Martha Ballard's Diary, December 20 - 23, 1789

20 D
Cloudy. I was Calld to See James Savages Son who is unwell, but a little more Comfortable than he has been. mrs Woodward there. I hear that two of mr Braleys sons are Sick. mr Ballard is gone to mr Pollards. I was at [mr] James Sava[ges].  
21 2
Cloudy. mr Ballard makeing plans. Capt Nichols, Reuben & Levy Moore dind here. I was at home till Eving, was then Calld to See Nancy Savage. my Girls washt. Dolly Sett her web to work, it was drawn too narrow in the herness. Shee Cutt it out, drew it in again & wove. I was at mr Savages.  
22 3
Clear & very pleasant. the ice moovd at the fort. Colo North went past here to Varsalborough for tryal. mr Ballard & I were Sumond by mr Parker to apear this day at the house of Isaac Foster, to give Evidence to what we know Concerning the Cause there to be tried. I have been at home. mrs Rheed here. I have been at home. mrs Reed here.  
23 4
A Cloudy day. mr Ballard and I went to Varsalboro as Evidences in the Cause between this Common wealth & Joseph North Esqr. the Charg was said North on ye night of augst 10 th Broke into the house of Isaac Foster in the night time & Ravisht the wife of Said Foster. on trial mrs Foster apeard very Calm, Sedate & unmovd, not with Standing the Strong atempts there were made to throw aspercions on her Carrecter. Shee on oath affirmd that Said North Broke open the Door of her house & perpetrated the Crime of Rape ravishment, not with standing her Exerting her Selfe as much as her Strength would would [sic] admit admit [sic] of.My testemony was that mrs Foster on the 19 of august Complaind to me that Shee had Shee had [sic] receivd great abuses from people unknown to her, Such as throwing Stones at her house, Striveing to get in to ye & lodg with her. after relating those abuses Said that was not the worst Shee had met with Since mr Fosters absence, but Shee hoped they would not quite kill her, that they Could do nothing wors than they had unless they killd her. Shee also Said that Said North had abused her wors than any other person in the world had, but Shee believd it was best for her to keep her troubles to her Selfe as mutch as Shee Could till her Husband returnd which Shee hopt wd be soon. Shee also Complaind on the 25 (if I remember the day aright) of said Norths treating her wors than any other person had & Said he did go after an other woman besids his own wife, & that his wife was jellous of him relating to the Chargs She now Lais. Shee Seemd Exceedingly troubled when Shee related her tryals, but not being aust any question for information did not descend to particulars at that time, which was the last time I Converst with her while her Husband was absent. I also testified that Said N Said to me Last weak (which I find by this diarey to be on ye 18th inst), that he really believd mrs Foster was treated as Shee Complains but he Should Deny the Charg Exhibeted against him. he also Said he never had the least reason to Suspect her virtue or modesty. the 28 inst I Calld to mind mrs Foster Saying Colo North had positively had unlawfull Concourse with a another woman besides which was not his wife and Begd her never to mention it to any other person, told her Shee would Expose & perhaps ruen her Self if Shee Did. I told her I Supposed it was an Enemy of his who was her informer & that the informer might have miss receivd a Story relative to Fack. Shee replyd no it is his Father, I mean he is guilty.  

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