Friday, August 24th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Hicks & Ned are at work preparing the ground to sew turnip seed. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] is still staying with grand ma Gayle as Company. Mr. Beard is still at work on the railing for little Joe's grave [Josephine Martha Hall]. Weather cloudy and hot with a hard rain & wind blowing. Ther: 82°.

Thursday, August 23rd, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] is staying over with Grand Ma Gayle as Company for her. Hicks & Ned are at work getting wood. Mr. Beard commenced to make a railing to enclose the grave of my sweet little Angel Josephine Martha. Weather cloudy and hot with a hard rain in the evening. Ther: 86°.

Monday, August 6th, 1866

To day I went up town and held an election for seven trustees or alderman for the Corporation of the City of Liberty. The time of the old board having expired. At which said election I was again re-elected one of the Alderman. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. I received from Galveston by the way of Houston the little monument purchased by the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and to be erected over the grave of my sweet little babe Josephine Martha. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 96°.

Tuesday, July 24th, 1866

To day we left the hotel, and moved our quarters to the residence of Capt. Peacock who agreed to board my family during their stay in the Island City. I hired a hack and went with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and children down the beach. we had quite a pleasant drive. The little woman purchased a nice little Italian marble monument to be placed over the grave of my sweet little babe Josephine. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 91°.

Friday, February 27th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work in splitting & hauling rails for a cow pen. I am busy in erecting a railing around the grave of Charley Hall's child, also in gathering rails & other material at the old place, all of which I had hauled home. I took dinner with Mr. Cundiff at Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts]. he came to see me in relation to some business. weather changeable and rather cool.

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

Tuesday, July 22nd, 1862

To day I rode my horse Rat down the river in company with Clay Stone to the residence of Dick Cole where I remained for dinner and spent a very agreeable time. The remains of old deaf Smith was buried with masonic honors. The boys were engaged all day in digging the grave for the old man, and in assisting at his burial. weather very hot. Ther. 99°.

Saturday, July 19th, 1862

To day I am engaged in the office. In the evening the Mayor & Council of the City of Liberty met, and as Mayor & ex officio President of the board of Alderman had to attend said meeting. The boys are engaged in digging the grave for poor old Charley Bealing who died in Beaumont and whose remains was brought over on the cars for burial here. He was buried in the Roman Catholic burial ground with the usual ceremonies of that church. weather clear & very hot. Ther: 94°.

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°.