Monday, June 4th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Hicks & Steve are hauling sand to fill up the blacksmith shop. I am still suffering with the cough & itch. at night the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had a magnificent oyster supper, to which she invited Col. Wrigley & family, Mr. & Mrs. Trowell, Ed.Jones, Mrs. Buckley, and various others. The affair passed off very pleasantly, and to the general satisfaction of all. Weather variable and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther 86°.

Saturday, March 17th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. I loaned my horse and buggy to Mrs. Trowell to drive to Walnut bluff in order to take passage on the Str. Indian No. 2 which boat left Cole's wood yard for Galveston. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] and the children went out crawfishing. In the evening the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove out in the buggy and carried Mrs. Massie out home. My cough still continues to improve. Weather clear & cool.

Wednesday, October 4th, 1865

To day I drove up town in my buggy and while there I purchased for the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] one hoop skirt @ 2½$ one belt @ 2$ ? lbs. cheese 80¢ 1 lb candy @ 50 cts. At night the little woman and I attended a dancing party given at the residence of Mr. A.B. Trowell. There was a large concourse of people in attendance and the amusements of the evening gave general satisfaction to all participating. In fact it was a brilliant affair, and reflected credit upon its projectors. Weather clear and pleasant.

Wednesday, September 20th, 1865

To day I worked on the hen house for the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. Capt. John Redman is still with me. Hicks hauled the beef hides out of my carriage house and stored them in Wrigley's warehouse. The evening I spent over at Mr. Trowell's. Weather variable and hot.

Monday, August 28th, 1865

To day I drove up town in the buggy and purchased some garden seed. I also got some eschalots from Mrs. Lieut. Maury. Charley Lund came home with me and spent the day. Capt. Cameron & Mr. Trowell came over & spent the evening. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 88°.

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, November 4th, 1862

To day I rode my horse Rat down to my friend Richard Cole's in company with a party of gentlemen for the express purpose of going out ducking which we did and had pretty fair success I having bagged fifteen. We returned to Cole's for dinner and I confess that I sat down to a splendid one, the time passing off very agreeably & pleasantly. We all returned home in the evening. Mr. A.B. Trowell left on the cars in route to Waul's legion in Mississippi & by whom I sent a letter to Captain Wrigley, notifying him of my intention to remove from Liberty up to my mill [i.e., to Houston County], where my family has been for the past five months. The boys are now busily engaged in digging potatoes. In the evening after Tea, I visited Charley Lunds and spent a pleasant time with him & his family. I then returned to my solitary abode to cogitate upon the past. weather clear & pleasant.

Tuesday, July 29th, 1862

This morning the Steamer Ruthven arrived in Galveston after running all last night. After seeing Mrs. Trowell safely home, I put up at the Washington Hotel. I spent the day very pleasantly in Galveston with Hitchcock, Wakelee and others. I took dinner with Hitchcock & found his family all well. In the way of business Galveston is perfectly dead. The blockading vessels are still off the bar being five in number. weather clear & hot. Ther: 98°.

Monday, July 28th, 1862

To day I busy with the boys in the ware house braking out freight. I left Liberty on the Steamer Ruthven for Galveston. we had a pleasant run down the river and across the bay. Mrs. Trowell went down with me and of course I had to take especial care of her and see her safely home. weather clear & very hot. Ther. 98°.

Wednesday, July 23rd, 1862

To day I am engaged in the office, granting permits. By the cars from Houston Mrs. James Wrigley & little John, Capt. Bolling & his wife, Mrs. Trowell and Miss Eugenia Stanwood returned home from their protracted visit to Camp Waul. The boys Bill & Bob commenced to work for Mr. Wm. Meyers on his house. weather changeable & hot. Ther: 98°.