Monday, December 29th, 1862

To day I went to Crockett in my buggy and while there I purchased from Dr. Corley 25 bales of Cotton for which I paid him 17&#162 per lb. Mr. Thomas Dailey sent me 937 lbs of pork for which I had contracted some days ago at 14&#162 per lb. I employed Chester to cut it up which he did. Dr. Murchison came down to see Nellie* who is still very sick, he however returned home early. Mother* & Mrs. Bird also came down to see Nellie. Mother [Mahala] returned home but Mrs. Bird remained all night. weather clear & rather warm.

*This Nellie is a 2nd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is her mother-in-law.

Sunday, December 28th, 1862

To day I employed two of Mr. Leaverton's boys, one of Mr. Bird's, Chester & his wife Ann, to salt down the pork purchased from Mr. Bird on yesterday, which they did and for their services I paid them 6$. Nellie* is still quite sick. Dr. Murchison, Mrs. Bird & Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] left for home. Nellie's sickness resuming a more alarming character, Dr. Murchison was again sent for but did not come, thus leaving us to manage the care as best we could. In justice to the Doctor I must here state that he was not at home when the messenger arrived there & hence he could not come. weather clear & cool.

*This Nellie is a 2nd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma, and Nellie's mother-in-law.

Saturday, December 27th, 1862

This morning I sent down after Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and Mrs. Bird to attend Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] in her sickness, and Sam* Sharp went after Dr. Murchison all of whom came to attend Nellie. I purchased from Mr. Bird 1100 lbs of pork for which I paid 15&#162 per lb. Mr. Leaverton's boys hauled another load of fodder from Mr. Renfro's weighing 1028 lbs. weather clear & cold with a hard frost at night.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Nellie and Sam are 2nd great-grandparents. Sam is Mahala's son.

Friday, December 26th, 1862

To day I am engaged about the mill and rode down to Father's in the evening. Mr. Leaverton's boys hauled me from Mr. Renfro's 1034 lbs of fodder. at night Nellie* was taken very sick with strong indications of her confinement. weather cloudy & warm with occasional showers of rain.

*This Nellie is a 2nd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Thursday, December 25th, 1862

To day I remained at home with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and babies and enjoyed a fine Christmas dinner with several nice egg noggs gotten up in a style as only the little woman knows how to fix them. I contracted with Mr. Thomas Dailey for 1000 lbs of pork at 14&#162. The drafting of the Militia came off in Crockett and Sam Sharp* was drawn to serve under the three months call for the protection of our coast. weather cloudy and warm with occasional showers of rain.  

*Samuel Houston Sharp is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog, and the comments made in this Journal are the only known record (as of this date) of our Sam's military experiences.

 

Wednesday, December 24th, 1862

To day I drove my horse Gladiator and buggy down to Mothers [Mahala*] and brought up a basket of glass ware. In the evening the little woman drove down to her Mothers [Mahala*] and back to try the horse and buggy. I purchased from Mr. Renfro some fodder & peas. weather cloudy, warm and showery.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. She is the stepmother as well as the mother-in-law of JMH.

Tuesday, December 23rd, 1862

This morning before I left my old friend Dan Dailey's my boy Bill with the little wagon & mules drove up in route for Liberty and to whom I gave $5.50 to bear his expenses on the road. I then left Dailey's and drove 15 miles to Crockett where I was compelled to unload my buggy and have the balance iron repaired before I could proceed further, after which I loaded up and left for home at the Mills, and after driving 10 miles I arrived home at the mills safe and sound and where I found all my loved and dear ones enjoying good health, and who were overjoyed to see me. My arrival however was not unexpected as my little woman had been expecting and looking for me for some days. weather cloudy and warm with showers of rain occasionally.