Monday, January 12th, 1863

To day Sam* Sharp and I made a first rate saddlers horse. I ground only 5 bushels of corn. The boys are engaged in getting out and hauling garden posts. At night Capt. Peacock and Solomon Levy came out from Crockett in a buggy in route for Magnolia and stoped with me for the night. weather changeable and warm with indications of rain.

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

Sunday, January 11th, 1863

To day in the forenoon I remained at home writing up this journal also writing some letters. In the afternoon Sam* Sharp and I rode down in the bottom to select a good ford and to select a site upon which to erect a house and make some permanent improvements from thence we rode down to Fathers [i.e., Joshua James Hall] and back home. weather clear & pleasant. Bill with the mule & cart returned from across the river all safe but did not succeed in getting his things for which he went.

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

Saturday, January 10th, 1863

To day I sent the boys with the wagon to Mr. Renfro's after the fodder & peas I purchased from him some days ago. they made one load hauling 300 lbs of fodder and 8 bushels of peas. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode Hawk over to see Mr. Keen to have some blacksmithing done but returned without accomplishing his mission. I ground 12½ bushels of corn. In the evening Jesse Tubbs sent one load of lint cotton over to me. I sent Bill with the mule & cart over the Trinity River after his clothing. I went down to Fathers [Joshua James Hall] in the evening and found all well. weather changeable & cool with a frost at night.

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

Friday, January 9th, 1863

To day I set two of the boys to hauling wood and one to getting out garden posts. I ground only 3 bushels of corn. In the evening Sam Sharp* returned on Rob from the camp at Shilo he having been discharged from his enrollment in the Militia in consequence of a severe gun shot wound he received when quite young. weather changeable and warm with occasional showers of drizzling rain. 

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog . . . and this Journal entry is the first we ever heard of the story of the gun shot wound.

Thursday, January 8th, 1863

To day Thomas W. Reed and Capt. Stubblefield came to see me & remained for dinner. From Mr. Reed & his wife I purchased a likely negro man of black color about 34 years of age by the name of Bill a slave for life and for whom I paid $1800. Mother [Mahala* Lee Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up and her & the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] went to see Mrs. Bird. I ground 18 bushels of corn. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] is now entirely recovered from her late indisposition and is now up attending to her usual duties about the house. weather clear & rather warm on my pork.

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

Wednesday, January 7th, 1863

To day I rode my horse Gladiator over the Trinity River to the residence of the late Elisha Tubbs for the purpose of attending the sale of his effects made by his Executor, and while there I purchased two yoke of oxen for which I paid $102.50. I also purchased an ox chain for 3$. I also purchased from Mr. McCord a likely yellow boy about 19 years old by the name of John or Squire, a slave for life and for whom I paid $1600. Sam Sharp* who had been heretofore drafted in the Militia left home on my horse Rob for the place of rendezvous at the Shilo Camp ground, but before he left he ground 14 bushels of corn. I returned home at night in Company with Father [Joshua James Hall] and Mr. McCord. weather clear & rather cool.  

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

Tuesday, January 6th, 1863

To day I finished the temporary stable that I began on yesterday for my horse Rob. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 19 bushels of corn. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] is still improving and now bids fair to be up in a day or two if she has not back set. weather clear & cool. the wind blowing from the South almost a perfect gale.

*This Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog.