Wednesday, August 29th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] broke the tongue of his buggy. Mrs. John Wrigley arrived on the cars from Houston and reported that Col. Wrigley, Lelia & John left Galveston on Saturday the 26th inst. in route for New York. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me also Dr. Tarleton & family. Hicks made one load in the woods after white oak blocks. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] had a chill and fever. Weather variable and hot. Ther: 84°.

Wednesday, August 22nd, 1866

To day at 7½ O'Clock A.M. I arrived at Houston and immediately took a carriage for the rail road depot and arrived in time for the train for Liberty. I arrived in Liberty at 12 O'Clock M. and found my family all well. I also found Capt. John W. Redman still living at my house. I hired Ned Smith a freedman to work for me one month for which I am to pay him 20$ he losing all lost time. Weather variable & hot. Ther : 84°.

Tuesday, August 21st, 1866

To day I am still in Galveston. I deposited with Messrs. J.C. & S.R. Smith & Co. the sum of 3000$ in gold, subject to the order of myself or Col. James Wrigley. In the evening I left Galveston on the Steamer Era No. 3 bound for Liberty, having left Col. Wrigley in Galveston. I had a pleasant trip across the bay & up Buffalo bayou, and met many old acquaintances on board of the Steamer. Weather variable & hot. Ther: 84°.

Monday, August 20th, 1866

To day I left Houston in company with Col. Wrigley on the Cars bound for Galveston, at which place we arrived about 6½ O'Clock P.M. and took rooms at the Washington Hotel. Weather variable and hot. Ther: 83°.

Thursday, August 19th, 1866

To day we were compelled to remain in Houston there being no communication between Houston & Galveston on sunday. Col. Wrigley's son John and daughter Corinne are both quite sick. Weather cloudy and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 88°.

Friday, August 17th, 1866

To day I worked at the warehouse. Col. Wrigley and family arrived on the cars from Houston. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. I received by the cars my horse Charley which I purchased when I was last in Galveston and for which I paid 250$ besides the stall and expense bills which amounted to $31.50. Weather cloudy & hot with a hard rain in the evening. Ther: 90°.

Friday, August 10th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Col. Wrigley left the warehouse sick and is now confined at his home. Ed. Jones and Grand Ma Gayle arrived on the cars from Houston & Galveston and report the Cholera prevailing at the latter City. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. Hicks is better and worked a little on the wagon shed. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 92°.

Monday, August 6th, 1866

To day I went up town and held an election for seven trustees or alderman for the Corporation of the City of Liberty. The time of the old board having expired. At which said election I was again re-elected one of the Alderman. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. I received from Galveston by the way of Houston the little monument purchased by the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and to be erected over the grave of my sweet little babe Josephine Martha. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 96°.

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°.

Thursday, July 26th, 1866

To day we all left Galveston in route for home, and arrived in Houston about 10½ O'Clock A.M. and put up at the Eldorado Hotel. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] went out shopping and purchased a few articles. Weather variable and very hot. Ther : 92°.

Wednesday, July 25th, 1866

To day we are still in Galveston and stopping at Capt. Peacock's. In the evening I purchased a match horse for Rob for which I paid 250$. I drove out to the beach with Capt. Peacock in order to try my new horse Charley. The transport Clinton arrived in port with several cases of cholera on board. Weather variable & hot. Ther: 91°.

 

Tuesday, July 24th, 1866

To day we left the hotel, and moved our quarters to the residence of Capt. Peacock who agreed to board my family during their stay in the Island City. I hired a hack and went with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and children down the beach. we had quite a pleasant drive. The little woman purchased a nice little Italian marble monument to be placed over the grave of my sweet little babe Josephine. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 91°.

Monday, July 23rd, 1866

To day we all left Houston by the Rail Road and had a pleasant run to Galveston, at which place we arrived all safe at 7 O'Clock P.M. and took rooms at the Washington Hotel except Mrs. Buckley who put up with Maj. Bollings family. Expenses of the day 24$ in specie. Weather clear and hot. Ther : 90°.

Friday, July 20th, 1866

To day Col. Wrigley and Grand Ma Gayle arrived on the [rail]cars from Houston all well. I worked a little at the warehouse. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is fixing up her clothing to visit Houston & Galveston. Weather variable and hot, with occasional showers of rain. Ther : 90°.

Sunday, July 15th, 1866

To day I left Galveston on the Steamer Era No. 3 in route for Liberty, having left Col. Wrigley in Galveston. We had a pleasant run across the bay and up the bayou. Weather cloudy & warm, with occasional showers of rain. Expenses 6$. Ther 88°.

Saturday, July 14th, 1866

To day Col. Wrigley & I are still in Galveston. I finished purchasing what articles I needed at home [in Liberty County]. We then attended to business generally. Weather cloudy and hot with rain throughout the entire day. Ther : 86°.

Friday, July 13th, 1866

To day Col. Wrigley and I are still in Galveston and still stopping at the Washington Hotel. I purchased several articles for home. In the evening I drove out on the beach in company with Dr. Stanwood, who told me of all his domestic difficulties. I also attended a party at Dr. Stanwood's residence at night in company with Col. Wrigley which passed off pleasantly. Weather cloudy & hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther : 88°.

Thursday, July 12th, 1866

To day we left the mouth of the Trinity River and after a boisterous run across the bay, we arrived at Galveston, at which place I found Col. Wrigley. We put up at the Washington Hotel. Weather cloudy & hot. Ther : 86°.

Wednesday, July 11th, 1866

To day we left Pipkin's place, and after a hard and boisterous run, we succeeded in reaching the mouth of the [Trinity] river, a distance of 12 miles, where we came to Anchor for the night, and had magnificient exercise fighting mosquitoes the whole night. Weather cloudy and warm with rain throughout the day. Ther : 86°.

Tuesday, July 10th, 1866

To day after bidding all the loved ones at home good bye, I left Liberty on the steamer Royal Arch in route for Galveston. we run down as far as walnut bluff and there got aground where we remained two hours. after getting off we run down to Pipkins place and there tied up for the night. Weather cloudy and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 88°.