Friday, September 15th, 1865

To day Charles Leaverton left on the train of Cars for Sour Lake. I am still engaged in papering the parlor. In the evening I drove down to John Booth's and paid him up in full for the time I boarded with him during last summer. Weather cloudy and warm with showers of rain throughout the entire day.

Thursday, August 3rd, 1865

To day my new woman Jemima came back home, bringing her Mother home with her who I suppose I will now have to support in order to keep Jemima with me. I drove my horse and buggy (with John Booth in Company with me) down to Richard Coles. we remained there for dinner. William Leaverton spent the evening with us. he is waiting for the cars to carry him to Sour Lake. The steamer Mary Hill arrived from Galveston. Weather cloudy and warm. Ther: 88°.

Saturday, June 24th, 1865

To day I succeeded in stopping the diarrhea from running in me and am consequently much better. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] with Fanny Fitzsimmons & Josephine in my buggy drawn by my horse Rob arrived safe and sound in Liberty. Frank Stewart with the little wagon & mules also arrived safe bringing down in the little wagon, Florence and Jimmy, also Louisa, Jemima, Conny and Wolf with sundry provisions etc. We all upon the invitation of Col. Jim Wrigley stopped at his house of course I left John Booths. The little woman passed my wagons on the road, they having left on the 16th with Jemima  was taken down at the residence of my old friend Dan Dailey & safely delivered of a female child on the 17th inst both Mother & child are doing well. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 96°.

Friday, June 23rd, 1865

To day I am still at John Booth's and was taken very sick with diarrhea, and passed a very unpleasant time. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 91°.

Thursday, June 22nd, 1865

To day I am still at John Booth's. Nothing as yet from my little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], and I am becoming quite anxious to see her but must waite yet a little longer. If she does not come down by the end of the current month I have resolved to go up after her. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 91°.

Wednesday, June 21st, 1865

To day I rode down to gum lake to attend a party or rather a fish fry. we had fine luck and an excellent dinner. I passed a very pleasant time and everything passed off to the satisfaction of all the parties interested. At night I went down to Mr. Cole's in his yawl [boat] to attend a party given by Mr. Cole in honor of Col. Denson & his bride they having just been married and the party might be considered as a bridle [sic] party or ball. I have received nothing as yet from home [Houston County]. I am still at John Booths. Weather clear & very hot. Ther: 91°.

Tuesday, June 20th, 1865

To day I wrote a letter to W.P. Leaverton at Crockett and enclosed one in it for my little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], urging her speedy departure from the mill to join me here. I am still at Booths. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 90°.

Monday, June 19th, 1865

To day will complete one month that I have been boarding with John Booth. Nothing as yet from home [Houston County]. Weather variable. Ther: 90°.

 

National Archives Safeguards Original ‘Juneteenth’ General Order

Sunday, June 18th, 1865

To day I am still at Booths waiting as patiently as possible under the circumstances. Nothing yet from home [Houston County] however. Weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 85°.

Saturday, June 17th, 1865

To day I remained at Booths where I am still staying. Nothing yet from my little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. Time is dragging very heavy. Weather cloudy and warm with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 80°.

Friday, June 16th, 1865

To day I am still at Booths. Capt. Harrison & I rode down to horse shoe lake fishing we had pretty fair luck. Nothing yet from home [Houston County]. Weather variable with a light shower of rain. Ther: 86°.

Thursday, June 15th, 1865

To day I am still at Booths. Capt. Harrison and I went out black berry picking. we had splendid success. Nothing further from home [Houston County], though I am daily expecting the arrival of my family. Weather variable & warm. Ther: 85°.

Wednesday, June 14th, 1865

To day I am still at Booths, and about as gloomy no man ever became. I have been so long from home [Houston County] that in reality I am becoming home sick, and my prayer is for the safe arrival of my family. Weather changeable & warm. Ther: 84°.

Tuesday, June 13th, 1865

To day I am still at Booths, and went out hunting with Capt. Harrison, in order to pass away the time, until my little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] comes down, which I hope will not be much longer. Weather cloudy & warm. Ther: 84°.

Monday, June 12th, 1865

To day I am still at Booth's and in order to pass the time I went out squirrel hunting with Capt. Harrison. we had tolerable success. Weather cloudy and warm with a very hard rain at night. Ther: 80°.

Sunday, June 11th, 1865

To day I am still at Booths. Time hanging very heavy on my hands. Weather cloudy & warm with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 80°.

Friday, June 9th, 1865

To day I went out hunting with Capt. Harrison & succeeded in killing a few. I am still at Booth's. I received a letter from home, which gave me much pleasure in learning that all were well. yet it produced some sorrow, that the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children had not as yet left to join me at this place. However, it will not be long before they come & I must be patient. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 90°.

Thursday, June 8th, 1865

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with Wrigley & Doland on board. they confirm the news that the Yankees has taken the Island into possession. I went hunting with Capt. Harrison but with poor success. I am still at Booths'. Nothing as yet from home. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 91°.

Wednesday, June 7th, 1865

To day the train arrived from Houston with the news that the yankee troops had reduced Galveston island into formal possession and were treating the Galvestonians with marked respect. I don't know how long this treatment will last. I am still at Booth's. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 90°.

Tuesday, June 6th, 1865

To day Lieut. Edwards left on the cars for Houston. I am still at Booth's and nothing as yet from home. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 90°.