Tuesday, November 15th, 1864

To day the boys are at work hauling wood. Father [Joshua James Hall], Genl. Hodges and his nephew with Mr. Strain came up to lease some land from me but I declined the contract they offered. I am confined to the house with rheumatism. The little woman's [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] finger is improving although it is still quite sore. Hicks ground 11 bushels of corn. Weather cloudy with a light shower of rain.

Monday, November 14th, 1864

To day the boys are at work hauling wood. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] & I drove down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] in her buggy and spent the day. I loaned my little wagon & mules to Mr. Keen to go to Barn's prairie after pecans. Hicks ground 20 bushels of corn & 2½ bushels of wheat. Mother got 19 lbs of cotton which makes a bale of 500 lbs and 5 lbs towards another. cloudy with occasional showers of rain.

Sunday, November 13th, 1864

To day I remained at home quite sick. I let the boys ride the mules over the river after some of my oxen that had ran away. They returned at night with the oxen. Weather changeable & rather warm.

Saturday, November 12th, 1864

To day Bill is engaged cutting up and salting down the beef & hog that I had killed on yesterday. Hicks, John & I are at work putting in the new ink, bushing, &c. in the mill. we succeeded in getting the mill started and ground 20 bushels of corn & 1½ bushels of wheat. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is sick. Weather clear & rather warm, but cold at night with a light frost.

 

Friday, November 11th, 1864

To day I sent Bill to Mr. Keen's to have the mill ink upset. I sent John after a beef who succeeded in getting one. I assisted Hicks to repair the forebay floor. Billy Stewart left for Crockett. Father [Joshua James Hall] came up and got his share of leather upon settlement I owe him 60 lbs of dry hides. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] rode down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and spent the day. Weather clear & warm but rather cold at night. 

Thursday, November 10th, 1864

To day the boys are at work repairing the mill fore bay. In the evening Billy Stewart came out from Crockett with his little wagon and brought a negro woman by the name of America & her child by the name of Claudine out, both of whom he left with me. Billy and I rode down as far as Father's [Joshua James Hall] hunting but without any success. Weather clear & cold, with a frost and freeze at night.

Wednesday, November 9th, 1864

To day the boys returned from Barns prairie, having gathered 2 bushels of pecans. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up & spent the day and remained all night. Hicks ground 5 bushels of corn. Mr. Keen came over & remained for dinner. at night a soldier belonging to Steele's Regt. stopped with me. Weather cloudy & cold with a frost & freeze at night.