Friday, November 13th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work in the woods splitting boards. John is at work putting up a kiln to run some tar. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] drove my horse (Rob) and buggy down to Hall's bluff to see Mrs. Stubblefield who is very sick and remained there all night. John Williams came to see me and stopped all night. I ground 6½ bushels of corn. Weather cloudy and warm for the season.

Thursday, September 3rd, 1863

To day the boys are still at work hauling logs to build the cotton house. Hicks tar kiln is now running very well. My son James [James Wrigley Hall] is still sick. I ground 11½ bushels of corn. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went out hunting and succeeded in killing a fine large buck. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] came up home and Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up with her and spent the day. weather clear and very hot.

Wednesday, September 2nd, 1863

To day the boys are still at work hauling logs to build the cotton house. Hicks is at work building another tar kiln which he fired and it is turning out very well. I ground 2½ bushels of corn. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] rode down to Mothers [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] to spend the night and Roberta [Berta Downes Halyard nee Hall] went home with her. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went out hunting but had no success. My son James [James Wrigley Hall] had another chill and fever, which makes the little fellow look very bad. weather clear and exceedingly hot.

Tuesday, September 1st, 1863

To day the boys are engaged in hauling logs to build a cotton house, or rather a house to store away cotton in. Hick's tar kiln has turned out to be a failure. I ground 2½ bushels of corn. A drove of about 600 beaves got into the mill pond and done considerable damage to the levee, tearing away a portion of it, and utterly destroying my boat. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went out hunting but had no success. he however made a first rate basket while in the woods. Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] came up and spent the day. My son James [James Wrigley Hall] had a chill & fever. weather clear and very hot.

Sunday, August 30th, 1863

To day I remained at home writing up this journal. Hicks fired the tar kiln. My friend Capt. Stubblefield's only male child named James departed this life about 12 o'clock M. aged about 9 months old. Ellen carried Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] where she remained all night. weather clear & hot. Ther: 83°.

Saturday, August 29th, 1863

To day the boys are at work in building the tar kiln and in picking peas. I drove my horse and buggy up to Mr. Keen's to have my saddle fixed up and carried Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] up with me, but as the old gentleman was absent from home I did not succeed in my mission. In consequence of the continued low water in the pond, the mill done no grinding. weather changeable & hot. Ther: 92°.