November 13
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
November 13, 1997
Shit. Zach told me in 2nd period that Shannon D. and Chris are going out! Bitch + asshole = perfect couple. Had Art Club meeting after school. Went 2 Renée’s with Zach. It was fun. Zach came home with me and we watched “Simpsons.” Em came and we took him home. Went 2 Houlihans with Eddie. Did homework and poems.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
November 13, 1960
We up as usual. Washed big storm and other window and got them back on. Bright and sunny. Picked Carrie up and she came for dinner. Called the folks at noon when we were ready to eat. Marian so tired. After taking Carrie home we went to cabin to wash big storms out there. Marian went to sleep Pink helped with windows we couldn’t do it alone.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
November 13, 1938
Nice day. Warm and rather cloudy. Up late. All of us went to Sunday school. Our class had a new teacher. A Mossip. Very nice. Had a lesson for once. After S.-s I stopped at Mrs. Marsh’s with a piano book and then M. and I drove home while I got my glasses. Then we went to Episcopal Church for service. Had to kneel a lot. Ms. Nelson preached. Communion Sunday. Daddy was waiting in the car afterwards. Drove home. I practiced and after dinner and the dishes and the beds I went out in the car and read the funnies. Helen, who had been sitting in Jim’s car with him sat in our car and read. Cooler. Rained a little. Then we went up to her house and listened to radio. Played with kitten and read more funnies. Mrs. McCarter had been to the doctor’s and was lying down. About 3:30 we walked down on Morgan St. and thru town. Stopped at Post Office and left a letter. Walked part way to church with Elizabeth Sullivan until some boys came by in a car and she got in. Gertrude and some more came and we still hid. Then we came walking in and pretended we’d just got there. Had good C.E. Jim, Edward and Hugh were invited to leave since they couldn’t behave. Afterwards walked home with Betty and Helen. Mother was up but D. was still asleep. Quite cool and windy. I read the 2nd chapter of “Journey’s End” (Jimmy Raleigh, Capt. Dennis Stanhope, Uncle Osborne, Trotter and others). Quite good, though sad. Ate supper. Turned out lights and fooled Daddy when he got up. From 7:00 till 8:00 I listened to Charlie McCarthy. During part of it I washed the dishes. From 8:00 till 8:30 I finished the book. To bed. Had a terrible headache. Wore very tight girdle today and when I took it off I had a stomach ache.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
November 13, 1887
I went to church today and walked back along with Fred Neill. We begin to think that Una is coming down with Whooping cough. Kate is not well with her and I am getting somewhat worried about it. We had a extra dinner today and I believe I ate almost too much, but is was good. I wrote a letter to ma tonight. It has appeared much like a storm this afternoon.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
November 13, 1862
Jinnie scoured my room, the hall & front piazza today. I assisted a little in washing the windows &c. It has been very pleasant today. Mr. Boyd came back this evening. I have done nothing of importance today. Hanes attends to Willie & picks a little wool occasionally, not much as he is lazy. Willie tries to talk, can say something very plain, can call “Mur” almost as well as Zona.
*(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
November 13, 1667
Up, and down to the Old Swan, and so to Westminster; where I find the House sitting, and in a mighty heat about Commissioner Pett, that they would have him impeached, though the Committee have yet brought in but part of their Report: and this heat of the House is much heightened by Sir Thomas Clifford telling them, that he was the man that did, out of his own purse, employ people at the out-ports to prevent the King of Scots to escape after the battle of Worcester. The House was in a great heat all this day about it; and at last it was carried, however, that it should be referred back to the Committee to make further enquiry. I here spoke with Roger Pepys, who sent for me, and it was to tell me that the Committee is mighty full of the business of buying and selling of tickets, and to caution me against such an enquiry (wherein I am very safe), and that they have already found out Sir Richard Ford’s son to have had a hand in it, which they take to be the same as if the father had done it, and I do believe the father may be as likely to be concerned in it as his son. But I perceive by him they are resolved to find out the bottom of the business if it be possible. By and by I met with Mr. Wren, who tells me that the Duke of York is in as good condition as is possible for a man, in his condition of the smallpox. He, I perceive, is mightily concerned in the business of my Lord Chancellor, the impeachment against whom is gone up to the House of Lords; and great differences there are in the Lords’ House about it, and the Lords are very high one against another. Thence home to dinner, and as soon as dinner done I and my wife and Willet to the Duke of York’s house, and there saw the Tempest again, which is very pleasant, and full of so good variety that I cannot be more pleased almost in a comedy, only the seamen’s part a little too tedious. Thence home, and there to my chamber, and do begin anew to bind myself to keep my old vows, and among the rest not to see a play till Christmas but once in every other week, and have laid aside 10l., which is to be lost to the poor, if I do. This I hope in God will bind me, for I do find myself mightily wronged in my reputation, and indeed in my purse and business, by my late following of my pleasure for so long time as I have done. So to supper and then to bed. This day Mr. Chichly told me, with a seeming trouble, that the House have stopped his son Jack (Sir John) his going to France, that he may be a witness against my Lord Sandwich: which do trouble me, though he can, I think, say little.
*(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.)