Monday, January 21st, 1861

To day Father [Joshua James Hall] came up with the mules, and took the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & Florence down in the buggy to see Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts]. I went to Crockett on Hawk and stopped with Billy Stewart. I succeeded however in transacting no business. weather changable & cool.

 *This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Sunday, January 20th, 1861

To day I sent Bill to the Post Office and to hunt the oxen, but without success. I remained home all day reading, with nothing to chronicle. weather changable & cool.

Saturday, January 19th, 1861

To day we are still at work pulling down the old shop. weather changable & rather cold.

Friday, January 18th, 1861

To day Father [Joshua James Hall] & Mother [Mahala* Sharp Hall nee Roberts] came up to see us, and remained until after dinner. We are still engaged in taking down the old shop. we ground but 7 bushels of corn. weather fair but cold and a hard frost at night.

*This Mahala is a 3rd great-grandma to the Keeper of this family history blog. Joshua is her 2nd husband, and father of JMH.

Thursday, January 17th, 1861

To day I went to Leaverton's gin to see about some cotton. We succeeded in taking down the upper story of the old Machine shop. I let the widow Hall (Charley) have one bushel of meal on a credit for $1.50. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain and very cold.

Wednesday, January 16th, 1861

To day John Harwell & Bill are engaged in taking down the old Machine shop and succeeded in taking off the roof & the rafters. In the evening Billy Stewart came up and he and Mr. Hepperla left together for Crockett. I sent Bill for my horse, he having jumped out of the stable last night and ran off down to Fathers. Bill returned at night with him. weather clear & rather cool.

Tuesday, January 15th, 1861

To day Billy Stewart, Frank Stewart, Genl. Beaver, John C. Hepperla and Charley Hall came to see me and remained to dinner. I then wrote some interrogatories for Genl. Beavers propounded to certain witnesses in Georgia. In the evening Billy Stewart, Frank Stewart & Charley Hall went down to Fathers [Joshua James Hall]. Genl. Beavers returned home and Mr. Hepperla remained all night with me. Mr. Harwell & Bill commenced to take down the old Machine shop, and also ground 7 bushels of corn. weather changable with a strong wind blowing from the North which made it very cold and at night there was a severe frost.