Martha Ballard's Diary, December 9 - 15, 1786

9 7
a Cold Day, Snowd at night. mr Edson brought my woolin Cloath hom. mr Maggs & mrs Brown Dind here. we killed a Swine that wd 109 lb. mr Ballard Bt 3-3/4 lb Candles of mr Weildon at /40 pr pound.   
10 A
a Severe Storm of Snow. mr Ballard went to thee meating hous. Revd mr Foster Came But no other person, So there was no preaching.   
11 2
A Clear & very Cold Day. Excesive Cold night. mr Ballard Spent Evinning at Capt Sualls, Doct Coney also. we had washing Done to day & killd 6 fowls.   
12 3
Clear part of ye day. it Snows now. it is 11 in Evinng. Excesive Cold till Evinng. I finisht knitting mr Ballards Leggins & mended Dickys Stockings & Ephms Trousers. Hannah Did hous work, the other Girls turning Cotten Sheets and other mending.   
13 4
Cloudy. the weather moderated. I have been at home, fited Ephms Leggins. the Girls Bakt Pies. David Learned Supt here. Dolly went to mr Westons & got 1 lb Butter, 2 oz Ginger, 2 oz. Spice, 1 oz. pepir. Snow this Evening, raind before morning.   
14 5
Clear. Thanksgiving Day. I went to meeting & was Calld to Colon Howards to ascist mrs Pollard Lay out his Son James. Mrs Betsy, Polly & Jack are very Sick. I watcht. Doct Colman unwel. Death of James Howard.   
15 6
Clear & pleast. James Howard interd this aftern. I returnd home at Evinng. went to Bed Early, have had the Collik all night, had but Little rest. I left Polly mending. mrs Betsy & Jack very Sick. mrs Fairwel stays with them this night.   

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