Monday, September 10th, 1866

To day I remained at the warehouse during the forenoon. In the evening I drove up town and while there settled in full with J.D. Skinner up to this date. I also purchased a few articles for the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. Capt. Redman returned from his visit to the Country in a state of intoxication, and was rather quarrelsome & abusive. Hicks & Ned are at work getting fire wood. Weather cloudy and hot with occasional showers of rain.

Saturday, September 8th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. In the evening I drove up town in my buggy with my horse Charley working in order to try him. The boys finished chopping white oak blocks. Hicks went to [still?] and upon his return he had a hard chill & fever. Capt. Redman left on his pony and rode out in the Country and remained all night. Dr. Tarleton and wife are still here. Weather cloudy and hot with occasional showers of rain and a severe storm at night attended with a flood of rain.

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°.

Saturday, August 18th, 1866

To day I left Liberty on the cars for Houston in Company with Col. Wrigley and his family. We arrived in Houston safe and sound and put up with Mr. Perkins. I carried over with me $4000. in gold. Col. Wrigley's son John was sick all the way over. I am sorry to state that I drank too much brandy as medicine, to prevent the cholera which is now prevailing in Houston. Weather cloudy and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 88°.

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°.

Sunday, August 5th, 1866

To day in the forenoon I remained at home writing up this journal. In the evening Col. Wrigley and I attended the funeral of young Prescott Pickett, who was buried in the burial ground at Liberty. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. I am still suffering from the itch. Weather clear & hot : Ther : 94°.

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°.

Friday, August 3rd, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Capt. Redman is still with me. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town in the buggy after some articles. I am still afflicted with the itch. Hicks is still at work on the wagon shed. Weather cloudy & hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther : 86°.

Wednesday, August 1st, 1866

To day I was compelled to go up town in order to try Nat Holley for an assault & battery committed upon the person of Wm. Thomas. after hearing the evidence I found him guilty & entered a fine of 10$ & costs. Capt. John W. Redman is still here. Hicks is at work building a wagon shed. Weather vaiable and hot. Ther : 90°.

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°.

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°.

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°.

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°.

Wednesday, July 4th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Hicks still hauling lumber from the flat boats. Florence [aka Pet aka Fawn aka Florence Mahala Hall] had fever all day, indeed the fever has not cooled off of her since she contracted it. Col. Wrigley and the hands are still at work on the wood shop. I rode up town on the wagon to attend a meeting of the City Council. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 90°.

Tuesday, June 26th, 1866

To day I attended a meeting of the City Council at which we passed several sanitary ordinances in order to protect the citizens of Liberty against the small pox which disease is now prevalent in the City. In the evening George Gordon and Henry P. Angell came over from West Liberty having walked nearly the entire distance, and being pretty well broken down. Mr. Gordon stopped with Col. Wrigley and Mr. Angell put up with me. At night I attended a party at Col. Wrigley's residence which was quite a gay affair. We danced until about 3 O'clock in the morn. Every thing passing off to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. The hands are still at work on the salt shed. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 92°.