Tuesday, September 4th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Billy Sowell is still at work painting my house. Fanny had a chill & fever. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. I am sorry to record that I was compelled to have a slight altercation with my boarder, Mrs. Tarleton, in order to protect my children from insult and abuse, all of which was very unpleasant to me & which I am determined to obviate by requiring her to seek other quarters. Weather cloudy and hot with a storm attended with rain in the evening.

Sunday, August 12th, 1866

To day I remained at home writing up this journal. Mrs. Mixon's little son departed this life and was interred at the expenses of the Corporation. Weather variable and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther : 88°.

Tuesday, July 24th, 1866

To day we left the hotel, and moved our quarters to the residence of Capt. Peacock who agreed to board my family during their stay in the Island City. I hired a hack and went with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and children down the beach. we had quite a pleasant drive. The little woman purchased a nice little Italian marble monument to be placed over the grave of my sweet little babe Josephine. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 91°.

Sunday, July 8th, 1866

To day I remained at home reading. Henry C. Stone's little daughter Lena Stone died very suddenly with congestion of the brain. The Steamer Royal Arch arrived from Galveston. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 93°.

Wednesday, July 4th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Hicks still hauling lumber from the flat boats. Florence [aka Pet aka Fawn aka Florence Mahala Hall] had fever all day, indeed the fever has not cooled off of her since she contracted it. Col. Wrigley and the hands are still at work on the wood shop. I rode up town on the wagon to attend a meeting of the City Council. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 90°.

Thursday, June 7th, 1866

The forenoon of to day, I worked at the warehouse. In the evening I remained at home & painted one shutter, after which I had another fever in addition to my other diseasements. Hicks hauled bricks and sand to the black smith shop. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] hired a negro woman by the name of Ann, incumbered with two children. for her services as cook in addition to supporting her two children, she is to receive six dollars per month in specie, thus relieving the little woman from cooking. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 88°.

 

Thursday, May 10th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse posting books. My throat grows worse & I can hardly swallow or articulate. My sores are but little if any better. The children I believe have entirely recovered except Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] who is covered with sores. Capt. John W. Redmond is engaged painting the house. Weather variable & rather cool. 

Wednesday, May 9th, 1866

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. The steamer Royal Arch left for Galveston. I am again attacked with the sore throat. The itch is still severe and between the two I am suffering greatly. Ed. Jones arrived home from West Liberty. The children are all well except Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall], who still suffers from her nervous affection. Weather cloudy with rain nearly all day and night and very cold for the season.

Tuesday, May 8th, 1866

To day I am busy at the warehouse loading the steamer Royal Arch. Ed. Jones left on the cars for West Liberty. Capt. John Redmond is still at work painting my house. The children are all recovering. I am still afflicted with the itch. I paid P. ? $12.20 on a/c of beef. Weather cloudy & cold with a hard rain all the evening.

Monday, May 7th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. The Str. Royal Arch arrived from Galveston. I received by her 1 keg lard and 1 pair of buggy shafts. Ed. Jones arrived from Houston on the train and by him I received a set of wagon and a set of buggy harness. I am still afflicted with the itch. The children are still improving. Capt. John Redmond is still at work painting my house. Weather cloudy and warm, with indications of rain. 

Sunday, May 6th, 1866

To day I remained at home writing up this journal. The children are all recovering from the measles. I am severely suffering from the itch or some other infernal eruption of the skin breaking out all over my body and producing considerable pain. Weather variable & pleasant.

Saturday, March 17th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. I loaned my horse and buggy to Mrs. Trowell to drive to Walnut bluff in order to take passage on the Str. Indian No. 2 which boat left Cole's wood yard for Galveston. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] and the children went out crawfishing. In the evening the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove out in the buggy and carried Mrs. Massie out home. My cough still continues to improve. Weather clear & cool.

Saturday, March 3rd, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse, my Cough however is no better. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] still has sore eyes. Capt. John W. Redmond arrived on the Str. Indian and is now with me. Frank Stewart failed to get off in the stage and is still at my house. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] & the children are all sick with colds. I am preparing to visit Galveston for Medical aid. Hicks is at work hauling with the little wagon. Mrs. Massie is still here. Weather clear and pleasant.

Friday, March 2nd, 1866

To day I am confined at home with my Cough which is growing worse. Hicks is at work in the orchard preparing it for planting. Frank Stewart still improving a little and still determined to leave for Crockett. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and children still have sore eyes. Col. Wrigley finished the school house & is now ready for business opperations. Mrs. Massie is still here. At night the steamer Indian No. 2 arrived from Galveston. Weather clear & pleasant.

Thursday, March 1st, 1866

To day I worked at the warehouse. My cough is no better. Frank Stewart being a little better has concluded to leave on the Stage for Crockett. Mrs. Massie still here. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and children are still afflicted with sore eyes. I paid off and discharged one of my freedmen Albert. Hicks is still at work in the garden. Weather clear and pleasant.

Wednesday, February 28th, 1866

To day I remained at home suffering severely with my Cough and cold. Hicks and Albert are working in the garden. Mrs. Massie is still here. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children are afflicted with sore eyes. Frank [Stewart] is some little improved. Weather clear & pleasant. Thus closes the notes for the month of February.

Sunday, February 25th, 1866

To day I am confined to my room. Hicks and Albert are engaged in setting out peach trees. Frank [Stewart] is still confined to his bed. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children are still suffering with sore eyes. Mrs. Massie still here. The Str. Col. Stell still lying at the landing and the Str. Indian No. 2 still lying at the wood yard. Weather clear and pleasant.

Saturday, February 24th, 1866

The forenoon of to day I worked at the warehouse and the evening I spent at home. I got from Col. Wrigley 100 peach trees and 2 bales of hay. The steamer Col. Stell arrived from Galveston bound up the river. The Steamer Indian No. 2 took on some freight and dropped down the river to the wood yard. Frank [Stewart] is still confined to his room. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children are still suffering with sore eyes. At night I sent for Dr. Shelby to visit me professionally. He came and administered some medicine for my Cough which is no better. Mrs. Massie is still here. Negro Henry's wife came over for him on the ? in order to be near her husband. Weather clear & cold.

Thursday, February 22nd, 1866

All the forenoon I worked at the warehouse and the evening I spent at home. My cough and cold being no better and under which I am rapidly faiing. Be it remembered that I attained the 47th anniversary of my birth day, and I had a magnificent birth day dinner and cake, gotten up in my cook stove? in happy style & with rich profusion. Mrs. Massie is still here sewing for the family. Frank [Stewart] still sick. The children's eyes are still sore. Weather variable and cold with occasional showers of rain.

Tuesday, February 20th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. The Steamer Indian No. 2 came up from the wood yard and then took on her freight after which she left for Galveston with Col. Wrigley and Capt. John K. Redmond on board. The Steamer T.J. Emery arrived from Galveston bound up the river. My cold no better. Frank [Stewart] still confined to his room. The little woman [Margaret* Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is still cooking. The children are all still afflicted with sore eyes. Weather clear & cool with a frost at night.

*This Margaret is the 2nd wife (as well as the step-sister) of JMH, and is a 2nd great-grand-aunt to the Keeper of this family history blog.