Monday, February 1st, 1864

To day I sent Hicks to Crockett with my horse hawk for Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring] to ride out on who arrived at night on a visit to see her daughter [Nellie* aka Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire]. I sent John to Mr. Keen's to get him to come over and fix my mill irons. Having taken up the mill stone I can do no corn grinding until the irons are repaired. I however ground 7 bushels of wheat. Weather clear and cool, with a frost at night.

*Nellie is a 2nd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mrs. Beale is her mother.

Sunday, January 31st, 1864

To day I remained at home writing up this journal. Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts], Mrs. Brooks and the children came up and spent the day with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. Mr. Wiesnowsky came out from Crockett and got the sign that I painted for Mr. Cox. He went down to Father's [Joshua James Hall] after the piano that the little woman had given Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] but did not succeed in obtaining it. Weather cloudy and cool with occasional showers of rain. Thus closes my jottings for the month of January just past and gone.

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

Saturday, January 30th, 1864

To day the boys are still at work in the bottom field. Hicks is still at work covering in the cribs. Capt. Peacock and Mr. Fitzsimmons left for Magnolia. Father [Joshua James Hall] came up with the road hands having worked his section through from Hall's bluff to the Mills. I ground 13 bushels of corn. weather cloudy and warm with occasional showers of rain.

Friday, January 29th, 1864

To day the boys are still at work in the bottom field. Hicks still at work covering in the cribs. I ground 18 bushels of corn. Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts], Father [Joshua James Hall], Mrs. Brooks (whose school has just terminated) and the children, came up to see the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. In the evening Capt. Peacock and Mr. Fitzsimmons arrived from Liberty on their way to Magnolia. they stopped for the night. The Capt. purchased for me the articles I sent for by him. he gave for a second hand gutta percha band 12$ per foot. just think of it when in good times or before the war it could have been purchased new for 50 cents per foot. Weather changeable & warm with strong indications of rain.

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

Thursday, January 28th, 1864

To day I rebushed the mill and put down the mill stone and then ground 28 bushels of corn. Hicks is still at work covering in the cribs. In the evening the boys went to work in the bottom field. Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and Mrs. Bird came to see the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and remained for dinner. Weather clear & pleasant.

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

Wednesday, January 27th, 1864

To day the boys are still at work in the bottom field. Hicks is still covering in the cribs. Mrs. Bird came down to see us and brought home the piece of Jeans she has been weaving for the little woman [Margaret* Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. Mr. Pennington's next child to the youngest died last night. Father [Joshua James Hall] and Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up but did not remain long. I ground 11 bushels of corn and 2 bushels of wheat. The bushing of the mill worked out and I had to send to the lower field after the boys to assist me in taking up the mill stone in order to rebush the mill. Weather clear and pleasant but rather cool at night with a light frost.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Margaret is her daughter, and is the wife as well as the step-sister of JMH.

Tuesday, January 26th, 1864

To day the boys are still at work in the bottom field. Hicks is still at work covering in the cribs. I ground 2 bushels of wheat and 20 bushels of corn. Weather clear & warm for the season of the year.