Thus closes my notes for the month of December and also for the year just passed and gone and now numbered with the things that were. Whether the Almighty will spare me to chronicle the daily events of the incoming year is more than I know but trusting in Him I shall enter upon the pleasing task, which is useful as a reference and may be profitable to those who have an interest in me.
To day I sent Frank Stewart up the Country with the mules and little wagon, hauling up a pretty heavy load to the mills, and by whom I forwarded Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] side board. but little doing. weather clear and pleasant.
*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. She is also the step-mother as well as the mother-in-law of JMH.
To day the steamer Lone Star passed down the river with a very light freight. T.W. Reed of Halls Bluff called to see me. from him I learn that my relatives up the country [in Houston County] are well. The river is now rising. weather changable & warm.
To day the rail road boys or rather the engineers came down to the store and had a regular space in which champagne flowed freely to the great discomfiture of many concerned. weather cloudy and rather warm.
To day I went to see a horse race between Mr. Hart and Mr. Jerome De Blanc in which the latter won easily. but little doing. weather cloudy with showers of rain.
To day James Wrigley went out to the San Jacinto river on the cars and returned again in the evening. The Polk County Guards left on the Steamer Ruthven for Galveston, in route for the seat of war in Virginia. but little business doing. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain and rather cold.
To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston. The Polk County Guards were compelled to camp immediately in the ware house in consequence of a very hard rain. in fact it continued to rain throughout the entire day making it exceedingly muddy & disagreeable out of doors. The weather was very cold for the season.
To day the Liberty Guards turned out to receive the Polk County Guards under Capt. D. D. Moore, who are now on their way to the seat of war in Virginia. The Liberty Guards escorted them down to the ware house where they quartered. but little business doing. I attended the store sales during the parade of the Guards. weather cloudy & warm.