Monday, April 9th, 1866

To day I am busy at the warehouse storing hides. I drove up town in the buggy in company with Col. Wrigley. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove the negro woman Fanny off who has been living with us for some time for her thieving propensity. Weather clear and cool.

Sunday, April 8th, 1866

To day I was compelled to work at the warehouse storing hides. The raft formed above the railroad bridge so great as to entirely shut up all navigation of the [Trinity] river. The little woman [Margaret* Hall Stewart nee Sharp] spent the evening at Mrs. Beale's [Elizabeth* Lemaire Beale nee Waring] and Lucy* [Lucy Stiles nee Beale] came home with her & spent the night. Roberta* [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] is still improving in health. Weather clear and cold with a light frost at night. 

*This Mrs. Beale is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Margaret, Lucy, and Roberta are my 2nd great-grand-aunts.

Saturday, April 7th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. I sent all my furniture home that came down on the Steamer Col. Stell. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] is improving in health. My cold is better. Weather cloudy and very cold with occasional showers of rain throughout the day.

Friday, April 6th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. The steamer Col. Stell came down the river loaded down to the guards with cotton and by her I received 28 bales of Cotton also my parlor furniture and one box of bacon. I paid 127$ specie freight on said articles. After putting out my freight she left for Galveston. The Steamer Arizona took the cotton off of Capt. John T. Smith's flat boat and left for Galveston. Col. Wrigley came over from Houston on the cars. Weather cloudy and cold with occasional showers of rain throughout the day.

Thursday, April 5th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Three more flat boats came down the river commanded by John T. Smith, Wash Rose & Mr. Brown. The Steamer Sunflower came down the river & I shipped on her 130 bales of Cotton when she left for Galveston. The Str. Arizona also came down the river and remained all night at the landing. Weather cloudy & cold with a hard rain throughout the day & night.

Wednesday, April 4th, 1866

To day I am engaged at the warehouse. Dr. Brashears' sister was buried at West Liberty. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] does not seem to improve much in her general health. Another flat boat came down the river with 300 bales of Cotton on board, John Murchison in command of it. Weather cloudy and cool with a terriffic rain.

Tuesday, April 3rd, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse storing cotton. Two more flat boats came down the river, upon one of which commanded by W.H. Farish I had 28 bales of Cotton. I paid him 112$ gold freight on same. Dr. Brashears borrowed Col. Wrigley's wagon to haul the remains of his sister to West Liberty for interment. Bolivar Sublett came up and took dinner with [his cousin] the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. Weather cloudy & cool with a high wind blowing.