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.

Sunday, September 2nd, 1866

To day I remained at home writing up this note book. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] had a chill and fever. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. Capt. Dawson and wife came up and spent the day with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. Weather clear and hot.

Saturday, September 1st, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Ned Smith worked part of the day assisting Hicks to pull the corn out of the little patch. Capt. Redman is still with me & is still quite sick. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] missed the fever. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town and purchased a few articles. Dr. Tarleton & family are still with me. Weather clear and hot.

Sunday, August 26th, 1866

To day I remained at home writing up this journal. Late in the evening the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and I visited Grand Ma Gayle. Weather cloudy and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 82°.

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°.

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°.

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°.

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°.

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°

Thursday, June 7th, 1866

The forenoon of to day, I worked at the warehouse. In the evening I remained at home & painted one shutter, after which I had another fever in addition to my other diseasements. Hicks hauled bricks and sand to the black smith shop. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] hired a negro woman by the name of Ann, incumbered with two children. for her services as cook in addition to supporting her two children, she is to receive six dollars per month in specie, thus relieving the little woman from cooking. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 88°.

 

Wednesday, June 6th, 1866

To day Col. Wrigley, Mrs. Wrigley, Lelea, the babe & servant all left on the Str. Royal Arch in route for Galveston. I worked all the forenoon at the warehouse. In the evening I was confined at home with the fever, in addition to all my other ailments. Hicks hauled all day for Capt. Dawson. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is still cooking and has been doing her own house work since the 1st inst. Weather cloudy & hot: Ther : 96°.

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, May 18th, 1866

To day the steamer Indian No. 2 arrived from the upper [Trinity] river, with Capt. Thomas Stubblefield on board. he brought several packages and letters from Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] to the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. The Sheriff arrested negro man Henry off of said steamer for theft at my in[si]stance. The Str. Indian No. 2 left for Galveston. Col. Wrigley arrived on the cars from Houston. In the evening I prosecuted the negro boy Henry for theft & succeeded in binding him over to the District Court. I loaned Asa Abshear 10$ to pay Mrs. Stanwood a medical bill. Capt. John W. Redmond is still at work painting the house. Weather clear and pleasant.

Thursday, May 17th, 1866

The forenoon of day I spent at the warehouse. The evening I spent at home glazing the sash door. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] walked up town. Capt. John W. Redmond is still at work painting the house. I am quite sick. Weather clear and pleasant.

Monday, May 14th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Grand Ma Gayle and Ida arrived from Houston bringing the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] some drapes. George and Montgomery finished breaking up one flat boat. Hicks worked in the garden. I am still afflicted with sore throat & itch. Weather clear & warm.