Thursday, July 5th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse. Florence [Hall] still has fever. Col. Wrigley and hands are still at work on the wood shop. Hicks still hauling lumber from the flat boats. At night I loaned my horse and buggy to Ed. Jones to attend a wedding up town between Mr. Thompson & Miss Beacher. Weather cloudy & hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther : 88°.

Monday, December 11th, 1865

To day I worked at the warehouse & assisted in loading the Str. Kate & Sloop Luna. we put 126 Bales of Cotton on them, and they left for Galveston. At night I drove up town, with the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], to the residence of Pryor Bryan, to witness the marriage ceremony of Mr. W.D. Williams and Miss Laura Bryan. After which the Company took up the line of march to the old City Hotel, where they touched the "light fantastic toe" until the "wee sma" hours of the morn. Weather cloudy & rather warm, with indications of rain.

Wednesday, June 21st, 1865

To day I rode down to gum lake to attend a party or rather a fish fry. we had fine luck and an excellent dinner. I passed a very pleasant time and everything passed off to the satisfaction of all the parties interested. At night I went down to Mr. Cole's in his yawl [boat] to attend a party given by Mr. Cole in honor of Col. Denson & his bride they having just been married and the party might be considered as a bridle [sic] party or ball. I have received nothing as yet from home [Houston County]. I am still at John Booths. Weather clear & very hot. Ther: 91°.

Thursday, June 1st, 1865

To day I rode up to Jose bayou in company with Capt. Harrison & John Booth on a fishing excursion but was rather unsuccessful. We however killed some fine squirrells. Capt. Cameron & Miss Adelia Wrigley were married at night. nothing yet from home. I am still at John Booths. At home the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] went down to Mothers [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] to spend what time she remained up the Country, and consequently quit keeping the opperations of the mill. As this is the first day of summer I shall give the state of the thermometer noting it each day at 3 o'clock P.M. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 90°.

Saturday, February 7th, 1863

To day Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] is engaged in making a gate for the house yard. The boys are at work on the road leading to Palestine. Mother [Mahala* Lee Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up but returned in the evening. I ground 55 bushels of corn. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] is still improving but still quite sick. At night my negro boy John and negro girl Jemima were married after the style of negro marriages, they had a general blow out with a congregation of all the negroes in the neighborhood and seemed to enjoy themselves hugely. weather clear, cool & very windy.

*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 of JMH.

Sunday, July 14th, 1861

To day I am busily employed in writing letters, and this being the anniversary of my marriage with the little woman I did not forget to write her and to drink her health & long life. weather changeable & warm.

Friday, July 12th, 1861

To day I am busy as salesman in the Store, in consequence of Sam H. Sharp who on yesterday took unto himself a wife and is now sticking so close to her as a plaster. He being the regular salesman, has now thrown that duty on me doubtless for a few days but I rather anticipate it will not last long. Capt. Wrigley and his company are still in camp. weather changeable & warm.

Thursday, July 11th, 1861

To day I am engaged as salesman in the store with pretty active trade. Be it remembered & known that Samuel H. Sharp and Miss Mary Alexandrien Lamier were united together in the bonds of wedlock, and I rather expect at night there was some very sharp shooting took place, this however is only a surmise. Capt. Wrigley & Ed. Jones came in from their camp to attend said wedding, where all passed off pleasantly & agreeably to all in attendance. weather clear & warm.

Thursday, December 20th, 1860

To day I left Drew's in company with Dr. Hunsaker and Mr. Haeff, and after travelling 35 miles over the worst road in Texas, we arrived at Mr. Hawkins' where we stoped for the night. at this place I found a marriage in perspective, with many interesting young ladies in attendance who wiled away the time discoursing sweet music upon the Piano Forte in fact I almost thought myself a boy again so pleasantly did I pass the time, but as all things must have an end so I turned in for the night and had rosy dreams of the future, whether to be realized or not time only can develope. expenses for the day $1.10. weather clear & rather warm.