Friday, January 5th, 1866

To day I drove up town [Liberty] in my buggy and waited until the train came in from Houston by which I received sundry papers and letters. I let the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] have the buggy who drove up town & purchased some articles. I purchased from Mr. Fontaine some cups and saucers. Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] & Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] are sorely afflicted with the itch. Weather clear & cold with a frost and freeze at night.

Wednesday, December 24th, 1862

To day I drove my horse Gladiator and buggy down to Mothers [Mahala*] and brought up a basket of glass ware. In the evening the little woman drove down to her Mothers [Mahala*] and back to try the horse and buggy. I purchased from Mr. Renfro some fodder & peas. weather cloudy, warm and showery.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. She is the stepmother as well as the mother-in-law of JMH.

Friday, May 16th, 1862

To day I went up town. Nothing doing in the way of business. The steamer Ruthven left for Galveston. Capt. James Wrigley won 3 sets of china at a little freeze out. One set he presented to the little woman and he also presented one set to Nellie*. weather changeable, with a hard rain at night and rather cool. [*Nellie is the 2nd great-grandma of the Keeper of this family history blog]