January 16
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
January 16, 1997
Got up kinda late, but I got to school really early and it was really cool. Sean wasn’t very nice today. I don’t know what to do. Do I tell him how I feel? Aahh! Eddie picked me up and we took Zach home. Watched story. Went to Eddie’s and had pizza. Talked to Brittany and Courtney. Sean didn’t call me.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
January 16, 1960
Cooks at with us. Baked pie and cooked meat here the rest at cabin. Went in Lo’s car, ground pretty soft. G.B. came alone and went home early.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
January 16, 1941
Cold. Cloudy. Lillian Creekman (Clay’s sister) died yesterday of pneumonia. The funeral was this morn at 10:00. Almost everyone went, including teachers. We had two study halls in morn. Typed during one. Grand rush to try and finish “House of 7 Gables” by tomorrow. Every other line almost contained the word Death or some reference to it. I thought I’d scream. I’m so afraid of death! Mary isn’t. After school we had a talk. She’s going to try and do lots better. Finally, after waiting ages for Mary at night she and William came and we attended meeting of Book-Worms Club at school. Mrs. Bunch reviewed “How to Read a Book.” Fun. Refreshments. Home late.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
January 16, 1887
Began a letter to pa this morning. I shaved, went over to my house after a pair of cuffs and then Fred and I went to church. Mr. Waters preached a temperance sermon, with strong political news. We didn’t stay to Sunday school. It has been a moderate day, and began to snow hard towards evening. Fred has gone up to a temperance lecture tonight. I stayed home to write to Kate. I finished the letter to pa also. Did some singing and some playing on the organ this afternoon. Have had popcorn to eat all day. No school tomorrow so I will not have to teach.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Columbus T., age 31, North Carolina
January 16, 1874
To day seven years ago at 1 oclock P.M. I led a delicate loving amiable sprightly Virginia lady to the nuptial altar in St. James Church Richmond Va. She lived happily – crossed the river of death Sept. 11th/73 and is now I trust happier. We always celebrated our marriage anniversary, and tho. I am alone, I wished to honor the day in some cheerful way. Am sorry we are too crowded at this our boarding house for me to have had a dining all together with invited guests. I wore for the first time to day a fine black cass suit, and looked as neat as I could – having shaved and had my hair trimmed – wore my boots smoked a few cigars with some friends, and will don my every day apparel tomorrow. This was in memory of my wifes tidiness, and particularly as to my dress. It happened that we had plenty of turkey for dinner. Wrote the report of Sub. Com. on Insane Asylum. To day began this diary. Rec’d a strange letter. [In left margin] Letter to Mr. & Mrs. Lacy & Mrs. C. & W.D. Turner Day pleasant and cool. Showed Mollie’s scrap book and obituary.
*(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 25, North Carolina
January 16, 1862
I was quite sick this morning for a while as the pills were operating but got better after breakfast. Jinnie & Atheline fixed the rooms upstairs. I superintended. Harrie is coming over after dinner to stay a few days.
Harrie came in the evening, looks like a shadow but is improving a good deal. He has rheumatism now. Willie not well yet, very fretful. Was sick & vomiting some today.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)