Thursday, September 14th, 1865

To day I went over to Mr. Patillo's shop and made two cribbage boards, one for Mr. Trawick and the other for Mr. Jones, after which I commenced papering my parlor. Charles Leaverton arrived from my mills on the mail stage, bringing us letters from our relatives and friends up the Country [Houston County] also 255$ specie. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town in the buggy in order to get me some tobacco. Hicks is engaged in hanging the garden and house yard gates. Weather variable and cool with occasional showers of rain.

Friday, September 1st, 1865

To day I remained at home and worked a little in the garden. Fawn again missed the fever and I believe is now recovered from this present attack. Frank Hitchcock came over from Houston in company with Col. Jim Wrigley who is very sick & now confined to his bed. They both came over in the cars, Frank to see me in relation to cotton matters. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] paid Miss Jinnie Patillo in full for what chickens she had heretofore purchased from her. I am still afflicted with the itch. Weather clear and hot.

Thursday, August 31st, 1865

To day I finished clearing up the garden for the plow. I paid off and discharged the negro woman Ophelia having no use for such worthless free negroes. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] paid Miss Jinnie Patillo for some chickens she purchased from her. Fawn missed the fever. Weather variable & hot. Ther: 82°. Thus closes my notes for the month of August and as it closes the summer months I shall cease noting the state of the thermometer until next summer, should I be spared to live until that period.*






*Note . . . he will indeed survive for one more summer . . . but that summer of 1866 will be his last . . . I have now spent every single day with this man and his writings . . . since the 16th day of January in 2010 . . . I will miss our daily "visits" . . . 

Thursday, November 20th, 1862

To day I went up town and thence down to the office at the river there I settled in full with Mr. Patillo for the work he done on my house. Mrs. Raschall & Mrs. Bitterman called on me for the purpose of getting me to intercede with Col. Gillespie to procure the discharge of Mr. Bitterman from the service. this I done of course for the accommadation [sic] of the ladies, but I can't say with what success. weather clear & cool.

Wednesday, March 19th, 1862

To day the steamer Ruthven failed to arrive. I am busy making out accounts. Boys at work on my well house. Mr. Patillo completed my stable, carriage house, barn, etc. At night I went up town [Liberty] to meet a party of friends who had assembled together in honor of my having been elected Col. of the 5th Regt. and at which party wit & champagne flowed pretty freely. all things passing off in fine style. weather cloudy. at night a strong North wind came out making it very cool.

Wednesday, February 26th, 1862

To day I am engaged at the store in making out a/c's. The boys finished repairing Capt. James Wrigley's fence. No business doing. Mr. Patillo still engaged on my stable. weather clear & warm.

Friday, February 21, 1862

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with some little freight. I am busy in the store. The boys are still at work in the swamp getting posts. Mr. Patillo is working on the stable etc. weather cloudy, cold, occasional showers of rain & very disagreeable.

Wednesday, February 19th, 1862

To day Charley Lund left for Hardin County thus leaving me all alone to attend to the store and the Ware house. But little business doing. Boys are at work in the swamp getting out posts. Mr. Patillo commenced building my stable barn & carriage house. weather cloudy cold with drizzling rain.

Tuesday, February 18th, 1862

To day the steamer Ruthven left for Galveston, with Capt. Bolling on board. Carrie & her boy left on the cars for Houston. I am all alone at the ware house & Store. Charley Lund preparing to leave for Hardin County. But little business doing. Mr. Patillo finished my smoke house which is quite a nice one. weather cloudy and drizzling with a very hard rain at night.