Tuesday, January 3rd, 1865

To day the boys are engaged hauling fire wood. Billy Stewart came out from Crockett and stopped with us for the night. Hicks ground 6 bushels of wheat and 20 bushels of corn. Father [Joshua James Hall] & Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up & spent the day. Weather clear & rather warm.

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

Monday, January 2nd, 1865

To day the boys are at work in the bottom splitting rails to reset the fence around the bottom field. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is engaged weaving and wove one yard of linsey. Hicks ground 6 bushels of wheat. I sent Billy Stewart his negro woman America & her child Claudine who have been staying with me some time. Weather changeable and rather warm for the season.

Sunday, January 1st, 1865

Today I commence my notes of daily events that may happen immediately around me during the current year just began. Though they are of no interest to any one safe my own family. Nevertheless I cheerfully enter upon my task. 

We all left home and rode down to Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] where we spent an agreeable day, returning home in the evening. A sick soldier stopped with us for the night. Weather clear and rather warm for the season of the year.

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

Saturday, December 31st, 1864

To day I paid Dr. Murchison 310 lbs. of flour for 62 lbs. of wool purchased from him last fall. Hicks ground 20 bushels of corn and 5 bushels of wheat. Weather clear & cold with a frost & freeze at night. 

Thus I close my jottings for the month of December and for the year 1864 which has just passed & gone and now numbered with the things that were. Whether the Almighty will spare me to chronicle the daily events of the incoming year is more than poor mortal man can foresee or know but trusting in his goodness I shall enter upon the pleasing task which is meaningful as a book of reference and may hereafter be profitable to those who have an interest in my affairs after I shall have shuffled off this mortal soil and been reaped to the bosom of my ancestors. 

Friday, December 30th, 1864

To day I fixed the mill when Hicks ground 10 bushels of wheat. Sam* Sharp & Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] drove down to Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] in my buggy and spent the day there. Weather variable & cold with hard frost & freeze at night.

*This Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is Sam's Mother.

Thursday, December 29th, 1864

To day Sam* Sharp and John rode down to Stubblefield's mill to see Mr. Malone in relation to his conduct on yesterday but they were unsuccessful. Lt. Neil's Regiment & Waller's Battallion passed by the mill and camped about 3 miles below the Elkhart creek at what is known as the Pridgeon field. I was troubled a great deal by the soldiers & 4 remained for dinner. Hicks ground 8 bushels of wheat. I delivered to Cox's wagon all his flour. Weather changeable & cool.

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

Wednesday, December 28th, 1864

To day John rode out hog hunting and was arrested by Mr. Malone and his hogs taken away from him. Father [Joshua James Hall] & Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up and spent the evening. Hicks ground 5 bushels of wheat and 6 bushels of corn. Weather clear & cold with a hard frost & freeze at night.

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