November 12
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
November 12, 1997
Got lots of compliments on my hair. Justin is being really sweet. Hmm… Albert wrote me a note saying he wants me. I laughed and he tore it up — don’t know if he’s serious. Went 2 Ashley’s with Renée and Zach. Dad came 2 Mom’s at 5:30. Ate dinner. Went to French Club 6:30-8:30. Chrissi made cheerleading. T.V. and homework.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
November 12, 1960
Baked pie — cooked meat. Helen eating with us. Pink and Marian came in time to eat. They went to Dotty’s but came here to sleep. 5:30 when they arrived.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
November 12, 1938
Up late. Warm day. Went to music lesson at 9:30. Then down to dentist for my appointment at 10:30. Didn’t get in the chair till 11:00. Took about 20 mins. to clean my teeth. Then home. Talked to George and Helen a few mins. and then went in and dusted and listened to radio. Dinner about 1:00. Looked at McCalls afterwards. Can’t go to ball game at Knoxville on Thanksgiving because it costs too much. Dinner and movies instead. Washed dishes and talked to Mother. Daddy listened to ball games. My gums hurt. Went up to Mrs. Lane’s with magazines but brought them back. Went up to see if Helen was home but she’d gone to movies. Mrs. McCarter gave me 9 cents to get some stamps when I go to town later. I got “Wallflowers” and sat in the car to read. George wanted me to go to town with him but I didn’t. When he came back I put my book up and we started to play. Those little children who stay at G.’s house left their handcuffs out and G. and I were playing with them. They (children) came out so G. had me to put his hands behind his back and handcuff him. Couldn’t get them off. Soon Mother came and we drove over to the Foster’s (Mrs. Foster had a 5 and a half pound baby girl yesterday), doctor wasn’t there, Mrs. Johnstone brought her through) and left some fruit. Then to J.C. Anderson’s with some papers and finally to Cate’s. Then home. I read McCall’s and when Daddy came I took the stamps to Mrs. M. Daddy brought the book “Journey’s End” home to read. After supper I washed the dishes and then read till D. got through with the book (J.E.) and then I read it till bedtime.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
November 12, 1887
Took a letter to the Court House to be sent out on the stage this morning. Did several odd jobs around home during the forenoon. Held an examination in my Bookkeeping class this afternoon. Went to the meeting of the Literary society at the College tonight, as I had to sit as chairman until the permanent President was duly elected. I was elected [s…y?] very much against my inclinations. Am home very late. It is freezing hard tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
November 12, 1862
Mr. Henry started early this morning, will be gone some two weeks. I shall miss him a great deal. He is such a kind husband & father. I will stay by myself. Boyd will be here most of the time I think so I will not be affraid. Atheline will sleep in my room. I have began reading “Children of the Abby.” I have read it several times but it is a book that will bear reading again & again. I made one of Sam’s shirts & began the other today. Mr. Boyd is not here tonight but I am not at all affraid for I feel that my Father in Heaven will take care of me & my little ones.
*(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
November 12, 1667
Up, and to the Office, where sat all the morning; and there hear the Duke of York do yet do very well with his smallpox: pray God he may continue to do so! This morning also, to my astonishment, I hear that yesterday my Lord Chancellor, to another of his Articles, that of betraying the King’s councils to his enemies, is voted to have matter against him for an impeachment of High Treason, and that this day the impeachment is to be carried up to the House of Lords which is very high, and I am troubled at it; for God knows what will follow, since they that do this must do more to secure themselves against any that will revenge this, if it ever come in their power! At noon home to dinner, and then to my office, and there saw every thing finished, so as my papers are all in order again and my office twice as pleasant as ever it was, having a noble window in my closet and another in my office, to my great content, and so did business late, and then home to supper and to bed.
*(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.)