Monday, July 30th, 1866

To day I worked at the warehouse. Dr. Tarleton, wife and child came over on the train from Houston, having determined to make Liberty their home. They put up at the hotel. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] missed the fever. Weather variable and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 92°.

Sunday, July 29th, 1866

To day I went to the warehouse and spent the forenoon reading. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] had another fever. Weather clear and very hot. Ther: 97° being one degree higher than on yesterday. At night a thunder storm came up, attended with rain, which cooled the air a little.

Saturday, July 28th, 1866

To day I drove up town in Company with Dr. Tarleton and introduced him to the Citizens of the place, after which he left on the train for Houston. I spent the evening at the warehouse. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] had a fever. Weather clear and very hot. Ther: 96° being the hottest day of the summer so far.

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°.

Sunday, July 22nd, 1866

To day we are all still in Houston and still at Mrs. Perkins. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] visited church and in the evening went around to see Mrs. Ruthven. I spent the day quite pleasantly. Weather clear & very hot. Ther: 91°.

Saturday, July 21st, 1866

To day I drove up town in Company with Col. Wrigley to attend a meeting of the board of aldermen for the City of Liberty, and while there was re-elected Mayor of said City for the ensuing year after which I returned home and drove in the buggy to the Rail Road depot with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall], Florence [Hall], Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] and negro woman Louisa and all their baggage, when we all left on the [rail]cars for Houston. Mrs. Buckley also went along with us. we arrived in Houston about 4 O'clk and put up with Mrs. Perkins. Expenses of the day 20$ specie. Weather changeable and hot with occasional showers of rain. 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°.

Thursday, July 19th, 1866

I spent nearly the whole of to day at the warehouse. Capt. Dawson came up and took dinner with me. I paid Dr. Coleman his medical bill for his attention to my sweet little babe [Josephine Martha Hall]. Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring] and Mrs. Buckley spent the day with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. Weather variable and hot, with a shower of rain in the evening. Ther: 89°

*Mrs. Beale is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog.

 

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°

Monday, July 16th, 1866

To day about dawn, I arrived in Houston and immediately left in an omnibus for the depot of the Texas and New Orleans Rail Road. we left the depot on the train at 9 O'Clock A.M. for Liberty. I arrived home at 4 O'Clock P.M. just in time to witness the death throes of my sweet little daughter Josephine Martha, who departed this life at 5½ O'Clock, and now reposes sweetly upon the bosom of her Savior. She died at the tender age of two years seven months and one day. The neighbors generally came in and bestowed upon my stricken family such consolation as they could under our heavy trial. Weather cloudy 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°.