Monday, January 1st, 1866

To day I commence my notes of events that may daily happen immediately around me during the current year. These notes are not intended to be of any service to any one except myself as a book of reference and to my family as a faithful exposition of my daily transactions. 

I formed & entered into a copartnership with James Wrigley to carry on in the town of Liberty a general Commission and Warehouse business. The Steamer Kate & Sloop Luna left for Galveston. 

The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had a fine new year's dinner which reflected great credit upon her art as a house Keeper. I entered into a Contract with negro man Albert to work for the year at 15$ per month with board, he furnishing a negro woman to cook. I also employed my old servant Hicks for the year at 10$ per month. Weather cloudy & cold with incessant rain throughout the entire day.

from 1866 & 1867 issues of the

Galveston Flakes Daily Bulletin

Saturday, March 24th, 1860

To day I moved my negroes home. Mr. Tanner bundled ? some augers & chisels. we clear up & fixed for planting a potato patch. weather clear & pleasant. I executed my note to Herndon's adms. ? for $137.75 for purchases made at the sale, due and payable 12 months, with W.A. Stewart & James Collins, ? as my securities.

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YAZOO DEMOCRAT [Yazoo City, MS], March 24, 1860, p. 1, c. 5. Kitchen Memoranda. -- Potatoes to be washed -- meat to be put to soak -- lamps to fill -- knives to scour -- furniture to be dusted -- silver to be polished -- front entry to be washed -- beds to be made -- apples to be pared -- flour to sift -- shirts to be ironed -- dishes to be washed -- beets to be cleaned -- carpets to be swept -- fires to be tended -- dinner to get -- pig to be fed -- pudding to be made -- a run to the store -- front door to tend -- children to be waited on -- baby's frock to be washed -- stockings to be darned -- button to be sewed on the shirts -- skirts to be done up -- tea to get -- griddle cakes -- doughnuts, custards, ginger bread, preserves -- dishes to clear away -- company -- meetings -- bed time. What merchant, politician or president has a longer list of daily avocations than the good housewife; and yet how little are they considered. The hard and constant fatigue of the mother should elicit a deep sympathy, and a more strenuous effort to lighten her burdens.