The Journal

Saturday, May 23rd, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day Bill is still at work plowing the corn in the lower field. Mr. Keen came over & I settled in full with him for the work he done on my wagons & buggy. Hicks with the little wagon and mules, and John with the large road wagon & four yoke of oxen left in route for Liberty. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] and children in the buggy and Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] riding Rat all went down to Mothers [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and then out after blackberries. I am at work setting out potato slips. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 16 bushels of corn. weather cloudy with occasional showers of rain in the morning but clear and warm in the evening.

Friday, May 22nd, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day Bill is still at work plowing the corn in the lower field. Hicks & John are still at work getting every thing ready for their trip to Liberty. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] rode down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and back after my bridle, but did not succeed in getting it. I am at work repairing my buggy harness for my trip to Liberty. Frank Stewart left for the army to join Capt. Smith's company of Burnett's Regiment in Genl. Walker's division. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 17 bushels of corn. weather cloudy & rather cool with occasional showers of rain.

Thursday, May 21st, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day Bill is still at work plowing the lower field. Hicks is still at work getting the wagons in good order for their trip to Liberty. John came home with his wagon in fine running order. I ground 9½ bushels of corn. In the evening the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], children & myself drove down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] in the top buggy to see how she was. Frank Stewart came home and returned my buggy which he had borrowed to drive to Navarro. weather cloudy and cool with a hard shower of rain.

Wednesday, May 20th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day Bill commenced to plow the corn in the lower field. Hicks is at work getting the wagons ready for the trip to Liberty. John is still over at the shop. I rode my horse (Rob) over to the shop twice in order to get him shod, and it was with difficulty I succeeded at last. I ground 12½ bushels of corn. weather changeable & warm, with indications of rain.

Tuesday, May 19th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are at work getting out boards for the wagons & preparing them for a trip to Liberty. John is still over at the black smith shop. I rode over to Mr. Keen's and purchased from him a yoke of oxen for which I paid $150. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 8 bushels of corn. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] rode my horse Gladiator down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and back. Sam & Frank Stewart went out hunting with a view of remaining out all night. weather clear & warm.

Monday, May 18th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Sat, 18 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

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.

Sunday, May 17th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] sent the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] a quarter of a beef. William Leaverton came to see us, who has just returned from a trip to Navarro he did not stay long but left for Crockett. I remained at home all day reading. weather clear & pleasant.

Saturday, May 16th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys finished making rail bars and posts to enclose the mill field. I drove my horse Rob & buggy to Crockett in order to get me a pair of boots and while there I tendered to Wm. B. Stokes the agent of Herndon's estate the amount of principal & interest due on a note of hand I gave to his estate but he declined to receive the money. I also made L.E. Downes a title for 2 lots in Crockett viz lots 31 & 32. I returned home in the evening. Sam ground 37½ bushels of corn. weather clear & pleasant.

Friday, March 15th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys finished laying up the rails they had heretofore made to enclose the mill field and there not being sufficient for the job I sent them out to split more. Father [Joshua James Hall] came up and took dinner with us and from whom I purchased a pair of gold spectacles for which I paid him 25$. In the evening the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], children & myself drove down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] in the buggy. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 13 bushels of corn. weather changeable & warm with indications of rain.

Thursday, May 14th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are at work putting up the fence around the mill field. John is at work hauling rails. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 20 bushels of corn. Roberta [Hall] & Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] commenced boarding at my house in order to be near the school house, thereby superseding the necessity of horse to ride there & back. weather changeable & very warm with indications of rain.

Wednesday, May 13th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys finished splitting rails and Bill commenced to put up the fence around the mill field. John went with the wagon to the black smith shop to carry my buggy wheels and then went to hauling rails. I drove my horse & buggy over to Mr. Keen's and carried Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] with me. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & Hicks took up the Mill stones and gave them a pretty good dressing. I ground 11½ bushels of meal. weather changeable & very warm with a light shower of rain.

Tuesday, May 12th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Sun, 12 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are still at work splitting rails to enclose the mill field. I am at work in the garden. Father [Joshua James Hall] carried Roberta [Hall] & Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] up to the school and there entered them with Mrs. Beasley for the current session. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 3 bushels of corn. weather changeable & warm. [Note . . . Roberta (b. 1852) and Toby (b. 1854) are much younger half-siblings to J M Hall (b. 1819), the writer of this Journal, as well as to his wife, Margaret (b. 1840), aka "the little woman"]

Monday, May 11th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are still at work splitting rails to enclose the mill field. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], children and myself drove home in the buggy from Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is rapidly improving. I made Fawn [Florence Mahala Hall] a pair of shoes. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 31 bushels of corn. weather clear & warm.

Sunday, May 10th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children remained down at Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is still sick but improving some. at night Father [Joshua James Hall] & Frank Stewart returned home from their Huntsville trip but without accomplishing the business for which they went. weather changeable & warm with indications of rain.

Saturday, May 9th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are still at work splitting rails to enclose the mill field. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] came up from Mother's in the buggy. I ground 33 bushels of corn. In the evening the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], children & I went down in the buggy to see Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] who is still quite sick. we remained all night. weather clear & pleasant.

Friday, May 8th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are still at work splitting rails to enclose the mill field. Sam & Nellie [2nd great-grandparents of the Keeper of this blog] remained down at Mother's [3rd great-grandma of the Keeper of this blog]. I ground 1½ bushels of corn and then worked in the garden. weather changeable and warm.

Thursday, May 7th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are still at work splitting rails to enclose the mill field. I went fishing and caught a nice mess. In the evening the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], children & myself returned home from Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] when Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] drove down there to remain with her. she is still quite sick. Sam ground 15½ bushels of corn before he left. The little woman & I set out some potato slips. weather clear & cold as much so as to require a fire for comfort.

Wednesday, May 6th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Mon, 06 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys finished replanting & hoeing the corn in the bottom field and commenced splitting rails to enclose the mill field. Father [Joshua James Hall] & Frank Stewart left for Huntsville. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp]went out hunting and killed a fine deer. In the evening the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], children & I went down in the buggy to see Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts], who is sick again. Roberta [Hall] came up and I sent her and Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] home on Hawk. we remained all night with Mother. weather changeable & very cold for the season of the year.

Tuesday, May 5th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Sun, 05 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are still at work hoeing & replanting corn in the bottom field. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children went down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] in the buggy in company with Frank Stewart. Charley Hall came out from Crockett to see me & to whom I gave a blanket, he being about to leave for the army. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 24 bushels of corn. I worked in the garden nearly all day. weather changeable & rather cold for the time of the year.

Monday, May 4th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Sat, 04 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are still at work hoeing & replanting the corn in the bottom field. Charles Leaverton & Frank Stewart [future 2nd husband of the widowed "little woman"] came up from Father's [Joshua James Hall] on a visit. after dinner Charles left for Crockett and Frank remained all night. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] & I fixed the mill & ground 13 bushels of corn. In the evening Frank & Sam went out fishing with some success. weather changeable & warm. at night it clouded up & rained tolerably hard.

Sunday, May 3rd, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day I rode my horse Rob down to the lower field and went fishing with Frank Stewart & Charles Leaverton who returned from Crockett. we had pretty fair success fishing. Father [Joshua James Hall] came up and took dinner with us. Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] is still here. weather changeable & warm.

Saturday, May 2nd, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are still at work hoeing & replanting corn in the bottom field. Charley Hall came out from Crockett to see me. I am busy working in the garden. Charles Leaverton & Frank Stewart came up on a visit. after dinner Charley Leaverton left for Crockett. Frank & Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] went fishing and had some success. Frank remained with us all night. Sam ground 47 bushels of corn. weather changeable & warm in the evening however the wind hauled around to the N.E. & blew very hard at the same time it clouded up & there was a very hard rain for about one hour attended with severe thunder & lightning & some hail.

Friday, May 1st, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Wed, 01 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are still at work hoeing & replanting corn in the bottom field. I rode down to the field & from thence to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] and brought Toby [Horace Oscar Hall] home with me. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 2 bushels of corn. In the evening we went out fishing but without any success. weather changeable & warm with indications of rain.

Thursday, April 30th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are still at work hoeing & replanting corn in the bottom field. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp], children & myself drove down to Hall's bluff to visit Mrs. Stubblefield. we spent the day there & returned home in the evening. Rachael rode my horse Hawk to Crockett & back to purchase some 10 lbs coffee for which she paid $3.18 for it. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 2 bushels of corn. weather cloudy & warm with occasional light showers of rain. Thus closes the notes for the month of April.

Wednesday, April 29th, 1863

noreply@blogger.com (Vickie Everhart) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000

To day the boys are still at work hoeing and replanting corn in the bottom field. John is still at work in hoeing the garden. I had to take up the Mill rocks and rebush the mill. Sam [Samuel Houston Sharp] ground 19½ bushels of corn. Nellie [Mary Alexandrien Sharp nee Lemaire] & Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] drove down to Mother's [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] & back in the buggy. In the evening we set out sweet potatoe slips. weather changeable & warm.