Sunday, December 25th, 1864

Today Sam* Sharp & I with the children in the little wagon, Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] & the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] in the buggy, all drove down to Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] where we spent our Christmas. We had a fine dinner & a good eggnogg. We passed the day very pleasantly. Weather cloudy & rather warm. 

*This Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. The "little woman" is Sam's sister. Mahala is Sam's mother.

Friday, December 25th, 1863

To day being Christmas, all order of business was suspended, and we all went in for a regular jollification. I had with me to partake of our Christmas dinner, Father [Joshua James Hall], Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts], Capt. Peacock, Mrs. Bird, Mr. Leaverton, and sundry others besides the home folks. the egg nogg flowed freely and all went off as merry as a marriage bell. To close the scene at night the negroes had a ball in the yard by moon light. they touched the light "fantastic" too and were as happy as happy could be. If Lincoln should succeed in his mad project and for which he is now prosecuting his unholy war for their emancipation, he will only plunge them into abject missery from their now happy condition. Weather changeable & cool.

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

Thursday, December 25th, 1862

To day I remained at home with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and babies and enjoyed a fine Christmas dinner with several nice egg noggs gotten up in a style as only the little woman knows how to fix them. I contracted with Mr. Thomas Dailey for 1000 lbs of pork at 14&#162. The drafting of the Militia came off in Crockett and Sam Sharp* was drawn to serve under the three months call for the protection of our coast. weather cloudy and warm with occasional showers of rain.  

*Samuel Houston Sharp is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog, and the comments made in this Journal are the only known record (as of this date) of our Sam's military experiences.

 

Wednesday, October 8th, 1862

To day at 7 o'clock a.m. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] was delivered of a male child weighing 11 lbs. 1 oz. which I named "James Wrigley" in honor of my old friend James Wrigley. There was no white persons present at the birth except Mother* [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & myself. Dr. Murchison for whom I sent arrived too late to be of any service. The little woman and baby are doing very well. In consequence of the birth of this my first Son I took a big egg nogg which was not bad by the way. weather cloudy and warm. it commenced raining about 8 o'clock a.m. & rained throughout the day. 

*The person he refers to as "Mother" is Mahala Lee Sharp Hall nee Roberts . . . who is actually his step-mother . . . as well as his mother-in-law . . . aka the mother of "the little woman" . . . and Mahala is also the 3rd great-grandma of the Keeper of this family history blog.

 

Saturday, February 22nd, 1862

This being my birth day anniversary I celebrated it in a proper manner, with a large bowl of Egg Nogg & the etc. etc. that go with it. The Steamer Ruthven left for Galveston. Charley Lund came home from Hardin Co. Boys still in the swamp getting posts. Business very dull in fact almost dried up. weather changeable and warm for the season.

Wednesday, December 25th, 1861

To day being Christmas no kind of business was done. The Steamer Ruthven arrived & departed. We had a find flow of egg nogg to ward off the dullness of the times. weather changeable & very warm for the season of the year.

Saturday, October 19th, 1861

To day my daughter Florence attained her first anniversary and in consequence of which I took a fine egg nogg. Workmen progressing slowly with my house. Business very dull. weather clear & cool.