Monday, December 21st, 1863

To day the boys are at work on the stables. I drove my horse (Rob) and buggy to Crockett and back. while there I left with L.E. Downes 15 pairs of russett brogans for him to sell for me. I purchased one gallon of whiskey for which I paid 80$ 1 oz. of the oil of Sassafras at 5¢ per oz. 1 lb. of candy at 3$. I record these prices for the benefit of those that come after me, in order that they may see some of the benefits that war brings upon the Country and people. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 9½ bushels of corn. Mother* [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] went home leaving the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and babe [Josephine] all doing well. Weather changeable and cold, with indications of rain.

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

Sunday, December 20th, 1863

To day Father [Joshua James Hall], Mr. & Mrs. Bird, came to see the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and the little stranger [Josephine]. Mother* [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] is still here. Mr. Butler passed on his way to Polk County from Parker's bluff. he called in to see us, but did not stay long. Weather clear and cool with a hard frost at night.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Saturday, December 19th, 1863

To day the boys are engaged in cutting up and salting down the pork killed yesterday. John is at work hauling wood. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode out hog hunting but was unsuccessful. he however killed two fine turkeys. Mother* [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] is still here. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is improving. I ground 7½ bushels of corn. I purchased two bushels of pecans, at 6$ per bushel & gave flour for them at 50¢ per lb. Weather clear and cold with a hard frost and freeze at night.

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

Friday, December 18th, 1863

In the morning the boys worked on the stables. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode out with Mr. Keen and succeeded in killing 6 hogs which the boys cleaned in the evening. they weighed 637 lbs. Mr. Keen came up to see the little new responsibility [Josephine]. he however did not stay long. Mother* [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] rode down home and returned with Father [Joshua James Hall] in the evening, who came up to see the little stranger [Josephine]. Father did not remain long. I ground 18 bushels of corn. Weather clear and cold, with a hard frost and freeze at night.

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

Thursday, December 17th, 1863

To day the boys and I worked on the mill in order to make it grind but only succeeded in grinding 4½ bushels of corn. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode out hog hunting but had no success. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is doing very well after her confinement. Mother** [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] is still here attending to the new responsibility whom we have this day named Josephine Martha Hall. Weather clear and cold with a hard freeze and frost at night.

*2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog
**3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog

Wednesday, December 16th, 1863

To day the boys are at work on the stables. John is at work hauling wood. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] is still here. Rachael however went home. Not having caught sufficient head of water, the mill done no grinding. Weather cloudy, disagreeable & very cold with a hard frost and freeze at night, the ice forming in all the vessels that had water in them ½ inch thick.

Tuesday, December 15th, 1863

To day Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] and the boys finished the floor in the mill forebay and let down the gates to catch a head of water. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] was taken sick and at 1½ o'clock A.M. was delivered of a female child [Josephine Martha Hall]. She may truthfully be said to be a woman of ready conception and easy delivery. there were present Mrs. Bird, Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts], Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and myself, assisted by Rachael a negro woman. I sent for Dr. Murchison, who came but as usual too late to be of any service in his profession. he remained for dinner and then left for home. Weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain and a hard rain at night.