Tuesday, January 9th, 1866

To day I worked at the store house. We commenced putting up the Cotton shed and got one line of posts planted. Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] is but little if any better. Albert still sick. Hicks worked in the garden. Weather clear & cold.

Monday, January 8th, 1866

To day I drove up town to attend the election for a delegate to the Convention for reconstruction and while there I voted for J.O. Shelby to be said delegate. I assisted Col. Wrigley in making a settlement with B.F. White. Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring] took her horse away which has been staying here since her arrival from Montgomery County. Albert is still sick. Hicks however is at work in the garden. Weather cloudy & cold with occasional light showers of rain.

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

Sunday, January 7th, 1866

To day I remained at home, principally writing a letter. Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] and Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] are still very sore with the itch, although I am applying lard & sulphur freely. I loaned my horse and buggy to Ed. Jones. Weather cloudy and cold, with drizzling rain throughout the entire day.

Saturday, January 6th, 1866

To day I loaned my horse & buggy to Col. Wrigley who drove up town & waited for the train to come in. Bob finished framing the posts for the Cotton shed. The negro man Albert whom I hired has been sick all the week consequently nothing has been done towards gardening &c. Hicks went to mill after some meal. Frank [Stewart], Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] & Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] are all sorely afflicted with the itch. Weather variable and cool with a hard rain at night.

Friday, January 5th, 1866

To day I drove up town [Liberty] in my buggy and waited until the train came in from Houston by which I received sundry papers and letters. I let the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] have the buggy who drove up town & purchased some articles. I purchased from Mr. Fontaine some cups and saucers. Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] & Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] are sorely afflicted with the itch. Weather clear & cold with a frost and freeze at night.

Thursday, January 4th, 1866

To day I am at work at the store house. Albert the negro boy that I hired on the first has been sick all the week and not a lick of work has he done as yet. Hicks lost the whole day in hunting up Rob. He got out on yesterday through the negligence of some of the children leaving the yard gate open. Frank walked out and succeeded in killing a couple of squirrels. Weather clear & cold with a hard frost at night.

Wednesday, January 3rd, 1866

To day I am at work at the store house. The boys are at work around the house. Negro woman Rose came over and set in to work for the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], relieving her from cooking. Rose is the woman furnished by Albert under his control. Col. Wrigley commenced opperations on the cotton shed. At dark Ed. Jones arrived home from his up Country trip [to Houston County], bringing me some letters from my relatives. Weather clear & cold with another freeze & frost at night.