Saturday, February 6th, 1864

To day Hicks finished covering in the cribs. The other boys killed and cleaned two hogs which weighed 256 pounds. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] rode down to Mothers [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] to get some thread sized and warped. I ground 30½ bushels of corn. weather clear and cool with a hard frost at night.

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

Saturday, January 30th, 1864

To day the boys are still at work in the bottom field. Hicks is still at work covering in the cribs. Capt. Peacock and Mr. Fitzsimmons left for Magnolia. Father [Joshua James Hall] came up with the road hands having worked his section through from Hall's bluff to the Mills. I ground 13 bushels of corn. weather cloudy and warm with occasional showers of rain.

Wednesday, January 27th, 1864

To day the boys are still at work in the bottom field. Hicks is still covering in the cribs. Mrs. Bird came down to see us and brought home the piece of Jeans she has been weaving for the little woman [Margaret* Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. Mr. Pennington's next child to the youngest died last night. Father [Joshua James Hall] and Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up but did not remain long. I ground 11 bushels of corn and 2 bushels of wheat. The bushing of the mill worked out and I had to send to the lower field after the boys to assist me in taking up the mill stone in order to rebush the mill. Weather clear and pleasant but rather cool at night with a light frost.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Margaret is her daughter, and is the wife as well as the step-sister of JMH.

Tuesday, January 26th, 1864

To day the boys are still at work in the bottom field. Hicks is still at work covering in the cribs. I ground 2 bushels of wheat and 20 bushels of corn. Weather clear & warm for the season of the year.

Monday, January 25th, 1864

To day the boys commenced work in the bottom field. Hicks commenced covering in the cribs. I ground 7 bushels of wheat & 4 bushels of corn. Weather clear & pleasant. Another spring day.

Tuesday, November 3rd, 1863

To day the boys went to the woods and commenced getting boards to cover the cribs, and the stables. John is at work chopping out the new ground in the mill field. I ground 10 bushels of corn and 2 bushels of wheat. Billy Stewart came out from Crockett, and stopped at the house with us. Mr. Hallmark came out after his flour and also staid with us. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I took down the flour mill in order to peck the stones. Weather cloudy & warm, with light showers of rain.

Monday, November 2nd, 1863

To day the boys are at work digging potatoes and preparing to go into the woods to split boards to cover the cribs and stables. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up and spent the day with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Roberts]. I ground 2½ bushels of corn and 1½ bushels of wheat. At night Thomas Keen came over, when he and Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went out fire hunting but they had no success. Weather changeable and hot, with indications of rain.

Friday, April 4th, 1862

To day we are still at work on the war tax rolls. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] is busy making out a/c's. I sent the wagons down to Swilley's after corn and got 45 bushels which was all put into Capt. J. Wrigley's crib. Bill at work on the fence. The steamer Ruthven left for Galveston. weather changeable and warm.  

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