October 4
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
October 4, 1997
Worked from 9-close with Mark — he’s cool. Sandra picked me up. Came home and showered. Kathy picked me up. Went 2 interview with Bill Brantley. Ashley and Amanda came. I spent night with Ashley.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
October 4, 1960
Baked another cake and it was ruined. As oven seemed so hot. Lo went at noon to get another package. That went O.K. Cleaned up every where and raked a little. Lo brot Carrie at 5:00 and Mrs. B. came before seven then Low came. 21 with the preacher. Decided not to go to C.L. in Nor. for meeting. Really tired got to bed after 1:00.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
October 4, 1938
Practiced. M. still in bed, though better. Walked to school with A.B. No chapel but Spelling. Usual classes. I finished cutting out my blouse. [In lower margin: “P.S. Got my prize for magazines in morn (manicure set).”] At noon walked home with Betty H. (partway) and George. Ate dinner at George’s. Daddy away for day. Back to school. Usual classes. Read “Red Signal” in last period study hall. I waited for Mary after school to tell her something but she went off with Elma and talked and hardly so much as spoke to me. I walked up the hill with Elma. Stopped on corner and talked, then walked rest of the way with Ella who was going to Mrs. Johnstone’s. Mother was up when I got home. I practiced and dusted and at 4:30 went to music lesson. P.S. When I first came home Helen came down and I explained to her about Mossip yesterday. After music lesson everyone had gone in so I studied and then read till suppertime. After s. Mother went back to bed. I listened to the radio and cut some things out of Young America. Then did the dishes and to bed. Daddy home at 10:15. Cool today.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
October 4, 1887
It has been raining almost all day and the wind has blown hard. I fixed up my cross-cut saw this morning, so it is ready for business. Will Case brought his books over and I have been working on them this afternoon. Expect to finish my work on them tomorrow. Went tot the singing class this evening. I like the instructor real well and I believe I can improve my voice if I try hard, it needs it have enough.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
October 4, 1871
Washed in a.m. and ironed. Saw prairie fire, such a sight.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
October 4, 1862
I quilted till dinner & got ready to roll and after dinner Mr. Henry helped me to roll. I washed a little after dinner. I have been attending to Willie yesterday & today as Hanes is picking beans. Zona stays with him when he gets in the yard.
*(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
October 4, 1667
Up, and to White Hall to attend the Council about Commissioner Pett’s business, along with my Lord Bruncker and Sir W. Pen, and in the Robe-chamber the Duke of York come to us, the officers of the Navy, and there did meet together about Navy business, where Sir W. Coventry was with us, and among other things did recommend his Royal Highness, now the prizes were disposing, to remember Sir John Harman to the King, for some bounty, and also for my Lady Minnes, which was very nobly done of him. Thence all of us to attend the Council, where we were anon called on, and there was a long hearing of Commissioner Pett, who was there, and there were the two Masters Attendant of Chatham called in, who do deny their having any order from Commissioner Pett about bringing up the great ships, which gives the lie to what he says; but, in general, I find him to be but a weak, silly man, and that is guilty of horrid neglect in this business all along. Here broke off without coming to an issue, but that there should be another hearing on Monday next. So the Council rose, and I staid walking up and down the galleries till the King went to dinner, and then I to my Lord Crew’s to dinner; but he having dined, I took a very short leave, confessing I had not dined; and so to an ordinary hard by the Temple-gate, where I have heretofore been, and there dined — cost me 10d. And so to my Lord Ashly’s, where after dinner Sir H. Cholmly, Creed and I, with his Lordship, about Mr. Yeabsly’s business, where having come to agreement with him abating him 1000l. of what he demands for ships lost, I to Westminster, to Mrs. Martin’s lodging, whither I sent for her, and there hear that her husband is come from sea, which is sooner than I expected; and here I staid and drank, and so did toucher elle and away, and so by coach to my tailor’s, and thence to my Lord Crew’s, and there did stay with him an hour till almost night, discoursing about the ill state of my Lord Sandwich, that he can neither be got to be called home, nor money got to maintain him there; which will ruin his family. And the truth is, he do almost deserve it, for by all relation he hath, in a little more than a year and a half, spent 20,000l. of the King’s money, and the best part of 10,000l. of his own; which is a most prodigious expence, more than ever Embassador spent there, and more than these Commissioners of the Treasury will or do allow. And they demand an account before they will give him any more money; which puts all his friends to a loss what to answer. But more money we must get him, or to be called home. I offer to speak to Sir W. Coventry about it; but my Lord will not advise to it, without consent of Sir G. Carteret. So home, and there to see Sir W. Batten, who fell sick yesterday morning: He is asleep: and so I could not see him; but in an hour after, word is brought me that he is so ill, that it is believed he cannot live till to-morrow, which troubles me and my wife mightily, partly out of kindness, he being a good neighbour and partly because of the money he owes me, upon our bargain of the late prize. So home and 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.)