Wednesday, July 27th, 1864

To day Bill finished pulling fodder in the mill field. John still complaining although he made a trip to the mill in the little wagon. Mrs. Keen came over & spent the day. Roberta [Roberta Downes Halyard nee Hall] & Ag. came up in the cart and brought us twelve water melons. Florence [Florence Mahala Hall] & Josephine [Josephine Martha Hall] are still sick. Weather clear & hot. Ther: 91°.

Monday, March 23rd, 1863

To day the boys are at work fixing up the fence around the bottom field. Sam* [Samuel Houston Sharp] went out hunting cows & calves, but without any success. I assisted the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] in the garden. we set out 150 cabbage plants also planted water mellon & cantelope seed. Margaret Hall [his daughter from his 1st marriage?] went over to Mr. Leaverton's to spend a couple of days. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain. The wind hauled around to the North making it realy cold, so much so as to require fires and make them feel quite comfortable.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. He is also the brother-in-law as well as the step-brother of JMH.

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°.