Tuesday, January 2nd, 1866

To day I am at work at the store house. The boys are at work around the house. Hicks hauled one load of wood for Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring]. I made Hicks a present of 10$. Weather clear & cold, with a hard freeze and frost at night, being the coldest night of the winter so far.

Galveston Flakes Daily Bulletin

January 2, 1866

Galveston Flakes Daily Bulletin

January 2, 1866

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

Monday, January 1st, 1866

To day I commence my notes of events that may daily happen immediately around me during the current year. These notes are not intended to be of any service to any one except myself as a book of reference and to my family as a faithful exposition of my daily transactions. 

I formed & entered into a copartnership with James Wrigley to carry on in the town of Liberty a general Commission and Warehouse business. The Steamer Kate & Sloop Luna left for Galveston. 

The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had a fine new year's dinner which reflected great credit upon her art as a house Keeper. I entered into a Contract with negro man Albert to work for the year at 15$ per month with board, he furnishing a negro woman to cook. I also employed my old servant Hicks for the year at 10$ per month. Weather cloudy & cold with incessant rain throughout the entire day.

from 1866 & 1867 issues of the

Galveston Flakes Daily Bulletin

Sunday, December 31st, 1865

To day I am engaged in making out bills of lading for the Steamer Kate & Sloop Luna, both of said boats are still here. Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring] came over and spent the day. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] had another chill and fever. Frank [Stewart] is still improving. Weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain. 

Thus I close my notes for the month of December and for the year 1865, which has just passed and gone and now remembered with the things that were. Whether the Almighty wll spare me to record the daily events of things passing around me for the incoming year is more than mortal man can know but trusting in his goodness and mercy I shall enter upon the pleasing task which to me is useful as a book of reference and may here after be profitable to those who have an interest in my affairs.

The Galveston Daily News

Houston, Sunday, December 31, 1865

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

Saturday, December 30th, 1865

To day I am still at work at the storehouse. The steamer Kate & sloop Luna arrived from Galveston with a small freight. I shipped by the Steamer Kate 71 beef hides & 9 B/C [bales of cotton]. I then drove up town to attend a meeting of the citizens to raise a police guard, but it all ended in smoke. ? finished splitting up my wood and I paid him $2⁵⁰ specie for his labor. Weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain.

Friday, December 29th, 1865

To day I am still at work at the store house. I drove up town and waited until the [rail]cars came in from Houston, by them I received several Articles for Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring]. Col. Wrigley still confined. Frank [Stewart] is still improving slowly. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] missed the chill and fever. Weather cloudy & cold with occasional showers of rain.

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

Thursday, December 28th, 1865

To day I am still at work at the storehouse arranging papers &c. from the utter confusion into which they were thrown by the burning of the warehouse. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] had a chill and fever. Frank Stewart is improving slowly. Col. Wrigley is confined to his room from sore eyes and burns received at the fire which destroyed the warehouse. Weather variable & cold, rain at night.

Wednesday, December 27th, 1865

To day I am at work at the old store house, which we have converted into a warehouse, and had the 500 sacks of salt, which came up yesterday on the Royal Arch, stored away. The Steamer Royal Arch left for Galveston, with a very small freight. Weather variable and cold.