Wednesday, November 1st, 1865

To day we arrived in Houston just at day break. we left the Steamer and put up at the Rusk House and after breakfast for which we had to pay one dollar each specie Stewart and I left Houston on the freight train for Liberty at which place we arrived about 2 O'Clk P.M. and for our passage we paid 4$ specie. I found all my family well except Fannie who is sick and confined to her room. Weather cloudy and cold with occasional showers of rain and a strong north wind still blowing.

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.

Monday, September 19th, 1864

To day the boys are at work pulling corn, and hauling it in. They made one load with the wagon. Roberta [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] came up from Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] to remain some days. Mr. Morgan stopped in for breakfast. he has just returned from the Saline and succeeded in obtaining for me 20 pounds of wool, for which I paid him 3½$ per pound. he left for home. Hicks ground 2 bushels of corn. Weather clear & warm. Ther: 84°.

Tuesday, June 7th, 1864

To day the boys are at work setting out potato slips. W.E. Wingfield & Thos. Stubblefield left for Crockett early after breakfast. I sent to Captain Waul the post quarter master at Crockett 120 lbs. of bacon by Mr. Wingfield, it being my tax in kind on bacon to be used for the benefit of the army of the Confederate States. Billy Stewart left for Crockett late in the evening. I let him have 2½ bushels of meal. Hicks ground 13½ bushels of corn. Weather cloudy and warm with a hard rain for at least one half of the day, raising the Elkhart creek very high. Ther: 80°.

Tuesday, April 5th, 1864

To day after breakfast I left Parker's bluff and drove ? miles over a very bad rode and arrived home in the middle of the afternoon where I found all well. The boys are engaged hunting up some cows & calves but with very poor success. Hicks ground 5½ bushels of corn. Weather changeable and cold, with high winds.

Wednesday, March 23rd, 1864

To day the boys are at work hauling fire wood. Billy Stewart left for Crockett. I ground 25½ bushels of corn. Two soldiers stopped for breakfast & 2 for dinner. Mr. Fitzsimmons is still with me. Weather variable and cold, with indications of rain.

Tuesday, October 13th, 1863

This morning Mr. Ramsdale stopped at the house for his breakfast. he is on his way home from Waco and walked the whole distance in eight days making 25 miles per day. this is pretty good walking for a man 65 years of age. The boys are at work putting up the upper part of the cribs. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and the little Major [James Hall Sharp] are both sick. I ground 11½ bushels of corn. weather clear & cool.

Monday, August 13th, 1860

After travelling all night in the stage, I arrived at Colleto for breakfast, to Sumpter for dinner & to Crockett for supper. expenses of the day $2. weather clear & pleasant.



On this date . . . the 13th day of August . . . in the year 1822 . . . J.M. Hall's good friend, Colonel James Wrigley, is born in New York . . . wonder if Hall remembered / knew to tell him Happy Birthday when he saw him!

Wednesday, August 8th, 1860

After running all night I arrived at Canton Miss. for breakfast, changed cars and to Magnolia for dinner, and to New Orleans at 9 P.M. for supper. put up at the St. Charles [see image on the left]. expenses of the day $1.70. weather warm, cloudy and occasionally showers of rain.

Tuesday, August 7th, 1860

After running all night we arrived at Huntsville for breakfast and to the Grand Junction at 10 P.M. expenses of day $1.60. weather warm & clear.

Friday, July 13th, 1860

Friday, July 13th, 1860. After travelling again all night, I arrived at Alexandria at day light and thence to Washington City for breakfast, and after breakfast on to the City of Baltimore, where I determined to lay over, because I was very much fatigued, & perfectly worn out for the want of sleep. I stoped at Barnum's hotel [pictured here]. expenses of the day $3.75. weather changable & warm.





Barnum's Hotel is mentioned in Gossip from Baltimore in the New York Times on 19th June 1860.

Thursday, July 12th, 1860

Thursday, July 12th, 1860. After traveling all night I arrived at Bristol Va. for breakfast, almost exhausted for the want of sleep. after breakfast however I went on and arrived at the central depot for dinner and to Lynchburg Va. for supper. expenses for the day $1.70. weather very unpleasant it having rained hard all day.

Wednesday, July 11th, 1860

Wednesday, July 11th, 1860. After travelling all night I arrived at Huntsville Ala for breakfast, having slept little or none and of course much fatigued. after breakfast I proceeded on and arrived at Chattanooga Georgia for dinner and after dinner to Cleveland Tennessee for supper. expenses of the day $1.70. weather warm & clear.

Tuesday, July 10th, 1860

Tuesday, July 10th, 1860. After travelling all night I arrived at Canton Mississippi for breakfast much fatigued for the want of sleep. After breakfast we proceeded on our way and arrived at Grand Junction Tennessee about 4 a.m. here we remained for supper and at 10 P.M. left Grand Junction by the Memphis & Charleston cars. expenses of the day $1.50. weather clear & warm.

Wednesday, July 4th, 1860

After travelling all night we arrived at Daniel Dailey's for breakfast. Then to Sumpter for dinner. Then to Livingston for supper, and there remained all night. The trip of this day was very unpleasant being crowded in a small coach only large enough for 6 passengers, but containing 14, inside & out, making it not only unpleasant but disagreeable. expenses of this day $2.50. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain.



The New York Times. July 4, 1860. OUR NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY -- City celebration of the Fourth Arrangements for the Military and Civic Display,Regatta, Fireworks, Excursions, &c.