May 4
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
May 4, 1998
Zach skipped all day of school. Went 2 Waffle House w/ Justin and Casey. Sixth period was fun. Audrey got elected Junior Class President! :) Went shopping 4 shorts by myself after school. Sucked, but got 2 prs. Stopped by Ash’s. Trisha was there. Came home. Story and homework. “7th Heaven.”
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
May 4, 1997
Up at 11:00. Ate bagel. Unloaded dishwasher. Me and Dad worked on Algebra again. It’s so hard. Talked to Mom. She’s having fun. Dad and Sandra left to play tennis. Me and Becca took a nap. Went home. Me and Kathy had Yanshan. “Simpsons.” “King…”
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 4, 1960
Went to Mrs. B.’s for coffee. Made a little cake before noon and decided to go to WSCS. Out with Loie broiled steak. Stayed for Perry’s show and This is your life.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
May 4, 1944
Cloudy and quite cool. Got 3 letters at 80 now. Mr. Carson read excerpts from his thesis. No house meeting. Piano lesson at 4:30. Studied and looked at Woman’s Day. We came back to hall and got magazines to read. Then went to auditorium and saved seats for Val and Mary Lou. Sat with Jane, Eleanor and Mary Jo. Dr. Bowman gave vespers talk. Afterwards the sorority kids left and Betty, Jane and I spread out and saved the seats. The place was jammed in no time. I sat next to Val. A man who had been “indulging” sat between Val and Mary Lou. About 8:30 a band from Camp Crowder started playing — it was really “hot”! Then the show started — a play was first whose object was to get recruits. Lon MacAllister and Russell Gleason were in it and when Lon kissed one of the girls everyone just about passed out — except Betty and I. We were a bit thrilled — he does have a cute smile though. Second part of show was on order of “Stage Door Canteen” and it was wonderful. A big Irishman sang, another private played 2 beautiful classical numbers — what technique! A Stephens girl sang and then a Priv. Hal Hendricks sang “Besame Mucho” and “Oh What a Beautiful Morning.” What physique, what a voice, what personality!! We all went wild over him!! We could have stayed there all nite but they were going to give a 2nd show for the kids who couldn’t get in to the 1st. We all went raving back to the hall and had quite an excited time getting to sleep! I read some very helpful articles in Woman’s Day and feel that I’m ready to learn now — poise, etc.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
May 4, 1941
Lovely, cooler, but warm at night. Mom came out on the porch bedecked in her nightgown and robe just as Dad and I were leaving for Sunday school. The screen door locked itself and Mom couldn’t get back in. So funny. Finally had to summon George and the step ladder so Dad and I wouldn’t be late. Miss Tindall absent. After Sunday school I went home with Pan to see if she could go to church with us. Then she went home with me. We met Barbie and her mother returning home from Barbie’s first Sunday school. At 11:30 Mom, Dad, Pan and I drove down to the Episcopal Church to hear Bishop Dandridge. Good sermon. Got tired of sitting. Home about 1:00. (Took Mrs. Julian.) Dinner over about 2:00. I was so afraid Mary wouldn’t come but in a few minutes she did. She had to walk because the car was broken down. We sat on the porch and then removed to the car and talked. It was so wonderful to be with her (alone) for once. She was so sweet and dear. She told me that someone (wouldn’t tell me who) said that she was surprised that I went to the banquet with “that awkward Earl Parrish” and all sorts of other unkind things. I got so mad. I could have said so many nice things to Mary that I didn’t. Regrets. Finally we went in and washed the dishes and I remembered a note I had written Mary three weeks ago and had never given it to her. So I decided to burn it. Mary got it away from me and I couldn’t get it back. We left for Christian Education at 4:00 and Helen was there when we arrived. I expected her to be mad but she wasn’t. When Mary wasn’t on her guard once I got the note back. Ella led. Clay and Earl were there. Sang a lot. Fun. Out later than usual. Got Mary to come home with me by promising to give her the note when we got there. Helen left to see if she could drive to Hamilton’s with us and Mary and I got in the car. She asked for the note and so I got it out and tore it into tiny pieces and offered it to her. She almost cried and said she was disappointed in me. I really hadn’t intended doing that, but I couldn’t let her read it. I know I hurt her and hated myself. Then Helen, Mom and Dad came and we drove to Mrs. Hamilton’s and saw her soap carving. She gave Mom one. Mary told Helen what had happened. Mary’s face was so sweet and sad and I was so sorry. We drove her home. I had an awful, empty feeling. Went home and sat in the car. Wrote Mary a sorry note till suppertime. At night heard “One Man’s Family.” George brought a man over to see Daddy. Handsome but too stiff. Listened to radio and read. Fun.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
May 4, 1888
We worked at fence building some today but frequent showers interrupted with our work. Kate and I went to the woods and got flowers and mosses to put on graves. It was a year ago this evening that sister Effie was married and today we put flowers on her grave, and planted a few things there. It seems strange what changes a year bring forth.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Kate S., age 25, Michigan
May 4, 1887
Am afraid Henry isn’t as well today, can’t get the stuff out of his throat. Nellie is down stairs. Una don’t feel well. It is rather blue times.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
May 4, 1863
I have been lonely today. A sad long day. Mr. Henry & Matt started home today. I wish I could have gone too but I could not conveniently. My place is at home with my little ones. I felt so lonely all day. Matt has been so kind to me & the children, attended to my housekeeping when I was not able to do it myself. I love her a heap. I will try to repay her kindness some day. She is a good girl. So is Dora. They are both lovely. Dora is so mild & gentle. Matt has a generous heart. I made Mr. Henry a pair drawers today, got them done before night. Matt & Atheline spinning. Sister Matt & I went to the Sulphur Spring yesterday evening, met Mr. Henry at the hotel place. Matt got her shoes this evening. They are very nice ones. We brought a bucket of water for Mr. Cagle. It will be some time before I walk with my baby sister again.
*(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
May 4, 1862
Cloudy & rain up to this time 2 o’clock. We had fish for breakfast (Mr. Henry bought them) the first we have had. The hands began to fix the trap this week but did not finish as the water was too high. Beginning to grind at the mill again. Preaching at the Academy today, also yesterday. The negroes all went today, all but Tena & family. Atheline still sick. Charlie went after Dr. Nielson. He will be here in the morning. Sent some pills by Charlie. We have not had our dinner yet 2 o’clock. It will soon be ready. Tanner Smith has been here all day. Willie has taken a good nap. Perhaps he will not cry so much this evening. He has just woke up. I must write to Sister Jane this evening if Willie is not too cross. I owe two or three others which should be answered today or soon. I have not received a line from Lou in a long time. Pinck & Zona are both asleep & Mr. Henry has just woke up. I will stop for I am hungry. It looks now as if it would clear off. Dinner is coming in so I stop. Mr. Henry & I took a long walk this evening, went the old road way past the old Joe Green house. We over took Joe Green just as we came out the lane. We went on with him till it began to rain & then we had several races before we got to the mill. I got a little damp. It rained a very good shower after we got in the mill. Atheline is no better.
*(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 36, London
May 4, 1669
Up, and to the office, and then my wife being gone to see her mother at Deptford, I before the office sat went to the Excise Office, and thence being alone stepped into Duck Lane, and thence tried to have sent a porter to Deb.’s, but durst not trust him, and therefore having bought a book to satisfy the bookseller for my stay there, a 12d. book, Andronicus of Tom Fuller, I took coach, and at the end of Jewen Street next Red Cross Street I sent the coachman to her lodging, and understand she is gone for Greenwich to one Marys’s, a tanner’s, at which I, was glad, hoping to have opportunity to find her out; and so, in great fear of being seen, I to the office, and there all the morning, dined at home, and presently after dinner comes home my wife, who I believe is jealous of my spending the day, and I had very good fortune in being at home, for if Deb. had been to have been found it is forty to one but I had been abroad, God forgive me. So the afternoon at the office, and at night walked with my wife in the garden, and my Lord Brouncker with us, who is newly come to W. Pen’s lodgings; and by and by comes Mr. Hooke; and my Lord, and he, and I into my Lord’s lodgings, and there discoursed of many fine things in philosophy, to my great content, and so home to supper and 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.)