Monday, March 23rd, 1863

To day the boys are at work fixing up the fence around the bottom field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] went out hunting cows & calves, but without any success. I assisted the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] in the garden. we set out 150 cabbage plants also planted water mellon & cantelope seed. Margaret Hall [his daughter from his 1st marriage?] went over to Mr. Leaverton's to spend a couple of days. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain. The wind hauled around to the North making it realy cold, so much so as to require fires and make them feel quite comfortable.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. He is also the brother-in-law as well as the step-brother of JMH.

Sunday, March 22nd, 1863

To day Sam* Sharp & I went out fishing and caught a very nice mess. Roberta [Hall] & Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] came up to see the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and the children. The boys drove up three cows with calves from Mothers [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts]. weather changeable, with occasional showers of rain. at night it rained very hard and turned pretty cold, so much so as to make a fire quite comfortable.

*This Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma, and is Sam's mother. She is also the mother-in-law as well as the step-mother of JMH.

Saturday, March 21st, 1863

To day the boys are still splitting rails at the lower field. I rode my horse Ratler up to John Williams to attend the sale of some property belonging to McElroy's estate, and while there I purchased 8 bales of cotton weighing 3828 lbs also 3450 lbs of seed cotton. John finished hauling cotton to McElroy's gin on yesterday and drove his wagon home to day. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 49 bushels of corn. weather changeable & warm with prospects of rain.

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

Friday, March 20th, 1863

To day the boys are still splitting rails at the lower field. John is still up at John Williams' hauling cotton to the gin. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 42 bushels of corn. I paid T.R. Dailey for 21 bales of cotton, weighing 9279 lbs. also for 15,000 lbs of lint cotton. I drove my horse Gladiator & the buggy to Crockett in order to carry Margaret Hall home. while in Crockett I purchased some cow bells 4 in number. I also sold my office in town to Mr. Downes for the sum of $1200. I also sold to Mr. Harlan my yoke of steers running up at Parkers for the sum of 50$. weather clear & pleasant.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. He is also the brother-in-law as well as the step-brother of JMH.

Thursday, March 19th, 1863

To day the boys are still splitting rails at the lower field. John is still up at John Williams' hauling cotton to the gin. I drove my horse Gladiator and the buggy to Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & back six times in order to carry The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and the children down there visiting. I went fishing with Frank Stewart. we had very poor success. Mr. Dailey's wagon hauled 6 more bales of cotton. The mill done no grinding. weather changeable & warm with strong prospects of rain.

*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, March 18th, 1863

To day the boys are still splitting rails at the lower field. John is still hauling cotton up at John Williams. Dailey's wagon hauled 5 more bales of Cotton. weather changeable & warm with indications of rain.

Tuesday, March 17th, 1863

To day the boys are still splitting rails at the lower field. John still hauling Cotton up at Williams'. Sam* Sharp rode out hunting cows & calves. Mr. Dailey commenced hauling cotton & delivered 10 bales. Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up to see the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children and while at home presented Sam Sharp with a little negro girl by the name of Clara, aged about 9 years. I finished Fawn's [Florence Mahala Hall] shoes. The Mill done nothing. weather clear & pleasant.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma, and is Sam's mother. She is also the step-mother as well as the mother-in-law of JMH.