Tuesday, December 31st, 1861

To day I am busy in the store acting as salesman. The cars arrived from Beaumont bringing 7 more of the long looked for cannon, three of the seven being Columbiads and weighing as follows: 13,224. - 13,226. & 13,328 lbs. weather clear and pleasant. 

Thus I close the records of daily events for the year 1861, and whether God will permit me to live to keep the records of another year, is more than poor mortal man can know, but trusting in his mercy I shall enter upon the trials of another year, with hopes of future success & prosperity through his goodness & favor.

Monday, December 30th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven left for Galveston with the two cannon. I am busy as salesman in the store. Charlie Lund arrived on the cars from Houston. weather clear & rather cool.

Sunday, December 29th, 1861

To day I am engaged with 20 hands in removing the two cannons that arrived on yesterday from the cars to the steam boat landing. this was a pretty hard undertaking as we had no wagon to haul them but was compelled to rock? them on skids. as difficult as the undertaking was I however succeeded and placed safely on board the Steamer Ruthven to be carried to Galveston. weather clear with a slight frost at night.

Saturday, December 28th, 1861

To day Charlie Lund and Sergeant E.L. Jones left in the cars for Houston. The remains of Col. Terry also passed in the cars. I am busy in the store. The cannons so long looked for and anxiously expected arrived in the cars at least two of them arrived, one weighing 9027 lbs. & the other 8500 lbs. weather clear & pleasant.

Friday, December 27th, 1861

To day I am at the Ware house with but little doing. The Str Ruthven left for Galveston. weather changeable with drizzling rain & pretty cold.

Thursday, December 26th, 1861

To day I am engaged at the ware house, doing but very little business however. The Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston, with but little freight. weather changeable & cold, which a very great change from yesterday, and a frost at night.

Wednesday, December 25th, 1861

To day being Christmas no kind of business was done. The Steamer Ruthven arrived & departed. We had a find flow of egg nogg to ward off the dullness of the times. weather changeable & very warm for the season of the year.

Tuesday, December 24th, 1861

To day I am engaged in the ware house. I made the boys kill and salt down 1060 lbs. pork. weather clear & cold. I patrolled at night.

Monday, December 23rd, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven left for Galveston and Mrs. Wrigley and her children also left on her to spend Christmas with her relatives in Houston. Sam H. Sharp* and Frank Stewart whom I paid off and discharged from my service left for my mill up the Country [to Houston County] in my little wagon. I am busy in the ware house. weather changeable and cold, with a hard frost at night. 

*This Sam is the 2nd great-grandpa of the Keeper of this family history blog.

Sunday, December 22nd, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with sergeant E.L. Jones and several other members of the "Liberty Guards" to spend Christmas with us. weather changeable & cold with hard frost at night.

Saturday, December 21st, 1861

To day I finished tacking up canvass on my new house. The work men are getting along with it pretty well. Business generally brisk. weather cloudy with drizzling rain which made it very unpleasant.

Friday, December 20th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston & also departed. she brought but little freight. I am still engaged in tacking up canvass on the new house. weather cloudy with a hard rain nearly all night & very warm.

Thursday, December 19th, 1861

To day I am still busily engaged in tacking up canvass on my new house which is also still progressing slowly. Business dull. weather changeable & rather warm with prospects of rain.

Wednesday, December 18th, 1861

To day I am still busy in tacking up canvass on my new house. Business generally dull. weather clear & warm.

Tuesday, December 17th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven left for Galveston. I am engaged in tacking upon canvass on my new house, which is progressing slowly. weather clear and very warm for the season of the year.

Monday, December 16th, 1861

To day I am busily engaged in storing away freight. Business generally tolerably brisk. weather clear but rather warm.

Sunday, December 15th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with considerable freight. weather cloudy and rather warm for the season.

Saturday, December 14th, 1861

To day I commenced tacking up canvass on my new house. Business pretty brisk in the way of selling goods. weather clear & warm.

Friday, December 13th, 1861

To day Capt. James Wrigley left on the steamer Ruthven for his quarters at Galveston. I am busy in the ware house. My residence is progressing slowly. weather cloudy & cold.

Thursday, December 12th, 1861

To day I am busily employed in writing deeds. I received a deed from Capt. Wrigley for the four lots upon which I am now erecting my new building. Mr. Hollsclaw returned from his visit home to work on my new house, which is progressing very slowly. Business dull. weather cloudy and cold.

Wednesday, December 11th, 1861

To day Capt. James Wrigley arrived on the steamer Ruthven from Galveston, on furlow. I am busy in ware house. business dull generally. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain.

Tuesday, December 10th, 1861

To day we are still very busy storing freight. business otherwise dull. weather changeable & rather warm for the season of the year.

Monday, December 9th, 1861

To day Sam Sharp* & I are busily engaged in storing freight. Business otherwise dull. Mr. Hollsclaw the principal workman on my new house left for home, and consequently nothing is doing on it. weather changeable & warm.  

[*Sam is the 2nd great-grandpa of the Keeper of this family history blog.]

Sunday, December 8th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a large freight and a goodly lot of passengers. I remained home reading. weather changeable & warm.

Saturday, December 7th, 1861

To day I am engaged in tacking up the canvass on my new house. Business pretty brisk in the way of selling goods. The hands still engaged in putting up the ceiling on the new house. weather cloudy & warm.

Friday, December 6th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven left for Galveston. Sam Sharp & I are still busy storing freight. In the evening I finished tacking the canvass up in one room of my new house. weather cloudy & warm with occasional showers of rain.

Thursday, December 5th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a very heavy freight. Sam Sharp* & I are very busy in storing the same. The hands finished ceiling another room in my house. weather changeable & warm, with fair prospects of rain. 

[*Sam is the 2nd great-grandpa of the Keeper of this blog]

Wednesday, December 4th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven failed to arrive. I commenced tacking up the canvass on my new house. My old friend Sam Mathis came to see me and we spent a very agreeable time together. The hands finished ceiling another room in my house. weather clear & rather warm for the season.

Tuesday, December 3rd, 1861

To day there is but little doing in the way of business. The hands finished ceiling one room of the new house. weather clear & warm.

Monday, December 2nd, 1861

To day Sam* Sharp and I are busily engaged with the boys in storing freight. The steamer Ruthven left for Galveston. The hands in the house finished laying the floors and commenced putting up the ceiling. weather changeable & cool.  

[*Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa of the Keeper of this family history blog]

Sunday, December 1st, 1861

To day I am engaged in writing up this journal, and in laying around the house generally. weather clear & cool.

Saturday, November 30th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a very large freight. There is a general leaving of Galveston for fear the blockading vessels will commence bombarding the City. I am busily engaged in storing away freight in the ware house. Business otherwise dull. The hands are progressing slowly in laying the floors of my new house. weather clear & cool.

Friday, November 29th, 1861

To day I am much better. Business very brisk in the way of selling goods. The Ruthven arrived from Galveston with considerable freight which kept me actively employed in the ware house. The Ruthven left for Galveston in the evening. The hands still engaged on the floors. weather cloudy with a strong north wind blowing & rather cool.

Thursday, November 28th, 1861

To day I am still quite unwell, indeed so much so as not to be able to attend to any kind of business. Frank Stewart by pleading guilty got out of his difficulty by paying five dollars fine & costs of suit. The hands commenced laying the floor in my new house. weather changeable & rather warm.

Wednesday, November 27th, 1861

To day I am quite unwell. The steamer Ruthven arrived from and departed for Galveston. Frank Stewart in consequence of being on a "bender" got into a difficulty with James Pickett which came near terminating seriously. weather cloudy & warm.

Tuesday, November 26th, 1861

To day I am busily engaged in the store. The hands finished the shingling in of my house. weather changeable & rather warm. 

Monday, November 25th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven left for Galveston. Business dull. The hands are still engaged in shingling my new house. weather cloudy & rather cool.

Sunday, November 24th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a considerable lot of freight. Frank Hitchcock presented me with a barrel of very excellent oysters, which I enjoyed "hugely". weather changeable & cool with a frost at night.

Saturday, November 23rd, 1861

To day there is but little doing in the way of business. The hands are still engaged in shingling my new house. weather changeable & cold with frost at night.

Friday, November 22nd, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston, bringing but little freight. James McDonald* left for home. The hands are getting along very well with shingling my new house. at night I had to turn out as a patrol and while out a severe norther came out with a torrent of rain. after the rain subsided there was a severe frost at night & very cold.

*Nephew of Mahala. He was killed in Arkansas during the war between the states.

Thursday, November 21st, 1861

To day I am busily engaged in selling goods. My new house is progressing slowly. the hands commenced shingling it in. weather cloudy & warm.

Wednesday, November 20th, 1861

To day I left Houston on the cars and arrived home safe and sound. The Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with James McDonald* on board. Business very dull. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain.

*Nephew of Mahala. He was killed in Arkansas during the war between the states.

Tuesday, November 19th, 1861

To day I remained in Houston, busily engaged in trying to settle our affairs with the Rail Road Company, but with very little success. However I done all that could be done at the time. weather changeable & warm.

Monday, November 18th, 1861

To day I am busily engaged at the store. at night I left Liberty on the cars for Houston and arrived there safe about 5 o'clock a.m. weather cloudy & warm.

Sunday, November 17th, 1861

To day we all arrived at Liberty safe & sound after a very pleasant passage from Galveston. I was presented with a brace of very nice wild ducks, which I enjoyed for dinner with great gusto. weather changeable & rather warm.

Saturday, November 16th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived. Capt. James Wrigley returned from Bolivar point. We all left Galveston on the Ruthven for Liberty. The remains of R.P. Martin was brought up on the steamer for burial at Liberty. weather cloudy & rather cool.

Friday, November 15th, 1861

To day I am still in Galveston with the ladies, and detained in consequence of the non arrival of the steamer Ruthven. The ladies as well as myself are getting very anxious to return home, having seen all the sights & ? to be seen in Galveston. Capt. James Wrigley is still over on Bolivar point. The Liberty Guards changed their quarters. weather clear & warm.

Thursday, November 14th, 1861

To day I am still in Galveston with the ladies, and detained in consequence of the failure of the steamer Ruthven to arrive. Capt. James Wrigley went to Bolivar point on government services. R.P. Martin a member of the Liberty Guards died and his remains will be carried to Liberty for interment. weather clear & warm.

Wednesday, November 13th, 1861

To day I am still in Galveston with the ladies and of course seeing all the sights. Capt. Wrigley of the "Liberty Guards" lost one of his men by death. The Capt. & myself had several "?" together. weather clear & rather warm for the season of the year.

Tuesday, November 12th, 1861

To day we left the steamer and took rooms at the Washington Hotel. I employed a couple of carriages and went with the ladies out on the beach and around the City generally to see the soldiers and all the curiosities of the City. In the evening I purchased several articles for the store & for the ladies. weather clear & warm.

Monday, November 11th, 1861

To day Mrs. Wrigley, Mrs. Wm. Skinner, Ida, Fawn and I with negro woman Rose left Liberty on the Steamer Ruthven for Galveston. We had a very pleasing passage down the river, and arrived at Galveston too late in the night to go ashore. weather clear & warm.

Sunday, November 10th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a little freight. Bob arrived on her. I remained at home fixing for a visit to Galveston. weather changeable and warm.

Saturday, November 9th, 1861

To day is very dull in the way of business. Nothing doing on my house. The boys still at work with the potatoes. weather changeable & warm.

Friday, November 8th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with considerable freight. she departed in the evening and I let Bob go on her as a hand for one trip. Lieut. Sterling of the Guards & Capt. Bolling of the Rifles came up on the Steamer. Business pretty brisk. The boys still at work with the potatoes. Nothing doing on my house. weather changeable and warm.

Thursday, November 7th, 1861

To day I am very busy in the store selling goods. The boys still at work with the potatoes. Nothing doing on my house. weather changeable and warm.

Wednesday, November 6th, 1861

To day I attended the polls and voted for Jeff Davis for the Presidency of the Confederate States. Business tolerable brisk. The boys still at work digging potatoes. The Str. Ruthven arrived bringing no freight & also departed. weather changeable & warm.

Tuesday, November 5th, 1861

To day was rather dull in the way of business. I put the boys to digging potatoes. My house has come to another stand still and I am sorely perplexed with the sloth of the workmen. weather changeable & warm.

Monday, November 4th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven left for Galveston, with Lieut. Dark and his recruits on board, who had to say the least of it behaved while in the Warehouse in a very shameful manner. I was compelled to patrol nearly all night which did not set very well. weather clear & pleasant.

Sunday, November 3rd, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a large freight. George Gordon presented me with a nice barrel of oysters and which I enjoyed with no little gusto. Lieut. Dark arrived with 22 new recruits for the Liberty Guards. I had to quarter them in the ware house. weather clear & cold. at night a hard frost.

Saturday, November 2nd, 1861

To day I am very busy selling goods. The hands done a little work on my house. weather clear & pleasant.

Friday, November 1st, 1861

To day am quite well. The steamer Ruthven failed to make her regular trip. John Wrigley took the hands off and stoped all work on my house. Frank Stewart still hauling brick. Charley Lund returned home by the way of Houston on the rail road cars looking quite well after his visit to Galveston. Business very dull. weather changeable with wind blowing hard from the North. it abated and at night a hard frost which is the first of the season at least in or about my locality.

Thursday, October 31st, 1861

To day I am much better in fact able to attend to business. I had the cannon carriages removed to the steam boat landing. Business dull. Workmen still progressing with my house. Frank Stewart still hauling brick. weather changeable & rather cold.

Wednesday, October 30th, 1861

To day I am able to be out though not well, and had to superintend the removal of the cannon carriages for the army from the Rail road cars. But little business doing. Frank Stewart still hauling brick. My house progressing very slow. weather cloudy with hard rain from the North & very cold.

Tuesday, October 29th, 1861

To day I still sick though much better. My house is now progressing very well. Frank Stewart commenced hauling brick for the chimneys. weather changeable & warm with prospect for rain.

Monday, October 28th, 1861

To day I sent Charley Lund to Galveston on the Steamer Ruthven with the bridles & saddles we had made up for the Confederate States Army. I also sent Capt. Wrigley some supplies for the Guards. Business rather dull. The workmen raised a part of the frame of my house. The sick at home are all well again. weather cloudy & very warm. I was taken very sick in the evening and passed a very unpleasant night.

Sunday, October 27th, 1861

To day the steamer arrived from Galveston, bringing the flooring for my house, with considerable other freight. The folks home are better and some have entirely missed their chills. Frank Stewart is now up and able to go to work. I spent the day at home reading. weather clear & rather hot.

Saturday, October 26th, 1861

To day we are all busy selling goods. Frank Stewart still sick. The folks at home are better. Nothing doing on my house. weather clear & warm.

Friday, October 25th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston, bringing but little freight. Business dull. I sent Capt. Wrigley some recruits for his Company and some provisions. Nearly all the folks are sick with chills & fevers. weather clear & warm.

Thursday, October 24th, 1861

To day we done comparitively nothing in consequence of the rain. In fact it rained the entire day. Frank Stewart is still sick but improving. My house has come to a stand still again. The weather is quite cold.

Wednesday, October 23rd, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with considerable freight. I am busy shipping freight on her for Galveston. I sent Capt Wrigley some provisions for the Guards. Frank Stewart still sick but some better. weather changeable and quite cool.

Tuesday, October 22nd, 1861

To day we are all very busy in the store selling goods. Frank Stewart was taken sick and unable to do anything. The workmen are progressing very slowly with my house. weather changeable & cool.

Monday, October 21st, 1861

To day was a very busy one in the way of business. The Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston, with a heavy freight, which kept me busy in the ware house. I shipped Capt Wrigley some corn meal & potatos for the use of his company. weather clear & very pleasant.

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Click on the map to enlarge it . . . and click HERE to read more about the Battle of Ball's Bluff which took place in Virginia on this date in 1861.

Sunday, October 20th, 1861

To day Sam Sharp with his wife, The little woman [Margaret] and Florence came down to Liberty safe & sound in my buggy from their long & protracted visit up the Country [in Houston County]. Frank Stewart with my little wagon & mules also arrived from the Mill. I was overjoyed at the little woman's return who had been absent about two months on a visit to her mother's. weather clear and quite pleasant.

Saturday, October 19th, 1861

To day my daughter Florence attained her first anniversary and in consequence of which I took a fine egg nogg. Workmen progressing slowly with my house. Business very dull. weather clear & cool.

Friday, October 18th, 1861

To day the hands resumed work on my house, but working very slowly. I am engaged at the store with but little business doing in the way of selling goods. weather clear & cool.

Thursday, October 17th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston. I received by her an excellent barrel of oysters. The Liberty Guards had a re-organization and new election of officers, which resulted as follows: James Wrigley Capt. Joseph N. Park 1st Lieut. B.F. Sterling ? 2nd Lieut & B. Hardin, Jr. 2nd Lieut. after which they left on the Ruthven for Galveston, to commence their services in the army. Business tolerable. nothing doing on my house. weather cloudy with drizzling rain & strong wind from the North & pretty cool.

Wednesday, October 16th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven failed to arrive. We are all very busy selling goods to the Liberty Guards & fitting them out for the Campaign of six months on Galveston Island. Nothing doing on my house. weather clear & rather warm.

Tuesday, October 15th, 1861

To day the balance of the members of the Liberty Guards arrived from Hardin County and were sworn into the service. Business very brisk in fitting out each member of the Guards with clothing, etc. Nothing doing on my house. weather cloudy with rain all day long making it disagreeable.

Monday, October 14th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven left for Galveston, with the cannon carriages for the Confederate States army at Galveston. James Wrigley arrived home from Houston on the cars. He & 67 other members of the Liberty Guards were sworn into the services of the Government for 6 months, to be stationed at Galveston. Business very brisk in the way of selling goods. Nothing doing on my house. weather changeable with prospect of rain.

Sunday, October 13th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived at the wharf having had her wheel repaired. I am remaining in my room writing up this journal. weather changeable & pleasant with prospects of rain however.

Saturday, October 12th, 1861

To day James Wrigley left on the train of Cars for Houston. I am acting as salesman with but little doing. My house has come to a perfect stand still. weather clear & cool.

Friday, October 11th, 1861

To day Mr. Lovell was buried by the Liberty Guards with Military honors. The Steamer Ruthven broke her wheel about one mile below the wharf and in consequence of which detained for repairs and lost the mail time. Nothing doing on my house. Business generally dull. weather clear but rather cool.

Thursday, October 10th, 1861

To day James Wrigley with the hands finished laying the ground work of my new house. Young Lovell a member of the Liberty Guards died and will be buried on the morrow with military honors. weather changeable with strong wind blowing from the North, making winter clothing very desirable.

Wednesday, October 9th, 1861

To day I went home with Dr. Stanwood and partook of a fine oyster dinner after which we had some excellent Piano music performed by Miss Stanwood. Hands are now working briskly on my new house. The Steamer Ruthven left for Galveston with the residue of Capt. Stovall's company. weather clear and pleasant.

Tuesday, October 8th, 1861

To day be it remembered that James Wrigley with the hands raised the foundation or ground work of my new house. Business tolerably good. weather clear & pleasant but rather cool at night.

Monday, October 7th, 1861

To day Capt. James Wrigley arrived home from Galveston on the Steamer Ruthven with marching orders for his Company the Liberty Guards and in consequence of which he got into a comfortable little tight on champagne. Business brisk with fair amount of sales. weather changeable but very pleasant.

Sunday, October 6th, 1861

To day I am pretty well, and busily engaged in writing up this journal and keeping myself quite still in my room. weather clear & warm.

Saturday, October 5th, 1861

To day I am much better, and able to be about the store. Business is quite dull. weather changeable & hot.

Friday, October 4th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from and departed for Galveston having brought but little freight. I am considerably better to day but able to attend to business. weather changeable & hot with a rain at night.

Thursday, October 3rd, 1861

To day I am still very sick. Business however is very brisk and sales pretty heavy. weather changeable & hot with every prospect of rain.

Wednesday, October 2nd, 1861

To day Sam Sharp and his wife left in my buggy for the Mill [in Houston County] and to remain some time with his Mother [Mahala]. James Wrigley and Capt. Stovall's company left on the Steamer Ruthven for Galveston. I am still quite sick. But little business doing. weather changeable & very warm. [Sam Sharp and his wife, Nellie, are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this blog . . . Sam's Mother is Mahala, and my 3rd great-grandma]

Tuesday, October 1st, 1861

To day I am still quite sick. Capt. Stovall with his Company arrived from Jasper County in route for Galveston to join the army. They made their head quarters in the Ware house awaiting the arrival of the Steamer ? to proceed on their journey. But little business doing. weather clear & warm.

Monday, September 30th, 1861

To day I started Frank Stewart up to the mill [to Houston County] with my little wagon & mules, having on board rather a heavy load. Business rather dull. I was taken quite sick so much so as to be compelled to take my bed. weather clear & warm.

Sunday, September 29th, 1861

To day I remained in my room reading. weather clear and rather warm, being a great change since yesterday.

Saturday, September 28th, 1861

To day I am busily engaged in fitting up my little wagon, in order to send it up the Country [to Houston County] to the mills. Business rather dull. weather clear & cold for the time of year.

Friday, September 27th, 1861

To day I went to Sam Sharp's and there took dinner, which was a very nice one. I got Mrs. Beale to have me several pieces of clothing washed. weather clear but rather cold for the season. [Kinship to the Keeper of this blog . . . Sam is my 2nd great-grandpa . . . Mrs. Beale is my 3rd great grandma, and Sam's mother-in-law . . . see Family Record]

Thursday, September 26th, 1861

To day I spent with Charley Lund at his residence & after dinner we went up town & spent a pleasant afternoon. Business exceedingly slow. weather changeable & cool in fact so much so as to bring in requisition winter clothing.

Wednesday, September 25th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from & departed for Galveston having brought but little freight. Business generally very dull. weather clear & hot but cool at night.

Tuesday, September 24th, 1861

To day but little business was done. we are all ? generally around the store & Ware house. weather changeable & hot.

Monday, September 23rd, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from & departed for Galveston, bringing but little freight. Business very dull. I whipped James Wrigley's negro man Sam in the Ware house for running away. weather changeable and hot but rather cool at night.

Sunday, September 22nd, 1861

To day I remained in my room reading. weather cloudy, showery and hot.

Saturday, September 21st, 1861

To day it rained hard & in consequence of which I was compelled to remain at home. No business of any kind could be attended to.

Friday, September 20th, 1861

To day I left Grand Cane and rode 23 miles through the hardest rain I think I ever rode in before, reaching Liberty about 3 o'clock. Here I found James Wrigley's family all sick. Sam & his wife on the sick list also. Charley Lund & Ed Jones the only ones able to attend to business. Business however very dull.

Thursday, September 19th, 1861

To day I left Carr's and rode 16 miles being compelled to stop at Grand Cane in consequence of the hard rain which lasted throughout the day I having become well soaked. expenses $1.50.

Wednesday, September 18th, 1861

To day we left Alderman's in the same line of travel as yesterday and arrived at Livingston 12 miles & there stoped for dinner. Dan Dailey & Dr. Storie remained in Livingston. I proceeded on my journey & rode 17 miles. Stopping for the night with John Carr. weather changeable and showery. at night there was an exceeding hard rain which lasted about 3 hours. Here I suffered severely from the fleas & bed bugs. In fact I got no rest throughout the night. expenses of $2.25.

Tuesday, September 17th, 1861

To day Dan Dailey & Dr. Storie left in Dailey's buggy & I rode my mule; we traveled together 30 miles and stoped for the night at Colleta at Alderman's where I lost my breast pin with the little woman's daguerreotype likeness in it. weather clear & hot. expenses $1.50. 

Monday, September 16th, 1861

To day I left on my mule Kate in route for Liberty. While in Crockett had a settlement with G.F. Moore in which I agreed to let him ? my Henry 1/3 league of land in Denton & 640 acres in Jack Counties. I also gave him my note for $146. He agreed to convey me 640 acres in Coryell County & surrender me a bond for his locative interest in some other claims. I then rode to Dan Dailey's and staid there for the night. weather cloudy with hard rain all the evening. expenses $1.50.

Sunday, September 15th, 1861

To day the little woman & Fawn came up in the buggy to the mill & spent the day with me. They returned to Father's in the evening after bidding me a Good Bye & God speed. weather clear and hot.

Saturday, September 14th, 1861

To day I rode to Crockett to arrange some business preparitory to my departure for Liberty. I returned to the mill in the evening. The mill ground 15 bushels of corn. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain.

Friday, September 13th, 1861

To day the Little woman & Roberta came up to the mill to see me. We went fishing with no success. They returned to Father's in the evening. The mill ground 13 bushels of corn. weather clear & hot.

Thursday, September 12th, 1861

To day Father, the little woman, Fawn, Roberta & Toby visited the mill and returned in the evening. I went fishing with no success. The mill ground but 6 bushels of corn. weather clear & hot.

Wednesday, September 11th, 1861

To day the little woman & Roberta came up to the mill to see me. I ground 23 bushels of corn also some flour for the little woman. They returned to Father's in the evening. I caught a find 4 lb. trout out of the mill pond which I enjoyed finely for supper. weather clear & hot.

Tuesday, September 10th, 1861

To day I left Father's and moved up to the mill as my home until I should start for Liberty. I assisted Harwell in pecking the mill stones. Wm. Leaverton & his negro man came over and assisted us in raising and putting down the runner. weather changeable with occasional showers of rain & hot.

Monday, September 9th, 1861

To day I went up to the mill and while there learned that Mr. Bird had this morning shot Neily's negro man George in a very cowardly manner although he did not kill the negro. I made my arrangements to move up to the mill during the remainder of my stay up the Country. I returned to Father's in the evening. weather changeable & showery & very hot.

Sunday, September 8th, 1861

I spent the entire day fishing but with little success. weather changeable & warm.

Saturday, September 7th, 1861

To day I drove the buggy with Mrs. Leaverton and Laura to their residence and as I returned got a bag of meal from the mill. weather changeable & very warm.

Friday, September 6th, 1861

To day I went fishing with very poor success. Mrs. Leaverton & Laura are still at Fathers and contemplate remaining for the day. weather changeable & warm.

Thursday, September 5th, 1861

To day Father went in the buggy to the residence of Wm. Leaverton and brought Mrs. Leaverton & her daughter Laura down to the house where they remained all day. I went fishing with some little success. weather changeable & hot.

Wednesday, September 4th, 1861

To day I rode my horse Hawk to Crockett to attend to some business & returned in the evening. weather clear & very hot.

Tuesday, September 3rd, 1861

To day the little woman and I with the children went in the buggy to the bluff and spent the day with Capt. Stubblefield & wife. we returned to Father's in the evening. weather clear & hot.

Monday, September 2nd, 1861

To day I went fishing with poor luck or rather with fisherman's luck. Father killed a beef and I enjoyed a nice fresh steak with no little gusto. weather changeable and very hot.

Sunday, September 1st, 1861

To day John Harwell came down from the mill and I went fishing with fine success having caught a nice mess of perch. In the evening Harwell returned to the mill. weather changeable and very hot.

Saturday, August 31st, 1861

To day I felt some better and went up to the mill. John Harwell & Father [Joshua James Hall] went to Crockett. Mrs. Bird spent the day at Fathers and in the evening James McDonald* & Charley Hall came out to spend the night. weather cloudy with occasional showers & very hot.

*Nephew of Mahala. He was killed in Arkansas during the war between the states.

Friday, August 30th, 1861

To day Billy Stewart returned to Crockett. Mr. Leaverton came down and he & Father went to the bluff. I am still quite sick. weather clear & exceedingly hot.

Thursday, August 29th, 1861

To day I feel a little better and went fishing with Billy Stewart but in consequence of my becoming quite sick was compelled to return to the house. In the evening Father & Billy Stewart went to the bluff but they returned at night. weather clear & hot.

Wednesday, August 28th, 1861

To day I am still sick and taken with a severe neuralgic attack. Wm. A. Stewart came out from Crockett to see me and remained at Father's all night. weather clear & very hot.

Tuesday, August 27th, 1861

To day I am busily engaged in writing answers to certain interrogatories propounded to me in the Dist. Court for Leon County. In the evening I was taken with severe fever which lasted all night. weather changeable, with occasional showers of rain and rather cool.

Monday, August 26th, 1861

To day I went up to the mill and assisted Harwell in grinding corn & wheat. Thomas & Silas Keen went to Crockett and returned in the evening with several letters for me. weather cloudy & showery.

Sunday, August 25th, 1861

To day John Harwell came down from the Mill and we went fishing with fine success, having caught a nice mess of perch. weather changeable and hot with hard rain nearly all night.

Saturday, August 24th, 1861

To day Father led my horse to Mr. Keen's shop and had him finely shod. In the evening the little woman & I with the children went fishing, but with poor success. weather changeable & hot.

Friday, August 23rd, 1861

To day I went fishing with Roberta and had fine success, having caught a large string of nice perch, and returned home in time to have them prepared for dinner. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain.

Thursday, August 22nd, 1861

To day the little woman, Roberta & I went to spend the day with old man Keen & wife, where we remained for dinner. while there I had my mule Kate finely shod. we returned to Father's in the evening. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain throughout the entire day.

Wednesday, August 21st, 1861

To day I went fishing with fine success. caught a nice mess. weather cloudy, and showery.

Tuesday, August 20th, 1861

To day I rode to Crockett on Hawk to attend Dist. Court but found the Court would not take up any Civil business. consequently I returned to Father's in the evening. weather changeable but very hot.

Monday, August 19th, 1861

To day the little woman, Roberta & I went to Mr. Wm. Leaverton's and spent the day. In the evening we returned to Father's after having passed a very pleasant time. weather changeable & hot with a hard shower of rain at night.

Sunday, August 18th, 1861

To day I went fishing with poor success and returned to the house, where I found Joseph Keen & wife had come to spend the day and with whom I had a jolly time. They returned home in the evening. weather clear & hot.

Saturday, August 17th, 1861

To day I went up to the Mill and returned to Father's for dinner. In the evening I went fishing and caught a nice mess. weather clear & hot but rather cool at night.

Friday, August 16th, 1861

To day Father & myself went up to the mill. I found my Miller, Harwell, out to work on the road. we returned to dinner and in the evening I occupied myself in writing several letters. weather clear and hot.

Thursday, August 15th, 1861

To day I went fishing with fine success having caught a nice mess of fish which I enjoyed with great gusto at supper. weather clear & exceedingly hot.

Wednesday, August 14th, 1861

To day I went to Crockett in Company with Father to attend to some business. In the evening we returned. weather clear & hot but pleasant at night.

Tuesday, August 13th, 1861

To day I went fishing and had fine success, until a large cat fish which I had caught run his fin through my finger which gave me great pain and stoped all my fun. I was compelled to return to Father's. weather clear & very hot.

Monday, August 12th, 1861

To day I went up to the mills and assisted Mr. Harwell in fixing on the new bands. we put the Gutta Percha band on the grist and the leather band on the wheat Mill after which I returned to Father's. weather clear & hot.

Sunday, August 11th, 1861

To day I went with Roberta & Toby fishing with pretty good success and during my absence Mr. Harwell & Leaverton came to see me. They spent the day at Father's where I am staying, but returned in the evening. weather clear & hot.

Saturday, August 10th, 1861

To day I went up to the mill in company with Father and found J. Harwell my miller busy grinding corn. he is still however in feeble health. In the evening I returned to Father's and employed myself in repairing my saddle. weather clear & good hot.

Friday, August 9th, 1861

To day I went fishing and caught a fine mess of pan fish. Father came home from Crockett. The sick are improving. weather clear & very hot.

Thursday, August 8th, 1861

To day Redman & myself left Sumpter and arrived in Crockett about 4 O'Clock where I parted company with him. I then started for the Mill & met Father [Joshua] on the road. after riding 43 miles I arrived at the mills & found John Harwell my miller sick with chills & fever. I then rode down to Mothers [Mahala] where I found the Little woman [Margaret] & my pet Baby [Florence] well & glad to see me. Father remaining in Crockett for the night. The balance of Mother's family I found sick. weather changeable & very hot.

Wednesday, August 7th, 1861

This morning I purchased 2 deer skins @ $1.25 each and left Carr's in Company with Capt. John Redman. we rode 41 miles and arrived at Sumpter, stopping for the night with O. Teagarden. during the journey Capt. Redman became very sick and was confined on the road side with several fits, which detained me on my journey very much being compelled to waite upon and attend him. weather changeable with light showers of rain. Expenses of day $4.50. 

Tuesday, August 6th, 1861

To day I borrowed James Wrigley's celebrated mule Kate & started up the Country to the Mills. I traveled 40 miles and stoped for the night at John Carr's. weather cloudy & warm with occasional showers of rain. expenses $1.50.

Monday, August 5th, 1861

To day I went up town in company with Charley Lund to attend the general election for state officers. after voting we returned to the store. but little business doing. Sam Sharp still sick but somewhat better. weather clear in the morning but very hard rain all the evening with Ther. standing at 88°

Sunday, August 4th, 1861

To day I remained at the store. The Ruthven left for Galveston after the arrival of the Beaumont train. Sam Sharp still sick. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain. Ther. standing at 92°

Saturday, August 3rd, 1861

To day James Wrigley arrived home from Houston in the train of cars. Sam Sharp was taken very sick and remained home. E.W. Smith staid with me all day & night. but little business doing. weather changeable & hot. Ther: 95° with an exceedingly hard rain at night.

Friday, August 2nd, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with Capt McKeen's company in route for Virginia they making a fine appearance and being determined to do the Yankees all the damage possible. Mr. Bolling went out in the cars with said Company. Frank Stewart arrived from the Mill, with the little wagon & mules bringing several articles and he looking very well from the trip. But little doing in the way of business. weather clear & hot. Ther: at 91°.

Thursday, August 1st, 1861

To day Mr. Bolling returned on the cars from Sabine Pass. James Wrigley left on a hand car for Houston. I am busily employed in making out Rail Road accounts for the last month. Business rather dull. weather clear and hot with Ther. at 91°. we had a hard rain and storm at night.

Wednesday, July 31st, 1861

To day Thomas P. Ochiltree called to see me and spent some time. I am engaged as salesman, with pretty active business. weather changeable & showery with Ther: standing at 91°.

Tuesday, July 30th, 1861

To day I went to town to mail the interrogatories written out on yesterday for L.E. Downes. I paid the Dist. Clerk $3.50 his fee for taking said deposition. but little doing in the way of business. Sick at home all recovered. The Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston. weather cloudy with showers of rain. Ther: 90°

Monday, July 29th, 1861

To day I am engaged in writing answers to certain interrogatories propounded to me by L.E. Downes. But little business doing. The sick at home are still improving. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain & hot. Ther: standing at 86°

Sunday, July 28th, 1861

To day I went up town in company with Charley Lund and after playing 2 games of billiards returned with him to his residence where I partook of a nice dinner served up in Mrs. Lund's elegant style. After spending a couple of hours very pleasantly we returned to the river. The Str. Ruthven arrived and departed for Galveston. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain. Ther :: standing at 88°

Saturday, July 27th, 1861

To day the Liberty Guards had a dress parade & drill on the public square. The sick at home are improving. But little business doing. weather changeable and hot. Ther. 90°

Friday, July 26th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven left for Galveston. In the evening George Gordon passed through town on a hand car just from New Orleans. The folks at home were still confined from sickness. James Wrigley has in a measure recovered from his indisposition. business dull. weather cloudy & hot. Ther : 89°

Thursday, July 25th, 1861

To day all the folks at home are still sick, with the addition of Lelia, Louisa & Bob. Mrs. Lund gave us a call at the store and spent some time in the office which to us made the time pass very agreeably. But little business. weather clear & hot with the Ther. at 89°

Wednesday, July 24th, 1861

To day all James Wrigley's family were taken sick with chills & fever also 3 of the negroes. Charley Lund visited the store looking very bad he having been confined with sickness for the past week. But little business doing. weather clear & hot with Ther: at 87°

Tuesday, July 23rd, 1861

To day James Wrigley with the hands went to the pinery to get timber to raise the Str. Alice now sunk in the river. He returned with a hard chill & fever & remained in bed all day. Charlie Lund is also confined to his bed with sickness. I am engaged in the store with but little doing. weather clear with strong wind from the North. The Str. Ruthven arrived from Galveston with but little freight. Ther. 86°

Monday, July 22nd, 1861

To day Dr. Stanwood came down to the store & became slightly inebreated to the great annoyance of all hands. Business dull. weather changeable & hot. Ther. 93° with rain at night & wind from the North.

Sunday, July 21st, 1861

To day I am loafing around the store. In the evening Capt. Leon Smith, Dr. Fatheree and James Wrigley came down and spent several hours. After several rounds they retired leaving me in solitary glory. weather clear but very hot. Ther. 90°

Saturday, July 20th, 1861

To day the "Liberty Guards" Capt. Wrigley had a dress parade & company drill and to whom was awarded a stand of colors made by Mrs. Lund of Liberty. It was presented by Capt. Trawick in a happy speech and received by Capt. Wrigley on behalf of the Guards who responded in his usual happy off handed style, all passing off to the entire satisfaction of all concerned; but little business doing. weather changeable & hot with Ther. standing at 92°

Friday, July 19th, 1861

To day I received a very interesting letter from the little woman. The Liberty Guards are drilling at the ware house. But little business doing. I loaned Capt. J.W. Redman 10$ in cash with no hopes of ever receiving it back. The Steamer Ruthven left for Galveston. weather clear and very hot.

Thursday, July 18th, 1861

To day Charlie Lund & Sam H. Sharp are busily employed in making military belts for the Liberty Guards and consequently I am compelled to attend as salesman in the store. business tolerably brisk. weather changeable & very hot with occasional showers of rain.

Wednesday, July 17th, 1861

To day but little business is doing. The steamer Ruthven left for Galveston with a goodly lot of passengers. weather changeable and hot with showers of rain.