Tuesday, September 12th, 1865

To day Capt. John Redman left in route for Swilley's place. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and I drove up town in the buggy and while there I paid Mr. Skinner $7.³⁰ for some bacon I had heretofore purchased from him. I also paid Mr. Richardson $5.⁶⁰ for some sugar & flour heretofore got from him. I also paid Mr. Bristley $4.⁵⁰ for some things the little woman had purchased from him. I also paid Clay Stone $6.⁴⁵ for 43 lbs of bacon purchased from him on the 30th ulto. The little woman purchased a very pretty calico dress for Roberta, which she is to send up [to Houston County] by the wagon. At night I drove out to the residence of Mrs. Branch in company with Miss Lelia Wrigley to attend a surprise party given there by the young gentlemen of Liberty. We had plenty of dancing and so far as I am individually concerned spent a very pleasant evening. In the evening I commenced papering my dining room. Weather variable and hot.

Friday, August 18th, 1865

To day the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] again missed her fever. Conney however was sick again. I went out with the children and gathered a basket full of Muscadines. I then drove up town and purchased from Mr. Richardson 2$ worth of sugar, 3$ worth of flour and 1 plug of tobacco at $6 all on a credit. Mrs. ? & Mrs. Wrigley spent the evening with the little woman. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 92°.

Monday, March 6th, 1865

To day the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] rode up to Richard Pennington's and purchased 5 bushels of seed potatoes & one bushel of ? She then rode down to Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts]. John is engaged in bedding out the seed potatoes. In the evening the little woman returned from Mother's and James Roberts came up with her. He remained all night. Hicks ground 11 bushels of corn & 4½ bushels of wheat. I wrote a letter to J. Richardson at Austin. Weather variable and cold.

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

Wednesday, August 19th, 1863

To day the boys are at work in the bottom field pulling hay. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children drove down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] in the buggy and there spent the day. I ground 5½ bushels of corn and 6 bushels of Rye. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I thrashed out two bushels of peas. Nellie's [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] thumb is about well. Bill is still sick. weather clear & hot. Ther: 88°. Mr. Joseph Richardson of Liberty stopped for the night at my house on his way to Magnolia.

Friday, January 30th, 1863

To day Sam Sharp* is at work making the loom. The boys are still at work on the garden fence. I ground 19 bushels of corn. Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] left for home in company with Father [Joshua James Hall] who came up after her leaving Roberta here. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] rode Hawk up to Mrs. Beasley's and while there purchased a spinning wheel for which she paid 7$ cash. I wrote D. Richardson a letter directed to Austin in relation to the old "Argus" office which said office I sold to said Richardson for $1023.05 and gave him 12 months time on it dating from the 4th of October last & drawing 10% interest after maturity. weather clear & cool with indications of rain.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is his mother, as well as the step-mother and the mother-in-law of JMH.

 

Tuesday, November 18th, 1862

To day I went up town and attended the auction sale of the goods belonging to Joseph Richardson, & while there purchased a few articles for which I paid the cash. weather cloudy and warm with occasional showers of rain.

Saturday, November 15th, 1862

To day I am busy making out my accounts current with the government as Provost Marshal and forwarded the same to Brig. Genl. H.P. Bee at San Antonio, Texas together with all my original vouchers. In the evening I went up town and attended the vendue of Joseph Richardsons effects, which were auctioned off by Charley Lund, purchasing a few articles. I regret to say that I got slightly tight while up town. weather cloudy & warm with occasional showers of rain.

Friday, October 10th, 1862

To day I remained at home. William Leaverton rode over to Mr. Richardson's in order to arrange the matter of dispute existing between him & Father in relation to a certain iron pot of his that Father had borrowed and which was accidentally broken while at the saline. I make this note in order to refresh my mind should a law suit grow out of the difference I being a witness to the whole transaction. James Beasley came over and remained nearly all day. William returned without affecting any compromise with Richardson. The little woman still improving. weather cloudy, with occasional showers of rain. The wind blowing fresh out of the North, rendering it very cold indeed so much so as to require fires for comfort.

Monday, June 2nd, 1862

To day I am busy in my office. D. Richardson & daughter, Sophy, returned from Smith's point and brought my horse Hawk home. they put up at my house. Capt. James Wrigley with his company left on the cars for Camp Waul in Washington County. D. Richardson & daughter also left on the cars. weather clear & pleasant. Ther. 88°.

Thursday, May 29th, 1862

To day I loaned my horse Hawk to D. Richardson who left in company with Charley Lund for Smith's point on Galveston bay. I am very busy in the conscript office. The boys are still engaged in hauling corn from Swilley's landing. The little woman is able to be up and look after her household affairs. weather clear & warm.

Wednesday, May 28th, 1862

To day D. Richardson came over on the cars from Houston to see me & stopped at my house during his stay in Liberty. I am busy enrolling those liable as conscripts for the army. I put the boys to hauling corn from Swilley landing. weather clear & warm. the little woman still improving.