October 5
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
October 5, 1997
We did the usual when we woke up. Showered. Dad came at 12:00. Worked on homework. Went on bike ride. Went 2 Olive Garden. Home at 9.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 5, 1960
Warmer today and sunny most of the time. Went to Carrie’s. Mrs. B.’s for coffee. No mail for C. so called Stones. They had gotten the mail so had Carrie’s check. Lo went down at noon to pick it up. Had a little rest but then back to work in the garage but was interrupted twice so gave it up.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
October 5, 1938
(m) Practiced. Mother up today. We went to chapel and Mr. Johnson spoke again. Usual classes. In Home Ec. I studied. Looked on Margaret W.’s book in Algebra class because I forgot mine. At noon I ate over at George’s. Mother gave me a dime to go to the show this afternoon. Walked to school with Elma. During s.-p. 1 I finished my book. Eng. class and s.p. At 3:00 we got out and Mary, Elma and I went to the rest room before starting. Mary and I met Mary’s brother, William at the corner and went to Harriman’s new theater, the Palace (first time M. or I had ever been) and saw Dorothy Lamour, Joh Hall, C. Aubrey Smith, Raymond Massey and Mary Astor in “The Hurricane.” Quite good. Also “Our Gang” comedy. Got out about 5:15 and walked as far as the 5th store with M. and W. Daddy was home when I got there. Talked to George a few mins. and then went in and practiced. Daddy listened to a news report between practices. Germany is getting larger and Czeck smaller. After supper I listened to One Man’s Family. Very interesting. Then I practiced my expression, washed the dishes and to bed. Warm but nice today.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
October 5, 1887
I have been working on Will Case’s books all day and will have a little to go in the morning on them. It has been an unpleasant day out. Went up to singing class this evening, heard that I am wanted at the College to teach, but I don’t know anything about it, will probably learn in a few days.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
October 5, 1862
Willie slept very badly last night & I had the toothache a good deal. I think he was too warm as it was a very warm night. I slept without cover. His bowels have got nearly well. I got some potatoes for dinner, had a pudding very nice sweetened with molasses, fried cabbage, kid sweet potatoes and other things. A Mr. Morgan eat dinner here. He has gone. Mr. Reynolds preached at the Academy today. Mr. Henry & I did not go. The negroes, all but Jinnie, went. She got dinner. It is now near 3 o’clock. Mr. Henry has gone to pick some chinquiapins. Zona is asleep. Pinck & Willie went off this morning with Atheline to the old Hendrix house to see some of Catherine’s kin that lives there. I must write to Lena this evening & there are others I ought to write to so no more time to my journal now.
*(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
October 5, 1667
Up, and to the Office; and there all the morning; none but my Lord Anglesey and myself; but much surprized with the news of the death of Sir W. Batten, who died this morning, having been but two days sick. Sir W. Pen and I did dispatch a letter this morning to Sir W. Coventry, to recommend Colonel Middleton, who we think a most honest and understanding man, and fit for that place. Sir G. Carteret did also come this morning, and walked with me in the garden; and concluded not to concern [himself] or have any advice made to Sir W. Coventry, in behalf of my Lord Sandwich’s business; so I do rest satisfied, though I do think they are all mad, that they will judge Sir W. Coventry an enemy, when he is indeed no such man to any body, but is severe and just, as he ought to be, where he sees things ill done. At noon home, and by coach to Temple Bar to a India shop, and there bought a gown and sash, which cost me 26s., and so she [Mrs. Pepys] and Willet away to the ’Change, and I to my Lord Crew, and there met my Lord Hinchingbroke and Lady Jemimah, and there dined with them and my Lord, where pretty merry, and after dinner my Lord Crew and Hinchingbroke and myself went aside to discourse about my Lord Sandwich’s business, which is in a very ill state for want of money, and so parted, and I to my tailor’s, and there took up my wife and Willet, who staid there for me, and to the Duke of York’s playhouse, but the house so full, it being a new play, “The Coffee House,” that we could not get in, and so to the King’s house: and there, going in, met with Knepp, and she took us up into the tireing-rooms: and to the women’s shift, where Nell was dressing herself, and was all unready, and is very pretty, prettier than I thought. And so walked all up and down the house above, and then below into the scene-room, and there sat down, and she gave us fruit and here I read the questions to Knepp, while she answered me, through all her part of “Flora’s Figary’s,” which was acted to-day. But, Lord! to see how they were both painted would make a man mad, and did make me loath them; and what base company of men comes among them, and how lewdly they talk! and how poor the men are in clothes, and yet what a shew they make on the stage by candle-light, is very observable. But to see how Nell cursed, for having so few people in the pit, was pretty; the other house carrying away all the people at the new play, and is said, now-a-days, to have generally most company, as being better players. By and by into the pit, and there saw the play, which is pretty good, but my belly was full of what I had seen in the house, and so, after the play done, away home, and there to the writing my letters, and so 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.)