Saturday, April 28th, 1866

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] and Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] are recovering from the measles. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall], little Joe and Conney are still quite sick with it. Fanny went up to Mrs. Raniers and purchased a fine mess of strawberries for dinner. The Steamer Indian No. 2 arrived from Galveston with Maj. Bolling and Mrs. Stanwood on board, by the latter I received my lamps, oil and pocket knife and for which I paid her $12.50. The Steamer left for the upper [Trinity] river with a heavy load on board. Weather clear and pleasant. 

Tuesday, January 30th, 1866

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. Col. Wrigley is still engaged in moving the Smith house. he succeeded in getting it up to the new location and blocking it up. Hicks and Albert assisted him all day. The sloop Gray Hound left for Galveston. I drove up town in company with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. we purchased 20 oranges, apples, banannas & cocoa nuts. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] is better. Frank [Stewart] & Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] are still sick. Weather clear and pleasant.

Friday, January 12th, 1866

To day Hicks hauled the rails and lumber from the flat boat also the two skiffs or bateaux. I drove up town and Collected a part of the freight bills for the Str. Kate. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] is but little if any better with her afflictions. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & I drove up town & purchased some Crockery, 1 Doz. apples and oranges. Weather variable and rather warm for the season.

Wednesday, November 8th, 1865

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. The steamer Sunflower arrived from Galveston with a bbl onions, Bbl potatoes and some fruit for the children on board for me. We loaded her with 350 bales of Cotton & 52 beef hides. Jimmy had a chill and fever. Fannie is still improving. Frank Stewart is still quite sick. Hicks made one load with the big wagon to the public square. Weather clear and pleasant.

Wednesday, August 2nd, 1865

To day William Leaverton arrived from my mills. he informed me that my relatives are well and the mill in successful opperation. He is on his way to Sour Lake. He brought the little woman some apples and a package of letters. He remained for dinner in order to wait for some letters I am engaged in writing. Weather cloudy and warm with a very hard rain. Ther: 86°.

Thursday, June 15th, 1865

To day I am still at Booths. Capt. Harrison and I went out black berry picking. we had splendid success. Nothing further from home [Houston County], though I am daily expecting the arrival of my family. Weather variable & warm. Ther: 85°.

Thursday, March 9th, 1865

To day John is at work filling up the stalls in the stable. All the women are at work in the garden. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] came home from Mrs. Byrds. Hicks ground 6 bushels of wheat & 21 bushels of corn. Sam* Sharp came home from the army on a short visit. Weather changeable & cold with an occasional shower of sleet at night there was a hard frost & freeze which I think will destroy all the fruit & vegetation now put forth. 

*This Nellie and Sam are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Monday, March 30th, 1863

To day the boys commenced to brake up the lower field in order to plant corn. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] went out cow hunting, he had no success, except killing a fine turkey. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] & Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] came up from Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is no better. they returned in the evening. I ground 18½ bushels of corn. weather clear with a strong wind blowing from the north. The wind however lulled and there was a hard frost at night. I fear it has killed all the fruit and had not the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] covered up all the garden vegetables they must of necessity been killed too.

*This Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma, and is Sam's mother. Mahala is also the mother-in-law as well as the step-mother of JMH.

Sunday, June 22nd, 1862

To day I remained in my room writing up this Journal. In the evening I attended the funeral of my friend W.R. Howard's child. it died in the morning and was buried in the evening about 4½ o'clock the boys having dug the grave. I partook of a nice water melon for my dinner which was the first I have seen of the season. weather changeable & hot, with some prospects of rain. Ther: 90°.

Thursday, May 16th, 1861

To day all the ladies at home except the little woman went in company with Ed. Jones in quest of black berries, but with little success. weather changable & warm.

Thursday, March 21st, 1861

To day the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] in company with several ladies, went in hunt of black berries. She & Mrs. John Wrigley walk over the railroad bridge, which is a considerable undertaking for a lady. I took a strole in their company on the other side of the [Trinity] river from Liberty. we met with poor success in getting berries however. weather changable & rather cool.