Saturday, September 9th, 1865

To day I am at work in the garden. In the evening my wagons arrived from the mills [Houston County]. one of them was driven by Hicks & the other by John with 3 yoke of oxen attached to each wagon. They brought down some provisions, 22 chickens, 4 bales of cotton and a small lot of furniture, and have been on the road 10 days. They however brought every thing safe. Weather variable & hot with a shower of rain at night.

Friday, September 1st, 1865

To day I remained at home and worked a little in the garden. Fawn again missed the fever and I believe is now recovered from this present attack. Frank Hitchcock came over from Houston in company with Col. Jim Wrigley who is very sick & now confined to his bed. They both came over in the cars, Frank to see me in relation to cotton matters. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] paid Miss Jinnie Patillo in full for what chickens she had heretofore purchased from her. I am still afflicted with the itch. Weather clear and hot.

Thursday, August 31st, 1865

To day I finished clearing up the garden for the plow. I paid off and discharged the negro woman Ophelia having no use for such worthless free negroes. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] paid Miss Jinnie Patillo for some chickens she purchased from her. Fawn missed the fever. Weather variable & hot. Ther: 82°. Thus closes my notes for the month of August and as it closes the summer months I shall cease noting the state of the thermometer until next summer, should I be spared to live until that period.*






*Note . . . he will indeed survive for one more summer . . . but that summer of 1866 will be his last . . . I have now spent every single day with this man and his writings . . . since the 16th day of January in 2010 . . . I will miss our daily "visits" . . . 

Wednesday, August 30th, 1865

To day I drove down to Clay Stone's and got from him 4.5 lbs of bacon for which I am to pay him 15 cents per pound. I paid Mr. Jackson one dollar for some chickens I purchased from him on the 17th inst. Fawn had fever. Ophelia was sick all day. I worked a little in the garden preparing to sew some turnip seed. Weather cloudy & warm. Ther: 80°.

Thursday, August 17th, 1865

To day the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] missed her fever, but she has a very sore mouth, so has Florence. Conney missed her fever. I purchased from Mr. Jackson 14 lbs of beef and 5 chickens all on a credit. The Yankee troops which had been stationed here all left on the cars in route for Houston, and I sincerely hope no more will be stationed here. I spent the most of the day down at the ware house. Weather variable and hot. Ther: 96°.

Tuesday, August 15th, 1865

To day the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is still sick with the fever. Wolf and Conny again missed their fevers, and I presume are over the present attack. The little woman's hen hatched out 15 pretty little chickens. I remained home to waite on the little woman. Weather clear & very hot. Ther: 94°.