February 4
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
February 4, 1997
School was okay today. Sean was nice (as expected). Went home with Renee. Mom picked me up at 3:30. Did homework, watched story, practiced guitar. Talked to Karen and ate dinner. Practiced more guitar, talked to Karen. Talked to Sean and I sang “Helpless” for him. Then I cried to him because things already felt weird. He said, “We just have to work with it.” SHIT. Talked to Ashley.
Laura M., age 13, North Carolina
February 4, 1996
Went to brunch at “Courtney’s” w/ Eddie, Em, Cap. Came home & sledded w/ Dad & Becca. Even skied some. Came back & took a nap. Got up & watched “Tommy Boy.” Still funny.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
February 4, 1941
Bright, cold. Things are so strange now, Diary. Each day is very precious because I am with her, and each day the end is nearer. How can I bear it, Diary? How can I live without my life? Although I have known her for three years, I’ve never really appreciated her until now -- never really loved her. She was absent today and school was so empty and dull. Her absence scared me at first. At night Mom and Dad both had Legion meetings, and I went over to Mary’s to give her our assignments. We studied history especially, for test tomorrow. Then I gave her the poem. She said she was going to read it to my picture tonight -- and Pie’s, too. We had a nice little talk and then about 9:00 William drove me home. Mary went along and we took the long way. As I got out of the car, she whispered, “I love you, Marcy.” I heard a robin today.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
February 4, 1888
Una was the worst last night that she has been, and Kate was up with her a long time trying to get her cough loose. She has been about as usual today. Finished the fifth week of the school term today. I saw Richard Robbin a little while after school. It has been another mild day but the wind is in the north and it snows tonight. Have been looking over the catalogue of the Fenton Normal School tonight, but I think I will go to Valaparaiso for the study of penmanship. I wish I had time, money and health to attend some school that does not appear to have too much bray.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
February 4, 1887
It was cold this morning only 2 above zero and it has not one up but little I any through the day. I anticipate a cold night. I sent off my order for seeds this afternoon and also sent a letter to Kate and received one from her, which always makes me glad. I got a book containing specimen pages of the copies in Barns’ National Penmanship, which are elegant and I …. I could introduce him in the school would be better for there and easier for me, I think. I ate so much supper that I am uncomfortable and have a very bad feeling in my stomach. Have just taken a good dose of ginger and feel better.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Columbus T., age 31, North Carolina
February 4, 1874
House adjourned shortly after 2 P.M. Ate a moderate dinner and took an immoderate nap for daytime. Only a small contribution for M.E.C. Sunday S. Library to Mrs. Evans. Dickey of Cherokee and myself went to church at Edenton St. Methodist. Several gentlemen were called upon for their experience. A Mr. Falls in an humble manner regretted the cold way of singing, depending upon the quire. In room of Dickey and Anderson had some revival singing. [In left margin] Answered C.A. Carlton’s letter & wrote to W. Turner.
*(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 27, North Carolina
February 4, 1864
I finished Zona’s dress this evening. It fits neatly. Sam has got all the onions & buttons planted, about a bushel of buttons. He & Hanes are making krout today, will not finish before tomorrow. Mr. Branton, George, Fannie & Charlie at work at the dam, will have it done in a week or so. The militia is called out again as the tories & yanks have made a raid to Franklin in Macon Co. ’Tis reported they are advancing on Asheville. I hope it is not so. I have not heard one word from Mr. Henry. I hope he safe & well. I hear the yankees captured a part of Thomas’ Legion & killed a good many of his Indians. I don’t give much credit to the report as we hear so many things. Mrs. Fanning warped the cloth today & beamed it. I received a letter from Matt & Pinck last Monday. I was glad to hear Pinck was well & satisfied. May kind Heaven watch over my child & protect him & may Heaven shield my dear husband & may he soon return to home in peace is my fervent pray Oh! Lord of love & mercy.
*(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 4, 1862
Mr. Henry went to Asheville, came back about 2 o’clock. Jim began to lay the hearths, finished the hall room. Only began after dinner, will lay this one tomorrow. I began Mr. Henry’s overcoat today, did but little to it. Warm & pleasant. Uncle Sam & Charlie hanging the meat.
*(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 4, 1668
Up, and to the office, where a full Board sat all the morning, busy among other things concerning a solemn letter we intend to write to the Duke of York about the state of the things of the Navy, for want of money, though I doubt it will be to little purpose. After dinner I abroad by coach to Kate Joyce’s, where the jury did sit where they did before, about her husband’s death, and their verdict put off for fourteen days longer, at the suit of somebody, under pretence of the King; but it is only to get money out of her to compound the matter. But the truth is, something they will make out of Stillingfleete’s sermon, which may trouble us, he declaring, like a fool, in his pulpit, that he did confess that his losses in the world did make him do what he did. This do vex me to see how foolish our Protestant Divines are, while the Papists do make it the duty of Confessor to be secret, or else nobody would confess their sins to them. All being put off for to-day, I took my leave of Kate, who is mightily troubled at it for her estate sake, not for her husband; for her sorrow for that, I perceive, is all over. I home, and, there to my office busy till the evening, and then home, and there my wife and Deb. and I and Betty Turner, I employed in the putting new titles to my books, which we proceeded on till midnight, and then being weary and late 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.)