Tuesday, July 10th, 1866

To day after bidding all the loved ones at home good bye, I left Liberty on the steamer Royal Arch in route for Galveston. we run down as far as walnut bluff and there got aground where we remained two hours. after getting off we run down to Pipkins place and there tied up for the night. Weather cloudy and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 88°.

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.

Monday, February 5th, 1866

To day the Steamers Indian No. 2 and Col. Stell came up to the landing from Walnut bluff and commenced discharging their freight. I walked down to the Warehouse and made out the bills of ladings for 52 bales of Cotton, although I am quite feeble and suffering severely with a Cough and sore throat. Frank [Stewart] and Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] are still very sick. Fannie is beter. Weather cloudy and cold with rain throughout the entire day. 

Friday, February 4th, 1866

To day I remained at home in consequence of my Cold, Cough and sore throat which does not seem to improve any. Frank [Stewart] & Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] & Fannie are all sick. The Steamers Indian No. 2 and Col. Stell arrived at Walnut bluff from Galveston. Weather cloudy and cold with drizzling rain.

Thursday, October 26th, 1865

To day we left Walnut bluff on the Steamer Kate in route for Galveston and had a pleasant run down to the mouth of the river but vessel got aground in the canal and the steamer Ruthven coming along side of our boat we left the Kate and took passage on the Ruthven for Galveston. we were compelled however to lay at the mouth of the river all night. Weather clear and pleasant until night, when a severe norther came out rendering it very cold.

Tuesday, October 24th, 1865

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. Billy Stewart is still with me. The propeller Kate arrived at the lower landing or Walnut bluff from Galveston. I am sorely afflicted with a boil on my "stearne" Weather variable and pleasant until night when there was a severe rain storm which lasted nearly all night.

Monday, October 9th, 1865

To day about one hour before day break, Col. Wrigley & I drove down to Walnut bluff in the buggy in order that I could get on the Steamer Mary Hill in accordance with my agreement with Capt. Peacock, but she had dropped down the river and I was disappointed in my expected trip to Galveston. So we returned home in time for breakfast. Col. Wrigley's wagon hauled me 47 bus. of corn that I had purchased from Mr. F.W. Key. Charley Lund left for Houston. Weather variable and rather cool.

Sunday, October 8th, 1865

To day the steamer Mary Hill arrived from Galveston and took on board at the warehouse 45 b/c [bales of cotton] and then droped down the river to finish loading with wood. I made all my arrangements to leave for Galveston in the morning and am to meet the steamer Mary Hill at Walnut bluff for that purpose. My son James attained the 3rd Anniversary of his birth day. Weather variable and a little cool. At night a few wild geese flew over southward, being the first of the season.

Saturday, September 23rd, 1865

To day the steamer Mary Hill arrived at Walnut bluff from Galveston with 300 sacks of salt on board, which were consigned to James Wrigley. I drove down there and got my freedman John from off of her. He having run away the trip before, and left here on said boat. He promised me upon his arrival home to faithfully remain out the time for which he entered into a special contract. The Steamer Mary Hill left for Galveston. In the evening I drove up town in company with James Wrigley and we were both regularly registered as voters of the County & State. My wagon driven by Hicks is engaged in hauling salt from Walnut bluff to the warehouse, and hauled 72 sacks at 10? per sack. Capt. John Redman left my house for parts unknown. Weather cloudy & hot with a very hard rain late in the evening.

Monday, September 18th, 1865

To day I am engaged in papering the parlor. Capt. John Redman came and stopped with me for the night. Hicks & John are engaged hauling with my big wagon Cotton from the ware house to the Steamer Mary Hill now lying at Walnut bluff, they made 4 loads carrying 8 bales at a load. At night I attended a party given at the residence of Mrs. John Wrigley's. Weather variable and hot with a light shower of rain.

Sunday, September 17th, 1865

To day Col. Jim Wrigley & Mr. Haggart left for the up Country and to the latter I loaned my revolver & Bowie knife. The Steamer Mary Hill arrived from Galveston and after taking aboard about 80 bales of Cotton dropped down to Walnut bluff. Weather variable & warm with occasional showers of rain.