Tuesday, February 27th, 1866

To day I finished papering the school house for Col. Wrigley. I drove up town and settled in full with Mr. Baldwin & Dr. Rives. Hicks & Albert are working in the garden. My cough & cold are no better. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] still afflicted with sore eyes. Frank [Stewart] still confined to his bed. I purchased from the Str. Col. Stell which is still here one Barrel of irish potatoes for which I paid 5$ specie. Weather clear & pleasant. Mrs. Massie still here.

Monday, February 26th, 1866

To day I commenced papering the schoolhouse for Col. Wrigley and the one upon which he has been working. I am but little if any better of my cough and cold. Frank [Stewart] is still confined to his bed. Mrs. Massie is still here. Berta [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] & Fanny spent the night at Mrs. Beale's* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring]. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Hall] is still suffering with sore eyes. Weather clear and pleasant.

*This Mrs. Beale is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Friday, September 22nd, 1865

To day I finished papering the hall. Capt. John Redman is still with me. Weather cloudy & hot with occasional showers of rain throughout the day.

Thursday, September 21st, 1865

To day I commenced papering the hall, assisted by Capt. John Redman, who is still with me. Weather cloudy & cool with showers of rain throughout the day, and a hard rain at night.

Tuesday, September 19th, 1865

To day Capt. John Redman is still with me. My negro man John or rather freedman by the nefarious proclamation of the President of the United States, although indentured to me for one year ran off and shipped on the Steamer Mary Hill and left for Galveston. I finished papering my parlor. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town after sundry articles. Weather cloudy with a light shower of rain.

Monday, September 18th, 1865

To day I am engaged in papering the parlor. Capt. John Redman came and stopped with me for the night. Hicks & John are engaged hauling with my big wagon Cotton from the ware house to the Steamer Mary Hill now lying at Walnut bluff, they made 4 loads carrying 8 bales at a load. At night I attended a party given at the residence of Mrs. John Wrigley's. Weather variable and hot with a light shower of rain.

Friday, September 15th, 1865

To day Charles Leaverton left on the train of Cars for Sour Lake. I am still engaged in papering the parlor. In the evening I drove down to John Booth's and paid him up in full for the time I boarded with him during last summer. Weather cloudy and warm with showers of rain throughout the entire day.

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.

Wednesday, September 13th, 1865

To day I am engaged in papering the dining room and finished it late in the evening. Hicks and John are both sick with the chills & fever. Weather cloudy & hot with occasional showers of rain.

Friday, February 7th, 1862

To day I am busy in the ware house. In the evening I finished papering the S.E. room of my house. Capt. James Wrigley assisting me in putting on the border. this completes very comfortably two rooms in which the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & myself took quarters, after properly arranging the furniture and other chairs around. weather cloudy cold & rainy throughout the day.

Thursday, February 6th, 1862

To day I am engaged in papering the S.E. room of my new house. But little business doing. weather clear and warm.

Tuesday, February 4th, 1862

To day I am engaged in papering the S.E. room of my new house. Boys at work on the house. Business very dull. weather cloudy rainy & rather cold.

Monday, February 3rd, 1862

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with some freight. In the morning I am engaged in the warehouse. In the evening I completed papering the S.W. room of my house making it look quite well & comfortable. weather cloudy rainy & pretty cold.