The diary consists of entries describing plantation activities primarily during two periods, 1853-1855 and 1863-1870. From 1853-1855 Joseph Redhead recorded daily accounts of the weather, health of slaves, work assignments (e.g., plowing, planting, picking and baling cotton, fence repair, and hauling wood), and the amount of cotton picked on the plantation. He also kept quarterly inventories of stock and implements, a list of trees and fruit in the orchard, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous notes about making soap, grafting apples, and other household and farming tips. Two Civil War letters copied in the diary comment on the Federal troops' failure to visit Montrose Plantation, the family's good fortune in not losing any slaves, and anticipation of the day when no cavalry or soldiers are needed. John A. Redhead used the diary between 1867-1870 to record copies of letters and drafts, and miscellaneous memoranda. Copies of verse, including the words to "A southern girl's song," are entered in the diary.
