Wednesday, October 26th, 1864

To day the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] in the buggy, Toby [Horace Oscar Hall], Bill, Wolf, Charlotte, Kate, Jemima, little Jo [Josephine Martha Hall] & myself left home in the little wagon bound for Barnes prairie in order to gather pecans. We drove to the Trinity River and camped on the bank for the night. Mr. & Mrs. Keen, Mrs. Moreland with Taylor & Charity were of the party. John & Hicks are at work storing the cotton. The latter ground 2 bushels of corn. Weather changeable and rather warm.

Sunday, April 5th, 1863

To day I went with the boys and run out the field tract of land. when I returned home I found Mr. Horn waiting to see me and to whom I paid in full for the Cotton I purchased at Mr. McElroys sale also for 15,000 lbs. seed Cotton I purchased at Moreland's sale. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] with the children drove my horse & buggy down to see Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is still quite sick. weather clear & pleasant.

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

Saturday, March 14th, 1863

To day I rode down to Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] to see my pet babe Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall]. The boys are at work splitting rails to fix up the fence around the lower field. My wagon is still hauling the Moreland cotton. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 20 bushels of corn. I finished sticking the peas. I also contracted with Mr. Dailey for about 80 Bales of cotton. weather changeable & pleasant, but rather windy.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa, and is Mahala's eldest living son.

Friday, March 13th, 1863

To day I rode my horse Gladiator home from Mr. Williams' and found Joseph Wright waiting to see me. I signed a note as security which note was executed by Joseph A. Wright, his wife, Janie Hail and myself for the sum of 3000$ Confederate Treasury Note and payable to James Collins. I also found my pet babe Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] had gone down to her Grand Mothers [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts]. My wagon is still hauling cotton from Moreland's to McElroy's gin. The other boys are still at work in the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 10 bushels of corn. In the evening I went to work sticking the peas. weather clear & pleasant.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa, and is Mahala's eldest son.

Thursday, March 12th, 1863

To day I rode my horse Gladiator up to the late residence of Mr. Moreland and had my wagon driven up after for the purpose of hauling the cotton I purchased there. I made arrangements with Mr. John A. Williams for the use of McElroy's gin & had the cotton hauled there. The team made one load. I remained all night with Mr. Williams. The boys are still at work in the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 20 bushels of corn. weather clear & pleasant.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Tuesday, March 10th, 1863

To day I rode my horse Ratler up to the late residence of Mr. Moreland to attend to the sale of his effects and while there I purchased all the seed cotton amounting to 14,859 lbs. I also learned where my horse Gladiator was at and after the sale I went home with Mr. Strother and got my horse and for his services in taking care of my horse I paid him 5$. I then led my horse home. Hicks returned home at night from his trip down to Daileys. The boys are at work in the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 2 bushels of corn. weather cloudy and cold, with hard showers of rain throughout the entire day. I returned thoroughly soaked with water.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.