Thursday, September 6th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Ed. Jones left on the cars for Houston in order to procure some painting materials for Col. Wrigley's house. Hicks is at work hauling fire wood. Dr. Tarleton & wife are now making preparations to leave my house & may God speed them. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. Weather cloudy and hot with occasional showers of rain.

Thursday, August 16th, 1866

To day during the forenoon I worked at the warehouse. In the evening I worked on the glass border assisted by Ed. Smith. Hicks finished the wagon shed. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. Ed. Jones has recovered from his illness. Weather variable and hot, with a hard thunder storm & rain. Ther : 95°.

Wednesday, August 15th, 1866

To day during the forenoon I worked at the warehouse. In the evening I worked on the border leading from the gate to the front steps with glass bottles. Ed. Smith still assisting and Hicks is at work on the wagon shed. Capt. John W. Redman returned from his visit to the Country and put up with me. Ed. Jones is still sick. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 90°.

Tuesday, August 14th, 1866

To day I worked at the warehouse. Mrs. James Wrigley left on the train for Houston. Capt. John W. Redman rode out in the Country after dinner and remained all night. Hicks is at work on the wagon shed. In the evening I commenced a border leading from the front gate to the house made with glass bottles. I was assisted by Ed. Smith. Ed. Jones is quite sick. Weather clear and hot. Ther : 92°.

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°.

Saturday, August 4th, 1866

To day in the forenoon I worked at the warehouse. In the evening I drove up town in company with Col. Wrigley to attend the meeting of the City Counsil. Ed. Jones and Grand Ma Gayle left on the [rail]cars for Houston. Capt. John W. Redmond is still with me. Prescott Pickett the son of Col. E.B. Pickett departed this life, aged about 17 years. Weather cloudy and hot. Ther : 87°.

Wednesday, July 18th, 1866

To day I drove up town in my buggy and while the[re] paid the funeral expenses of my sweet little angel Josephine Martha, which amounted to 55$ in gold. I then drove to the warehouse but did not remain long, being in no condition to attend to business. My little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is still suffering great agony for our sad bereavement. Edward Jones arrived on the [rail]cars from Houston and brough[t] me a large piece of ice, which is quite refreshing this hot weather. Mrs. Buckley came over and spent the evening with the little woman giving her all the Consolation in her power. Weather variable and hot. Ther: 90°.

Tuesday, July 17th, 1866

To day my poor wife [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is indeed a sorrow stricken and almost heart broken woman, for the loss of our sweet little angel Josephine Martha. I performed the last sad rite for her little remains and had them interred in the burial ground at Liberty there to remain until her God shall call her again to meet him in the great day of accounts. My sweet little babe, may she rest peacefully in the bosom of her God, and may this sad bereavement be for our future good. Edward Jones left on the [rail]cars for Houston. Weather Cloudy and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 86°

Thursday, July 5th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Florence [Hall] still has fever. Col. Wrigley and hands are still at work on the wood shop. Hicks still hauling lumber from the flat boats. At night I loaned my horse and buggy to Ed. Jones to attend a wedding up town between Mr. Thompson & Miss Beacher. Weather cloudy & hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther : 88°.

Friday, June 15th, 1866

To day I worked at the warehouse. Ed. Jones arrived from Houston on the Cars, bringing an umbrella & some other things for me. I sent my buggy down to the shop for some repairs. I am still suffering with my cough. Hicks is engaged hauling. Weather Cloudy & hot with a hard gale at night. Ther : 89°

Monday, June 11th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Hicks & Steve are engaged hauling shingles from the [rail]cars. The Str. Royal Arch arrived from Galveston and by her I received a barrel of ice to cool the parched tongue. Ed. Jones took dinner with me. My Cough & itch is but little if any better. Weather variable and hot : Ther : 88°.

Sunday, June 10th, 1866

To day I spent at home writing up this journal. Ed. Jones and Capt. Dawson came and spent the forenoon with me. I am still suffering with the itch and cough. Weather changeable and hot. Ther : 86°

Monday, June 4th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Hicks & Steve are hauling sand to fill up the blacksmith shop. I am still suffering with the cough & itch. at night the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had a magnificent oyster supper, to which she invited Col. Wrigley & family, Mr. & Mrs. Trowell, Ed.Jones, Mrs. Buckley, and various others. The affair passed off very pleasantly, and to the general satisfaction of all. Weather variable and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther 86°.

Friday, June 1st, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Hicks & Steve are still hauling salt & finished removing the same. The steamer Indian No. 2 arrived from Galveston bound up the [Trinity] river, after taking on board 100 sacks salt, she proceeded on her voyage. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] & I are still sorely afflicted with the itch. As this is the first day of summer I begin to note the state of the thermometer as I have heretofore kept it. Ed. Jones arrived from Galveston on the steamer Indian No. 2. Weather variable and hot: Ther: 86°.

Wednesday, May 9th, 1866

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. The steamer Royal Arch left for Galveston. I am again attacked with the sore throat. The itch is still severe and between the two I am suffering greatly. Ed. Jones arrived home from West Liberty. The children are all well except Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall], who still suffers from her nervous affection. Weather cloudy with rain nearly all day and night and very cold for the season.

Tuesday, May 8th, 1866

To day I am busy at the warehouse loading the steamer Royal Arch. Ed. Jones left on the cars for West Liberty. Capt. John Redmond is still at work painting my house. The children are all recovering. I am still afflicted with the itch. I paid P. ? $12.20 on a/c of beef. Weather cloudy & cold with a hard rain all the evening.

Monday, May 7th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. The Str. Royal Arch arrived from Galveston. I received by her 1 keg lard and 1 pair of buggy shafts. Ed. Jones arrived from Houston on the train and by him I received a set of wagon and a set of buggy harness. I am still afflicted with the itch. The children are still improving. Capt. John Redmond is still at work painting my house. Weather cloudy and warm, with indications of rain. 

Friday, May 4th, 1866

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. The Str. Emery passed down the [Trinity] river with a full load of Cotton. James Wrigley is Considerably brused up by his fall from the wagon in the run away scrape last evening. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] and Josephine [Mahala Hall] are still recovering slowly from the measles. Capt. John W. Redmond is still with me. Ed. Jones left for Houston on horse back. Weather variable and warm. 

Tuesday, May 1st, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. The Str. Royal Arch left for Galveston with Maj. Bolling on board and to whom I loaned 2 wagon sheets for the purpose of making an awning. The articles purchased by Ed. Jones for me, viz: The clothing & harness, cost me $113 specie. Col. Wrigley is still sick. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall], Joe and Conney are still sick with measles. Florence [Mahala Hall] and Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] are recovering a little. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] hired a negro woman by the name of Winney to do her cooking & house work generally for which I am to pay her 10$ per month. Mrs. Stanwood spent the evening with us. Capt. John W. Redmond arrived from Sour Lake and stopped with me. he rode down to Frank Redmonds & spent the night. Weather variable and pleasant.

Monday, April 30th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. The Steamer Royal Arch is loading with cotton. I had a full settlement with Maj. Bolling and paid in full up to date. I received some few groceries, harness &c. by the Royal Arch. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall], Joe & Conney are still sick with measles. Florence [Mahala Hall] and Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] are recovering very fast. I am sorely afflicted with the itch, which has broken out on me again. Col. Wrigley and Ed. Jones arrived from Houston on the train. The former quite sick. The latter brought me three suits of summer clothing. Weather clear & warm. Thus I close my notes for the month of April.