Martha Ballard's Diary, August 18 - 28, 1786

18 6
I have been at home. Polly Taylor spun 6 Skeins of Cottne & Dolly & Hannah did hous work. mr Ballard Came home, he is informd of ye Death of Death of Doct Gardner. Ezckiel Leighton Sleeps here.   
19 7
I have been at home. mr Ballard is unwell, has taken Some Soap pills. Polly Taylor & her Cousins here, mr Bolton & Chamberlin also.   
20 A
A Clear day. mr Ballard very unwell. I Bakt Some Bread for him to Carry wt him if able to go on ye Bussiness of Deviding Pittss Land.   
21 2
a hott day. mr Ballard gone on ye Buisiness above mentiond. ye girls washt. I Twisted 18 Knotts of thread. Esqr Lovjoy Breakfasted h.   
22 3
Clear & Cool. I was at home. mrs Williams here. mr Jones yt Livs at Doct Coneys, hr ys Eving.   
23 4
Cloudy. I have been at home. Andersn Taylor Supt here. ys is Son Towns Birth day.   
24 5
Clear & Cool. mrs Bisbe dind here. I went to Fort western wh her. we Calld at ye Neibrs on ys Side of ye river.   
25 6
I was at home till Eving when Calld to Capt Savages to See his wife. Set with her ys night.   
26 7
Calld from Capt [ ]s to see Betsy Thomas, find her very ill. tarried with her ys Night. Nabby Jacson watcht also.   
27 A
I returnd home. Left mrs Savage and Betsy Thomas mending, find mr Balla much weller than he was when he Left home. I had a Severe pain in my rite foot ys nigh.   
28 2
this is Daughter Towns Birth Day, aged 28 years. I am not So well as I coold wish. my girls washing. Hannah North here, Says her Mame is Coming to See me. David Fletchers wife was Delivrd of a Son ye 22 inst. Mrs North & ye two mrs Coxs here, mr Brooks wh them. mr Ballard wt to mr Bisbees. Doct Coney here, Says mrs Hardin is unwell again. Polly & Sally, Theophs & [Jemmy] & Elijah Crage here at Evinng.   

Source: www.doHistory.org. Transcription courtesy of Robert and Cynthia McCausland.