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°

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°.

 

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.

Tuesday, May 1st, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. The Str. Royal Arch left for Galveston with Maj. Bolling on board and to whom I loaned 2 wagon sheets for the purpose of making an awning. The articles purchased by Ed. Jones for me, viz: The clothing & harness, cost me $113 specie. Col. Wrigley is still sick. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall], Joe and Conney are still sick with measles. Florence [Mahala Hall] and Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] are recovering a little. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] hired a negro woman by the name of Winney to do her cooking & house work generally for which I am to pay her 10$ per month. Mrs. Stanwood spent the evening with us. Capt. John W. Redmond arrived from Sour Lake and stopped with me. he rode down to Frank Redmonds & spent the night. Weather variable and pleasant.

Wednesday, April 18th, 1866

To day I drove up town with Capt. Sterling and while there I instituted suit against Henry my for[mer] cook for stealing. The measles has made its appearance on Florence [Mahala Hall] and she is quite sick with it. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] is no better, and I am satisfied that she too has the measles. The [Trinity] river still continues to rise and is overflowing all the bottom lands. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is still cooking. Weather variable & warm with occasional showers of rain.

Sunday, April 15th, 1866

To day I discharged my cook Henry for stealing. In consequence of which the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] was compelled to go into the kitchen and do her own housework. The Steamer Ruthven succeeded in opening her way through the raft at the railroad bridge when the hands belonging to said boat cut the East span of the bridge and let the steamer through. The hands of the steamer Indian No. 2 pulled down the west span of the bridge, but the boat did not succeed in getting through. The Steamers Emery and Ruthven left for Galveston. Weather variable & pleasant.

Monday, April 9th, 1866

To day I am busy at the warehouse storing hides. I drove up town in the buggy in company with Col. Wrigley. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove the negro woman Fanny off who has been living with us for some time for her thieving propensity. Weather clear and cool.

Monday, March 26th, 1866

To day I drove up town in my buggy and while there I opened a special Mayor's Court for the purpose of trying Mr. J. Baillie and a negro man for an affray. Capt. John W. Redmond came back and put up with me. Hicks is at work in the garden. Weather cloudy and cool with occasional showers of rain throughout the day.

Thursday, March 1st, 1866

To day I worked at the warehouse. My cough is no better. Frank Stewart being a little better has concluded to leave on the Stage for Crockett. Mrs. Massie still here. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and children are still afflicted with sore eyes. I paid off and discharged one of my freedmen Albert. Hicks is still at work in the garden. Weather clear and pleasant.

Saturday, February 24th, 1866

The forenoon of to day I worked at the warehouse and the evening I spent at home. I got from Col. Wrigley 100 peach trees and 2 bales of hay. The steamer Col. Stell arrived from Galveston bound up the river. The Steamer Indian No. 2 took on some freight and dropped down the river to the wood yard. Frank [Stewart] is still confined to his room. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children are still suffering with sore eyes. At night I sent for Dr. Shelby to visit me professionally. He came and administered some medicine for my Cough which is no better. Mrs. Massie is still here. Negro Henry's wife came over for him on the ? in order to be near her husband. Weather clear & cold.

Wednesday, February 21st, 1866

To day I worked at the warehouse. The Str. T.J. Emery opened the draw of the rail road bridge for the first time in 3 years and passed through the bridge on her upward bound voyage. The Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a small freight on board and left again for Galveston. My cold is no better. Hicks & Albert are at work hauling. Frank [Stewart] no better. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove out in the Country and brought Mrs. Massie home with her who commenced sewing for the family. I entered into a contract with Henry a free man of Color to cook for me at 10$ per month gold. Weather variable & cool.

Friday, February 16th, 1866

To day I am confined to my room at home with the cough and cold which is daily growing worse. Frank [Stewart] still confined to his room. Capt. Redmond still here. All the children are still suffering with sore eyes & colds. I discharged the negro woman Rose, who has been cooking for me, since the 1st of January last, and whom I found to be a lying, deceitful & mean specimen of negro humanity, not worth the salt that she uses in her bread. Weather Cloudy and cold with a strong north wind blowing & a freeze at night.

Wednesday, January 17th, 1866

To day I am at work at the store house. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town & purchased some articles. Col. Wrigley finished covering in the Cotton shed. The rail road commenced this day to make tri-weekly trips from Houston to Beaumont. Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring] still has her horse here. Negro boy Albert is now at work in the garden. Weather variable and rather warm.

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

Saturday, January 6th, 1866

To day I loaned my horse & buggy to Col. Wrigley who drove up town & waited for the train to come in. Bob finished framing the posts for the Cotton shed. The negro man Albert whom I hired has been sick all the week consequently nothing has been done towards gardening &c. Hicks went to mill after some meal. Frank [Stewart], Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] & Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] are all sorely afflicted with the itch. Weather variable and cool with a hard rain at night.

Thursday, January 4th, 1866

To day I am at work at the store house. Albert the negro boy that I hired on the first has been sick all the week and not a lick of work has he done as yet. Hicks lost the whole day in hunting up Rob. He got out on yesterday through the negligence of some of the children leaving the yard gate open. Frank walked out and succeeded in killing a couple of squirrels. Weather clear & cold with a hard frost at night.

Wednesday, January 3rd, 1866

To day I am at work at the store house. The boys are at work around the house. Negro woman Rose came over and set in to work for the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], relieving her from cooking. Rose is the woman furnished by Albert under his control. Col. Wrigley commenced opperations on the cotton shed. At dark Ed. Jones arrived home from his up Country trip [to Houston County], bringing me some letters from my relatives. Weather clear & cold with another freeze & frost at night.

Tuesday, January 2nd, 1866

To day I am at work at the store house. The boys are at work around the house. Hicks hauled one load of wood for Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring]. I made Hicks a present of 10$. Weather clear & cold, with a hard freeze and frost at night, being the coldest night of the winter so far.

Galveston Flakes Daily Bulletin

January 2, 1866

Galveston Flakes Daily Bulletin

January 2, 1866

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

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

Friday, December 22nd, 1865

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. Hicks hauling for Mr. Wrigley, he also made another load for Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring]. I drove up town and finished trying the negroes. One of them I discharged and the other I held to bail to answer the offence at the District Court. We received by express $15,000. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town and purchased a few articles for the children. Weather cloudy and cold.

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

Thursday, December 21st, 1865

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. Hicks hauled two loads of things over to Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring]. I purchased another hog weighing 112 lbs for which I paid 5 cts per lb. In the evening I drove up town to try a couple of negroes for burglary. The trial was continued until to-morrow. Weather cloudy & very cold.

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