Monday, April 30th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. The Steamer Royal Arch is loading with cotton. I had a full settlement with Maj. Bolling and paid in full up to date. I received some few groceries, harness &c. by the Royal Arch. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall], Joe & Conney are still sick with measles. Florence [Mahala Hall] and Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] are recovering very fast. I am sorely afflicted with the itch, which has broken out on me again. Col. Wrigley and Ed. Jones arrived from Houston on the train. The former quite sick. The latter brought me three suits of summer clothing. Weather clear & warm. Thus I close my notes for the month of April. 

Sunday, April 29th, 1866

To day I remained at home writing up this journal. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall], Joe & Conney still have the measles. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] & Burta [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] are better. the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is still without help. Weather clear and warm. 

Saturday, April 28th, 1866

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] and Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] are recovering from the measles. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall], little Joe and Conney are still quite sick with it. Fanny went up to Mrs. Raniers and purchased a fine mess of strawberries for dinner. The Steamer Indian No. 2 arrived from Galveston with Maj. Bolling and Mrs. Stanwood on board, by the latter I received my lamps, oil and pocket knife and for which I paid her $12.50. The Steamer left for the upper [Trinity] river with a heavy load on board. Weather clear and pleasant. 

Friday, April 27th, 1866

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall], Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall], Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall], Joe & Conney are all down with the measles. Hicks is at work in the garden. Messrs. Marbert & Gregg finished the gallery and I paid them for repairing it $25.50 specie which I regarded as very high price. A flat boat came down the [Trinity] river from Pine bluff with 64 bales of Cotton on board. I am still without a servant and the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is still doing her own housework. Weather clear and pleasant. 

Thursday, April 26th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] & Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] are improving a little. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] and Josephine [Martha Hall] were taken down with the measles, making five cases in all at my house. Messrs. Marbert and Gregg are still at work on the gallery. Hicks worked out the peach orchard. Weather clear and pleasant. 

Wednesday, April 25th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. The steamer Royal Arch, after taking on her cargo, left for Galveston. Ed. Jones went on her and I sent by her 9 bales of Cotton, consigned to Messrs. J.C. & S.R. Smith & Co. to be sold for my a/c. The steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston heavy loaded for the upper [Trinity] river. after discharging a few Bbls. of flour she proceeded on her voyage. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] is still improving. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] is still sick with the measles. They also broke out on Conney, making three cases down at once. Weather clear and pleasant. 

Tuesday, April 24th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. The steamer Royal Arch discharging her cargo. The [Trinity] river is still falling. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] is still improving. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] has the measles broken out on her plentifully. Ed. Jones arrived from the up Country [Houston County]. Messrs. Marbert & Gregg commenced working on the gallery to my residence. Weather clear and warm.