Monday, October 19th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work putting up the fence around the new ground in the mill field. John still hauling rails and made two loads. My son James [James Wrigley Hall] missed the chill & fever. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] went with Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] and entered her at Mrs. Brooks' school for one session and also put her to boarding with Major Wortham at 8$ per month. My daughter Florence attained her third birth day. she is very well grown for her age. Mother came by on her way home from Major Wortham's and carried Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] home with her. I ground 12 bushes of corn after which Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I took up the stones and pecked them. Weather changeable & warm with a very strong wind blowing from the S.E. and indications of rain.

Sunday, October 18th, 1863

To day Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I rode out in the woods in hunt of some hogs but without any success. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and the little Major [James Hall Sharp] are now up and I may say entirely recovered. James [James Wrigley Hall] however had another chill & fever. weather clear & rather hot.

Saturday, October 17th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work putting up the fence around the new ground in the mill field. John still hauling rails and made 2 loads. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] is recovering from her sickness. The little Major [James Hall Sharp] is still sick and James [James Wrigley Hall] had another chill & fever. I ground 9 bushels of corn. weather changeable and warm.

Friday, October 16th, 1863

To day the boys are at work putting up the fence around the new ground in the mill field. John still hauling rails and made two loads. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] & the little Major [James Hall Sharp] are still sick. My son James [James Wrigley Hall] had a chill & fever. In consequence of the low water in the pond the mill done no grinding. weather clear & rather hot for the season of the year.

Thursday, October 15th, 1863

To day the boys are at work chopping out the fence row in order to enlarge the mill field. John is engaged hauling rails and made three loads. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] came up to see Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and the little Major [James Hall Sharp] who are still sick. Burt remained all night. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 1½ bushels of corn. weather clear and pleasant.

Wednesday, October 14th, 1863

To day the boys finished putting up the upper part of the cribs ready to receive the roof. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] & the little Major [James Hall Sharp] are still sick. I ground 13 bushels of corn. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] made Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] a pair of shoes. weather clear & cool. at night there was a light frost being the first of the season.

Tuesday, October 13th, 1863

This morning Mr. Ramsdale stopped at the house for his breakfast. he is on his way home from Waco and walked the whole distance in eight days making 25 miles per day. this is pretty good walking for a man 65 years of age. The boys are at work putting up the upper part of the cribs. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and the little Major [James Hall Sharp] are both sick. I ground 11½ bushels of corn. weather clear & cool.