Sunday, August 21st, 1864

To day John is engaged in hunting up his steers to start to the saline. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up and spent the day. Mrs. Keen came up in the evening & staid until night. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 80°.

Saturday, September 8th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work putting up the Cotton house. Clara & Carroll are still very sick. Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] missed the fever & is now up. I purchased from Mr. Joseph Thompson three beef steers that are now bogged down in the mill pond. they are branded with C.S.A. and with other brands not now recollected. weather clear and hot. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 3 bushels of corn.

Wednesday, January 21st, 1863

To day Hicks finished framing the garden posts, and commenced working on the rails. The other boys are engaged in hauling rails & wood. Bill found and drove up the steer that got out on yesterday. Sam* Sharp commenced work on the loom for Mother [Mahala* Lee Sharp Hall nee Roberts]. I ground 21 bushels of corn. weather clear & pleasant but a little cool.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is his mother, as well as the step-mother AND mother-in-law of JMH.

Tuesday, January 20th, 1863

To day I rode my horse Gladiator to Crockett & while there paid Mr. Corley for 34 bales of cotton. I also settled with W.P. Leaverton for his attention to my business. one of my steers got out of the lot and one of the boys lost the entire day looking for him without success. The other boys are still at work on the garden posts. Sam* Sharp ground 20 bushels of corn. I returned home from Crockett in the evening. weather clear & cold with a frost & freeze at night.

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

Wednesday, October 24th, 1860

To day John Harwell is still sick. I sent the boys after 2 wild steers but without success. In consequence of the sickness of John Harwell I was compelled to attend the mill and ground 4 bushels of corn. I also kill one duck which is the first this season. weather clear & very warm for this time of the year.

Thursday, March 22nd, 1860

To day my wagon got within 3 miles of home, when Isaac Tanner turned loose the steers & came home. It then took me until 13 o'clock in the night to return & get the wagon home. The hands finished breaking out the middles. weather clear & pleasant.