Monday, April 20th, 1863

To day the boys are at work plowing the corn in the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode my horse Rob to Magnolia & back a distance of 44 miles & while there purchased 50 lbs sugar at 33⅓¢ pr lb. which he brought home with him. I ground 17 bushels of corn & work some in the garden. weather clear and pleasant.

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

Sunday, April 19th, 1863

To day I drove my horse & buggy down to Mothers [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] in Company with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children. we remained there for dinner & then returned home. weather clear & pleasant.

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

Saturday, April 18th, 1863

To day the boys finished the fence around the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] and Frank Stewart went out hunting cows & calves but without any success. I ground 13½ bushels of corn. weather cloudy and cold. In the evening & at night it rained very hard.

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

Friday, April 17th, 1863

To day the boys are at work completing the fence and in putting up posts & bars at the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode my horse Gladiator out cow hunting and also carried Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] home who had been staying here for the last several days. I ground 40 bushels of corn. weather changeable & warm with indications of rain.

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

Thursday, April 16th, 1863

To day the boys are at work completing the fence around the lower field. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] went down to Mothers [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & back. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] returned from his cow hunt but without any success. I ground 5½ bushels of corn and then worked in the little field around the house replanting corn. weather clear and warm.

*This 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.

Wednesday, April 15th, 1863

To day the boys finished planting the bottom field in corn. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] rode down to see her Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is still recovering slowly. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] & Frank Stewart rode out cow hunting & remained out all night. I ground 10 bushels of corn and then worked in the little field in replanting corn. weather changeable & warm.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa, and is Mahala's oldest living son.

Tuesday, April 14th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work planting the bottom field in corn. Mr. McCartney came to see me and from whom I purchased 1 bale of cotton weighing 457 lbs. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] rode Ratler down to see her Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts], who is now recovering slowly from her indisposition. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 18 bushels of corn. I am still engaged in replanting the little field in front of the house. weather cloudy & cold with prospects of more rain.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Sam is her son, and is my 2nd great-grandpa.