Martha Ballard's Diary, August 18 - 24, 1789

18 3
Ezra Hodges Son Born. XX.
Clear & not very hott. I was Calld in ye aftern to See mrs Hodg who was in travil. Shee was Safe Delivrd about ye 10th hour Evn of a fine Son, & 4th Child, which wd 11-1/2 lb. mr Hodg is out at ye meddow. it is his 4th Child . I tarried all night. mrs Burtun here when I left home. at mr Hodges. I receivd 2 lb Cotten as a reward.  
19 4
Clear. I left mrs Hodg & infant Cleaverly at 9 h morn. Calld at mr Westons, Pollards, mrs Foster & mr Savages. Came home at 1 h PM, feel fatagud. at mr Hodges & mrs Fosters.  
20 5
Clear. I have been at home. mrs Childs & her Childn & Sister & mrs Burtun here going to mr Hamlins. Dolly finisht weaving her web, 33 yds. mr Ballard been as an Evidence to a reference between Colo Howard & mr Brooks. at home.  
21 6
Clear. I have been at home. mrs Coal Dind here, Lidia Foster here. Dolly drew in a piece for her Daddy Some Cloaths. at home.  
22 7
Clear. I went to See mr Fosters youngest Child. Hannah returnd from Son Towns, Left them all well as Could be Expected. I was at mrs Fosters, Indiens there.  
23 D
Clear. Dolly unwell. mr Hamlin & wife, Elisha Bisbe & Polly, & Taylor & Juet Foster here. I was Calld at 7 Evn to See mrs Hovey who was in travil. at mr Hoveys.  
24 2
X Birth Hoveys Dagt. XX.
Clear. mrs Hovey was Delivrd of a Dagt at 1h morn & I returnd at ye 9th, left them Cleverly. mrs Cumings gave me a pound of Sheeps wool. I went to Bed & took a knap aftern. Burtun & wife & mrs Cooshin here. at mr Hoveys.  

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