Saturday, September 16th, 1865

To day I drove up town in my buggy, and while there I purchased from Mr. Bristley one barrel of flour at 11$ one half barrel Mackeral at 11$ one ½ barrel Sugar at 18$ and two decks of cards at $1. I done nothing in the way of papering. Charles Leaverton arrived on the train from Sour Lake, and left immediately on the same train for Houston, and as said train attempted to pass over the trestle work in the river bottom the work gave way and precipitated the Locomotive, tender and one of the platform cars into the bottom although it was a smash up among the cars, it mercifully happened that no person was hurt in the least. A special train came over from Houston after the passengers, and they all left on it. Weather changeable & hot with occasional showers of rain.

The Houston Tri-Weekly Telegraph
September 20, 1865

Tuesday, September 12th, 1865

To day Capt. John Redman left in route for Swilley's place. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and I drove up town in the buggy and while there I paid Mr. Skinner $7.³⁰ for some bacon I had heretofore purchased from him. I also paid Mr. Richardson $5.⁶⁰ for some sugar & flour heretofore got from him. I also paid Mr. Bristley $4.⁵⁰ for some things the little woman had purchased from him. I also paid Clay Stone $6.⁴⁵ for 43 lbs of bacon purchased from him on the 30th ulto. The little woman purchased a very pretty calico dress for Roberta, which she is to send up [to Houston County] by the wagon. At night I drove out to the residence of Mrs. Branch in company with Miss Lelia Wrigley to attend a surprise party given there by the young gentlemen of Liberty. We had plenty of dancing and so far as I am individually concerned spent a very pleasant evening. In the evening I commenced papering my dining room. Weather variable and hot.

Monday, September 4th, 1865

To day I am a little better with my boil, and able to work a little. I finished pulling what corn was in the patch and opened the pasture for my horse, Rob. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove up town and purchased from Mr. Bristley one dollars worth of sugar on a credit. Col. Wrigley is still confined but improving slowly. Weather variable and hot, with a light rain at night.

Friday, August 18th, 1865

To day the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] again missed her fever. Conney however was sick again. I went out with the children and gathered a basket full of Muscadines. I then drove up town and purchased from Mr. Richardson 2$ worth of sugar, 3$ worth of flour and 1 plug of tobacco at $6 all on a credit. Mrs. ? & Mrs. Wrigley spent the evening with the little woman. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 92°.

Monday, July 3rd, 1865

To day the trains came over from Houston, and brought my bagging & rope, also a barrel of sugar. I had the wagons loaded up, and after dinner, they left en route for the mills [Houston County]. Frank Stewart & Charles Leaverton going along in charge of them. I purchased from Charley Lund 100 lbs of bacon at 10¢ per lb. I borrowed from Charles Leaverton 25$ and gave him a draft for the amount on Sam H. Sharp [Samuel Houston Sharp]. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 90°.

Saturday, September 3rd, 1864

To day the boys are still at work on the mill forebay floor. John & I took the little wagon and drove up to the King house and tore down the little smoke house and brought the lumber home to fix the floor of the forebay. Capt. Stubblefield and Mr. Reagan came up from Hall's bluff and went fishing in the mill pond but with rather poor success. Billy Stewart's wagon came out from Crockett and by it I received from him 43½ lbs. of Sugar. Fannie missed her fever. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 93°.

Thursday, August 4th, 1864

To day Bill is still at work pulling fodder. John returned from Crockett with 200 lbs of sugar and the saddle. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & Mrs. Keen came up and spent the day. Mrs. Keen again drew the thread in the harness & sley of the loom which the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] had had cut out. Florence [Florence Mahala Hall] & Josephine [Josephine Martha Hall] both had fevers. I am rather unwell myself. Weather changeable and hot. Ther: 93°.

Wednesday, August 3rd, 1864

To day Bill is at work in the lower field pulling fodder. I sent John to Crockett after some sugar. by him I sent to Billy Stewart 2 bushels of meal, 50 lbs. flour & 3 doz. eggs. Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] also rode to Crockett & while there Nellie procured for me from Mr. Craddock a saddle for which she paid 95$. I learned that Crockett was nearly consumed by fire on yesterday. The fire broke out about 10 o'clock a.m. and burnt until 2 o'clk P.M. consuming in all about 25 houses. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & I with the children drove down to the mill & while there Mr. Miller the Govt. agent called upon me for one half of my cotton, which I declined to let go. Weather changeable & hot. Ther: 95°.

Tuesday, May 17th, 1864

To day the boys are still at work in the lower field. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] & I drove down to Hall's bluff and spent the day with Mr. Stubblefield and from whom I obtained 20 lbs. of sugar in exchange for 1 Gal. of whiskey. Hicks ground 8 bushels of corn. Weather changeable and warm.

Monday, May 18th, 1863

To day the boys finished putting up the fence around the mill field also put up the posts & bars to the same. John drove the large wagon over to the shop to have it put in good running order. Frank Stewart rode my horse (Gladiator) up to Magnolia & back a distance of 44 miles to get some sugar for the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. he obtained 50 lbs. at 6¢ per lb. In the evening I drove my horse (Rob) and buggy down to Mother's & back. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 13 bushels of corn. weather clear & pleasant.

Monday, April 20th, 1863

To day the boys are at work plowing the corn in the lower field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode my horse Rob to Magnolia & back a distance of 44 miles & while there purchased 50 lbs sugar at 33⅓¢ pr lb. which he brought home with him. I ground 17 bushels of corn & work some in the garden. weather clear and pleasant.

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

Thursday, August 21st, 1862

To day I am still engaged in making out the rolls for Sam. and the Court is still occupied in examining them. The boys are at work on the fence. I bought from Mr. Thompson as a special favor one barrel of sugar 375 lbs. @ 10 cts. weather changeable and hot. Ther: standing at 91°.