Friday, May 18th, 1866

To day the steamer Indian No. 2 arrived from the upper [Trinity] river, with Capt. Thomas Stubblefield on board. he brought several packages and letters from Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] to the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. The Sheriff arrested negro man Henry off of said steamer for theft at my in[si]stance. The Str. Indian No. 2 left for Galveston. Col. Wrigley arrived on the cars from Houston. In the evening I prosecuted the negro boy Henry for theft & succeeded in binding him over to the District Court. I loaned Asa Abshear 10$ to pay Mrs. Stanwood a medical bill. Capt. John W. Redmond is still at work painting the house. Weather clear and pleasant.

Saturday, March 31st, 1866

To day I am busy receiving and discharging 113 bales of Cotton that has just come down from Hall's bluff on a flat boat belonging to A.J. Walston and for bringing which I paid him $172 gold. I received a letter from My relatives up the Country [in Houston County] informing me that they were in good health. My Cough is but little if any better. At night the steamers Shreveport and Sunflower arrived from Galveston bound up the river. Weather cloudy and cool. Thus I close my notes for March.

Wednesday, March 28th, 1866

To day I am busy at the warehouse writing letters for Ed. Jones to take up the Country [to Houston County] with him. The Steamer Arizona arrived from Galveston with a freight for the up river and succeeded in getting through the draw bridge. Roberta is improving a little. Weather variable and pleasant.

Wednesday, January 24th, 1866

To day I am very busy loading the steamer Sunflower. I drove up town to meet the cars and mail some letters. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] went up with me. I had a full settlement with Capt. Chandler in relation to his Consignments. The steamer Sunflower then left for Galveston. Hicks and Albert went out with the little woman and got me some Mulberry trees to set out in the house yard for shade trees. Weather clear and cold with a hard frost at night. 

Sunday, January 14th, 1866

To day I am engaged in writing letters. The Steamer Kate arrived from Galveston with considerable freight. by her I received a new hat & one box raisins, Keg lard & some butter. Frank [Stewart] and Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] are still quite sick. Weather variable and rather warm for the season of the year.

Sunday, January 7th, 1866

To day I remained at home, principally writing a letter. Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] and Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] are still very sore with the itch, although I am applying lard & sulphur freely. I loaned my horse and buggy to Ed. Jones. Weather cloudy and cold, with drizzling rain throughout the entire day.

Friday, January 5th, 1866

To day I drove up town [Liberty] in my buggy and waited until the train came in from Houston by which I received sundry papers and letters. I let the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] have the buggy who drove up town & purchased some articles. I purchased from Mr. Fontaine some cups and saucers. Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] & Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] are sorely afflicted with the itch. Weather clear & cold with a frost and freeze at night.

Wednesday, January 3rd, 1866

To day I am at work at the store house. The boys are at work around the house. Negro woman Rose came over and set in to work for the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], relieving her from cooking. Rose is the woman furnished by Albert under his control. Col. Wrigley commenced opperations on the cotton shed. At dark Ed. Jones arrived home from his up Country trip [to Houston County], bringing me some letters from my relatives. Weather clear & cold with another freeze & frost at night.

Friday, December 8th, 1865

To day I am still at work at the warehouse and assisted in moving the office from the warehouse to the Store house, in order to be more comfortable. Mr. Haggart arrived from Houston on the cars in company with Mr. Brackenridge. I loaned my horse & buggy to Col. W. to drive up town after the letters and papers. Weather cloudy and cold, with occasional showers of rain.

Friday, October 20th, 1865

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. After much trouble I succeeded in getting my horse Rob up when the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and Mrs. Wrigley drove up town. William Leaverton left in the stage for my mills [Houston County] and carried some letters up with him for my relatives. I hired negro man Ike to dig my potatoes. Weather clear and rather cool.

Thursday, September 14th, 1865

To day I went over to Mr. Patillo's shop and made two cribbage boards, one for Mr. Trawick and the other for Mr. Jones, after which I commenced papering my parlor. Charles Leaverton arrived from my mills on the mail stage, bringing us letters from our relatives and friends up the Country [Houston County] also 255$ specie. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town in the buggy in order to get me some tobacco. Hicks is engaged in hanging the garden and house yard gates. Weather variable and cool with occasional showers of rain.

Thursday, September 7th, 1865

To day I worked a little in the garden and then drove up town in my buggy to mail a package of letters. The negro man Ned is still at work in the garden preparing the ground to sow turnip & other seed. Weather changeable with a light shower of rain.

Wednesday, September 6th, 1865

To day I am engaged in writing letters. The negro man Ned finished plowing up the garden. Conney is sick with chill and fever. Weather clear and hot.

Tuesday, September 5th, 1865

To day I employed the negro man Ned Smith & put him to work plowing up the garden in order to sow some turnip & raddish seeds. I worked a little around the house. My boil is still improving and I am now able to sit down a little. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town after some sugar. We received letters from the up Country, that is, from our relatives at the mills, in which they informed us that our wagons were on the eve of starting down and that we might soon expect them. Weather cloudy & hot with occasional showers of rain.

Friday, August 11th, 1865

To day all the sick missed their fevers. I drove up to the depot to see William Leaverton who came over on the cars from Houston. I gave him a package of letters. He then left for the mills, going in the stage as far as Crockett. Weather clear and hot. Ther: 92°.

Wednesday, August 2nd, 1865

To day William Leaverton arrived from my mills. he informed me that my relatives are well and the mill in successful opperation. He is on his way to Sour Lake. He brought the little woman some apples and a package of letters. He remained for dinner in order to wait for some letters I am engaged in writing. Weather cloudy and warm with a very hard rain. Ther: 86°.

Tuesday, August 1st, 1865

To day I drove up town in my buggy in order to mail a package of letters. Fanny has entirely recovered from her late illness. Weather variable & hot. Ther: 91°.

Sunday, July 16th, 1865

To day I drove up town in my buggy in order to mail some letters. The Steamer Ruthven left for Galveston. Weather variable and hot. Ther: 92°.

Tuesday, June 20th, 1865

To day I wrote a letter to W.P. Leaverton at Crockett and enclosed one in it for my little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], urging her speedy departure from the mill to join me here. I am still at Booths. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 90°.

Friday, June 9th, 1865

To day I went out hunting with Capt. Harrison & succeeded in killing a few. I am still at Booth's. I received a letter from home, which gave me much pleasure in learning that all were well. yet it produced some sorrow, that the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children had not as yet left to join me at this place. However, it will not be long before they come & I must be patient. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 90°.