Wednesday, August 22nd, 1866

To day at 7½ O'Clock A.M. I arrived at Houston and immediately took a carriage for the rail road depot and arrived in time for the train for Liberty. I arrived in Liberty at 12 O'Clock M. and found my family all well. I also found Capt. John W. Redman still living at my house. I hired Ned Smith a freedman to work for me one month for which I am to pay him 20$ he losing all lost time. Weather variable & hot. Ther : 84°.

Monday, August 13th, 1866

To day I worked at the warehouse. Hicks is engaged in hauling wood. I received by the rail road one Keg of lard & six canvassed hams. Capt. John W. Redman is still with me. Jimmy [James Wrigley Hall] missed the chill and fever. Weather variable and hot. Ther: 90°.

Friday, July 27th, 1866

To day we all left Houston on the Texas & N. Orleans Rail road in route for Liberty, and arrived home about 12 O'Clock M. Dr. Tarleton came over with me upon a tour of inspection. Col. Wrigley and family I found all well. I also found the steamer Col. Stell lying at the wharf but she left in the evening for Galveston. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 92°.

Monday, July 23rd, 1866

To day we all left Houston by the Rail Road and had a pleasant run to Galveston, at which place we arrived all safe at 7 O'Clock P.M. and took rooms at the Washington Hotel except Mrs. Buckley who put up with Maj. Bollings family. Expenses of the day 24$ in specie. Weather clear and hot. Ther : 90°.

Monday, July 16th, 1866

To day about dawn, I arrived in Houston and immediately left in an omnibus for the depot of the Texas and New Orleans Rail Road. we left the depot on the train at 9 O'Clock A.M. for Liberty. I arrived home at 4 O'Clock P.M. just in time to witness the death throes of my sweet little daughter Josephine Martha, who departed this life at 5½ O'Clock, and now reposes sweetly upon the bosom of her Savior. She died at the tender age of two years seven months and one day. The neighbors generally came in and bestowed upon my stricken family such consolation as they could under our heavy trial. Weather cloudy and hot with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 90°.

Wednesday, April 11th, 1866

To day I am still busy at the warehouse. The steamer Emory after taking a full load of Cotton on board left for Galveston. The drift continues to increase above the bridge although all the hands belonging to the rail road are using every effort to remove it. Weather variable.

Wednesday, February 21st, 1866

To day I worked at the warehouse. The Str. T.J. Emery opened the draw of the rail road bridge for the first time in 3 years and passed through the bridge on her upward bound voyage. The Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a small freight on board and left again for Galveston. My cold is no better. Hicks & Albert are at work hauling. Frank [Stewart] no better. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove out in the Country and brought Mrs. Massie home with her who commenced sewing for the family. I entered into a contract with Henry a free man of Color to cook for me at 10$ per month gold. Weather variable & cool.

Wednesday, January 17th, 1866

To day I am at work at the store house. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town & purchased some articles. Col. Wrigley finished covering in the Cotton shed. The rail road commenced this day to make tri-weekly trips from Houston to Beaumont. Mrs. Beale* [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring] still has her horse here. Negro boy Albert is now at work in the garden. Weather variable and rather warm.

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

Sunday, December 24th, 1865

To day I am very busy at work at the warehouse. We shipped 146 B/C* by an extra train of the T&N.O.R.R. for Houston. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town and purchased divers and sundry toys to be distributed to the children to night by way of presents from St. Nicholas put into their respective stockings. Weather variable and cool.

Image of Thomas Nast's St. Nicholas from
Harper's Weekly, December 1865

*bales of cotton

Wednesday, April 12th, 1865

To day after taking Dr. Baldwin on board we dropped the flat boat down the river 32 miles and arrived at Liberty at 1 O'Clk P.M. & tied up above the rail road bridge. I went up to and stopped with Capt. Peacock. I found all my friends in Liberty well. Weather cloudy and cool with occasional showers of rain throughout the day.

Wednesday, June 3rd, 1863

To day after breakfast I left Houston by the Texas and New Orleans railroad for Liberty in Company with Miss Eugenia Stanwood. we arrived in Liberty about 1 o'clock P.M. and found my wagons all right. I put up at Mrs. Beale's for the time I contemplate remaining. My expenses while at Houston was 75$. weather clear and hot. Ther: 93°.

Friday, October 17th, 1862

To day we left our camp at Partlows and drove 15 miles and arrived at Liberty where I found all my friends and acquaintances well, but business perfectly dead. The Yankees in possession of Galveston and Capt. Black's Cavalry Company stationed at Liberty to guard and protect the Rail Road bridge over the Trinity River. expenses of the day $1.50. weather clear & cool.

Saturday, March 8th, 1862

To day Capt. James Wrigley arrived on the freight train from Houston, to attend the funeral of his deceased Brother. I am busy in the store. The boys are engaged digging the grave for the remains of John Wrigley. weather changeable & rather cool.

Tuesday, November 19th, 1861

To day I remained in Houston, busily engaged in trying to settle our affairs with the Rail Road Company, but with very little success. However I done all that could be done at the time. weather changeable & warm.

Sunday, August 4th, 1861

To day I remained at the store. The Ruthven left for Galveston after the arrival of the Beaumont train. Sam Sharp still sick. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain. Ther. standing at 92°

Thursday, August 1st, 1861

To day Mr. Bolling returned on the cars from Sabine Pass. James Wrigley left on a hand car for Houston. I am busily employed in making out Rail Road accounts for the last month. Business rather dull. weather clear and hot with Ther. at 91°. we had a hard rain and storm at night.

Friday, July 26th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven left for Galveston. In the evening George Gordon passed through town on a hand car just from New Orleans. The folks at home were still confined from sickness. James Wrigley has in a measure recovered from his indisposition. business dull. weather cloudy & hot. Ther : 89°

Wednesday, May 15th, 1861

To day James Wrigley came home from Galveston on the Steamer Ruthven. business was pretty active in the way of the rail road trade. The river has commenced rising again and is going up very fast. weather changable & pleasant.

Sunday, May 5th, 1861

To day the rail road boys or rather the engineers came down to the store and had a regular space in which champagne flowed freely to the great discomfiture of many concerned. weather cloudy and rather warm.

Thursday, April 25th, 1861

To day I am engaged in the sales room as salesman. doing some business in the rail road trade. The river is still falling. weather clear & pleasant.