Saturday, August 18th, 1866

To day I left Liberty on the cars for Houston in Company with Col. Wrigley and his family. We arrived in Houston safe and sound and put up with Mr. Perkins. I carried over with me $4000. in gold. Col. Wrigley's son John was sick all the way over. I am sorry to state that I drank too much brandy as medicine, to prevent the cholera which is now prevailing in Houston. Weather cloudy and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 88°.

Friday, August 10th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Col. Wrigley left the warehouse sick and is now confined at his home. Ed. Jones and Grand Ma Gayle arrived on the cars from Houston & Galveston and report the Cholera prevailing at the latter City. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. Hicks is better and worked a little on the wagon shed. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 92°.

Wednesday, July 25th, 1866

To day we are still in Galveston and stopping at Capt. Peacock's. In the evening I purchased a match horse for Rob for which I paid 250$. I drove out to the beach with Capt. Peacock in order to try my new horse Charley. The transport Clinton arrived in port with several cases of cholera on board. Weather variable & hot. Ther: 91°.

 

Saturday, October 28th, 1865

To day Mr. Ballinger left Galveston on the cars for Houston. Billy Stewart was taken sick with an attack of Cholera Morbus, which confined him to his room and it became necessary to call in the aid of Dr. Stanwood which I did. I remained at the Hotel to wait on Billy Stewart. Weather cloudy & cold with a strong north wind blowing.

Friday, May 12th, 1865

To day I am still in Houston, but left late in the evening on the Steamer Ruthven bound for Liberty and up Galveston. I had a very sick night being attacked with Cholera Morbus. Weather clear and pleasant.

Wednesday, November 16th, 1864

To day the boys are at work splitting rails. I am still sick. The little woman's [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] finger is still improving. Little Major [James Hall Sharp] had an attack of Cholera Morbus. Hicks ground 13 bushels of corn. Weather cloudy and cool, with light showers of rain throughout the day.

Monday, May 23rd, 1864

To day the boys finished plowing the corn in the bottom field. Father [Joshua James Hall] sent up by Darby 14 hams, which weighed 192 lbs. for which I am to pay him in meal at the rate of one bushel of meal for five pounds of hams. I let him have 1½ bushels of meal on account. My daughter Josephine [Josephine Martha Hall] was taken very sick with Cholera Infantum. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up and remained all night. Capt. Peacock and servant also came and stopped for the night he is on his way to Liberty having completed his work at Parkers bluff. Hicks ground 6 bushels of corn. Weather clear and rather hot.

Sunday, August 23rd, 1863

To day I remained at home writing up this journal. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] was taken with Cholera Morbus and had a hard time of it. I sent John out to hunt up his oxen. weather changeable & hot. Ther: 95°.

Friday, August 14th, 1863

To day the boys are still pulling fodder in the bottom field. John hauled two loads home. In the evening the boys stacked it up. The whole amount of fodder saved from the lower field is 4333 lbs. I ground 2 bushels of wheat. My son James [James Wrigley Hall] had a fever all day, and a severe attack of Cholera Morbus on last night. In consequence of a continued dispute and argument between Father and myself in relation to the distance from the mill to his house I concluded to measure it. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] assisted me. we commenced at the mill door. at 260 varas we reached the corner of the garden at the end of the lane. at 1070 varas we reached Cooks branch which is a spring branch and flows all the year. at 1690 varas we reached the Chinquepin flat & branch. at 1900 varas we set up the first mile post. at 2600 varas we reached the top of what is called "the big hill". at 3800 varas we set up the two mile post. at 3820 varas we reached the corner of the fence to the lower field. at 3850 varas we reached what is called the "Brown" house. at 4125 varas we reached Hall's Spring branch a beautiful stream flowing the entire year. at 4430 varas we reached the tan yard branch. at 4751 varas we reached the Hall's bluff fork. at 4775 varas we reached the head of the lane leading to Fathers home. at 5125 varas we reached the gate. thus making the distance 2¾ miles, which has (heretofore) always been called and passed for 2 miles and thus settling the vexed and disputed point as to the distance as aforesaid by actual measurement. weather clear & hot. Ther: 92°.

Thursday, October 30th, 1862

To day I am busily engaged in the Warehouse weighing Cotton and delivering freight. I dined out with Charley Lund and eat something that did not agree with me in consequence of which I had a severe attack of Cholera Morbus at night and spent a very disagreeable night of it being up and down continually until near daylight when I became some easier and had a pleasant nap. The boys are still hauling corn. weather clear and cool.

Sunday, April 28th, 1861

To day I am loafing around the store. I passed a very disagreeable night, being sick nearly the whole of last night, with something like the "cholera morbus", but entirely well in the morning. weather changable and warm.