Tuesday, December 20th, 1864

To day the boys went out hog hunting & succeeded in getting one. I rode up to the school house and paid Bodenhamer my war taxes, also those of Sam Sharp*. I had to advance upon Sharp's taxes or in other words loan him $256. I borrowed from T.R. Dailey $370 in old issue, which I am to pay back in new issue, with a discount of one third, or rather I am to pay him $246.⁰⁰ in new issue. Father [Joshua James Hall] came up and took Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] home with him. Hicks ground 12½ bushels of wheat & 23 bushels of corn. Weather cloudy & cold with occasional showers of rain and sleet.

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

Monday, December 19th, 1864

To day the boys went out hog hunting, but as usual without any success. I made a pair of shoes for Toby [Horace Oscar Hall]. Hicks ground 15 bushels of wheat & 23 bushels of corn. Weather cloudy & cold with a hard rain all day & night, which raised the creek pretty high & gave me a good head of water.

Sunday, December 18th, 1864

To day Mother* [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] came up to see Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] and remained for dinner. Weather cloudy & cool with a hard rain and very disagreeable.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Sam is her first-born son, and is a 2nd great-grandpa to said Keeper.

Saturday, December 17th, 1864

To day the boys are at work hauling wood. Hicks ground 20 bushels of corn, and 3 bushels of wheat. Sam Sharp* arrived home from the Army on a 40 days furlough. He looks quite well but is sorely troubled with the itch. He lost my horse, Ratler, which is a heavy loss on me at this time particularly as another cannot be procured. Weather cloudy & warm with a hard rain at night.

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

Friday, December 16th, 1864

To day the boys are at work chopping wood. I finished the shoes I was making for little Major [James Hall Sharp]. Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] is still here. Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] came up to bring some papers and letters. Hicks ground 20 bushels of corn & 3 bushels of wheat. Weather cloudy & warm with occasional light showers of rain.

Thursday, December 15th, 1864

To day the boys are at work hauling wood. I am engaged in making little Major [James Hall Sharp] a pair of shoes. Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] came up and remained all night. My daughter Josephine [Josephine Martha Hall] attained the first anniversary of her birth day being just one year old. Weather changeable and warm.

Wednesday, December 14th, 1864

To day the boys are at work chopping wood. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up and spent the day and while here assisted the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] in drawing the thread into the harness and slay for her linsey. Hicks ground 18 bushels of corn. Weather clear and rather warm.