Friday, July 27th, 1866

To day we all left Houston on the Texas & N. Orleans Rail road in route for Liberty, and arrived home about 12 O'Clock M. Dr. Tarleton came over with me upon a tour of inspection. Col. Wrigley and family I found all well. I also found the steamer Col. Stell lying at the wharf but she left in the evening for Galveston. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 92°.

Sunday, June 17th, 1866

To day Capt. Dawson and family spent the day with us. The Steamers A.S. Ruthven and Col. Stell passed down the [Trinity] river bound for Galveston. I am still suffering with the itch and cough. Weather cloudy and cool for the season with a north wind blowing. Ther : 80°.

Saturday, May 26th, 1866

To day I worked at the warehouse. Hicks & Steve are at work hauling Cotton from the [rail]cars. The steamer Ruthven came down the river with all the crew of the steamer Col. Stell on board, the latter named boat having been seized by the government while up the river. My old friend John B. Zimmerman came down on the Ruthven and I loaned him 25$ gold which he promised to return as he goes back home, or to deposit the same at Galveston to my credit with Messrs. Bolling, Spooner, & Co. The Ruthven left for Galveston loaded with cotton. Capt. Redmond is still here. Weather variable and warm with light showers of rain.

Galveston City Directory, 1866-1867

Saturday, May 12th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. The Steamer Col. Stell arrived from Galveston bound up the [Trinity] river. I received by her one Bbl ale. I purchased from G.T. Hanks one gray horse 9 years old for which I paid him $115. I am still suffering with the itch & sore throat. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] had another fever. Capt. Redmond finished painting the priming coat upon all the exterior portion of my house except the door & window blinds. Weather variable and warm.

Thursday, May 3rd, 1866

To day I am engaged at work at the warehouse. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] and Josephine [Martha Hall] recovering from the measles. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] & Florence [Mahala Hall] are about well. The Steamer Col. Stell came down the [Trinity] river with 300 bales of Cotton on board and reports the river falling. she proceeded on her voyage to Galveston. The Steamer Kate arrived from Galveston with some freight on board which we stored except one load, which Col. Wrigley attempted to haul to town, but his horses became frightened and run off with the wagon doing considerable damage to the wagon, breaking up the harness and damaging the load of flour. Capt. John W. Redmond is still with me. Weather variable and warm.

 

Saturday, April 21st, 1866

To day I was compelled to work at the warehouse. Florence [Mahala Hall] is still sick with the measles, but improving a little. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] still sick. The Steamer Col. Stell failed to get through the raft on yesterday as stated but succeeded on to day, and left for the upper [Trinity] river about 10 a.m. The river still falling. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] still cooking. Weather variable and cool. 

Friday, April 20th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Florence [Mahala Hall] is still sick with the measles. Dr. Shelby called to see her. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] is still sick. The steamer Col. Stell arrived from Galveston with full freight and left for the up river. The [Trinity] river is falling a little. Weather variable & cool with showers of rain. 

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, March 15th, 1866

To day I am engaged at the Warehouse making out bills of lading and shipping freight. Hicks is engaged hauling. Mrs. Massie is still here. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] about the same, although able to go to school. The Steamer Col. Stell which has been lying here for some time left for the up river there now being a sufficient swell in the [Trinity] river to let her proceed. My cough is greatly improved. Weather variable and cool with a keen North wind blowing.

Tuesday, February 27th, 1866

To day I finished papering the school house for Col. Wrigley. I drove up town and settled in full with Mr. Baldwin & Dr. Rives. Hicks & Albert are working in the garden. My cough & cold are no better. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] still afflicted with sore eyes. Frank [Stewart] still confined to his bed. I purchased from the Str. Col. Stell which is still here one Barrel of irish potatoes for which I paid 5$ specie. Weather clear & pleasant. Mrs. Massie still here.

Sunday, February 25th, 1866

To day I am confined to my room. Hicks and Albert are engaged in setting out peach trees. Frank [Stewart] is still confined to his bed. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children are still suffering with sore eyes. Mrs. Massie still here. The Str. Col. Stell still lying at the landing and the Str. Indian No. 2 still lying at the wood yard. Weather clear and pleasant.

Saturday, February 24th, 1866

The forenoon of to day I worked at the warehouse and the evening I spent at home. I got from Col. Wrigley 100 peach trees and 2 bales of hay. The steamer Col. Stell arrived from Galveston bound up the river. The Steamer Indian No. 2 took on some freight and dropped down the river to the wood yard. Frank [Stewart] is still confined to his room. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children are still suffering with sore eyes. At night I sent for Dr. Shelby to visit me professionally. He came and administered some medicine for my Cough which is no better. Mrs. Massie is still here. Negro Henry's wife came over for him on the ? in order to be near her husband. Weather clear & cold.

Tuesday, February 6th, 1866

To day I worked at the warehouse, although suffering severely with the Cough and sore throat. The steamers Indian No. 2 & Col. Stell left for Galveston. Frank [Stewart] and Burta [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] are still quite sick. Fannie is again up. Weather cloudy and cold with occasional showers of rain.

Monday, February 5th, 1866

To day the Steamers Indian No. 2 and Col. Stell came up to the landing from Walnut bluff and commenced discharging their freight. I walked down to the Warehouse and made out the bills of ladings for 52 bales of Cotton, although I am quite feeble and suffering severely with a Cough and sore throat. Frank [Stewart] and Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] are still very sick. Fannie is beter. Weather cloudy and cold with rain throughout the entire day. 

Friday, February 4th, 1866

To day I remained at home in consequence of my Cold, Cough and sore throat which does not seem to improve any. Frank [Stewart] & Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] & Fannie are all sick. The Steamers Indian No. 2 and Col. Stell arrived at Walnut bluff from Galveston. Weather cloudy and cold with drizzling rain.

Sunday, November 12th, 1865

To day I was compelled to work hard at the ware house. The Steamer Col. Stell left for Galveston. The Steamer Sunflower arrived from Galveston with a considerable cargo on board, the most of which we stored in the warehouse. We turned out for the Steamer Sunflower 280 bales of cotton. Frank Stewart is still quite sick. My son Jimmy had a chill and fever. Ed. Jones is much better. Fannie has entirely recovered. Weather cloudy and warm with a very hard rain at night.

Saturday, November 11, 1865

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. The Steamer Col. Stell arrived from Galveston, we loaded her with 184 bales of Cotton. Ed. Jones returned from Beaumont sick & is confined to his bed. Hicks hauled 2 loads of wood. Negro boy Stephen had a chill and fever. Frank Stewart is still quite sick. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town and paid Messrs. Fontaine & Co. 15$ on my account and $8. on a/c of Billy Stewart, it being the full amounts which we owed them, for some clothing. Weather variable and pleasant.

Saturday, August 12th, 1865

To day I drove up to the cars in company with Col. Jim Wrigley, and waited until the Beaumont train arrived. Negro man Charley went to the mill for me & carried 2½ bushels of corn. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had another fever. Jemima also had another fever. Wolf was taken sick with fever and in consequence I became my own ?. The Steamer Col. Stell left for Galveston. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 92°.

Thursday, August 10th, 1865

To day the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] missed her chill and fever, so did Jemima. Fannie and Florence again missed their fevers and are well for this spell. I owe Mr. Jackson for 60 lbs of beef at 4¢ which includes the 20 lbs I got this day. The Steamer Col Stell arrived from Galveston. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 93°.