February 26
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
February 26, 1998
Incredibly tired all day. Pat took me home after school. Gorgeous day out. Did some homewrk. Me & Eddie played racquetball from 4-5 & then had Los Tres. He took me to Dad’s b/c of Trudie, Patrick, Wendy, Eric, Kenny, Druscie, Em, Cap, & RACHEL! I LOVE HER.
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
February 26, 1997
Sean wasn’t quite as quiet today, but still SO nice. I love him! :) Eddie picked me up from school and we gave Renee a ride. Came home and talked to Courtney. :) It was nice. Watched story. Did E.L.P. Went to Dad’s. He helped me with ALG and told me my punishment. Not too bad. Watched “90210” and “Party of Five.” Good.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
February 26, 1960
Mrs. B. called early, later Edna. Lora B. stopped in for vanilla, going to city to Daughters’. Lo and Jim out to feed during noon hour. Mar’s sister-in-law left for Fla. last week, all are relieved for a time at least. Lo went back to office after eating tonite. A lot of work of late and a big day tomorrow. I try to do a little of this and that every day, not only to keep busy but it needs doing.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
February 26, 1944
Cold, cloudy and awful! Good practice for 2 hours. Good history class. Mr. Berry let us out of class since he wasn’t prepared! I took advantage of the extra hour and cleaned out the closet, with Betty’s help and advice (!). Quite an accomplishment - now we can open it without inviting an avalanche! Good lunch. Gingerbread came. Gave Kath. and Mary a piece. Betty found she’d lost her purse. We went to town. It wasn’t at the dairy. Back to library and sure enough it hd been found and taken to Swap Shop, which was closed. So I loaned her some money and we went back to town. Got soup and crackers for spread. Studied till dinner time. Two Juniors called Betty up to say they were supposed to take her. Dressed in formal dress. Dinner at 6. Betty ate in Tower. I sat with Mary Jo and Jane. Some feast! by candlelight! Had fun. Changed clothes and rushed down to dairy for milk. Back and washed hair with Fitch’s. Nearly choked myself! Betty back about 8:15. Had been to Pan Hell follies. I read and she washed her hair. Got sleepy. Mary and Kath. came in. After census Betty and I went up to Kitchen and heated soup. About 11 Mary Jo and Jane came in and we had soup, crackers, gingerbread and milk. Had fun! Sleepy though! Borrowed Mary’s radio. To bed late.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
February 26, 1941
Nice to be back at school. Made good on history test. Bunny actually looked at me. George came over at night while Mom and Dad were at Hornsby’s. Mr. Hornsby died today. We put fish in dishpan and had fun. Love to laugh.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
February 26, 1888
It has been a very stormy cold day. I think 8 or 10 inches of snow has fallen. I did not feel like going to church today. Fred Hill came over this afternoon and staid during the evening. My face and head ache today and I don’t know as pulling the tooth has done what I wanted of it for sure or not. The thermometer is at 0 tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
February 26, 1887
I got up late this morning as it was 11 o’clock when I got to bed last night. I took my file and went over to my house and rigged up my saw, thinking I might try cutting wood next Monday if the weather is good. It was quite warm and the wind was in the south all the forenoon. We had some heavy snow squalls too. But this afternoon the wind changed into the north and began to blow and snow very hard and is storming tonight. I drew my pay for the months teaching tonight. Had a talk with Char Case about giving into the store to clerk it and keep books for a year if he goes away. I hardly know what to think about it. I wish I could see Kate about it.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Columbus T., age 31, North Carolina
February 26, 1874
Away from Legislative duties now I must think of my own affairs — which very much need attention. Having stayed at China Grove during the night after conversation. Pa and I went over to the Mill. I took dinner at Cottage Home my former happy home. The things that we used — so many here and there. I hate to arrange and dispose of. Yet I wish they were all except precious souvenirs and articles immediately those of the dear departed were disposed of effectively. Pa and Mother went to W.T. Gaithers this evening. Jennie and I will be happy at China Grove. Miss Drucilla Ward stayed with Jennie.
*(Worthy of Record: The Civil War and Reconstruction Diaries of Columbus Lafayette Turner, Ed. Kenrick N. Simpson, courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina.)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
February 26, 1863
Crochet on tidy. Raining & cloudy all day. Celia Hampton burried an infant today at Sulphur Springs Academy. Miss Bonner died this morning. Ham Cannon’s wife is down with fever. I hear of but little sickness in the country.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
February 26, 1862
Crochet on tidy. Raining & cloudy all day. Celia Hampton burried an infant today at Sulphur Springs Academy. Miss Bonner died this morning. Ham Cannon’s wife is down with fever. I hear of but little sickness in the country.
*(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
February 26, 1668
Up, and by water to Charing Cross stairs, and thence to W. Coventry to discourse concerning the state of matters in the Navy, where he particularly acquainted me with the trouble he is like to meet with about the selling of places, all carried on by Sir Fr. Hollis, but he seems not to value it, being able to justify it to be lawful and constant practice, and never by him used in the least degree since he upon his own motion did obtain a salary of 500l. in lieu thereof. Thence to the Treasury Chamber about a little business, and so home by coach, and in my way did meet W. Howe going to the Commissioners of Accounts. I stopped and spoke to him, and he seems well resolved what to answer them, but he will find them very strict, and not easily put off: So home and there to dinner, and after dinner comes W. Howe to tell me how he sped, who says he was used civilly, and not so many questions asked as he expected; but yet I do perceive enough to shew that they do intend to know the bottom of things, and where to lay the great weight of the disposal of these East India goods, and that they intend plainly to do upon my Lord Sandwich. Thence with him by coach and set him down at the Temple, and I to Westminster Hall, where, it being now about six o’clock, I find the House just risen; and met with Sir W. Coventry and the Lieutenant of the Tower, they having sat all day; and with great difficulty have got a vote for giving the King 300,000l., not to be raised by any land-tax. The sum is much smaller than I expected, and than the King needs; but is grounded upon Mr. Wren’s reading our estimates the other day of 270,000l., to keep the fleete abroad, wherein we demanded nothing for setting and fitting of them out, which will cost almost 200,000l., I do verily believe: and do believe that the King hath no cause to thank Wren for this motion. I home to Sir W. Coventry’s lodgings, with him and the Lieutenant of the Tower, where also was Sir John Coventry, and Sir John Duncomb, and Sir Job Charleton. And here a great deal of good discourse: and they seem mighty glad to have this vote pass, which I did wonder at, to see them so well satisfied with so small a sum, Sir John Duncomb swearing, as I perceive he will freely do, that it was as much as the nation could beare. Among other merry discourse about spending of money, and how much more chargeable a man’s living is now more than it was heretofore, Duncomb did swear that in France he did live of 100l. a year with more plenty, and wine and wenches, than he believes can be done now for 200l., which was pretty odd for him, being a Committee-man’s son, to say. Having done here, and supped, where I eat very little, we home in Sir John Robinson’s coach, and there 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.)