Saturday, March 25th, 1865

To day the boys took up the mill stones & re-bushed the mill after which Hicks ground 30 bushels of corn. Nellie's little mare, Pidgeon folded a female coalt. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] still down at Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts]. Josephine [Josephine Martha Hall] had fever. Weather variable & cool with a hard rain at night.

*This Nellie is a 2nd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma, and is Nellie's mother-in-law. Mahala is also the mother-in-law as well as the step-mother of JMH.

Thursday, March 10th, 1864

To day I took up the mill stones and set Hicks to pecking them after which I went with the boys and finished the new road. Father [Joshua James Hall] returned from Crockett having left Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] with his Company [CSA]. In the evening the boys worked in the new ground. I drove down to Mothers [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] with Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] and while there we made a good cotton rope for Sam to take to the Army with him. Weather clear & rather cool with a strong wind blowing all day.

*Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma, and is Sam's mother, as well as the mother-in-law AND the step-mother of JMH.

Wednesday, February 3rd, 1864

To day I went with Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring] over to see the spring place and from there to Mothers [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts], where I left her to spend the day. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] also rode down to Mothers and spent the day. Mr. Keen came over with the mill irons when we put down the mill stones, but the mill not performing well we were compelled to take it up again. In the evening I drove my buggy & horse down to Mothers after Mrs. Beale, who returned home with me. weather clear & pleasant. at night however there was a considerable frost.

*This Mrs. Beale as well as Mahala are 3rd great-grandmas to the Keeper of this family history blog. Nellie is a 2nd great-grandma, and is the daughter of Mrs. Beale and the daughter-in-law of Mahala.

Monday, February 1st, 1864

To day I sent Hicks to Crockett with my horse hawk for Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring] to ride out on who arrived at night on a visit to see her daughter [Nellie* aka Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire]. I sent John to Mr. Keen's to get him to come over and fix my mill irons. Having taken up the mill stone I can do no corn grinding until the irons are repaired. I however ground 7 bushels of wheat. Weather clear and cool, with a frost at night.

*Nellie is a 2nd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mrs. Beale is her mother.

Wednesday, January 27th, 1864

To day the boys are still at work in the bottom field. Hicks is still covering in the cribs. Mrs. Bird came down to see us and brought home the piece of Jeans she has been weaving for the little woman [Margaret* Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. Mr. Pennington's next child to the youngest died last night. Father [Joshua James Hall] and Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up but did not remain long. I ground 11 bushels of corn and 2 bushels of wheat. The bushing of the mill worked out and I had to send to the lower field after the boys to assist me in taking up the mill stone in order to rebush the mill. Weather clear and pleasant but rather cool at night with a light frost.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Margaret is her daughter, and is the wife as well as the step-sister of JMH.

Thursday, November 5th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work in the woods getting boards. John is still at work in the new ground. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I finished pecking the wheat mill stones and started the mill. we ground 6½ bushels of corn and 3 bushels of wheat. Billy Stewart left after dinner for Crockett and George Numsen left for Father's [Joshua James Hall]. Joseph Keen, Thomas Keen and Sam went out fire hunting at night and succeeded in killing one fine buck. they got separated in the woods, and Mr. Keen carried the deer home with him. so I lost the venison steak that I so much hungered after. better luck next time. weather cloudy & warm with occasional showers of rain.

Tuesday, November 3rd, 1863

To day the boys went to the woods and commenced getting boards to cover the cribs, and the stables. John is at work chopping out the new ground in the mill field. I ground 10 bushels of corn and 2 bushels of wheat. Billy Stewart came out from Crockett, and stopped at the house with us. Mr. Hallmark came out after his flour and also staid with us. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I took down the flour mill in order to peck the stones. Weather cloudy & warm, with light showers of rain.

Tuesday, October 20th, 1863

To day the boys finished putting the fence around the new ground in the mill field. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I put the mill stones down. when I ground 6 bushels of corn. Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] is still down at her Grand Mothers [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts]. At night a strange woman came to the house and remained all night. who she was or what she was doing I could not learn. but as she behaved herself I let her depart in peace. weather cloudy & rather warm.

Monday, October 19th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work putting up the fence around the new ground in the mill field. John still hauling rails and made two loads. My son James [James Wrigley Hall] missed the chill & fever. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] went with Burt [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] and entered her at Mrs. Brooks' school for one session and also put her to boarding with Major Wortham at 8$ per month. My daughter Florence attained her third birth day. she is very well grown for her age. Mother came by on her way home from Major Wortham's and carried Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] home with her. I ground 12 bushes of corn after which Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I took up the stones and pecked them. Weather changeable & warm with a very strong wind blowing from the S.E. and indications of rain.

Wednesday, May 13th, 1863

To day the boys finished splitting rails and Bill commenced to put up the fence around the mill field. John went with the wagon to the black smith shop to carry my buggy wheels and then went to hauling rails. I drove my horse & buggy over to Mr. Keen's and carried Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] with me. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] & Hicks took up the Mill stones and gave them a pretty good dressing. I ground 11½ bushels of meal. weather changeable & very warm with a light shower of rain.

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

Sunday, February 15th, 1863

To day I took up the mill stones and put in a new balance iron but damaged the rocks some by the opperation. Father [Joshua James Hall] and Frank Stewart came up in the evening and returned home about night. weather cloudy & rather cold. During the night it rained incessantly and has flooded the whole Country around.

Saturday, January 17th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work on the garden posts. I ground 46½ bushels of corn when the balance iron of the mill stones gave way thereby preventing me from grinding any more. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] was taken sick again with one of her spells and with strong symptoms of a miscarriage she being well advanced in a state of pregnancy. weather clear and rather cool.

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

Friday, January 2nd, 1863

To day Sam* Sharp and I resalted the pork that I purchased from Mr. Bird. Sam went down to Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and got a little tallow for the use of the mill. we then took up the Mill rocks and rebushed the spindle. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Hall nee Lemaire] is still quite sick but improving a little. I ground 14 bushels of corn. weather cloudy and warm with occasional showers of rain.

*Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is Sam's mother.

Tuesday, September 10th, 1861

To day I left Father's and moved up to the mill as my home until I should start for Liberty. I assisted Harwell in pecking the mill stones. Wm. Leaverton & his negro man came over and assisted us in raising and putting down the runner. weather changeable with occasional showers of rain & hot.