"Fear God and Walk Humbly": The Agricultural Journal of James Mallory, 1843-1877

INTRODUCTION

James Mallory was an uncommon Southerner. Among the inhabitants of the Old South—particularly the plain folk, who tended to be leisure-oriented, more or less indolent, pleasure-loving drinkers, gamblers, hunters, and fishers; quick tempered; violent; and rarely concerned with either book learning or material progress—Mallory was indeed unusual. More than a hard-working farmer, he was a workaholic who experimented with new plants, orchards, manures, and the latest agricultural equipment and techniques. A Whig and a Unionist, a temperance man and a peace lover, business minded and progressive, he exemplified care and ambition. On February 9, 1861, he reported after a trip to Selma what an improvement the railroad had made in his life: I purchased groceries and returned home, gone two days, distance one hundred miles by rail, for many years it took a week in winter to make a trip to market and do business. He supported railroad building as well as formal education, even for girls. He also produced more crops than his neighbors. The average Southerner cultivated less than 30 percent of the land he owned; Mallory cultivated more than 40 percent of his land.

But what gave him reason to be remembered—his most obvious eccentricity—was that for more than thirty years, from 1843 until his death in 1877, Mallory kept nearly every day a detailed journal of what interested him—an account of weather conditions, local, national, and often foreign affairs, and especially what happened to him and his family, his relatives, slaves, and neighbors in Talladega County, Alabama. Mallory's journal spans three major periods of the South's history—the boom years before the Civil War, the rise and collapse of the Confederacy, and the period of Reconstruction after the Civil War. Year after year Mallory recorded his views nearly every day, focusing on a range of activities and events.

James Mallory was born in Orange County, Virginia, in 1807, the son of Melinda Welch Mallory and Uriel Mallory, a man remarkable for neatness and correctness of life, traits James apparently inherited from his father. In 1834 he moved from Madison County, Virginia, to Alabama along with his wife and infant daughter, his mother, his father, some of his brothers and sisters, and the Hugh S. Darby family. This extended family group settled in Talladega County, which at the time still had some Creek Indian inhabitants. Within months the Mallorys and Darbys were joined, in James's words, by our beloved relative Oliver Welch and family. The Mallory, Darby, and Welch families had all intermarried.

For nearly half a century Mallory would tell the story of these people and their community—their triumphs and failures; their joys and disappointments. Much of what took place in Talladega County concerned the Mallory-Welch-Darby family. They were what Daniel R. Hundley described in his Social Relations in Our Southern States, published in 1860, as members of the South's middle class, which he believed constituted the greater proportion of her citizens, and are likewise the most useful members of her society. Their ties, like those of most antebellum Southern families, were especially strong and close.

One indication of this bond was the family gatherings at Christmas in the home of Oliver Welch. All the kin folks and cousin[s] met at Uncle Olivers to spend the day. Mallory noted in 1854: [Christmas] was very agreeably spent in visits to one another. The next year Mallory reported: The family has gone to Uncle Olivers where all the relations are invited to spend christmas day. In 1856 a similar pattern of Christmas visiting took place. All the kinfolks spent the day with our old Uncle, wrote Mallory. The holidays have been spent in parties by the young people. On that particular visit, Mallory's family remained with the Welches for four days, but then stopped on the way home for a visit with Hugh Darby's family. By 1858 a Christmas visit with the Welches was an established tradition. All the kin and connections met at our dear Uncles . . . to spend the day, he annually has them all with him, the day was spent very pleasantly, the children and grand children, nieces and nephews received presents, they were made very happy indeed.

The Mallory family had spent Christmas quietly at home before it became their habit to visit the Welches. Christmas has come and general calmness seems to prevail, no frolicking or excitement of any kind, wrote Mallory in 1843. Four years later he observed: [Our] family spent [the holidays] . . . at home, talking over the events of the past year and making resolves and promises for the present one. Mallory reported that a large company of the kin folks and cousins [came] to dine with us, and he prayed that the family be more thankful than we have her[e]tofore been and be as highly favoured in all things. The holiday has come in cold and cloudy, noted Mallory in 1849. The people are mostly at home, order and temperance seems to be on the increase, hope it may continue to prevail.

Nothing meant more to Mallory than his family. Returned home after an absense of eyght days, he wrote in 1853, delighted with my trip and better pleased to meet the smiles and welcome of the best wife [and] of healthy and devoted children. Early in 1852 he boasted of having finished our new house (except painting) and fitting it up with some furniture, it[s] cost has been $1150 exclusive of fine workmen, lumber gotten by our own hands and brick[s] sold amount to $200 leaving the balance of $950. In 1848, upon the birth of his third son, Mallory reported, We are getting a large family, this being our seventh, four daughters and three sons, may we be able to rear them in the fear of the Lord. He also commented, usually favorably, on the marriages of family members. When his eldest daughter married her second cousin, Mallory pronounced them both well educated and [their] prospects good in temporal things, but he hoped they would not forget to lay up treasures for a life to come. He was equally pleased to report that a large and agreeable group attended the marriage of his third daughter to a lawyer; that at another family member's wedding the entertainment was splendid and all present seemed to enjoy themselves very much; and that relations, kinfolks & cousins all attended the marriage of our Uncle; and that after refreshments a large company enjoyed a most sumptuous feast and the day went off finely.

Mallory's interests—as detailed in his journal—were varied and wide ranging, especially for a rural resident of nineteenth-century Alabama. As his account reveals, Mallory was a concerned citizen and a seeker of information. Countless events between 1843 and 1877 attracted his attention. A mere sampling suggests that despite his unpolished prose and irregular spelling he was a remarkably well informed man for his time and residence. During the antebellum years Mallory noted and often commented on such topics as bank failures (including bankruptcy of the Royal Bank of Liverpool), the Texas annexation question, joint occupation of Oregon, the war with Mexico, aid to Ireland, national and state political divisions, meetings of the Sons of Temperance, the visit of his political hero Henry Clay to Talladega, revolutions in Europe, various elections, Alabama probate court proceedings, the Compromise of 1850, the Nashville Convention, steamboat explosions, the defeat of Clay's Omnibus Bill, a Cuban revolution, filibustering in Latin America, new settlers in Texas, the deaths of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, the Crimean War, yellow fever epidemics in New Orleans and Norfolk, the Ostend Manifesto, activities of the Know-Nothing Party, Anglo-American conflict over Central America, efforts to elect a Speaker of the House of Representatives, bleeding Kansas, the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, the financial panic of 1857, floods in the Mississippi River Valley, the Austro-Italian War, John Brown's raid, a hurricane striking Mobile, and the Constitutional Union Party. Meshed together with items of broader interest were his concerns for agricultural affairs, church and religious life, economic and social activities, politics, and his family's health and happiness. As a rule, Mallory annually summed up each year's important happenings.

Weather and agriculture dominated his journal, for Mallory was more than a farmer—he was an agriculturalist. A loyal member of the Alabama Agricultural Society, he supported its efforts to improve farming, attended fairs and exhibitions (with which he generally expressed himself much pleased), pronounced the society very creditable to the neighbourhood, and occasionally hosted a few friends to partake of [what he called] a[n] agricultural dinner. In 1850 Mallory described agriculture as the greatest [interest] of all, and when he wrote of spring planting his language was sometimes poetical. A charming day even for this sweet month, he noted in May 1844, the spring so far has been truly delightful, surpassing all others of my recollection in uniformity, mildness and forwardness. A year earlier, he referred to the spring as clear and sweetly mild, seeming to woo all things to worship & praise the God who made them.

Mallory revered agriculture, but he also considered it his occupation. A fine day for business, he wrote in 1850, ground in good order for work, crops are growing. He owned slaves and raised cotton, but Mallory never became a great planter or an extensive slaveholder. During the decade before the Civil War, he increased his landholding from 200 improved and 280 unimproved acres worth about $3,000 to 400 improved and 600 unimproved acres worth about $10,000; he also increased his annual cotton production from 44 to 70 bales and the number of slaves he owned from 22 to 30. Yet, even at the peak of his agricultural success, Mallory was no more than a hardworking farmer. He never called himself a planter, and it was not until 1851 that he even mentioned in his journal, all plantation business progressing well. That his production of four bales of cotton per field hand in 1850 was nearly twice the average for the best cotton lands in southern Alabama and Georgia tells more about Mallory's steady work habits than about his class status. A devout agriculturalist, regardless of the heartbreaks and disappointments of farming, Mallory lectured himself for failing to get more work done, as in a March 1846 journal entry: Commenced hauling out manure, work that should have been done two months ago, shall have enough to cover about ten acres if time allows me to get it out, am backward in my business.

Weather, of course, dominated Mallory's life, just as it did the lives of other farmers. There always seemed to be either too much or too little of everything. Droughts created problems. The drought is becomeing distressing, Mallory observed in 1851, cotton, corn and vegatables are drying up, fear[s] are justly entertained of great scarcity this coming year; great complaint of the failures of wells, their are no boats running the rivers and groceries almost exhausted. But too much rain created equally serious conditions. In 1844 Mallory complained: Rain, Rain—when will it cease, such a season has never been known, the roads almost impassable, no hauling to market—most of the bridges carried away—may we all have that patience that becometh reasonable creatures. In 1858 the late heavy rains, Mallory noted, wash[ed] up much of the corn and cotton on the high lands and cover[ed] . . . it up in the vallies. He complained that such events made it difficult to keep up so as to make fair crops, hence the great desire to move to fresh lands. But Mallory, always concerned with what was happening beyond his own domain, pointed out that the whole year had been remarkable for heavy and continued rains, more particularly in the west and N. West, the Mississippi and its tributaries have done great damage, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana suffering most, their low lands have been submerged longer than ever known, l[e]vies are broken, stock are destroyed and but few places from Memphis to the [Gulf] coast will make a crop this year, the suffering and loss will be immence.

Mallory had the remarkable ability to discover something worthwhile even in most disasters. When in June 1857 cold weather injured the local cotton crop and produced a great scarcity of corn, Mallory noted that the loss had been fully supplyed by the abundant wheat and oat crop. Even though the nation never was more backward in vegatables, crops and grass, provisions have been high through the year, scarcity of food have caused the death of a vast number of cattle and hogs, Mallory pointed out, withall the country is prosperous and mon[e]y plenty, export crops have brought high prices. Snow could create problems, but it also offered rewards. We are f[e]asting on frozen creams and custards, an uncommon thing here, the children have tasted it for the first time (the yo[u]nger one) they are delighted with the snow, Mallory reported in 1855. Frost . . . [that might] nip the edge of the cotton leaves on the low places, acknowledged Mallory, has no doubt brought delight to many towns distressed from yellow fever and will enable families and friends to meet again.

Mallory's journal is a virtual agricultural market on the vicissitudes of raising and marketing various crops and animals. Concerns with cotton, corn, wheat, other grains, livestock, orchards, unusual farming methods, fertilizers, and experiments all receive comment, and sometimes detailed treatment.

Despite devoting considerably less attention to slavery than to agriculture, Mallory's journal gives the distinct impression that he cared for his servants. An entry in 1843 reported: Engaged in building servants houses, stone chimneys, gates and other conveniences. Six years later Mallory wrote: Have just completed some new framed houses with stone chimney for a kitchen & negro quarter. In 1851 he wrote in obvious sorrow: Last night one of our old servants died (Letty) god has been so good to us that we know not how as we should meet such afflictions, may it humble us and make us feel how frail we are. An 1847 entry suggests that Mallory expected his slaves to put in a solid day's work: Finished planting cotton. . . . makeing in all one hundred and five acres, with sixty acres in corn and twenty five of wheat, rye and oats will keep us very busy in the cultivation and saving, haveing eleven hands and six horses and mules, but with good tools think we can accomplish it—do not think our force should be counted over ten hands which would make nineteen acres to the hand, besides such other work, as, oats sown for grazing, five acres in sweet and irish potatoes, ground peas and tobacco patch, which makes about two hundred acres or twenty acres to the hand. In May 1851 Mallory reported: But little doing on the plantations as all hand[s] are at work on the roads. Two years later, on December 29, 1853, he indicated that his hands enjoyed Christmas holidays from work by observing: Resumed our farm work today. A journal entry of September 10, 1855, suggests that Mallory, for all his devotion to labor, did not work his slaves in bad weather: The weather seems to be settled, have all hands picking for the first time. Returning from a trip to a Whig convention in Montgomery in 1844, Mallory discovered that one of our most valuable male servants had left home without a cause, supposed to be enticed by some white person with the promise of his freedom. Actually, Mallory's slave had been stolen. Not until 1846 was the thief tried, convicted, and sentenced to ten years in jail, from which he escaped two months later. In May 1861, just after the Civil War began, Mallory wrote: "Pleasant weather, crops doing well, the land in fine order, working going on as usual, the war spirit seems not to effect it, the peculiar institution are as gentle as ever in fact they are more obedient than common, I hope it may not be different, for any outbreak would only make their condition worse."

Mallory had hoped that God in his wisdom may bring order out of confusion and that the Civil War could be avoided. He lamented in January 1861 that the political condition of the country became more alarming every day and that the president aided by the Black Republicans are for coerseing the states that have withdrawn from the Union. Both sides, he admitted in May 1861, seemed determined to make war as terible as possible. Our poor distracted country is yet armed on both sides as though they meant to destroy each other, he wrote; may God yet spare us. On June 17 Mallory announced: Our sons (James Oliver & Francis Shepherd) left us this morning to join their company for the war, may God preserve them morally, physically and spiritually. Eventually all three of Mallory's sons would fight for the Confederacy. He served the South not just by sending his sons to war, but by giving the Confederate government a cash donation and one-fourth of his crops. On the last day of 1861 he reported: This most delightful year . . . has been mar[r]ed by a most unnatural war, the Yankees seemed to have given up every idea of justice and have boastingly attempted to destroy us for not being willing to live with them any longer. Mallory remained on his farm throughout the Civil War, reading and commenting on reports of fighting, lamenting the deaths of brave young Southerners, and suffering through local and national events.

During the Reconstruction period following the Civil War, Mallory opposed Radical Republican rule in Alabama and faced the social readjustments and economic changes of the times. His journal entries reveal the continuing range of his interests: farming problems, working with freedmen, the Hampton Roads Conference, Pres. Andrew Johnson's amnesty policy, the refusal of Congress to admit Southern delegates, the Freedmen's Bureau Bill, black suffrage, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, Jefferson Davis's trial, the Austro-Prussian War, the National Union convention, a cholera epidemic in New York, President Johnson's impeachment, approval of a new Alabama constitution, the Franco-Prussian War, state politics, a conservative meeting in Selma, flooding in Virginia, the death of Gen. Robert E. Lee, various yellow fever outbreaks, Democratic victories, ousting county radicals, flooding in Mississippi and Louisiana, the Great Chicago fire, the Ku Klux Klan, President Grant sending troops to South Carolina, a political gathering in Montgomery, Republican control of the Alabama legislature, gunrunning in Cuba, the Grange movement, the conservative coup in Louisiana, the Civil Rights Act of 1875, an Alabama gubernatorial election, the Centennial Exhibition, state politics, Samuel Tilden's campaign and disputed election, and the Serbian-Turkish War.

Like many nineteenth-century Americans, nothing concerned Mallory more than the health of his family. Have some sickness in the family, he lamented in February 1856. A few months later he announced: Our daughter Virginia . . . is in a very precarious state of health, part of the family are with her. The next year Virginia lost her little infant. Early in 1857 he reported that his son Oliver had been very sick with the measles. In February and again in April 1857 Mallory remarked that his youngest child, our little David, was ill. What troubled him remained unspecified, but David appeared so very much reduced that Mallory feared he would not recover. When Mallory's wife was ill for a few days in 1850, 1853, and 1857, her husband was equally concerned and fearful. Wife much sicker the morning, called in a Docter to her, has a bad cough and very weak, wrote Mallory in 1850. In 1853 he reported: My wife very sick, a dreadful cold; wife not so well today. Again in 1857 Ann Marie Darby Mallory suffered from a very severe cold and cough, and her husband showed his concern by reporting her much worse today, fear for her. . . . Wife still very sick, has weakened very much. Two days later, he admitted: Wife better this morning. Finally, after two additional days of anxiety, Mallory cautiously ventured: Hope my dear wife is now on the [road to] recovery. Mallory's wife would outlive her husband. On June 22, 1877, Mallory reported: Wife (after a protracted sickness) is so far improved as to be able to sit up, God be praised for raising her up.

My own health not good today, Mallory proclaimed on June 24, 1877. Less than a month later, he admitted, My family report me as ill as I could be, good friends pooring in to enquire after me. But he had been in poor health before; indeed, sickness had concerned him as early as August 1843: My health has been indifferent for some months being very much afflicted with pains in my stomach—having been dieting on milk & bread alone, do not improve from it—find myself irritable and fretful—may the Lord enable me to submit more humbly to any afflictions that may be my lot to bear. Quite often throughout his life, Mallory considered himself unwell. In 1843 he pronounced himself afflicted with the Tyler gripe; in 1846 he reported himself with an affectation of the stomach; and in 1853 he stated that he was sick with a complaint now prevailing in this section, it effects the joints with severe pain . . . in the head, with cough, not fatal. On his forty-fourth birthday, in 1851, he claimed, my health is much injured by rheumatism. Earlier he had been injured by a fall from a horse, and although a devout Christian he was occasionally too unwell to attend church. On both his forty-second and forty-sixth birthdays, he announced, health not good. In March 1854 he stated: I am forty seven years old today, feel age and declining health coming on me. Two years later, he noted: I have been confined for several days sicker than for fifteen years before. But Mallory would live for more than another two decades.

Not until October 3, 1877, during his seventieth year, would he write the last entry in his journal. It had an appropriate theme for a hardworking agriculturalist who considered farming his business: Rain, Rain, throwing business back. After three months and ten days sickness (nigh unto death,) God in his mercy has so far raised me up as to be able to set up and record his goodness to me. He died on October 28, 1877.

GRADY MCWHINEY

1834–1842

APRIL 1834    Myself, wife¹ & infant (Virginia)² Father,³ Mother & their children,⁴ Hugh S. Darby & family⁵ left [Madison County], Virginia, on the 28th of April 1834 & arrived at Huntsville Madison County, Ala., May 27th. We were kindly & hospitably furnished houses for ourselves and servants during the summer by Mr John Connelly⁶ near Huntsville free of expense. My mother and Betsey Darby, each lost their infant children during the summer, to be so early afflicted in a strange land causes us much distress. In October we all moved & made settlements at Taladega [Talladega] City (then and for several years after inhabited by the Creek Indians). We were joined in the fall by our beloved relative Oliver Welch and family,⁷ who also became citizens of the same County. Mrs Darby (my wifes mother)⁸ and two of her children Fanny⁹ and Shepherd¹⁰ moved out & settled amongst us in the fall of 1836. Shepherd was taken with fever the next summer & died. For four years afterwards we all enjoyed the greatest amount of health and happiness, prosperity & every blessing attending us. We seemed to forget that such days could not last but must be succeeded by affliction & distress—ours at last came—on the seventh May 1840 a most awful rain fell which deluged the whole country the effect of which spread sickness and death through the land. Scarcely a family escaped distress. We lost a darling boy (John Marshall), my Father, Mrs Darby, Uncle Olivers wife¹¹ & youngest daughter.¹² All were called on to try the realities of another world—such heavy afflictions sunk us low & made us feel our nothingness before God. The Almighty in his good pleasure continued his chastising rod over us. Fanny Poe, who had been in bad health from an early age, was taken off by decline in September 1841—Aunt Welch¹³ who moved out & joined the family of our Uncle soon followed. Borne down year by year by such heavy afflictions we hoped the almighty would be pleased in mercy to spare us one year, but it was not so. In Febry 10th 1842 we were called to meet the heviest of all earthly afflictions—the death of our mother. Her health was good but from exposure took cold, lingered for several weeks, dying in full confidence of meeting her Lord in piece. During the summer of this year 42 alarm was excited in us for the health of Betsey Darby. She continued to linger until the last of July when she made the most happy & triumphant death. My Father and Mother, Mrs Darby, Betsey Darby, Ann Welch were 3 members of the Baptist Church. May we learn to imitate their virtues & so live as to meet them in heaven.

1843

JANUARY 1    With Divine assistance we will try and conform nearer to our duty to God and our fellow men. The first of this month was cold and disagreeable, the latter part pleasant & agreable, planted peas, Potatoes & cc. A time of great embarassment in the country—cruel derangement of the currency, exchanges from 20 to 30 percent, produced mainly by the Legislature winding up all the Banks of the State but one,¹ cotten varying from 4 to 7 cents.² The Legislature adjourned the 25th of the month after imposeing a tax on the citizens for the support of its government and payment of its publick debt.³ They passed a most odious & unjust law in districting the state upon the basis of a white population.⁴

FEBRUARY 1    This month has been generally cold and wet, an uncommon fall of hail occured on the seventh being from one to two inches deep.

MARCH 1    Cold and rainey, very unfavourable weather for planting opperations.

MARCH 13    A comet of considerable magnitude made its appearance, discoverable about seven oclock, and setting half after eyght.⁵

MARCH 16    This morning the snow covered the earth to the debth of one inch or more.

MARCH 19    Snow fell the debth of an inch.

MARCH 20    Snow again to about the same debth, falling during the night & melting in the day.

MARCH 21    Snow this morning an inch and a half deep, still continue to plough.

MARCH 23    Turned bitter cold, the ground frozen, no prospect for ploughing or gardening for some time.

MARCH 24    Snowing nearly all day.

MARCH 26    More pleasant today.

MARCH 28    Very cold with rain & some snow.

MARCH 29    The weather mild today with every appearance of its continance, think most of the fruit destroyed. Comenced planting Cotten today.

MARCH 31    A very heavy rain and planting stopped.

APRIL 1    Wet & part of the day very cold.

APRIL 2    (Sabbath) Clear and sweetly mild, seeming to woo all things to worship & praise the God who made them.

APRIL 9    Commenced planting Cotten in the gin house field, the weather two cold, but the ground in fine order having frozen during the winter which make it light & spongey.

APRIL 13    Planted forty acres of Cotten in the field next to N. W. Mallory.⁶

APRIL 15    Finished planting of Cotten all to some seed⁷ sent me by Dr Peebles.⁸

APRIL 20    The weather pleasant, very dry for seven day[s] past, unfavourable for the crops comeing up.

APRIL 21    Planted by dropping eyght acres of cotten from seed sent by Dr Peebles, two feet apart.⁹

APRIL 29    Had a fine rain, the cotten up well, & weather promiseing to be good.

APRIL 30    Corn up & looking well.

MAY 1    Commenced harrowing cotten, it looks well.¹⁰

MAY 3    Started to chopping cotten today, still looks well, the weather a little two cool to promise a rapid growth.

MAY 7    The weather dry & pleasant, cotten grows rapidly—great complaint of bad stands of corn.

MAY 13    Weather dry—corn doing poorly, many are ploughing up & planting again, the worm [is the] principal cause.¹¹

MAY 17    Have had a fine rain today with a prospect of more. Crop in good order.

MAY 18    Rain with the appearance of a wet season, planted out potatoe slips.

MAY 19    Our community is in a high state of excitement from the gold fever that is now rageing, it having been discovered in the Hillibies [Hillabees], where it is said to be plentiful, many of our people have engaged in it I fear to their injury—being to the neglect of all other pursuits.¹²

MAY 20    Fair weather, crops doing well.

MAY 22    The two last days have been very cool—had fire through the day—produced no doubt from a hail storm near Taladega Town that entirely destroyed the crop on several plantations, falling to the debth of several inches.

MAY 29    The past week still cool, the drought begins to effect the crops very much—the lice are very numerous on the cotten, fear they will seriously injure it.¹³

JUNE 1    Weather warm & some prospect of rain uncommonly good health prevades the neighbourhood and county generally.

JUNE 5    Very hot during the day—in the evening a severe hail storm fell in different parts of the neighbourhood, doing much damage to crops, vegatables, fruits &c. &c.

JUNE 10    Weather pleasant with fine showers, the crops seem to be recovering from the effects of the late hail storm—cotten is larger and earlier than is common at this season of the year—being very full of squares the storm not injuring it so seriously as was at first supposed, having the effect of driving off the insects which in the end may be a benefit to it.

JUNE 15    The weather still continues wet, now raining and every prospect of its continuance, crops look well, but are becomeing very foul, the planters are makeing great efforts to keep it under the wheat crop is still in the field & will probably injure and spoil.

JUNE 18    Rain today, a most grand & beautiful rainbow appeared in the evening that attracted much attention.

JUNE 20    The weather has at last cleared off with the appearance of its being settled—the crop of corn has been much improved by the rain, the cotton crop has had two much rain causeing it to grow tall, the lice have made their appearance again in great numbers on it and should the sunshine not have the effect of driving them off will greatly injure it—no blooms yet.

JUNE 22    Rain commenced again with every appearance of a rainy season, wheat badly sprouted in the field.

JUNE 28    Rain has fallen daily—the crop of cotten much reduced in size by the insects—crops of every discription very grassy.

JUNE 30    Fair weather once more, with a hot sun that seems to promise an abundant corn crop. How our hearts swell with thankfullness to the giver of every good gift for his bountiful provision for his creatures.

JULY 1    Very hot and clear.

JULY 4    Spent the day at home with a few friends, read the Declaration of Independence and conversed & contrasted our government with others less happy than our own, where the blessings and happiness of ours was denied them—may the lord give us good rulers, and continue the joys & comforts of peace and happiness unto us.

JULY 8    Had a fine rain today, it was much needed.

JULY 15    The crop of corn is growing finely from repeated showers the past week, cotton out growing the insects, commence laying by my cotton in good shape.

JULY 22    Good rains are frequent, corn doing well.

JULY 30    Rain still continues, fears are expressed that the cotten has taken two rapid a growth to i[t]s injury—health of the country entirely good.

AUGUST 5    The past week has been clear with a delightful temperature—the Lord in his goodness still favours us with good health. The cotton crop looks well from the sunshine of the past week, much two large, all depends on the weather to come, should it turn dry a large crop may be expected through this county. It is said to be more promiseing here than in any other portion of the state.

AUGUST 8    Commenced toping cotton—rain two heavy for cotton today which is in a rapidly growing state should it continue will greatly injure it.¹⁴

AUGUST 9    Engaged in building servants houses, stone chimneys, gates and other conveniences.

AUGUST 12    Rainy and cool, cotton matureing but little prospect said to be indifferent through the State.

AUGUST 16    Commenced pulling fodder,¹⁵ corn very fine, [neither] peas nor pumpkins are good the field being overrun with grass.

AUGUST 22    My health has been indifferent for some months being very much afflicted with pains in my stomach—having been dieting on milk & bread alone, do not improve any from it—find myself irritable and fretful—may the Lord enable me to submit more humbly to any afflictions that may be my lot to bear—a good deal of fodder has been lost by the rains.

AUGUST 26    The weather is now fine, fodder is being saved in great quantities—corn is large & fine—cotton seems to be doing well but much later than usual, but little open, no picking in this county.

AUGUST 27    (Sabbath) Attended preaching at Talasaha[t]chie [Tallaseehatchie],¹⁶ the congregation was large, baptised ten—Our good paster delivered a very pleasing & instructive discourse.

AUGUST 29    A heavy rain [and] wind, injured corn & cotton very much.

SEPTEMBER 1    Moved in and commenced our annual campmeeting.¹⁷

SEPTEMBER 4    Most of our ministering bretheren near were with us, also Brother Devotee¹⁸ of Perry County, they were very zealous and ably dispenced the word to an orderly and attentive assembly, but it seemed not to be the Lords time to bless—the meeting broke up without any additions to the Church—I truly hope the seed has been sown that will bring forth much fruit to the honour and glory of God.

SEPTEMBER 5    Commenced picking cotton which is very inferior from the wet season.

SEPTEMBER 8    Some appearance of fair weather, it would be very agreeable as we have had a great deal of rain.

SEPTEMBER 10    The weather fine,—Our Community is much distressed at the death [of] sister Jenkens¹⁹ who died of advanced age, a model of industry and econemy.

SEPTEMBER 15    Weather still good—Cotten opening finely, should the weather remain good a large crop may yet be made.

SEPTEMBER 16    The Lord blessed us in the birth of a fine boy [Francis Shepherd Darby], mother & infant both doing well, may we be enabled to bring him up to the service of the Lord.

SEPTEMBER 18    Commenced gathering corn, the grain not very dry, fine weather and good health still continues.

SEPTEMBER 20    Weather good, more warm than has been the [season] being more than usually cool.

SEPTEMBER 25    Hear that is prevailing in Taladega Town several deaths, supposed to be caused from the bad order of the Spring—health of the country good—very warm for the season, cotton matureing rapidly.

SEPTEMBER 28    Somewhat alarmed for the condition of my dear wife, who from imprudence has taken pueral fever.²⁰

SEPTEMBER 29    Wife better today—hope with care she will recover in a few days.

OCTOBER 1    Much co[m]forted from the almost entire recovery of my wife from her dangerous sickness.

OCTOBER 2    The weather fine and health of country good.

OCTOBER 5    Cotten opening rapidly and staple much better than what opened in the early part of the season.

OCTOBER 6    The market has opened for Cotton under better auspices, it is from seven to eyght cents in good funds, the excitement seems to be very great, as their is reports of a short crop, from the lateness of the spring and extremely wet summer, the crop being better in the high dry portions of the different States than in the lower countries, a belief in the prospect of better times both in our country & Europe has caused speculation to commence with a belief that it is to be higher than for several years past—hope it may bear a moderate price, but do not wish it to get so high as to engender extravagance and wild speculation that will be followed by ruin to thousands and a long depression in the business of the country.

OCTOBER 7    A heavy rain and wind that has caused much damage to cotton crop by blowing it upon the ground and filling it with trash.

OCTOBER 10    Weather pleasant for out door business, find the cotton much more difficult to rid of trash than before the storm.

OCTOBER 14    Frost tonight sufficient to kill the cotton leaves in the bottom and flat lands, not severe enough to injure the balls.

OCTOBER 16    Frost more severe—doing considerable damage to the tender balls of cotton but not so severe as most years only affecting the crop from this Northward—the injury is slight below which makes it doubtful as to a short crop as the weather is of the most favourable caracter now and a promise that it will be so for some days to come.

OCTOBER 20    We were much pleased to receive the visit of our brother & sister with their children from Lowndes,²¹ they are in fine health and spirits.

OCTOBER 22    Brother Peebles and uncle Oliver left us for divine service at Talasahatchie, may the good Lord bless their labours, I was prevented from joining them from indisposition with the Tyler gripe,²² it is spreading through the county less violent than in many other places.

OCTOBER 26    A killing frost to destroy all vegetation with much loss to cotton crop in this region and farther north, the crop in this county is so abundant that the loss will not be felt.

OCTOBER 30    Dug potatoes today and found them very fine.

NOVEMBER 1    Finished sewing wheat today,²³ soaked it well in bluestone²⁴ to prevent the smut²⁵—fear it two late to ensure a good crop as it will be liable to be injured by the winter and danger of rust²⁶ when matureing.

NOVEMBER 5    Weather mild and pleasant for the season.

NOVEMBER 7    Weather still continues pleasant.

NOVEMBER 12    Cold and cloudy.

NOVEMBER 14    Providence is truly kind, in bestowing on us the best of health as a family, as also the community at large.

NOVEMBER 16    Warm and rainy for some days past.

NOVEMBER 20    Very pleasant today.

NOVEMBER 22    Wet, but not enough to prevent picking cotton.

NOVEMBER 25    Favourable weather for the season.

NOVEMBER 26    Cotton is yielding finely in this county, some complaint in the lower counties of a light crop.

NOVEMBER 27    Wheat is doing well having had the best of warm moist weather since seeding.

NOVEMBER 28    Rain today—quite warm.

NOVEMBER 29    Rain, Rain, Rain.

NOVEMBER 30    Raining fast, no out door business going on.

DECEMBER 1    Raining heavily, fear of great damage from high water.

DECEMBER 2    Rain through the day until about sunset when it cleared off, much to the delight of every one having been a most gloomy week to the cotton pickers.

DECEMBER 3    Clear and cold.

DECEMBER 4    Cotton much injured by the last weeks rain.

DECEMBER 5    Being cold thought it favourable for killing hogs, killed about half.

DECEMBER 6    Fine day for picking cotten, the only one we have had for near two weeks.

DECEMBER 10    Delightful weather for cureing meat, good for picking cotten.

DECEMBER 11    A heavy rain today—some of the water courses very high, much damage done to cotten, but for the very [good] crop in this county it would prove a very heavy loss to planters—but enough is left to pick until the season closes.

DECEMBER 15    Fine weather for several days past, Cotten is riseing [in price], the people much elated in hope of getting a fair price which will greatly relieve them from their embarrassments—property is on the rise a general beleif prevails that better times are near—should it be the case, may the people learn wisdom from the past and recollect that economy, industry and virtue only will make them prosperous and happy.

DECEMBER 20    Rain again is upon us—doing much damage to cotten, the water courses keep high from the constant rains, the last six months has been the most remarkable wet time of my knowledge.

DECEMBER 22    Rain, Rain—when will it cease.

DECEMBER 23    Got a fall from a horse that hurt me very much, confined for near a week.

DECEMBER 24    Rain, again today, warm for the season.

DECEMBER 25    Christmas has come and general calmness seems to prevail, no frolicking or excitement of any kind—and sad to say no joy for the day as the anaversary of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ—we remained at home during the holloday.

DECEMBER 30    The week has been warm & pleasant, without rains.

DECEMBER 31    Rain during the greater part of the day—so ends this old year, by far the most rainy that we have ever known—a[l]though unpleasant in some respects we have great cause for rejoiceing that we have been blessed with good health, that our friends, kindred & neighbors have been spared to us to enter upon a new year full of hopes for the future and gratitude for the past.

1844

JANUARY 1    The new year come in with gloomy weather, the rain still continues, we yet have good health, may our hearts be full of thankfulness to the giver of all good gifts for the blessing [of] health, abundant harvests and all the comforts of Life—may our course of conduct be such this present year that he may yet continue his favours unto us.

JANUARY 2    The weather mild and clear, it is cheering indeed after so continued rain.

JANUARY 5    Weather still pleasant, great effort making in picking cotton.

JANUARY 10    Warm and wet, fear the rains have set in again.

JANUARY 11    Rains still continue.

JANUARY 14    Rain commenced about one oclock and very heavy through the day.

JANUARY 15    This morning found all the flat lands covered with water—fear much damage will occur.

JANUARY 16    The water has fallen—find that the land is not much washed but a great deal of fenceing carried off—much damage to the cotton on the flats the water stripping it whenever there was any current—the mud settling on all underneath amounting to a total loss.

JANUARY 19    The neighbourhood generally turned out to witness an experiment made by Mr Reynolds¹ in floating cotton down Coosa River to Wetumpka [Elmore County] he lashed fifty six bales togeather on Talasahatchee some thirty or forty took passage to the mouth of the Creek some four miles, where we got off giving the pilot and his men a parting cheer, feeling hopeful that the enterprising experament would succeed.

JANUARY 20    Rain, Rain—when will it cease, such a season has never been known, the roads almost impassable, no hauling to market—most of the bridges carried away—may we all have that patience that becometh reasonable creatures.

JANUARY 21    No rain today—warm and pleasant.

JANUARY 22    Raining most of the day.

JANUARY 23    Cloudy and warm through the day at night had an uncommon thunder storm for hours their was one continued roar of thunder and flashes of lightning, up to this time the winter has been very mild.

JANUARY 24    Cold with every appearance of having some winter.

JANUARY 25    Cold and clear.

JANUARY 27    Snow—the first during the winter.

JANUARY 28    (Sabbath) Attended preaching at Talasahatchee sermon by Rev W Moody² (methodist) from the 5th & 1st of mathew—the weather very cold.

JANUARY 29    Closed picking a piece of Cotton the councel flat place³ of 20 acres from which has been picked 35,000 pounds, the best crop perhaps ever gathered from the same quantity in the county. Have gathered to this date about 75,000 pounds with nine hands—have 60 acres yet to pick—should the weather be such as we have had shall not be able to save it by planting time.

JANUARY 30    Have heard from the cotton rafted by Mr Reynolds & it is much damaged & is likely to prove a failure.

JANUARY 31    The weather has been cloudy and very cold for the last several days—slow progress in picking cotton.

FEBRUARY 1    Rain today—the weather more mild than for a week past—finished gathering corn.

FEBRUARY 3    Mild and delightful temperature.

FEBRUARY 4    (Sabbath) Met for preaching at Mt Zion⁴ sermon by Parson Guthrie⁵ (Cor 12 and 25) the discourse was a pleasant and hope a profitable one—the day very mild.

FEBRUARY 5    Clear and pleasant.

FEBRUARY 6    Two warm for the season, fear it will produce an untimely budding of the fruit trees—which will be destroyed by a late frost.

FEBRUARY 8    Some change in the weather, cold and clear, which we hope may have the effect of settling the weather.

FEBRUARY 10    (Sabbath) Attended preaching at our Church (Taladega)⁶ sermon by our Pastor from the 10 Chpr & last verse of Hebrews he dwelt mostly on faith and greatly strengthened the believers.

FEBRUARY 13    The weather for the last few days has been very pleasant—most of the planters are closeing their crops—I have yet 20 acres to pick.

FEBRUARY 17    Have just heard of the death of Brother Watson⁷—he has been afflicted for several years in a manner calculated to discourage him, but the Lord seems to have given him streangth to bear with it, he has preached a great deal and was a very popular preacher with many, has left a large & helpless family. The weather still continues fine, the air braceing & strengthing, such as will in all probabelity do away the bad effects of the wet winter upon the health of the country.

FEBRUARY 18    (Sabbath) attended preaching at (Weoka) sermon by Brother Taliafero⁸ & Henderson⁹—the day fine with congregation good, more than common interest excited by it.

FEBRUARY 21    Finished picking Cotton today—have by the Almighty with an abundant crop—the last picked is very trashy, find it much improved by threshing with poles, the price still continues from 7 to 10 cents.

FEBRUARY 24    The weather is most delightful—the air fresh & pleasant as a may day fear it cause peach trees and other early fruit to bud and be destroyed by a late frost.¹⁰

FEBRUARY 25    (Sabbath) was at meeting at Talasahatchee, sermon by the pastor (Rev O. Welch) the Lords Supper was administered to a large number—the congregation seemed to be much interested.

FEBRUARY 29    Finished seeding oats¹¹—the weather still pleasant.

MARCH 1    Weather dry & warm—commenced plaughing for corn, find the land dry & hard.

MARCH 2    A fine rain through the day—it was very acceptable, as it was much needed for the preparation of gardens &c not having had any for 30 days.

MARCH 3    (Sabbath) Preaching by Parson Guthrie at Mt. Zion—the congregation was good & seemed interested.

MARCH 4    Left for Montgomery to meet Mr Clay¹² who has promised to meet the citizens who invited him on his route to N. Carolina.

MARCH 6    Arrived at montgomery—found a large concourse of people in town.

MARCH 7    The day was disagreeable & rainy with great disappointment to them who made such liberal arrangements to entertain Mr Clay—it was announced about 12 oclock—that the boats were in sight when a vast crowd assembled at the warf to meet him. The two boats were soon seen at a distance side by side—where the joy of the vast crowd was manafested by shouts and huzzas and the discharge of 26 guns—the rain poured down almost unfelt by those on the warf—so great was their desire to do honor to the great approaching them, after landing the assembly repaired to a large ware house fitted for the occasion, when he was appropriately addresed by Col Williams¹³ and responded to in a most happy & pleasant manner discarding all political topicks—all parties seemed to be delighted with him.

MARCH 9    Mr Clay left today for Columbus [Georgia], the crowd dispercing to their several homes.

MARCH 10    Cotten is declining—the merchants fear they have been two far ahead of the foreign market, very dull in Wetumpka, hope it will advance.

MARCH 13    Some are planting corn—the weather has been fine for some days, great preparation are making for a crop.

MARCH 14    All business stopped today by a heavy rain last night with every prospect of its continuing.

MARCH 15    Commenced ploughing for Cotton, the weather has cleared off.

MARCH 16    Find the land very rough with a heavy coat of weeds on it never having had a severe freeze to pulverize it through the winter.

MARCH 17    (Sabbath) Attended preaching at the Camp Ground—sermon by Brother Taliaferro.

MARCH 18    Commenced planting corn in the field next to Kellys,¹⁴ made free use of Cotton seed¹⁵ hope to reap an additional increase from it.

MARCH 20    Planted corn in the field next to N. W. Mallorys—intend to spread cotton seed on that field after the corn comes up.

MARCH 21    The weather very dry & windy, the ground hard and difficult to plough.

MARCH 22    Spent the day with our dear Uncle and Pastor (O. Welch) who is in a few days to leave us on a visit to Virginia, probably to remain until fall.

MARCH 24    (Sabbath) Attended preaching at Talasahatchee, Sermon by Brotheren Taliafero & Welch. Uncle Oliver & his daughter Frances Ann¹⁶ left today for Virginia—may the Lord bless them & give them a safe return to us.

MARCH 25    Health of the country good.

MARCH 26    Meazles in the neighbourhood, John Mallory¹⁷ broke out with them, gotten on a trip to Mobile.

MARCH 30    Very cold and windy.

MARCH 31    (Sabbath) was at preaching at Mt Ashleys meeting house,¹⁸ the regular preacher not appearing, a sermon was delivered by a Black brother from the Commandments of God with much force and effect—he drew handsomely from nature to sustain the power & divinity of God.

APRIL 1    Planted twenty acres of cotten, the same that was planted on the ninth of April last year from which the heaviest crop has been gathered of any I know, Frost very heavy this morning.

APRIL 2    Planted potatoes today—weather more mild.

APRIL 5    Commenced planting cotten again the weather being warm and hopes entertained that the frosts are over.

APRIL 6    Warm and dry, made a visit with the family to Col Darby, found all well.

APRIL 7    (Sabbath) Attended preaching at Mt Zion near Col Darby; sermon by Brother Taliafero to a large attentive congregation.

APRIL 10    Finished planting cotton.

APRIL 13    Made a finish of planting corn on the flat next to J. G. Randals¹⁹—the ground in very rough order, the early corn has come up badly and the insects very troublesome, hope rain will come in a few days and improve it.

APRIL 14    (Sabbath) preaching at Taladega church sermon by Brother Taliafero—after which the Lords Supper was administered to the bretheren much feeling and joy amongst them, they seemed to be strengthened and made to rejoice in hope of the glory to come.

APRIL 15    Dry and ground hard to plough.

APRIL 16    Cotton comeing up badly for want of rain, only makeing its appearance in moist places or where it is deeply covered.

APRIL 17    A fine shower today that refreshed the gardens, corn, cotten, wheat &c &c.

APRIL 18    Light rain that put the ground in fine ploughing order.

APRIL 20    Rained somewhat two heavy the past day for ploughing this morning, none two much for corn and cotton, family visited Brother Reynolds this evening.

APRIL 21    (Sabbath) attended preaching at the camp ground sermon by Brother Henderson, whose discourse was much to the satisfaction of those that heard him.

APRIL 22    Weather delightful—all vegitation is much refreshed from the late fine showers—the cut worm²⁰ has made its appearance in the first [cotton] I planted—fear they will injure it.

APRIL 23    Engaged in harrowing over a portion of my Cotton that is injured by the cut worm to cover the seed lying on the ground partly sprouted, hopeing by that means to procure a stand—it is on land (of the estate of my deceased Father) that has been in cotton successively for nine years—always producing well without appearing to tire or at all to reduce the quality.

APRIL 24    Commenced hauling out manure (work that should have done in Febry but prevented from the lateness in closeing the last crop) on a lot adjoining the garden containing about three acres, design it for corn.

APRIL 25    Lost a valuable Brood Mare, she left a young colt of fine blood, that we are attempting to raise by hand, it seems to take feeding very kindly—I am much interested in the little creature from its seeming love to me.

APRIL 27    Ploughing up with skooters²¹ the land just manured, find it hard and rather a poor preparation for corn, the manure not being mixed.

APRIL 28    (Sabbath) attended worship at Talasahatchee, sermons by Brother Taliafero and Roden,²² the congregation was large but seemed to be cold and indifferent about religion, may they learn wisdom before it is two late—a fine rain today.

APRIL 29    Find the crop of every kind much refreshed from the rain, spent the day thining of corn and putting cotton seed around a portion of it.

APRIL 30    Planted three acres of corn on manured land, believe the manure to be put on two late to have proper effect, also manured up the hill, partly with stable manure, the other with cotton seed—shall watch the effect of both.

MAY 1    A charming day even for this sweet month, the spring so far has been truly delightful, surpassing all others of my recollection in uniformity, mildness and forwardness.

MAY 3    Commenced chopping out cotten, the stand good, it looks healthy, the cut worms have left.

MAY 5    (Sabbath) Attended preaching at Mt Zion, sermon by Parson Guthrie, a light shower early in the day prevented many from going, the congregation was small.

MAY 8    Brother Jenkins²³ and Truss²⁴ have been preaching for three days past in the neighbourhood to the different churches as missionary's to the [Coosa River Baptist] association²⁵—their congregations are small—hope they may effect some good in the destitute parts of the country—may they the Lord assist them.

MAY 9    Health of the country good, weather mild and pleasant, the crops so far are doing well, are in good order, wheat is ripening.

MAY 11    The country is in a high political excitement upon the question of annexing Texas to this union, it is an important measure and I think frought with danger to the Republic, the North generally oppose it—the South mostly in favour of it—the democrats hope to get an acceptable man in favour of Tylers treaty to oppose Mr Clay who is opposed to it accept with the consent of Mexico, I believe it to be against the interest of the South.²⁶ The nomination of Mr Clay for President an[d] Theadore Frylinghezen of New York for the second office at the late Baltimore Convention seems to give the party much satisfaction—the tide of Whig principals seem to be running high.

MAY 12    (Sabbath) preaching by Brother Henderson at our own church (Taladega), the sermon was an able one and listened to with interest, our church seems to be in a languid state—few or no additions, may the Lord stir us up to work more for his glory and our good.

MAY 13    Weather for the last two days has been very dry and warm, the crops are not much affected as yet—cotton is freer of insects and more healthy than usual. Vegetable[s] are maturing—had beets yesterday and a dish of snaps [snap beans] today.

MAY 14    Had a fine parcel of Raspberries today, the first this season, the crop is a good one.

MAY 15    The weather is dry, the ground becomeing hard.

MAY 17    Commenced harvesting today—the wheat somewhat injured by the rust, but the crop in general is a good one.

MAY 18    Dry and warm—corn begins to suffer, cotton going well and in fine order—finished harvesting [wheat] today.

MAY 19    (Sabbath) attended preaching at Weoka camp ground—sermon from brother Taliafero, the day pleasant with a good congregation, great luke warmness amongst christians & indifference with sinners concerning their future welfare.

MAY 20    Attended our Circuit Court today, much excitement p[r]evails on political subjects, the democrats are without a leader and seem to be mortified at the probable defeat of their party by Mr Clay.

MAY 21    A slight rain today, enough for cotten, a prospect for more.

MAY 23    Cleared off without rain, wind high & cooler than it had been this spring.

MAY 24    Commenced ploughing cotten over the second time, it is very & well filled with forms, more early than common, finished hilling & hoeing my corn the second time.

MAY 26    (Sabbath) Preaching at Talasahatchee, a number of preaching bretheren were present and administered with much feeling & joy the communion of the Lord, to a goodly number.

MAY 27    Rain today, it came most timely, all crops being in need of it.

MAY 28    Planted my crop of Potatoes, every thing seems to be much refreshed from yesterdays rain.

MAY 30    Weather cool and clear.

JUNE 1    Lice makeing their appearance on the cotton.

JUNE 3    (Sabbath) Meeting at Mt Zion, sermon by parson guthrie (Cumberland) from the administration of the supper of Christ, he administered it to a few with much feeling.

JUNE 6    The cotton in many places is much infested with lice, it is large and fear they will cause many of the early forms to fall.

JUNE 7    Warm and pleasant, commenced laying by corn.

JUNE 9    (Sabbath) yesterday and to day, have had preaching at our church by Brother Cauley²⁷ to good congregation.

JUNE 11    Rain in some portions of the neighbourhood, had enough to refresh the crops for a while, a good rain is much wanted to forward them rapidly.

JUNE 12    Very cool, think it probable that hail has fallen near.

JUNE 13    Cloudy with every prospect of a rainy season.

JUNE 14    Cloudy in the morning, a very angry cloud in the west with a stormy appearance visited the examination at Mr Finns²⁸ school, satisfaction seemed to be given.

JUNE 15    Clear and warm, the crops are doing well from the late light showers, engaged in threshing out my wheat, the quality is good but the yield poor, the crop has not proved so good as was expected.

JUNE 16    A fine shower this evening.

JUNE 18    Rain again, corn much improved.

JUNE 20    A heavy rain with a great deal of thunder and lightning, washing the land in many places so as to injure it.

JUNE 22    Political discussions are going on through the county with greath warmth, the Texas question handled by our opponents with much zeal and some effect.

JUNE 23    (Sabbath) Preaching a[t] Talasahatchee by brother Taliaferro, the people seemed to be more engaged in politicks than the cause of our Lord and master.

JUNE 24    Weather clear and pleasant, crops are doing well. Have sold the balance of my Cotton at five and a half cents, should have done better had it been sold earlier as the first brought from 7 to 8½ cents—the knowing one have been deceived, the crop has proved larger than was anticipated and demand less, made fifty bales, sold it for $1750.00.

JUNE 25    Frequent showers.

JUNE 26    Rain again, corn doing well—the rain today sufficient to wet the ground thoroughly for the first time since April.

JUNE 27    Had corn for dinner today, gotten from the field which is earlier than usual.

JUNE 28    Cotton is inclined to grow two fast from the late rains—more forward by two weeks than usual, many of the early balls are nearly grown, think it will begin to open by the first of August.

JUNE 29    The weather seems to be settled, turned very warm.

JUNE 30    (Sabbath) Joined the prayer meeting and sunday at the methodist meeting house—extremely hot.

JULY 1    Warm, with every appearance of dry weather.

JULY 3    More pleasant, the family left home on a visit to H. A. [S.?] Darbys, as also to attend acelabration of the forth of July near his house.

JULY 4    A large [crowd] attended the Barbacue, patriotism seemed to prevail to a great extent, good order and a more abundant provision I never witnessed, about the time of dinner mostly after the ladies had dined a shower interupted the enjoyment of the party, all seemed to regret it as the managers had taken so great pains to entertain the crowd.

JULY 5    Dry and warm.

JULY 7    (Sabbath) Preaching by Parson Guthrie near us (Mt Zion), the heat was great through the day, but a large company attended, rain begins to be much wanted.

JULY 8    A fine rain in this region, very heavy for a mile or two, it fell most timely for the corn.

JULY 9    Cloudy and warm—ground two wet to plough.

JULY 11    The cotton is growing most two fast, it is larger than common at this season.

JULY 13    The