Friday, September 29th, 1865

To day my freedwoman Jemima and old Elsey left me, in route for Galveston, thus leaving me without a servant and forcing the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] into the kitchen to perform her own household work. I assisted around the house generally. I received a pair of shoes which Charles Lund purchased for me in New Orleans for which he paid $3⁵⁰ and which amt. I still owe him. James Wrigley and Mrs. Perkins arrived on the train from Houston. Weather changeable and warm with occasional [showers] of rain.

Sunday, August 13th, 1865

To day the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had another fever, so also did Jemima, Key and Conney. I remained in the house to wait upon the sick, and am engaged in the intervals in writing up this journal. Mr. & Mrs. Wrigley came over and spent the evening with the little woman. Weather clear and hot. Ther: 92°.

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°.

Wednesday, August 9th, 1865

To day the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had a chill and fever. Jemima was also taken with fever. Fannie and Florence missed their fevers. I remained at home, to attend and wait upon the sick. Weather variable & very hot. Ther: 94°.

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°.

Wednesday, July 19th, 1865

To day I pulled about 20 bundles of fodder. I let Jemima go down the river on the Steamer Lone Star to see her Mother. Jimmy is still sick. The Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston. Weather variable and hot with a rain at night. Ther: 90°.

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°.

Wednesday, October 26th, 1864

To day the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] in the buggy, Toby [Horace Oscar Hall], Bill, Wolf, Charlotte, Kate, Jemima, little Jo [Josephine Martha Hall] & myself left home in the little wagon bound for Barnes prairie in order to gather pecans. We drove to the Trinity River and camped on the bank for the night. Mr. & Mrs. Keen, Mrs. Moreland with Taylor & Charity were of the party. John & Hicks are at work storing the cotton. The latter ground 2 bushels of corn. Weather changeable and rather warm.

Friday, September 23rd, 1864

To day I sent the boys after some timber to make a wagon bed. I am engaged in weaving and finished the surcingles. I then warped and beamed and drew in a set of bridle reins, and commenced weaving them. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] are both better. Jemima was taken with another congestive chill. Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] still here. Hicks ground 2 bushels of corn. Weather variable, windy and very hot. Ther: 94°.

Wednesday, August 17th, 1864

To day the boys are at work in the field stocking fodder. Jemima again missed the chill. Rachael left for home. I rode over to Mr. Keen's to see the old gentleman who is sick and confined to his house. Weather cloudy & hot with light sprinkling showers of rain. Ther: 90°.

Tuesday, August 16th, 1864

To day the boys are busy saving the beef. Dr. Murchison came to see Jemima. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] also came up. Rachael is still here. Jemima missed her chill. Florence [Florence Mahala Hall] also missed her fever. Mrs. Keen, Mother & Dr. Murchison all left for their homes. Weather variable & very hot. Ther: 94°.

Monday, August 15th, 1864

To day the boys are engaged in killing and saving a beef. To my great detriment my little wagon was sent to Crockett, which prevented me from getting my beef until nearly night. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] rode down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & spent the day. Florence [Florence Mahala Hall] still has fever. Jemima was taken with a congestive chill which lasted about two hours. Mrs. Keen & Rachael came up and remained all night. Weather clear & very hot. Ther: 94°.

Saturday, August 22nd, 1863

To day the boys finished pulling fodder and hay in the bottom field. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went out hunting with poor success. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up in the evening but did not remain long. I ground 12 bushels of corn. Jemima missed her fever & is now recovering. weather changeable and hot. Ther: 92°.

Thursday, August 20th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work in the bottom field pulling hay. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode my horse Rob to Crockett and remained there for the night. I am engaged thrashing peas. Bill is recovering from his sickness. Jemima was taken with fever and so it goes as soon as one is well another is taken down. In consequence of the low stage of water the mill could not grind. weather changeable and warm with indications of rain. Ther: 88°.

Friday, August 7th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work pulling fodder in the lower field. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] and Conny missed their fevers and are now up. Jemima has entirely recovered. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sarp] had another chill and fever. The little Major [James Hall "Major" Sharp] was taken with the fever. Father [Joshua James Hall] stopped in for dinner as he returned home from Crockett. Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] and Ellen came up and remained all night. The water is still too low in the pond to grind. weather cloudy and rather cool for the season with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 80°.

Thursday, August 6th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work pulling fodder in the lower field. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] & Conny are still sick. Jemima missed the fever and is recovering. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had another chill and fever. In consequence of the low stage of water in the mill pond I was unable to grind my corn. weather changeable & rather cool for the season. Ther: 76°.

Wednesday, August 5th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work pulling fodder in the lower field. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall], Conny and Jemima are still sick. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had a hard ague and fever. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up and spent the day with us. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went fishing but with rather poor success. I ground 6 bushels of corn. weather changeable with a light shower of rain. Ther: 90°.

Tuesday, August 4th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work pulling fodder in the lower field. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall], Conney & Jemima are still sick. In the evening Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went fishing and had very good success, having caught eight fine large trout weighing from 1½ to 5 lbs. I ground 2½ bushels of corn. weather changeable and hot with indications of rain. Ther: 92°.

Monday, August 3rd, 1863

To day the boys are still at work pulling fodder in the lower field. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall], Conny and Jemima are still sick. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I went up and attended the general election for State officers and remained there nearly the whole day. Be it remembered that I voted for T.J. Chambers for Governor, because I am opposed to all those who advocate Military necessity as paramount to the Constitution and laws of the land. Father [Joshua James Hall] came home with me from the election but did not remain long. I sold George Brashears a pair of wool cards for 30$ just think of such a price hereafter. In consequence of the low water I was unable to grind any corn. weather clear & hot. Ther: 93°.