Saturday, January 20th, 1866

To day I am at work at the Warehouse. John Cochran left on the cars for Houston. Col. Wrigley is still at work in the Convent well. Hicks & Albert are at work with the little wagon, hauling ground poles to store cotton upon. Frank [Stewart] & Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] are still sick. Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] had a chill and fever. Mrs. Waring [Harriett Waring nee Gill] was buried to day near the residence of Leon White [her cousin]. Weather variable and cold, with a severe norther blowing.

Monday, January 8th, 1866

To day I drove up town to attend the election for a delegate to the Convention for reconstruction and while there I voted for J.O. Shelby to be said delegate. I assisted Col. Wrigley in making a settlement with B.F. White. Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring] took her horse away which has been staying here since her arrival from Montgomery County. Albert is still sick. Hicks however is at work in the garden. Weather cloudy & cold with occasional light showers of rain.

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

Monday, April 17th, 1865

To day I visited Clay Stone in company with Geo. White & Richard Cole, and there partook of a fine dinner after which I went in company with Mr. Cole down the river in a batteaux to his residence where I stopped with him for the night. we enjoyed ourselves very well drinking lager beer. at home Hicks ground 29½ bushels of corn. Weather variable and pleasant.

Saturday, September 10th, 1864

To day we left our camp at Nelson's creek and drove to Huntsville, where I exchanged at the Penitentiary my four bales of cotton which weighed 1958 lbs for 198½ yards of osnaburgs and 144 yards of cotton Jeans after which we left Huntsville in route for Home with the wagons and drove 8 miles where the wagons camped at Nelson's creek for the night. I however rode to the river 13 miles and stopped with Mrs. Wyser for the night for which I paid her 10$. Mr. White and myself having parted company at Huntsville. Weather changeable & hot. Ther: 94°.

Friday, September 9th, 1864

To day I left Brown's and rode about ten miles, when I over took my wagon, shortly after I fell in company with Mr. White we then traveled together and drove as far as Nelson's creek where we camped for the night having crossed the Trinity river at Wyser's for which I paid 10$. Weather clear and hot. Ther: 90°.

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, November 5th, 1862

To day I am loafing around my office having nothing to do. The boys are still engaged in digging & housing potatoes. Charley Lund and E.P. White rode down and took dinner with me. weather clear & cold, with a strong North wind blowing producing a hard freeze at night, which is not comfortable in this southern climate.