Sunday, December 13th, 1863

To day Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went out hog hunting but without any success. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire], the children and I all went over to Mr. Leaverton's and spent the day. A hole broke in the flooring of the forebay and let off the whole head of water. Weather clear and cold with a hard frost and freeze at night.

Saturday, March 7th, 1863

To day the boys are busy planting the little field in front of the house in corn. Hicks is still out hunting my horse but returned at night without success. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 20 bushels of corn. I am busy fitting up the rooms for bed chambers and in putting matting down on the floors. while at work I lost one of my gold sleeve buttons. Father [Joshua James Hall] came up in the evening to see us but did not remain long. weather clear & rather cool.

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

Friday, March 6th, 1863

To day Hicks is hunting my horse Gladiator. he returned home at night without finding him. The other boys are still at work hauling my things from the bluff [Hall's Bluff on the Trinity River] each wagon having made one load. I am engaged in fixing up the things at home and in putting down matting on the floors. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 51 bushels of corn. weather cloudy with occasional light showers of rain and very windy.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. He is also the brother-in-law as well as the step-brother of JMH.

Monday, December 2nd, 1861

To day Sam* Sharp and I are busily engaged with the boys in storing freight. The steamer Ruthven left for Galveston. The hands in the house finished laying the floors and commenced putting up the ceiling. weather changeable & cool.  

[*Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa of the Keeper of this family history blog]

Saturday, November 30th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a very large freight. There is a general leaving of Galveston for fear the blockading vessels will commence bombarding the City. I am busily engaged in storing away freight in the ware house. Business otherwise dull. The hands are progressing slowly in laying the floors of my new house. weather clear & cool.

Friday, November 29th, 1861

To day I am much better. Business very brisk in the way of selling goods. The Ruthven arrived from Galveston with considerable freight which kept me actively employed in the ware house. The Ruthven left for Galveston in the evening. The hands still engaged on the floors. weather cloudy with a strong north wind blowing & rather cool.

Sunday, October 27th, 1861

To day the steamer arrived from Galveston, bringing the flooring for my house, with considerable other freight. The folks home are better and some have entirely missed their chills. Frank Stewart is now up and able to go to work. I spent the day at home reading. weather clear & rather hot.