October 9
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
October 9, 1997
Good. We had a fire drill in 2nd period. Sandra picked me up and I worked with Meri and Jenn. Got done at 4:30 and Jenn took me home. Worked on proj. Em came and we went to Olive Garden with Eddie. I got frustrated with homework. Came home and did it till 11:00. Talked to Ashley briefly.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 9, 1960
Up early as usual. Took Carrie to S.S. Pink and Marian up later. Went to see Carrie’s apt. Pink straightened fence in alley, then he and Marian did kitchen windows and put up Lo’s new thermometer. They didn’t stay to eat went to Elmhurst. Lo and I did storm windows then took Carrie home. Went and fed cats then Lo mowed back yard and we got things ready for dump.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
October 9, 1938
Dressed. Ate breakfast. Daddy walked. Mother, Mrs. McClure and I drove to church. We had Rally day in Sunday school. Quite a few were promoted. I had to stay for church. We drove George and Mrs. Winslow home. After dinner Daddy listened to the ball game. Our car was parked in front of Mrs. McClure’s and I sat in it and studied, copied my book and read. G. and A. played football. Helen came and read the funnies but left soon for Mission. Mr. Johnstone spoke to me about joining the church. At 2:30 Mother and Daddy took the car to go riding. I sat on the porch and read awhile. Soon H. came and A., G., and I talked. Then G. and A. went up to the park while H. and I went to H.’s house and read the funnies till around 4:00 when we left to go for our usual Sunday walk. We went down on Morgan St. but no Clay but then (after walking a bit) H. spotted him up by the Fire Hall so we had to walk past there. Then on to the church for C.E. Gertrude was there (for once) and Betty H., Jim, June and Charles (naturally) and the rest (Ella). June let Jim and Charles put their arms around her and let Jim kiss her finger. Very cheap. Helen even let Jim lie down with his head in her lap. She says she has to keep on the right side of him. Huh! After C.E. (it was dark) Betty, Helen and I walked home together. Betty’s mother, father, aunt and brother, Bart Jr. were at my house and Daddy was singing for them while Mother played. At 6:30 they left and I ate supper and at 7:00 listened to Charlie McCarthy and Edgar Bergen and Don Ameche and Nelson Eddy. Then from 8:00 to 8:30 I read and dried the dishes. Then to bed.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
October 9, 1887
Went to church this forenoon; it was communion service. Walked with Fred Neill coming home. Fred called this afternoon for a while.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
October 9, 1862
Mr. Henry came home before night. He is broke down in the back again. I made him a nice cup of coffee. It helped his headache a good deal. He strained his back throwing up one of the children yesterday morning. He first strained it in 1852 moving a cross tie, & then again some five years ago a horse threw him & his back has been weak ever since. The conscript bill has passed. I hope Mr. Henry will not have to go. If he does, what is to become of me & my children?
*(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 9, 1667
Up, and got ready, and eat our breakfast; and then took coach: and the poor, as they did yesterday, did stand at the coach to have something given them, as they do to all great persons; and I did give them something: and the town musique did also come and play: but, Lord! what sad music they made! However, I was pleased with them, being all of us in very good humour, and so through the town, and observed at our College of Magdalene the posts new painted, and understand that the Vice-Chancellor is there this year. And so away for Huntingdon mightily pleased all along the road to remember old stories; and come to Brampton at about noon, and there find my father and sister and brother all well and here laid up our things, and up and down to see the garden with my father, and the house, and do altogether find it very pretty; especially the little parlour and the summerhouses in the garden, only the wall do want greens upon it, and the house is too low-roofed; but that is only because of my coming from a house with higher ceilings. But altogether is very pretty; and I bless God that I am like to have such a pretty place to retire to: and I did walk with my father without doors, and do find a very convenient way of laying out money there in building, which will make a very good seat, and the place deserves it, I think, very well. By and by to dinner, and after dinner I walked up to Hinchingbroke, where my Lady expected me; and there spent all the afternoon with her: the same most excellent, good, discreet lady that ever she was; and, among other things, is mightily pleased with the lady that is like to be her son Hinchingbroke’s wife, which I am mightily glad of. By and by my wife comes with Willet, my wife in her velvett vest, which is mighty fine, and becomes her exceedingly. I am pleased with my Lady Paulina and Anne, who both are grown very proper ladies, and handsome enough. But a thousand questions my Lady asked me, till she could think of no more almost, but walked up and down the house, with me. But I do find, by her, that they are reduced to great straits for money, having been forced to sell her plate, 8 or 900l. worth; and she is now going to sell a suit of her best hangings, of which I could almost wish to buy a piece or two, if the pieces will be broke. But the house is most excellently furnished, and brave rooms and good pictures, so that it do please me infinitely beyond Audley End. Here we staid till night walking and talking and drinking, and with mighty satisfaction my Lady with me alone most of the day talking of my Lord’s bad condition to be kept in Spayne without money and at a great expense, which (as we will save the family) we must labour to remove. Night being come, we took leave with all possible kindness, and so home, and there Mr. Shepley staid with us and supped, and full of good country discourse, and when supper done took his leave, and we all to bed, only I a little troubled that my father tells me that he is troubled that my wife shows my sister no countenance, and, him but very little, but is as a stranger in the house; and I do observe she do carry herself very high; but I perceive there was some great falling out when she was here last, but the reason I have no mind to enquire after, for vexing myself, being desirous to pass my time with as much mirth as I can while I am abroad. So all to bed. My wife and I in the high bed in our chamber, and Willet in the trundle bed, which she desired to lie in, by us.
*(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.)