November 7
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
November 7, 1997
Em picked me up from school and took me 2 work with Bryan and Meri. Courtney picked me up with Sarah J. and Jessica. We all went to Melinda’s. Got a hemp necklace. Courtney dropped me off at 7:00. Me, Mom, Kathy went 2 “Michael’s” for dinner. Jerry came at 10 and I went 2 Ashley’s with Renée, Amanda, and Ashley. We danced, watched T.V., and talked.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
November 7, 1960
Had a whopping big wash. Good drying but very cold. Everything done but 2 rugs. Later they were frozen so took them to basement.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
November 7, 1938
Warm. Nice. Practiced. Went to chapel. Usual classes. Worked with goods in Home Ec. Not feeling well. Home for dinner. Back for usual classes. Took dramatics early today. Through about 3:00. Talked to Mary a little while after school. Walked home with Helen. She was talking about Clay and boys (as usual) and she said that she could have lots of boys for sweethearts if she wanted them. I didn’t trust my temper to answer her, but anyone who feels that way is going to come to a sad end some day. We both went to our own homes and then came out again. I showed her a girl’s letter, that was in the paper written to Betty Brainard, who didn’t talk about boys or anything like that because she was nice. I finally told Helen I thought she was cheapening herself and that some other people thought the same. She said she didn’t care what people thought. Mother came out just then to take the car and go to the Woolen Mill so we had to get out of the car. I went in for a min. and when I came out I wasn’t intending to mention the matter to H. anymore but she started talking about it again so I listened. We went in the living room and sat down. We discussed Jim, cheapness and running-after boys. Finally I told her again that I didn’t think she was as nice as she used to be and she didn’t say anything — I added that of course she didn’t care what anyone thought but — She looked as though she was about to cry. We went outside and M. came back. Saw Suzy Melton who used to stay at Johnstone’s and we (H. and I) talked to her. Helen went home. (Cloudy now.) I picked up some shingles. Mother walked up hill with Mrs. Geasland. I practiced and then studied. Daddy home early. After supper, which was early I did the dishes and then got ready for bed (all through by 7:00). I read from then till 8:00 when I made doll clothes and listened to Joel McCrea and Margaret Sullivan in “Next Time We Love” on Lux Program. Then to bed. Rained at night.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
November 7, 1887
I sawed some more wood this morning, and then worked around the house fixing up things. Went up town about 3 o’clock this afternoon and got Mr. and Mrs. Harvey and brought them over home where they staid until after supper when I took them home again. The wind has blown fearfully all day; it is in the north tonight and growing cold.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
November 7, 1871
Rainy and cold all day. Hope it will clear up and not hinder the plowing. Yesterday I baked and cut up the turkeys. Put some in a jar, and covered it with brine. George is helping plow. Came in yesterday with a chill. I told him of the salt cure.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
November 7, 1862
Mr. Henry well enough this morning. Corn stays part of the day to sharpen some mill picks. Mail brought no news. I got a letter from Dora & Matt. They are all well. Pa has had an attack of Rhumatism but is better. The others all well. Dora wrote that Bill Santos was dead. He was wounded at Sharpsburg fight & died from the wound. I began Mr. Henry another shirt today after reading the papers. Mr. Henry took Pinck with him to the tan yard this evening. It began to snow some after they started so Pinck was very cold when he came back. Zona & I went to Mrs. Fanning’s a little while. I promised to take her to keep her from crying after Mr. Henry & Pinck. The wind blew very cold & snowed on till night.
*(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 7, 1667
Up, and at the office hard all the morning, and at noon resolved with Sir W. Pen to go see “The Tempest,” an old play of Shakespeare’s, acted, I hear, the first day; and so my wife, and girl, and W. Hewer by themselves, and Sir W. Pen and I afterwards by ourselves; and forced to sit in the side balcone over against the musique-room at the Duke’s house, close by my Lady Dorset and a great many great ones. The house mighty full; the King and Court there and the most innocent play that ever I saw; and a curious piece of musique in an echo of half sentences, the echo repeating the former half, while the man goes on to the latter; which is mighty pretty. The play [has] no great wit, but yet good, above ordinary plays. Thence home with [Sir] W. Pen, and there all mightily pleased with the play; and so to supper and to bed, after having done at the office.
*(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.)