Thursday, January 18th, 1866

To day I drove up town in the buggy after a few articles for the little woman [Margaret* Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and while there collected the freight bills for the Steamer Kate, which said boat I learned was burnt up on Red fish bar on her downward trip with 85 bales of Cotton. Frank Stewart & Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] are still sick and do not improve any. I sent over to Houston for some iron bars to brace the Cotton shed. Weather changeable & warm.

*This Margaret is a 2nd great-grand-aunt to the Keeper of this family history blog, and is the wife as well as the step-sister of JMH.

Tuesday, February 3rd, 1863

To day Sam* Sharp rode my horse Rob to Crockett and back in order to collect some money from Capt. Odell but he failed in his mission. he however purchased me a good iron wedge. I had the garden plowed up for the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] to commence her gardening. Hicks at work on the house fence. I ground 5½ bushels of corn. weather cloudy, cold, dark and gloomy with strong indications of rain.

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

Wednesday, October 1st, 1862

To day I rode my horse Rob in company with William Leaverton nearly all over the neighbourhood in search of cotton, but without any success. we returned to Father's in time for dinner. In the evening William rode up to the mill and sold some sheet iron to Mr. Horn. he returned home late in the evening. weather changeable and hot with prospects of rain.

Tuesday, September 2nd, 1862

To day I went up to the mill with Roberta & Laura, and made Bill drive the little wagon down to Fathers, and there unloaded the iron and salt. I called on J.H. Leaverton and purchased from him some fodder. I returned to Father's and found that he had gone to the Saline. at night I was very sick and spent a disagreeable time being up & down all night. weather cloudy, rainy and rather cool.