Wednesday, November 1st, 1865

To day we arrived in Houston just at day break. we left the Steamer and put up at the Rusk House and after breakfast for which we had to pay one dollar each specie Stewart and I left Houston on the freight train for Liberty at which place we arrived about 2 O'Clk P.M. and for our passage we paid 4$ specie. I found all my family well except Fannie who is sick and confined to her room. Weather cloudy and cold with occasional showers of rain and a strong north wind still blowing.

Thursday, September 28th, 1865

To day I tacked the carpet down in the little room. At night I attended a party given by the young men of Liberty at the residence of Col. Frank Hardin. I passed a very pleasant evening among the guys, all passed off as merry as a "marriage bell" and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Weather variable and cool with occasional showers of rain.

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.

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.

Saturday, November 19th, 1864

To day the boys are still at work splitting rails. I am still sick with the sore mouth and confined to my room. Hicks ground 2 bushels of wheat & 21½ bushels of corn. Weather cloudy and cold with drizzling rain.

Monday, March 9th, 1863

To day I sent Hicks in company with Captain Rose as far as the residence of my old friend Dan Dailey's in hunt of my horse Gladiator. I am still engaged in fitting up the rooms about the house. The boys commenced working at the lower field in chopping & burning logs. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground one bushel of corn. weather cloudy & cold with strong prospects of rain.

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

Saturday, March 7th, 1863

To day the boys are busy planting the little field in front of the house in corn. Hicks is still out hunting my horse but returned at night without success. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 20 bushels of corn. I am busy fitting up the rooms for bed chambers and in putting matting down on the floors. while at work I lost one of my gold sleeve buttons. Father [Joshua James Hall] came up in the evening to see us but did not remain long. weather clear & rather cool.

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

Sunday, June 29th, 1862

To day the Steamer Ruthven came up from Galveston and Frank Hitchcock arrived on her having brought me a fine present in the way of a bottle of O?. I remained in my room pretty much all day, and we had some ? fine music on a bandoline the first instrument of the kind that I ever saw. weather clear & very hot. Ther: 97°.

Sunday, June 22nd, 1862

To day I remained in my room writing up this Journal. In the evening I attended the funeral of my friend W.R. Howard's child. it died in the morning and was buried in the evening about 4½ o'clock the boys having dug the grave. I partook of a nice water melon for my dinner which was the first I have seen of the season. weather changeable & hot, with some prospects of rain. Ther: 90°.

Monday, February 24th, 1862

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with some little freight. I am engaged in the ware house. In the evening I remained home and put down a carpet in the large room and then moved in every thing looking very comfortable & pleasant. weather clear and pleasant.

Thursday, February 13th, 1862

To day I am engaged at the ware house. In the evening I remained at home and tacked down carpets on the two rooms completed in the house. weather cloudy and showery with strong North wind blowing and very cold.

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.

Friday, January 31st, 1862

To day I am engaged in the ware house. In the evening I commenced to paper the S.W. room of my house. Business very dull. weather cloudy, rainy & very cold.

Thursday, January 30th, 1862

To day I am working on the house, painting the S.W. room. Business dull. weather cloudy & showery.