Monday, November 23rd, 1863

To day the boys are still at work in the woods splitting boards. John is at work hauling wood. Mr. Cox's wagon left with one of the signs. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 24 bushels of corn. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] drove Rob and the buggy down to Mothers [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and there spent the day. Mother sent me by Nellie a new pair of pants for which I am thankful. Sam killed two nice ducks. I marked and branded eleven calves, the mark being a crop and two splits in the right ear and a swallow fork in the left ear, and branded them Æ A&E united. weather cloudy and cold, with indications of rain.

Sunday, November 22nd, 1863

To day I let Bill and John ride over on the other side of the Trinity River after one of my oxen that had straid off but they had no success. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I worked on Cox's sign and succeeded in finishing the largest one. Mr. Cox's wagon came out from Crockett after the signs and remained all night. Weather clear & cool with a strong East wind blowing.

Saturday, November 21st, 1863

To day the boys are still at work in the woods splitting boards. John is at work hauling boards and made two loads. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and children drove down to Mothers [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] in the buggy and there spent the day. I am busy at work lettering Mr. Cox's signs. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 34 bushels of corn. Weather changeable and cold, with a frost at night.

Friday, November 20th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work in the woods splitting boards. John is at work hauling fire wood. Mr. Cox came out to see about his signs and when I could get them painted. He remained until after dinner & then left for Crockett. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 7 bushels of wheat. I went out hunting and killed a duck the likes of which I have never before seen. it was perfectly white with a black back and black top knot tinged with purple. rather an odd fowl to me. weather changeable & cold with a hard frost at night.

Thursday, November 19th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work in the woods splitting boards. John is still hauling boards and made two loads. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came by to see the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] as she returned from Mrs. Birds. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground for Mother 104 lbs of flour, also two bushels of wheat for Mrs. Pridgen. Weather clear & pleasant until late in the evening when it clouded up and the wind came out of the north very severe, making it very cold at night. it rained exceedingly hard with a perfect tornado blowing.

Wednesday, November 18th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work in the woods splitting boards. John commenced hauling boards and made two loads. Father [Joshua James Hall], Judge Eagan, Mr. Allen and Strain came up to see but did not remain long. I ground 5 bushels of corn and then worked on Mr. Cox's signs giving them the second coat of paint. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went hunting but without success. Weather changeable and warm for the season.

Tuesday, November 17th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work in the woods splitting boards. John drove the wagon over to Mr. Keens to have some smith work done upon it. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up and spent the afternoon. I ground 12 bushels of corn. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] made a frame for one of Mr. Cox's signs, which got broken in taking it down. Weather clear and warm.