Monday, March 30th, 1863

To day the boys commenced to brake up the lower field in order to plant corn. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] went out cow hunting, he had no success, except killing a fine turkey. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] & Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] came up from Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is no better. they returned in the evening. I ground 18½ bushels of corn. weather clear with a strong wind blowing from the north. The wind however lulled and there was a hard frost at night. I fear it has killed all the fruit and had not the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] covered up all the garden vegetables they must of necessity been killed too.

*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. Mahala is also the mother-in-law as well as the step-mother of JMH.

Sunday, March 29th, 1863

To day Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode down to see Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is still confined to her bed. Nellie* [Mary Alexanderien Sharp nee Lemaire] & Margaret Hall [his daughter?] are still down at Mother's. I remained at home writing up this journal. weather cloudy & cold. at night it cleared off & there was a considerable frost. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] covered up most of her garden vegetables, and none of them were seriously hurt by the frost.

*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. Mahala is also the mother-in-law as well as the step-mother of JMH.

Saturday, March 28th, 1863

To day the boys finished the fence around the lower field sufficiently high to plant under. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] & Margaret Hall [his daughter?] drove my horse & buggy down to see Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts], who is still quite sick and confined to her bed. I rode down to the field & thence to see Mother. The little woman [Margaret Sharp Stewart nee Hall] is at work in the garden planting peas, beans & other vegetables. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 45 bushels of corn. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain & very cold for the time of year.

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

Friday, March 27th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work fixing the fence around the lower field. I am busy at work in the garden assisting the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] in planting sundry kinds of vegetables. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 6½ bushels of corn. Mr. Leaverton came to see me in relation to some legal business and I drew for him a power of atty. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain. at night it rained very hard & was quite cold.

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

Thursday, March 26th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work fixing the fence around the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] went out hunting cows & calves but without any success. Margaret Hall [his daughter from 1st marriage] returned from her visit to Mrs. Leaverton's. I ground 26 bushels of corn and assisted the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] to work in the garden in planting squash & lima beans. weather changeable & rather cool for the season of the year.

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

Wednesday, March 25th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work fixing up the fence around the lower field. I had all the horses turned out but Gladiator attempted to run away. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] followed him and overtook and led him back. he succeeded in getting off about 4 miles. I rode down to see Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is still confined to her bed. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is engaged working in the garden. Sam ground 17 bushels of corn. 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 mother-in-law as well as the step-mother of JMH.

Tuesday, March 24th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work fixing up the fence around the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode out hunting cows & calves but without any success. he however killed a fine turkey. I ground 23 bushels of corn. Charles Leaverton & Joseph Wright came out to see me & remained for dinner. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] rode down to see Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is sick and confined to her bed. weather clear & cold with a considerable frost at night.

*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.