July 4
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
July 4, 1997
Went to work at 9:00 and got off at 1:00. Came home and had lunch. Watched T.V. and played solitaire. Got in shower. Did nails. Blow-dried hair. Watched story. Got dressed. Ate dinner. Picked up Ashley and Amanda and went to Pat’s at 7:30. Three of us spent night at Ashley’s. Pat’s sucked except for Ali. We did (at Ashley’s) exercise video, sat on roof, played cards, talked, tickled, ate… Fun.
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
July 4, 1996
Went to Paradigm with Sandra, Bryan, and Becca. Had All Star game at 11:30 and won! Went to Darryl’s with Eddie, Bryan, and Kathy. Bryan, Kathy, me and Shannon went to Prathers’ for dinner. Fun. Alan came over and watched Exorcist. Stayed till about 2 a.m.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
July 4, 1960
Up again early, another day to work. Geo came. We were eating when Jim arrived to mow. Delayed us over an hour which couldn’t be helped. After he had coffee and left we got into the harness again as Geo had moved stove and refrigerator for us. I fixed cover on cot and cleaned up basement. Having lunch when Pink came to see if we were there gate locked. Geo came and all had something to eat. Came home after eating supper, Lo and Marian to do laundry. Pink had found squirrel drowned in tub. Folks left about 10:00.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
July 4, 1944
Got up all by my lonesome at 7. Quite cool. To work at 8:30. Mr. H. said it was a legal holiday but I didn’t have anything better to do. He said we’d work till noon. Did a few papers. Took a folder up to Cumb. Ches. but it was closed. There was a man by the city hall ranting around about drink. Not so very many people at town. Mr. H. let me go about 11:30. Mum and Pop had just had breakfast. I sat out on porch and read Rilla of Ingleside. A lovely morn — like one after a rain. It seemed like July. About 1 we all had lunch. Then the dishes and Mum and I hung up some winter clothes. Sat out on porch again and read book. Oh yes, I called K. after lunch to play tennis but she was down at her grandmother’s. It was a lovely afternoon. The sky was a fresh, washed blue and the trees were so green. Once I heard a rustle in the rock garden at the other end of the porch and first thing I knew a rat (it was too big for a mouse) scooted across in front of me. I shrieked and just missed the ceiling! Mum said Pop had gotten some film for the camera! I saw in a news weekly this morn that 1200 Marines who’d been in the So. Pacific for 2 years had landed in San Fran. for 30 day furloughs. Maybe Jim is among them. The book is so good. About 5 I went in and copied an article for Mum. Then I practiced and took a bath. We ate at 6 and left about 7 for the 4th celebration over at the football field. Met Mrs. Margraves, Doris, and Lucille Ferguson. Mr. Black and Mr. Ballard were at the gate. Mr. Black said he was very glad to see me. Mildred Norris was in front of us with a lady and little girl. We were the first ones there so had the pick of the seats in the bleachers. More people came and presently Mrs. Berry who has a great gift (?) of the gab but who is very nice. She attached herself to us. About 7:45 the band concert started. They all looked fine in their uniforms. George was almost completely hidden behind his bass horns! Kay and Anna Lee came soon and beckoned for me to come down and sit with them. So I went. (Mrs. Berry thought I didn’t look any older than 17!) We kidded and had fun. Then the girls’ softball game started. It was dark by then and the big field lights were on. (The sunset over the mountains was gorgeous.) Half the girls didn’t know what was going on and it was a pretty slow game. They had wanted K., Ann and I to play but we didn’t want to disgrace ourselves in public — however, we couldn’t have done much worse! Mrs. Bowman was sitting next to me and was playing umpire at the top of her lungs! K., Anna and I went over to the stand and got some lemonade. Then we walked around. Back to our seats. Anna left soon. Right at a tense moment a firecracker went off to the left on the side lines. As might have been expected there was George — and Ashley. The latter departed after the girls’ game. Then the men played — Legion and different clubs. K. and I moved up with Pan, Betsy and Ann Ray. Little Kenny Brewster was there and he was so cute. It was really chilly. K. left about 10 and I persuaded Mum and Pop to go, too. I, for one, nearly froze going home. There was a heavenly breeze though and a full moon! I wish I could have stayed out all night! Just after I’d gotten in bed a firecracker went off next door. George and Ashley were at it again. Maybe peace and quiet will return to the neighborhood now that the 4th is over — optimistic, aren’t I? I didn’t do quite so well tonight and I nearly got discouraged till I remembered the positive attitude which should work with big things as well as little. I haven’t been thinking lately or trying to pray again — I just don’t take or make time. I’ve been wondering about faith — if I really had it, I’m sure my “spiritual” growth would be faster. Life becomes shallow and confused if you don’t take time to be “alone with your thoughts” and to somehow draw closer to God. I must have at least a half hour each day.
Marcy S., age 17, Ontario
July 4, 1941
Slept as late as we wanted to. Up about 11:00 and had breakfast. Then hung up clothes and took storm shutters off. Put rest of screens in. Beautiful day. Hard to believe we are at last at dear Oliphant. I do hope Mary likes it.
In afternoon Mary I walked down to dock armed with notepaper to write letters but the water looked so good that we went back to the cottage and got our bathing suits. I showed Mary how to swim the breast stroke and we practiced awhile. Never wanted to come in. Lovely in the channel.
Dinner at night. No mail. After dishes Mary and I took a walk down on dock to see the sunset. Came home and no Mother. Started over to Dawkes’ to see if she were there and out jumped Ted, barking and growling. Mary let out a scream, turned and fled. It was so funny. She banged into a tree in her rush through the woods. Mr. Dawkes heard her and came over presently to see what had happened.
When he left, we really got worried and rather scared. Mother hadn’t taken her purse, which seemed strange. She had first thought of going up to see Mrs. Kastner, but had decided not to. As a last resort, we went up there and sure enough she was sitting in the living room talking with Isabelle and Mrs. Kastner. We knocked and were welcomed in. They were just having ginger ale and candy so we had some, too. Nigger, the dog, had to be petted.
About 9:30 we left. Mother said that Isabelle had come down on her way to the store and asked Mother to go up and stay with Mrs. Kastner ’cause she didn’t want to leave her alone with her grief. Their daughter Gretchen committed suicide ’cause her husband wanted a divorce. They had been very happily married, had two lovely children, a beautiful home, and were quite wealthy. Then the husband’s stenographer (a Russian girl) began chasing him and he resisted as long as he could. Then he gave up and asked poor Gretchen for a divorce. She was terribly shocked and went home to Wiarton with the children. She had hoped against hope till the furniture came and then she couldn’t stand it any longer. So it was suicide off the Wiarton dock. An awful blow for Mrs. Kastner. The husband came to her funeral and said he must have been out of his mind when he left her.
Saw boats on dock at night. Dying for a ride. Beautiful night. Wonder what kind of a fourth they had at home.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
July 4, 1888
We celebrated today by working in the hay field. I got awful tired and wanted to drink all the time. Nellie could see fireworks in the direction of Ann Arbor tonight. Una has got so that when she sees me getting ready to go out, she will run for her bonnet and bring it to me, so she can go along. Of course I have to take her then.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
July 4, 1887
This was the great day. I got up early and did my chores, ate my breakfast and went up to the store where I have been hard at work clerking all day, as the celebration made lots of work in the store. It rained a good deal this forenoon, and was quite a damper on the proceedings, but it cleared off this afternoon and a fine time was had. I was on my feet all the day and got pretty tired. I like to clerk though. Came down to Mr. Neill’s tonight and had ice cream there and we came home about 9 o’clock. The Neill’s went to the fireworks. I got no mail tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
July 4, 1871
The glorious fourth, not a cloud in the sky. Mr. Smith came for me with a two horse wagon, and we took other women along on the way. There were two dozen there counting the children. Five or six bachelors, I the only single woman— the rest married folks and children. Of course they teas me. They think I am an old maid 22 and not married. Girls marry so young out here.
As I have no stove— they had sent me word not to do any baking. Mrs. Rose, Mrs. Lane and Mrs. Springer had all baked a plenty. Then we had canned fruit, lemonadade— coffee and roast meats. A swing for the children, gay conversation for the elders.
I am tired this evening. Philip did not go to the picnic.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
July 4, 1863
Betsey cut 20 yds. of the cloth out today & went home before dinner. Willie is not well, has a cold. The baby fretful, won’t let Rose nurse it any scarcely. I fixed Harrie’s linnen coat today & watch pockets for Mr. Henry’s pants. They are too shallow so I will have others to make next week & made my other apron of the old dress. Dr. Kilgore’s overseer stays here tonight. I went to meet Mr. Henry, he was at the mill. Zona went with me. She thinks a heap of her Papa almost as much as Mother so she thinks, but I know differently. Willie is wheezing some this evening.
*(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
July 4, 1862
Mail brought nothing but war news. The papers are filled. The Confederates have the best of it so far. The yanks are retreating. I finished Willie’s other skirt today. The bees swarmed yesterday just before dinner. Parker hived them, a large swarm & the only one so far. Old Mr. Boyd stays here tonight. He says George Jones is dead. I am so very sorry for his poor destitute family. God help them I pray.
*(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
July 4, 1667
Up, and to see Sir W. Coventry, and give him account of my doings yesterday, which he well liked of, and was told thereof by my Lord Halifax before; but I do perceive he is much concerned for this business. Gives me advice to write a smart letter to the Duke of York about the want of money in the Navy, and desire him to communicate it to the Commissioners of the Treasury; for he tells me he hath hot work sometimes to contend with the rest for the Navy, they being all concerned for some other part of the King’s expenses, which they would prefer to this, of the Navy. He shewed me his closet, with his round table, for him to sit in the middle, very convenient; and I borrowed several books of him, to collect things out of the Navy, which I have not, and so home, and there busy sitting all the morning, and at noon dined, and then all the afternoon busy, till night, and then to Mile-End with my wife and girl, and there drank and eat a joie of salmon, at the Rose and Crown, our old house; and so home 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.)