Wednesday, July 27th, 1864

To day Bill finished pulling fodder in the mill field. John still complaining although he made a trip to the mill in the little wagon. Mrs. Keen came over & spent the day. Roberta [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] & Ag. came up in the cart and brought us twelve water melons. Florence [Florence Mahala Hall] & Josephine [Josephine Martha Hall] are still sick. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 91°.

Sunday, January 10th, 1864

To day Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode out with the boys hog hunting and succeeded in finding and driving up six. Capt. Peacock arrived from Parker's bluff on his way to Houston and stopped for the night. Father [Joshua James Hall] sent two hogs up in the cart which weighed 295 lbs. Weather cloudy and misting, but very cold, although it is moderating.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Friday, August 28th, 1863

To day the boys went with the wagon to get a load of pine to run some tar. Mr. T.R. Dailey delivered 1385 lbs of lint cotton. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground two bushels of corn. I went fishing but had no success. Rachael came by on her way from Crockett with her cart broken down. I had to loan her my horse Hawk to ride home upon. weather changeable and warm. Ther: 91°.

Sunday, January 11th, 1863

To day in the forenoon I remained at home writing up this journal also writing some letters. In the afternoon Sam* Sharp and I rode down in the bottom to select a good ford and to select a site upon which to erect a house and make some permanent improvements from thence we rode down to Fathers [i.e., Joshua James Hall] and back home. weather clear & pleasant. Bill with the mule & cart returned from across the river all safe but did not succeed in getting his things for which he went.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Saturday, January 10th, 1863

To day I sent the boys with the wagon to Mr. Renfro's after the fodder & peas I purchased from him some days ago. they made one load hauling 300 lbs of fodder and 8 bushels of peas. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode Hawk over to see Mr. Keen to have some blacksmithing done but returned without accomplishing his mission. I ground 12½ bushels of corn. In the evening Jesse Tubbs sent one load of lint cotton over to me. I sent Bill with the mule & cart over the Trinity River after his clothing. I went down to Fathers [Joshua James Hall] in the evening and found all well. weather changeable & cool with a frost at night.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Tuesday, January 29th, 1861

To day Father [Joshua James Hall] & Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] arrived home from their visit to Mrs. McDonalds [probably Margaret, Mahala's youngest sister]. Ellen came up in the cart and carried Roberta [Hall] & Toby [Hall] home. Bill got 2 yoke of oxen and hauled one load of wood. John is engaged in framing the upper story on the mill house. Mrs. Bird came and remained for dinner. she returned home in the evening. weather clear & warm. in fact it is a beautiful day.

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

Friday, November 2nd, 1860

To day Billy Stewart & I went ducking & went down the Elk Hart as far as Father's having killed only 2 ducks. Mother came up & Billy Stewart & I came home in the cart. he was taken very sick. at night John Harwell returned home having met with no success. In the evening Frank Stewart & I succeeded in killing 2 wild geese. weather clear & rather warm. 

Thursday, June 7th, 1860

To day I sent Albert to town with the cart to bring negro woman Eliza out. he arrived home with said negro at night. I went to see Sam Sharp who is improving. Weather changable & warm.

Thursday, May 24th, 1860

To day I returned the cart. The hands still in the corn. I went to see Sam Sharp in company with Billy Stewart, & returned home in the evening. weather changable & warm.

Tuesday, May 22nd, 1860

The hands still in the corn, and I made a load with the Cart to the mill place. Sam Sharp still sick. weather changable & warm.

Monday, May 21st, 1860

To day the hands commenced to lay by the corn. I carried one load in the cart to the mill place. Sam Sharp still sick. Weather changable & warm.

Saturday, May 19th, 1860

To day Frank Stewart went to Crockett for me in the Cart after the articles there. we commenced to move to the mill place, and carried five loads, meeting with an accident in letting the molasses barrel fall from the wagon. weather clear & warm.