October 7
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
October 7, 1997
Good. For some reason I didn't want the day to end. Maybe I'm getting a new outlook... Went home with Renée (Casey, Julie). Came home and did homework and T.V. until bed. Renée called and said Chris, Tim, Mike and Zach came by again. Not Zach, too... :(
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 7, 1960
Did all ironing except 2 of Lo’s dresses that had to be dampened. Went to Carrie’s then called Mrs. B. to come over for coffee and did. Made custard and fixed macaroni for eve. Had taken grapes to Carrie as she wanted to make jelly. Out to cabin and listened to and watched debate of Nixon and Kennedy.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
October 7, 1938
Practiced. Went to chapel and had a Pep meeting. Every time Bobby Morris passes he looks at Mary and I get so tickled. Usual classes. In Home Ec. class I made seams. We didn’t have Algebra but Study hall in the library. Mary sat in front of me and Marie Fink, behind. We got our English. At noon talked to Mary a fews mins. and then home for dinner. Ate at home today. Daddy not there. Usual classes. Football game was at Maryville against Everett High and some went. After school talked to Mary awhile and then walked up the hill with Elma. When I got home Helen came down and I asked her to go to town with me. Mother drove us down and I went to the library and renewed “Rilla,” left the “Red Signal” and got “Sunrise” by Grace Livingston Hill. When I got home I curled my hair and then Helen and I sat in the car and talked. A.B. and some little boys came by. One of the wheels of A.B.’s tricycle came off. Finally H. and I decided to draw and did so till she had to go. I went in and practiced and then read till about 6:00, when I got ready for the banquet. Daddy came and he and Mother got ready, also. I was all dressed up with a diamond butterfly in my hair. We drove down to the Patton Hotel (where the banquet was to be) about 7:00 and after putting up our wraps talked and watched the people in evening dresses till about 15 till 8:00, when we ate. I sat next to Miss Prickett (Mossip teacher) and we talked. Three courses. Quite good, but nearly starved for water since I couldn’t drink coffee. After supper they had the program. Mrs. Smalley played some piano numbers and then the speaker. She talked about the Andes. O.K. but too long. Then a few more speeches and then Daddy sang. Me quite nervous. 10:00 it was over. Home and to bed. Quite cool. Harriman lost the ball game 6 to 0 (boo-hoo).
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
October 7, 1887
I drew a plan for tables to be made for my room at the College and went up intending to attend the chapel exercises. I saw the Prof. and talked a little with him, then I went over to Dr.’s and he told me the board thought they couldn’t hire me, so I came home and took off my collar. I borrowed Neill’s step ladder and picked apples that afternoon. Went to the sing tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
October 7, 1862
Quilted again today. No great deal. We are all well. Nothing new going on. I wrote to all my sisters last Sunday & hope I may soon get a letter from some of them. They don’t write often.
*(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 7, 1667
Up betimes, and did do several things towards the settling all matters both of house and office in order for my journey this day, and did leave my chief care, and the key of my closet, with Mr. Hater, with directions what papers to secure, in case of fire or other accident; and so, about nine o’clock, I, and my wife, and Willet, set out in a coach I have hired, with four horses; and W. Hewer and Murford rode by us on horseback; and so my wife and she in their morning gowns, very handsome and pretty, and to my great liking. We set out, and so out at Allgate, and so to the Green Man, and so on to Enfield, in our way seeing Mr. Lowther and his lady in a coach, going to Walthamstow; and he told us that he would overtake us at night, he being to go that way. So we to Enfield, and there bayted, it being but a foul, bad day, and there Lowther and Mr. Burford, an acquaintance of his, did overtake us, and there drank and eat together; and, by and by, we parted, we going before them, and very merry, my wife and girle and I talking, and telling tales, and singing, and before night come to Bishop Stafford, where Lowther and his friend did meet us again, and carried us to the Raynedeere, where Mrs. Aynsworth, who lived heretofore at Cambridge, and whom I knew better than they think for, do live. It was the woman that, among other things, was great with my cozen Barnston, of Cottenham, and did use to sing to him, and did teach me “Full forty times over,” a very lewd song: a woman they are very well acquainted with, and is here what she was at Cambridge, and all the good fellows of the country come hither. Lowther and his friend stayed and drank, and then went further this night; but here we stayed, and supped, and lodged. But, as soon as they were gone, and my supper getting ready, I fell to write my letter to my Lord Sandwich, which I could not finish before my coming from London; so did finish it to my good content, and a good letter, telling him the present state of all matters, and did get a man to promise to carry it to-morrow morning, to be there, at my house, by noon, and I paid him well for it; so, that being done, and my mind at ease, we to supper, and so to bed, my wife and I in one bed, and the girl in another, in the same room, and lay very well, but there was so much tearing company in the house, that we could not see my landlady; so I had no opportunity of renewing my old acquaintance with her, but here we slept very well.
*(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.)