Saturday, June 24th, 1865

To day I succeeded in stopping the diarrhea from running in me and am consequently much better. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] with Fanny Fitzsimmons & Josephine in my buggy drawn by my horse Rob arrived safe and sound in Liberty. Frank Stewart with the little wagon & mules also arrived safe bringing down in the little wagon, Florence and Jimmy, also Louisa, Jemima, Conny and Wolf with sundry provisions etc. We all upon the invitation of Col. Jim Wrigley stopped at his house of course I left John Booths. The little woman passed my wagons on the road, they having left on the 16th with Jemima  was taken down at the residence of my old friend Dan Dailey & safely delivered of a female child on the 17th inst both Mother & child are doing well. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 96°.

Thursday, December 17th, 1863

To day the boys and I worked on the mill in order to make it grind but only succeeded in grinding 4½ bushels of corn. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode out hog hunting but had no success. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is doing very well after her confinement. Mother** [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] is still here attending to the new responsibility whom we have this day named Josephine Martha Hall. Weather clear and cold with a hard freeze and frost at night.

*2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog
**3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog

Tuesday, December 15th, 1863

To day Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] and the boys finished the floor in the mill forebay and let down the gates to catch a head of water. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] was taken sick and at 1½ o'clock A.M. was delivered of a female child [Josephine Martha Hall]. She may truthfully be said to be a woman of ready conception and easy delivery. there were present Mrs. Bird, Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts], Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and myself, assisted by Rachael a negro woman. I sent for Dr. Murchison, who came but as usual too late to be of any service in his profession. he remained for dinner and then left for home. Weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain and a hard rain at night.

Wednesday, January 28th, 1863

To day Sam* Sharp rode my horse Ratler to Crockett and back. The boys are still at work on the garden fence. I ground 18½ bushels of corn. Mother [Mahala* Lee Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & the children are still here. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and the Major [James Hall Sharp] are doing very well. weather clear & cold with a frost at night.

*Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is Sam's mother.

Monday, January 26th, 1863

To day the boys are at work on the garden fence. Sam* Sharp is still at work making the loom for Mother [Mahala* Lee Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and progressing very well. Roberta & Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] came up to see Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and the little Stranger [James Hall "Major" Sharp] and who are doing very well. I ground 8 bushels of corn. weather cloudy and cold with occasional showers of rain. at night there was a hard freeze.

*Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is Sam's Mother, and is the mother-in-law as well as the step-mother to JMH.

Sunday, January 25th, 1863

To day at 8 o'clock A.M. Sam* H. Sharp's wife Mary A. Sharp familiarally called Nellie* was delivered of a male child which weighed 7¾ lbs. which said child was by his parents named James Hall Sharp in honor of the writer of this journal, and at said delivery there was present Margaret A. Hall [aka the little woman], Mahala* L. Hall [aka Mother], Mrs. S.A. Bird, Sam H. Sharp & myself assisted by two negro woman both by the name of Louisa. Nellie sustained herself very well under the circumstances and had rather an easy time than otherwise. The child aforesaid by way of nick name we dubbed & created "Major" in order to distinguish him from the little woman's child James alias Jim. Mrs. Bird returned home in the evening. Mother however remained. weather changeable and warm with occasional showers of rain, rendering it very disagreeable.  

*These new parents, Sam and Nellie, are the 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is Sam's Mother, and is the step-mother as well as the mother-in-law of JMH. Margaret is Sam's sister, and is the step-sister as well as the wife of JMH.

Monday, May 12th, 1862

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived with Capt. James Wrigley and Ed Jones on board. In the evening I assisted Capt. Wrigley in burying his dead infant. The boys busy in the ware house. The [Trinity] river still rising. weather changeable with occasional showers of rain.

Sunday, May 11th, 1862

To day Capt. James Wrigley's wife was delivered of a female child, slightly hair lipped. I bought from Jim Rogers negro man 200 pues [pughes] for 7$. [Trinity] River still rising. weather changeable and showery.

Sunday, October 21st, 1860

To day John Harwell went to church. Mother & Father came up to see the little woman & new edition. They returned in the evening. weather clear & warm in the day. cool towards night and considerable frost.

Friday October 19th, 1860

To day the little woman after much difficulty, tribulation and vexation was delivered of a female child at 7 o'clock a.m. weighing 10½ lbs. there being present Mother, Mrs. Bird & myself, assisted by Rachael & Louisa. hands still at work on the garden screen. Mr. McDaniel & Jo Wright came to see me, and participated in a social glass, the toast being the new "responsibility." Mother remained all night and the rest left for home. weather clear, but rather cool with a frost at night.