Thursday, April 24th, 1862

To day I am engaged in the war tax collectors office and in getting up all the correspondence of the same. Business about played out. The boys are still jogging along at the fence but very slowly, being called off pretty much every day and only working on it at odd times, but they will finish it some time I have not a doubt. weather changeable & warm.

Tuesday, April 15th, 1862

To day I am busy in the war tax collector's office working up his correspondences having completed the war tax rolls. I put Charley to work in the corn. the other boys are working on the fence. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] engaged in making out a/c's. weather cloudy & warm with every prospect of rain.

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

Tuesday, April 16th, 1861

To day I am engaged in the office, getting up our correspondence. very little business doing. The river still rising. weather clear & cool.

Sunday, April 7th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived, and James Wrigley returned home from Galveston. The river rose 7 feet plumb water and the steamer Col. Stell started for the upper river with a large freight. I sold Melinda, Laura and Elisha for $1700. these negroes were the property of the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and I am indebted to her for the amt. of purchase money. I having ? it. I was busily engaged in writing up our correspondence. weather clear & warm.