Monday, January 1st, 1866

To day I commence my notes of events that may daily happen immediately around me during the current year. These notes are not intended to be of any service to any one except myself as a book of reference and to my family as a faithful exposition of my daily transactions. 

I formed & entered into a copartnership with James Wrigley to carry on in the town of Liberty a general Commission and Warehouse business. The Steamer Kate & Sloop Luna left for Galveston. 

The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had a fine new year's dinner which reflected great credit upon her art as a house Keeper. I entered into a Contract with negro man Albert to work for the year at 15$ per month with board, he furnishing a negro woman to cook. I also employed my old servant Hicks for the year at 10$ per month. Weather cloudy & cold with incessant rain throughout the entire day.

from 1866 & 1867 issues of the

Galveston Flakes Daily Bulletin

Sunday, December 31st, 1865

To day I am engaged in making out bills of lading for the Steamer Kate & Sloop Luna, both of said boats are still here. Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring] came over and spent the day. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] had another chill and fever. Frank [Stewart] is still improving. Weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain. 

Thus I close my notes for the month of December and for the year 1865, which has just passed and gone and now remembered with the things that were. Whether the Almighty wll spare me to record the daily events of things passing around me for the incoming year is more than mortal man can know but trusting in his goodness and mercy I shall enter upon the pleasing task which to me is useful as a book of reference and may here after be profitable to those who have an interest in my affairs.

The Galveston Daily News

Houston, Sunday, December 31, 1865

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

Saturday, December 30th, 1865

To day I am still at work at the storehouse. The steamer Kate & sloop Luna arrived from Galveston with a small freight. I shipped by the Steamer Kate 71 beef hides & 9 B/C [bales of cotton]. I then drove up town to attend a meeting of the citizens to raise a police guard, but it all ended in smoke. ? finished splitting up my wood and I paid him $2⁵⁰ specie for his labor. Weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain.

Monday, December 25th, 1865

To day I am very busy at the ware house loading the steamer Kate & sloop Luna. we put 135 B/C on them when they left for Galveston. The only thing I had in way of Christmas festivities was a first rate dinner which was gotten up in the little woman's [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] happy style. Weather variable and warm, for the season, with occasional showers of rain.

Saturday, December 23rd, 1865

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. The Steamer Kate & Sloop Luna arrived from Galveston and brought me a barrel of oysters. I discharged the Steamer and made out all her freight bills. Weather cloudy & cold with occasional showers of rain throughout the rain [sic, i.e., night].

Monday, December 11th, 1865

To day I worked at the warehouse & assisted in loading the Str. Kate & Sloop Luna. we put 126 Bales of Cotton on them, and they left for Galveston. At night I drove up town, with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], to the residence of Pryor Bryan, to witness the marriage ceremony of Mr. W.D. Williams and Miss Laura Bryan. After which the Company took up the line of march to the old City Hotel, where they touched the "light fantastic toe" until the "wee sma" hours of the morn. Weather cloudy & rather warm, with indications of rain.

Sunday, December 10th, 1865

All the forenoon of to day I worked at the ware house. In the evening the propeller Kate and sloop Luna arrived from Galveston with considerable freight. I received by the Kate one barrel of flour and 35$ in specie due me from Charles C. Lund. Weather variable and pleasant.