Saturday, January 31st, 1863

To day Sam* Sharp drove my horse (Gladiator) & buggy to Crockett and back and while there he sold my old homestead in Crockett to Wm. F. Johnston for the sum of $2000. cash. The boys are still at work on the garden fence. I ground 36½ bushels of corn. weather clear & pleasant but with some indications of rain. Thus I close the jottings for the month of January.

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

Monday, January 16th, 1860

This day commenced to improve the farm with one hand and with the ulterior object of permanently locating a homestead. Thus launching my barque upon an agricultural life with rather poor prospects for success but meeting the smiles and approbation of my dear little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and with a stout heart and a determination to succeed. Mr. Sam* SHARP, Geo. BORDER, and John VARNADORE visited the house and took supper. Mr. VARNADORE remained all night and with whom I contracted to build me a good and substantial residence at a cost of $2000. Mrs. J. J. HALL [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] also left on a visit to Mrs. MATTHEWS with a view of purchasing a negro man for me. Thus I close the principal incidents of the day.

This image is from an article about

J.M. Hall and his Journal

as featured in the digital magazine,

Shades of the Departed.

barque: Poetic, any boat, esp a small sailing vessel

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is his mother, and is the step-mother as well as the mother-in-law to JMH.