September 18
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
September 18, 1997
Drove to school. Wore my new dress — compliments. Never saw Chris. Dad picked me up and I drove home and 2 work. Closed. Mom picked me up. Drove home. Took care of Lucky. Em picked me up, went 2 Eddie’s. Ate. Me and Eddie practiced on the stick-shift. Came home. Chris called me! He asked for Crozier’s number, but we talked for like 20 minutes! Damn, right when I was getting over him.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
September 18, 1960
Up early as usual. After breakfast Lo to cabin and right back. Then to pick up Carrie for S.S. She came over after church and stayed until 2:00. Lo had mowed back yard and cut the cord in two. Went to Helen’s and got hers. When we took Carrie home the men were all set to take Mrs. Anderson to the home in Harvard. A sad affair; didn’t go to talk to her.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
September 18, 1938
I didn’t get up till 8:30 but before that I wrote in my Diary and read. After breakfast I dressed and about 9:30 went over for Mrs. McClure. We drove she and George to Sunday-school. I didn’t stay for church because Mother didn’t. We drove home and I practiced a full hour without stopping (from 11:00 till 12:00). Then I washed the dishes, made the bed and set the table. When Daddy came we ate and then I went up to Helen’s but she couldn’t play so I came back down and read the funnies. Allan came and went. Soon Helen came down and then George and we all read. Then H. borrowed a book from me and I went up with her and borrowed a Wild West book and a World War History book from her Daddy. She borrowed some school books from Allan. I then went home and washed the dishes because H. had to go to Mission. I then went outside and sat in the car and worked on my book. Milton, G. and A. were playing football and G. kept singing about a sweetheart in a car on Sunday but I pretended I didn’t hear. Some men came to see Daddy and I had to wake him. When H. came back we went up to her house and read. Her mom and dad weren’t there. Soon her Gran and Grand came unexpectedly to stay a wk. (at least her Gran). We played with the kitten until 5:00 (nearly) when I went home and then to C.E. Helen’s mom and dad got home then but H. couldn’t go to C.E. Gertrude wasn’t there and Mrs. Johnstone took her place. Just as we were starting Helen came in but when she found out that Mrs. J. was going to teach she said she wished she hadn’t come. Mrs. J. was in a bad mood and said some very unkind things about June Key and Betty H. Betty, Helen, and I walked home together and discussed Mrs. J. I had to go to H.’s and get the ink and money and George went with me. H. and I said something at the same time so we wished. I went home and listened to Charlie McCarthy on the radio. Then supper and read. Cloudy at night but beautiful cool day.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
September 18, 1887
The baby had several crying spells last night and we had to get up and build a fire and warm her up. I went to church today. This afternoon we took a long ride going north from here and then cast into the township of Homestead and back by the state road. We saw lots of good land, which is now in a wild state. It has been a nice pleasant day and we enjoyed the ride. I am 26 years old today and I don’t like to think I am as unsettled as to what my life work is to be, as I really am. Hope another year will develop some settled business.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
September 18, 1862
I have been knitting nearly all day. I began to crochet Zona a net today of coloured cotton, did but little at it. I got some sweet potatoes for dinner today. The thrashers came today to thrash Mr. Henry’s wheat, Hendrix & Co. The wheat turns out but poorly. Flour is now selling at 12 1/2 cts. per lb.
*(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 35, London
September 18, 1668
Up, and to St. James’s, and there took a turn or two in the Park; and then up to the Duke of York, and there had opportunity of delivering my answer to his late letter, which he did not read, but give to Mr. Wren, as looking on it as a thing I needed not have done, but only that I might not give occasion to the rest to suspect my communication with the Duke of York against them. So now I am at rest in that matter, and shall be more, when my copies are finished of their answers, which I am now taking with all speed. Thence to my several booksellers and elsewhere, about several errands, and so at noon home, and after dinner by coach to White Hall, and thither comes the Duke of York to us, and by and by met at the robe chamber upon our usual business, where the Duke of York I find somewhat sour, and particularly angry with Lord Anglesey for his not being there now, nor at other times so often as he should be with us. So to the King’s house, and saw a piece of “Henry the Fourth;” at the end of the play, thinking to have gone abroad with Knepp, but it was too late, and she to get her part against to-morrow, in “The Silent Woman,” and so I only set her at home, and away home myself, and there to read again and sup with Gibson, and so 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.)