Monday, March 30th, 1863

To day the boys commenced to brake up the lower field in order to plant corn. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] went out cow hunting, he had no success, except killing a fine turkey. Nellie* [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] & Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] came up from Mother's [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is no better. they returned in the evening. I ground 18½ bushels of corn. weather clear with a strong wind blowing from the north. The wind however lulled and there was a hard frost at night. I fear it has killed all the fruit and had not the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] covered up all the garden vegetables they must of necessity been killed too.

*This Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma, and is Sam's mother. Mahala is also the mother-in-law as well as the step-mother of JMH.

Sunday, March 29th, 1863

To day Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] rode down to see Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is still confined to her bed. Nellie* [Mary Alexanderien Sharp nee Lemaire] & Margaret Hall [his daughter?] are still down at Mother's. I remained at home writing up this journal. weather cloudy & cold. at night it cleared off & there was a considerable frost. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] covered up most of her garden vegetables, and none of them were seriously hurt by the frost.

*This Sam and Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog. Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma and is Sam's mother. Mahala is also the mother-in-law as well as the step-mother of JMH.

Friday, March 27th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work fixing the fence around the lower field. I am busy at work in the garden assisting the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] in planting sundry kinds of vegetables. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 6½ bushels of corn. Mr. Leaverton came to see me in relation to some legal business and I drew for him a power of atty. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain. at night it rained very hard & was quite cold.

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

Thursday, February 12th, 1863

To day the boys are still at work on the fence around the field in front of the house and in making a large wagon gate. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Hall] & myself are at work in the garden setting out apple trees, grape & fig cuttings and in planting vegetables. Sam Sharp ground 24½ bushels of corn. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain & rather cold.

Wednesday, February 11th, 1863

To day the boys finished the house fence and commenced the fence around the little field in front of the houses. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] planted english peas, eschalots, lettuce, horse raddish and other vegetables. I ground 15 bushels of corn. Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] missed her fever entirely and may now be said to be well. weather cloudy with drizzling rain & rather cool.