Wednesday, December 31st, 1862

To day Sam & I cut up and salted down the porks that we killed yesterday. I paid Chester & Ann for their services in helping to kill & salt down the pork. Dr. Murchison & Mother [Mahala] came to see Nellie who is still very sick, but they did not remain long. Mr. Pennington's time as Miller having expired he surrendered the mill keys to me and left for his home. weather clear and cool. Thus I close my jottings of daily events for the year 1862 now past & gone and whether God will permit me to live to keep the events around me of the incoming year is more than I can know but trusting in his mercy I shall enter upon the duty which is pleasing to me and may be profitable to my family and myself hereafter.