Saturday, August 18th, 1866

To day I left Liberty on the cars for Houston in Company with Col. Wrigley and his family. We arrived in Houston safe and sound and put up with Mr. Perkins. I carried over with me $4000. in gold. Col. Wrigley's son John was sick all the way over. I am sorry to state that I drank too much brandy as medicine, to prevent the cholera which is now prevailing in Houston. Weather cloudy and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 88°.

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°

Tuesday, March 27th, 1866

To day I sold my mules John & Riley to Henry E. Perkins for $300 specie. Col. Wrigley left on the train for Houston carrying with him 6 mules, 1 horse & 10 sks. corn. I drove up town with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] to purchase some articles. Capt. John W. Redmond left for Houston on the cars. Weather changeable and cool.

Thursday, January 25th, 1866

To day the boys went out and got some Mulberry trees and set them out around the house yard. I drove up town in the buggy with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and while there purchased some articles for which I paid 12$ specie. Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] is some better. Frank [Stewart] & Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] are still sick. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] had a chill & fever. I loaned Frank Stewart two dollars and fifty cents. Lelia left on the Cars for Houston in Company with Mrs. Perkins. Weather clear and pleasant but cold at night with a frost.

Saturday, December 9th, 1865

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. Mrs. Perkins left for Houston on the cars and the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] sent by her $50 to purchase some articles. I drew from the warehouse 80$ in full payment for the wagon I heretofore sold to Jackson. Weather cloudy & cold with occasional showers of rain.

Saturday, December 2nd, 1865

To day I am still at work at the ware house. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town & purchased some articles of prime necessity. Henry Perkins, Mr. & Mrs. Bolling left on the cars for Houston. The propeller Kate arrived from Galveston with some freight. We loaded her with 82 Bales of cotton. My sores are still improving. Frank is also improving. Weather variable and pleasant.

Friday, December 1st, 1865

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] missed the chill and fever. The sores on my person are getting some better. Henry Perkins, Mr. Haggart and Maj. Boling arrived on the cars from Houston looking in fine health. Weather variable & pleasant.

Friday, September 29th, 1865

To day my freedwoman Jemima and old Elsey left me, in route for Galveston, thus leaving me without a servant and forcing the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] into the kitchen to perform her own household work. I assisted around the house generally. I received a pair of shoes which Charles Lund purchased for me in New Orleans for which he paid $3⁵⁰ and which amt. I still owe him. James Wrigley and Mrs. Perkins arrived on the train from Houston. Weather changeable and warm with occasional [showers] of rain.

Wednesday, August 23rd, 1865

To day I walked up town to try a negro boy, who broke into the store of Mr. Skinner, but the parties not being able to identify the negro under arrest as the one who committed the offence, I discharged the negro. In the evening Mr. Trowell, Perkins & Cameron came over to my house and amused themselves playing whist. The Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston, and is now engaged taking on board lumber for the U.S. Government. Weather clear and hot. Ther: 94°.

Tuesday, August 22nd, 1865

To day I spent down at the ware house in company with Messrs. Perkins, Haggard, Cameron & Wrigley. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] purchased from Mr. Jackson 20 lbs of beef & for which I still owe him. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 90°.

Monday, July 17th, 1865

To day the Yankees reduced this point (Liberty) into possession and established head quarters at the Court house. they also opened a Provost Marshal's office to enforce the amnesty oath down the throats of the Southern people. Mr. Perkins came over from Houston on the train. I drove up town in my buggy to see the grand display of the infernal yankee troops. Weather variable and hot with a shower of rain. Ther: 92°.

Wednesday, January 15th, 1862

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with some freight. I was engaged at the ware house until midday. In the evening I painted on the new house. John Wrigley arrived on the cars in Company with Mrs. Perkins from Houston. she is stopping with John. weather changeable & cold.