November 8
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
November 8, 1997
Ashley had 2 go 2 work so she took all of us home. Showered, slept, cleaned upstairs. Courtney came and she went with me, Mom, Kathy, and Stella 2 see “7 Years in Tibet.” Me and Courtney went 2 Renée’s and Liam’s.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
November 8, 1960
A rainy nasty day. A real Democrat one. Lo took Carrie and I at 12:30. Took her home and I came to iron. In the midst Bess came. She was good for all P.M. Had coffee and cookies.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
November 8, 1938
Practiced. Cold today. Rained till about noon, when it cleared. Usual classes. No chapel. Home for dinner. Back in afternoon. Usual classes. After school I curled Mother’s hair (which is naturally wavy) and then got my Latin. At 4:30 I went to my music lesson. June Smalley has started taking from Mrs. Marsh. After lesson I walked home. P.S. Helen walked part way to music lesson with me. I finished my lessons and wrote Mr. Dawkes. We ate supper. Daddy away till Thursday night. After supper we got ready to go to the Mothers and Daughters meeting at the William’s. Mr. Johnstone drove us and Mrs. McClure down and picked up Mrs. M.’s “daughter,” Carol Watson. We were a little late. They put flowers in our hair. It was an India program. Ella was there. Played games. Refreshments. Left about 10:30. Walked home. Cold. To bed about 11:30.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
November 8, 1887
Took some letters up to the Court House this morning to have them mailed. Sawed wood and drew some up to the house. Commenced on my 3rd weeks teaching this afternoon. I am very tired tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 8, 1871
Just finished baking snaps—we like them. It is nothing but cook turkey all the time, feel as if I did not care to see another for a year. It is fried for breakfast, potpie for dinner, roasted for supper—cold for breakfast ct. ct. Today is clear and the plowing going on. Baked two squash pies. They are real good. Mrs. S told me how to bake them when we have no milk or eggs. Had an early dinner. They came in before I was ready. I slept so well last night. Sometime I lay awaik for hours. We had pancakes for breakfast. I cant toss them over like P can. Sometimes he sends them over the second time, to see them flap.
Heavy shower last night over east. We thought it might reach here. Sometimes the rain comes in at the sides— so I took my clothes down, put them on a stool, then under the table. We dont have any chairs, just stools, two are cushioned with robe. Some time a go P raised his bed from the floor. When J.R. is here he sleeps on the floor.
We have no broom. When I sweep, I take a turkey wing in each hand, sweep out a corner, then step there, and sweep ahead of me, until the floor is all swept. Sweep every thing into the fire place.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
November 8, 1862
Very cold this morning with a slight skift of snow on the ground but clear. Warm after the sun got up. Wind all day from the North. Fannie & Jinnie breaking wool all day, at least till time for them to go to wash. Sam & others slaughtered a beef this morning. Mr. Henry gave John a thrashing this morning for some stealing from a waggoner that camped up at Mrs. Branton’s last night. Mr. Henry went to Asheville this morning, did not get back till sun down. Mr. George Peake came just before he did. He stays here tonight. Very cool this evening. Fannie cleaned the tripe after dinner. Mr. Henry will start Tuesday with his hogs over the Mountain to feed them at Blythe’s. He got 1000 bu. corn of him for 1200$. He will stay over there a good part of the time I expect. He bought twenty of A. B. Jones 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
November 8, 1667
Called up betimes by Sir H. Cholmly, and he and I to good purpose most of the morning — I in my dressing-gown with him, on our Tangier accounts, and stated them well; and here he tells me that he believes it will go hard with my Lord Chancellor. Thence I to the office, where met on some special business; and here I hear that the Duke of York is very ill; and by and by word brought us that we shall not need to attend to-day the Duke of York, for he is not well, which is bad news. They being gone, I to my workmen, who this day come to alter my office, by beating down the wall, and making me a fayre window both there, and increasing the window of my closet, which do give me some present trouble; but will be mighty pleasant. So all the whole day among them to very late, and so home weary, to supper, and to bed, troubled for the Duke of York his being sick.
*(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.)