Thus closes my notes for the month of December and also for the year just passed and 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 I know but trusting in Him I shall enter upon the pleasing task, which is useful as a reference and may be profitable to those who have an interest in me.
To day we are all at work on the mill levee. The creek is now falling and the levee is secure from further danger. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] came up but did not remain long. Weather clear & cold with a frost & freeze at night.
*This Nellie is a 2nd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog.
To day my boy Bill came up from the boat yard on a visit. The mill levee gave way in part and required the labor of all hands to save it. Weather cloudy and cold. Billy Stewart returned to Crockett.
To day Billy Stewart and I drove down to Mothers [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and remained for dinner. I purchased from him negro woman America & her child Claudine for which I paid him ten bales of cotton. The creek is still very high. The levee is still in great danger and Hicks was compelled to run the mill and ground 15 bushels of corn. Weather cloudy and very cold.
*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog.
To day Billy Stewart came out from Crockett and remained all night. It rained all day and all night raising the Elkhart creek higher than ever known. The mill levee commenced giving way and God only knows whether we will be able to save it. The wind hauled around to the north & it became cold.
To day John is still at work in the garden. Sam* Sharp [Samuel Houston Sharp] left for his command. Hicks ground 12 bushels of corn. Billy Stewart's wagon came out from Crockett and brought the negro woman America & her child Claudine out and left them with me. Weather clear & rather hot for the season.
*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.
To day Mr. John Burrows & E.P. Baugh the guard who have been for some time stationed at the mill were relieved and Thomas Hill & Edward Graham were mounted in their place. The boys done nothing in consequence of the rain. It still continues to rain and the Elkhart creek is looming high. I am fearful the mill levee will not be able to stand the pressure now against it. Weather warm.
