Saturday, November 28th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work in the woods splitting boards. John is still at work running tar. In the morning early the ground was covered with sleet and when I went down to the stables I found my horse Gladiator had seriously hurt himself some time during last night. he died about 10 o'clock a.m. from the injury, thus perished the finest horse that was in the County, and one that I had refused twelve hundred dollars for. Poor old horse let him die and he has now ended his labors on earth. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] is still improving with her arm. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 10 bushels of wheat and 1½ bushels of corn. I had the skin taken off of Gladiator, and intend keeping the same to remind me of him. I am at work painting Mr. Cox's sign. Weather clear and bitter cold, with a hard freeze at night the ice forming ½ in. thick in all the vessels that had water in them.

Saturday, September 19th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work hauling logs to build the corn crib. Sam Sharp rode my horse Gladiator and I drove my horse Rob and buggy to Crockett and back. while there I obtained my discharge from conscription as a Miller and Sam was also discharged as an Assistant Miller. Father [Joshua James Hall] and Roberta [Berta Downes Halyard nee Hall] came up and waited for our arrival from Crockett. After supper Father returned home. Burt however remained all night. Hicks ground 2 bushels of corn. weather changeable and rather cold for the time of the year.

Tuesday, September 15th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work chopping logs to build a corn crib. I drove my horse Rob and buggy to Crockett and back in order to be discharged from conscription but so far have failed. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode my horse Gladiator to Crockett for a like purpose as myself but he also failed. Hicks made a sand bolster for the wagon and also ground 4 bushels of corn. Ellen came up from Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and brought Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] home with her. James [James Wrigley Hall] had another chill and fever. Wolf is still improving and might be pronounced entirely well. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had turnip, raddish and mustard seeds sown. weather cloudy and warm with occasional showers of rain.

Sunday, September 6th, 1863

To day I had my horse Gladiator hitched to the buggy and started to Hall's bluff when he became frightened and ran away the buggy making a complete smash up of it in consequence of which I was compelled to return home. in the evening however I rode my horse Ratler down to Hall's bluff in company with Father [Joshua James Hall]. Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] was taken with a fever during my absence. weather clear and hot.

Friday, July 24th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work splitting rails to finish enclosing the mill field. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] & John missed their fevers and are recovering. My son James [James Wrigley Hall] is still sick and so is Jemima. I missed my chill & fever. the house does not look quite so gloomy as on yesterday. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] missed her fever and with a little care will soon recover. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] started on my horse Gladiator for Huntsville to attend to the procuring of some domestic from the Penitentiary. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & Roberta [Hall] came up to see the sick. Mother remained all night but Roberta went home. I ground 12 bushels of corn. weather changeable and hot with indications of rain. Ther: 96°.

Saturday, July 18th, 1863

To day the boys are at work picking peas. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode my horse Gladiator up to Mr. Dailey's and back. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and I went fishing with pretty fair success. Capt. Stufflefield came up and also went fishing. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] is still sick but I think slightly improving. I ground 3 bushels of corn. weather clear & warm. Ther: 88°.

Wednesday, June 24th, 1863

To day I stopped the boys from splitting rails to fix the fence around the little field in front of the house. John returned from Corley's gin with one load of cotton (7 bales). Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode Gladiator down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & back. I ground 31½ bushels of corn. weather cloudy & rainy nearly all day which gave us a good head in the mill pond. Ther: standing at 80°.

Monday, June 22nd, 1863

To day the boys commenced getting rails to finish enclosing the mill field. John lost the entire day hunting the oxen. Roberta [Hall] & Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] came up and spent the day. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] drove my horse (Gladiator) and buggy to Crockett and back, and while there got my boots that Mr. Zimmerman made for me. I ground 8½ bushels of corn. weather changeable and warm. Thermometer standing at 82°.

Sunday, June 14th, 1863

To day I drove my horse (Gladiator) and buggy down after Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts], who came up and spent the day with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. Roberta [Hall] & Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] also came up on Rat. I purchased from Dr. King his place near Mr. Keen's consisting of forty acres of land with the improvements thereon, for which I paid him 300$ and took his deed. weather clear and hot. Ther: standing at 90°.

Tuesday, May 19th, 1863

To day the boys are at work getting out boards for the wagons & preparing them for a trip to Liberty. John is still over at the black smith shop. I rode over to Mr. Keen's and purchased from him a yoke of oxen for which I paid $150. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 8 bushels of corn. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] rode my horse Gladiator down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and back. Sam & Frank Stewart went out hunting with a view of remaining out all night. weather clear & warm.

Monday, May 18th, 1863

To day the boys finished putting up the fence around the mill field also put up the posts & bars to the same. John drove the large wagon over to the shop to have it put in good running order. Frank Stewart rode my horse (Gladiator) up to Magnolia & back a distance of 44 miles to get some sugar for the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. he obtained 50 lbs. at 6¢ per lb. In the evening I drove my horse (Rob) and buggy down to Mother's & back. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 13 bushels of corn. weather clear & pleasant.

Friday, April 24th, 1863

To day the boys finished plowing the little field in front of the house. John is still at work hauling rails. Father [Joshua James Hall] & Capt. Stubblefield came up to see me. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Roberts] drove the horse (Gladiator) and buggy down to Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and back. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 13½ bushels of corn. weather changeable and warm.

 *This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa, and is Mahala's son.

Friday, April 17th, 1863

To day the boys are at work completing the fence and in putting up posts & bars at the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode my horse Gladiator out cow hunting and also carried Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] home who had been staying here for the last several days. I ground 40 bushels of corn. weather changeable & warm with indications of rain.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Wednesday, March 25th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work fixing up the fence around the lower field. I had all the horses turned out but Gladiator attempted to run away. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] followed him and overtook and led him back. he succeeded in getting off about 4 miles. I rode down to see Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is still confined to her bed. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is engaged working in the garden. Sam ground 17 bushels of corn. weather clear & pleasant.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma, and is Sam's mother. She is also the mother-in-law as well as the step-mother of JMH.

Friday, March 20th, 1863

To day the boys are still splitting rails at the lower field. John is still up at John Williams' hauling cotton to the gin. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 42 bushels of corn. I paid T.R. Dailey for 21 bales of cotton, weighing 9279 lbs. also for 15,000 lbs of lint cotton. I drove my horse Gladiator & the buggy to Crockett in order to carry Margaret Hall home. while in Crockett I purchased some cow bells 4 in number. I also sold my office in town to Mr. Downes for the sum of $1200. I also sold to Mr. Harlan my yoke of steers running up at Parkers for the sum of 50$. weather clear & pleasant.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. He is also the brother-in-law as well as the step-brother of JMH.

Thursday, March 19th, 1863

To day the boys are still splitting rails at the lower field. John is still up at John Williams' hauling cotton to the gin. I drove my horse Gladiator and the buggy to Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & back six times in order to carry The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and the children down there visiting. I went fishing with Frank Stewart. we had very poor success. Mr. Dailey's wagon hauled 6 more bales of cotton. The mill done no grinding. weather changeable & warm with strong prospects of rain.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Nellie is a 2nd great-grandma, and is Mahala's daughter-in-law.

Friday, March 13th, 1863

To day I rode my horse Gladiator home from Mr. Williams' and found Joseph Wright waiting to see me. I signed a note as security which note was executed by Joseph A. Wright, his wife, Janie Hail and myself for the sum of 3000$ Confederate Treasury Note and payable to James Collins. I also found my pet babe Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] had gone down to her Grand Mothers [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts]. My wagon is still hauling cotton from Moreland's to McElroy's gin. The other boys are still at work in the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 10 bushels of corn. In the evening I went to work sticking the peas. weather clear & pleasant.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa, and is Mahala's eldest son.

Thursday, March 12th, 1863

To day I rode my horse Gladiator up to the late residence of Mr. Moreland and had my wagon driven up after for the purpose of hauling the cotton I purchased there. I made arrangements with Mr. John A. Williams for the use of McElroy's gin & had the cotton hauled there. The team made one load. I remained all night with Mr. Williams. The boys are still at work in the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 20 bushels of corn. weather clear & pleasant.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Tuesday, March 10th, 1863

To day I rode my horse Ratler up to the late residence of Mr. Moreland to attend to the sale of his effects and while there I purchased all the seed cotton amounting to 14,859 lbs. I also learned where my horse Gladiator was at and after the sale I went home with Mr. Strother and got my horse and for his services in taking care of my horse I paid him 5$. I then led my horse home. Hicks returned home at night from his trip down to Daileys. The boys are at work in the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 2 bushels of corn. weather cloudy and cold, with hard showers of rain throughout the entire day. I returned thoroughly soaked with water.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Monday, March 9th, 1863

To day I sent Hicks in company with Captain Rose as far as the residence of my old friend Dan Dailey's in hunt of my horse Gladiator. I am still engaged in fitting up the rooms about the house. The boys commenced working at the lower field in chopping & burning logs. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground one bushel of corn. weather cloudy & cold with strong prospects of rain.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.