Friday, July 13th, 1866

To day Col. Wrigley and I are still in Galveston and still stopping at the Washington Hotel. I purchased several articles for home. In the evening I drove out on the beach in company with Dr. Stanwood, who told me of all his domestic difficulties. I also attended a party at Dr. Stanwood's residence at night in company with Col. Wrigley which passed off pleasantly. Weather cloudy & hot with occasional showers of rain. 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.

Sunday, May 13th, 1866

To day I remained at home writing up this journal. I had my barrel of ale hauled up home. Mrs. Stanwood came over & left with me a number of a/c's for collection. I am still suffering with the itch & sore throat. Weather variable & cool with a hard rain and storm at night. 

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.

Saturday, April 28th, 1866

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] and Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] are recovering from the measles. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall], little Joe and Conney are still quite sick with it. Fanny went up to Mrs. Raniers and purchased a fine mess of strawberries for dinner. The Steamer Indian No. 2 arrived from Galveston with Maj. Bolling and Mrs. Stanwood on board, by the latter I received my lamps, oil and pocket knife and for which I paid her $12.50. The Steamer left for the upper [Trinity] river with a heavy load on board. Weather clear and pleasant. 

Monday, March 12th, 1866

To day I am still in Galveston and at the Washington Hotel. The Str. Indian No. 2 arrived from Liberty with Capt. John W. Redmond on board as a passenger who left my house yesterday. I received a letter from the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] ordering some other things and in consequence of which I had to turn out and purchase them. I drove out on the beach with Dr. Stanwood. My cough is much improved. Weather variable & cool.

Sunday, March 11th, 1866

To day I am still in Galveston and after paying my bill at the Crawford house 24$ for 6 days very indifferent board, I moved my quarters to the Washington Hotel where I found much better accommodations for the same price of board. Dr. Stanwood & I drove out to the beach & spent a pleasant afternoon. My cough is now much improved. Weather clear and pleasant.

Saturday, March 10th, 1866

To day I am still at the Crawford house in Galveston. I have entirely finished purchasing what things I need for home. My Cough is much improved. I drove out to the beach with Dr. Stanwood and spent a pleasant time. Weather clear and very pleasant.

Friday, March 9th, 1866

To day I am still at the Crawford house in Galveston. I got all my purchases ready to ship by first steamer to Liberty. L.E. Downes is at work purchasing for the Crockett market and I wrote by him to Sam* H. Sharp in relation to my up Country [Houston County] business. Dr. Stanwood & I drove out on the beach and spent a pleasant afternoon. Weather clear and pleasant.

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

Thursday, March 8th, 1866

To day I am still at the Crawford house in Galveston. My Cough is a little better. I purchased all the articles for which I had orders. In the evening I accompanied Dr. Stanwood in a beach drive & spent a pleasant afternoon. L.E. Downes arrived in Galveston direct from Crockett and put up with me at the Crawford house. Weather clear and pleasant.

Tuesday, March 6th, 1866

To day I am still at the Crawford house in Galveston. My Cough is a little better. I drove around the City in Company with Dr. Stanwood. I purchased a few articles to go forward by the Str. Indian No. 2 to the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. I also purchased 2 pair fine gold spectacles, one pair for myself and the other pair for the little woman. Weather variable and cool.

Monday, March 5th, 1866

To day we left the mouth of the Trinity river and down to Galveston, where we arrived about 3 o'clock P.M. I put up at the Crawford house, after having seen Dr. Stanwood and placing myself under his medical treatment. My cough is no better. Expenses of the day sixty five cts. Weather variable and rather cold.

Sunday, October 29th, 1865

To day Billy Stewart is still confined to his room, with Stanwood in attendance ? in consequence of which I did not go out into the City but little. Weather clear and cold with a new north wind blowing throughout the whole day . . . 

Saturday, October 28th, 1865

To day Mr. Ballinger left Galveston on the cars for Houston. Billy Stewart was taken sick with an attack of Cholera Morbus, which confined him to his room and it became necessary to call in the aid of Dr. Stanwood which I did. I remained at the Hotel to wait on Billy Stewart. Weather cloudy & cold with a strong north wind blowing.

Saturday, March 5th, 1864

To day the boys are still at work in the new ground. Hicks assisted me at the mill. we ground 5½ bushels of corn & 2 bushels of wheat. Dr. Stanwood left for Crockett in route for Rusk. Five soldiers stopped for dinner. Weather clear and pleasant.

Friday, March 4th, 1864

To day the boys are at work in the new ground. Hicks assisted me at the mill. we ground 16 bushels of wheat. Dr. Stanwood from Liberty came out to see me and stopped for the night. Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up in the evening to see the doctor but did not remain long. Weather clear and cool with a frost at night.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. She is also the mother-in-law as well as the stepmother of JMH.

Thursday, February 4th, 1864

To day I drove my horse Rob and buggy to Crockett in order to carry Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring] that far on her way home. She left Crockett in company with Dr. Stanwood in route for Liberty where she resides. Hicks is at work on the mill irons. Bill commenced plowing in the bottom field. Having become perfectly disgusted with the military rule that is now prevailing in Crockett I left for home and reached there late in the evening. Weather clear and cold with a frost and freeze at night.

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

Friday, June 5th, 1863

To day I am still in Liberty and succeeded in settling up the business of the firm of James Wrigley etc. after a fashion. I took a bond from said Wrigley with Charles C. Lund and Edward P. White as securities in the sum of $20,000 for the payment of the outstanding liabilities. I then retired from said firm. I visited the town with E.P. White. The steamer Ruthven arrived from Houston & Capt. Peacock came home on her. Dr. Stanwood & his wife came down to Mrs. Beales where I am, stopping to see me. weather clear & hot. Ther: 95°.

Wednesday, June 3rd, 1863

To day after breakfast I left Houston by the Texas and New Orleans railroad for Liberty in Company with Miss Eugenia Stanwood. we arrived in Liberty about 1 o'clock P.M. and found my wagons all right. I put up at Mrs. Beale's for the time I contemplate remaining. My expenses while at Houston was 75$. weather clear and hot. Ther: 93°.

Saturday, May 30th, 1863

To day I attended the burial of Jack McKim and while there I lost a mershaum pipe which had been presented to me by Capt. Peacock. Charley Lund arrived on the train from Houston and I went over on the return trip of the same train to Houston in company with Mrs. Bolling and Miss Eugenia Stanwood, at which place we arrived late in the evening and put up at the old Capitol. before leaving Liberty I let Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] have $101. on account of Sam Sharp [Samuel Houston Sharp]. expenses to Houston 5$. weather changeable & hot.