in the cities. We have beautiful weather here. – I am dissatisfied because I am neither doing anything at my intended sonata, or making a summary of my life, which I intended. But I shall do them later at all events. Went up to Markie, but met his brother, who said Markie has gone to Dripsey. His brother is the oddest individual I ever met, but very nice. He asked for a loan of my bike to the Muskerry Station, and I of course gave it. After, on meeting him he simply insisted on my taking 2/- to pay the expenses of the tram! He said I must cycle out to Dripsey this week, which I will. Went to Ivor and Joe. Joe’s bike was punctured, so Joe and I cycled on mine to Iniscarra, where we had a glorious swim. Got a rotten puncture on the way but settled it. Finished my work on coming home.
*(Original Archive Copyright © Estate of Aloys Fleischmann. The Fleischmann Diaries Online Archive by Róisín O’Brien is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Used with permission.)
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
June 28, 1888
It misted more or less all today. Willie and I went to Dexter this forenoon, taking eggs and butter. His Air Rifle came, and he had been practicing with it. Pa killed a sparrow with it. We picked over a bushel of strawberries today. Henry and Kate called this afternoon a little while. My ear feels rather bad, and I am growing deafer in it. I saw Dr. Chase about it today and got some medicine. It is so cool that we keep a fire going in the heating stove.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
June 28, 1887
I commenced to get out stuff to cover a cistern with this forenoon, but got tuckered out and came into the house and helped Kate take care of the baby for a couple of hours before dinner time. I went at the work again this afternoon, and succeeded in doing something. Hitched Jimmie to the stoneboat and drew the stuff down from the woods. Kate and Jessie drove down to Mrs. Hubbell’s this evening and watered Jimmie at the same time. I set some stumps on fire this evening; they seemed to burn well. I went to the spring for water by moonlight. I got my water line from Neill’s today.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
June 28, 1863
Some rain this morning but clearing off now. We have beans for dinner, our first mess & irish potatoes. We have had potatoes several times. We had chicken stewed & fried for breakfast. They are rather small yet to eat. Betsey staid all night last night, is here today. Harrie reading in front piazza. My paper came last Monday, the first time in two months as they were out of paper. ’Tis rumoured that the yanks made a raid into Knoxville, Ten. the 20th. I fear they will come to Asheville yet. I want to write some letters so I will not write any more now. I wrote a long letter to Lou, also one to Sister Matt & a short one to Pa. I spent most of the evening in writing. We had a shower 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.)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
June 28, 1862
I put away the honey after cleaning up the house & made a jar as Mathiglem for vinegar, a glass jar. Then scoured the bucket which had the honey in it & got to my sewing Willie’s apron about 10 o’clock which I finished soon after dinner. Col. Moore & T. Harkins were here this morning. They are speaking of going to the salt lick, also Mr. Henry & Co. I washed & cleaned all the children this evening & washed myself at night. Tom Tidwell stays here tonight & Pinck sleeps with him. Pinck thinks a great deal of Doc. R. Boyd stays also. Tom has come out to move Taylor’s family to Cherokee. I am glad of it.
*(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
June 28, 1667
Up, and hear Sir W. Batten is come to town: I to see him; he is very ill of his fever, and come to town only for advice. Sir J. Minnes, I hear also, is very ill all this night, worse than before. Thence I going out met at the gate Sir H. Cholmly coming to me, and I to him in the coach, and both of us presently to St. James’s, by the way discoursing of some Tangier business about money, which the want of I see will certainly bring the place into a bad condition. We find the Duke of York and [Sir] W. Coventry gone this morning, by two o’clock, to Chatham, to come home to-night: and it is fine to observe how both the King and Duke of York have, in their several late journeys to and again, done them in the night for coolnesse. Thence with him to the Treasury Chamber, and then to the Exchequer to inform ourselves a little about our warrant for 30,000l. for Tangier, which vexes us that it is so far off in time of payment. Having walked two or three turns with him in the Hall we parted, and I home by coach, and did business at the office till noon, and then by water to White Hall to dinner to Sir G. Carteret, but he not at home, but I dined with my Lady and good company, and good dinner. My Lady and the family in very good humour upon this business of his parting with his place of Treasurer of the Navy, which I perceive they do own, and we did talk of it with satisfaction. They do here tell me that the Duke of Buckingham hath surrendered himself to Secretary Morrice, and is going to the Tower. Mr. Fenn, at the table, says that he hath been taken by the watch two or three times of late, at unseasonable hours, but so disguised that they could not know him: and when I come home, by and by, Mr. Lowther tells me that the Duke of Buckingham do dine publickly this day at Wadlow’s, at the Sun Tavern; and is mighty merry, and sent word to the Lieutenant of the Tower, that he would come to him as soon as he had dined. Now, how sad a thing it is, when we come to make sport of proclaiming men traitors, and banishing them, and putting them out of their offices, and Privy Council, and of sending to and going to the Tower: God have mercy on us! At table, my Lady and Sir Philip Carteret have great and good discourse of the greatness of the present King of France — what great things he hath done, that a man may pass, at any hour in the night, all over that wild city [Paris], with a purse in his hand and no danger: that there is not a beggar to be seen in it, nor dirt lying in it; that he hath married two of Colbert’s daughters to two of the greatest princes of France, and given them portions — bought the greatest dukedom in France, and given it to Colbert;1 and ne’er a prince in France dare whisper against it, whereas here our King cannot do any such thing, but everybody’s mouth is open against him for it, and the man that hath the favour also. That to several commanders that had not money to set them out to the present campagne, he did of his own accord — send them 1000l. sterling a-piece, to equip themselves. But then they did enlarge upon the slavery of the people — that they are taxed more than the real estates they have; nay, it is an ordinary thing for people to desire to give the King all their land that they have, and themselves become only his tenants, and pay him rent to the full value of it: so they may have but their earnings, But this will not be granted; but he shall give the value of his rent, and part of his labour too. That there is not a petty governor of a province — nay, of a town, but he will take the daughter from the richest man in the town under him, that hath got anything, and give her to his footman for a wife if he pleases, and the King of France will do the like to the best man in his kingdom — take his daughter from him, and give her to his footman, or whom he pleases. It is said that he do make a sport of us now; and says, that he knows no reason why his cozen, the King of England, should not be as willing to let him have his kingdom, as that the Dutch should take it from him, which is a most wretched thing that ever we should live to be in this most contemptible condition. After dinner Sir G. Carteret come in, and I to him and my Lady, and there he did tell me that the business was done between him and my Lord Anglesey; that himself is to have the other’s place of Deputy Treasurer of Ireland, which is a place of honour and great profit, being far better, I know not for what reason, but a reason there is, than the Treasurer’s, my Lord of Corke’s, and to give the other his, of Treasurer of the Navy; that the King, at his earnest entreaty, did, with much unwillingness, but with owning of great obligations to him, for his faithfulness and long service to him and his father, and therefore was willing to grant his desire. That the Duke of York hath given him the same kind words, so that it is done with all the good manner that could be, and he I perceive do look upon it, and so do I, I confess, as a great good fortune to him to meet with one of my Lord Anglesey’s quality willing to receive it at this time. Sir W. Coventry he hath not yet made acquainted with it, nor do intend it, it being done purely to ease himself of the many troubles and plagues which he thinks the perverseness and unkindness of Sir W. Coventry and others by his means have and is likely every day to bring upon him, and the Parliament’s envy, and lastly to put himself into a condition of making up his accounts, which he is, he says, afeard he shall never otherwise be. My Lord Chancellor, I perceive, is his friend in it. I remember I did in the morning tell Sir H. Cholmly of this business: and he answered me, he was sorry for it; for, whatever Sir G. Carteret was, he is confident my Lord Anglesey is one of the greatest knaves in the world, which is news to me, but I shall make my use of it. Having done this discourse with Sir G. Carteret, and signified my great satisfaction in it, which they seem to look upon as something, I went away and by coach hom, and there find my wife making of tea, a drink which Mr. Pelling, the Potticary, tells her is good for her cold and defluxions. I to the office (whither come Mr. Carcasse to me to sue for my favour to him), and Sir W. Pen’s, where I find Mr. Lowther come to town after the journey, and after a small visit to him, I to the office to do much business, and then in the evening to Sir W. Batten’s, to see how he did; and he is better than he was. He told me how Mrs. Lowther had her train held up yesterday by her page, at his house in the country; which is so ridiculous a piece of pride as I am ashamed of. He told me also how he hears by somebody that my Lord Bruncker’s maid hath told that her lady Mrs. Williams had sold her jewels and clothes to raise money for something or other; and indeed the last night a letter was sent from her to me, to send to my Lord, with about five pieces of gold in it, which methought at the time was but a poor supply. I then to Sir W. Pen, who continues a little ill, or dissembles it, the latter of which I am apt to believe. Here I staid but little, not meaning much kindness in it; and so to the office, and dispatched more business; and then home at night, and to supper with my wife, and who should come in but Mr. Pelling, and supped with us, and told us the news of the town; how the officers of the Navy are cried out upon, and a great many greater men; but do think that I shall do well enough; and I think, if I have justice, I shall. He tells me of my Lord Duke of Buckingham, his dining to-day at the Sun, and that he was mighty merry; and, what is strange, tells me that really he is at this day a very popular man, the world reckoning him to suffer upon no other account than that he did propound in Parliament to have all the questions that had to do with the receipt of the taxes and prizes; but they must be very silly that do think he can do any thing out of good intention. After a great deal of tittle-tattle with this honest man, he gone we to bed. We hear that the Dutch are gone down again; and thanks be to God! the trouble they give us this second time is not very considerable.
*(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.)