Martha Ballard's Diary, December 29 - 31, 1789

29 3
Snowd all day. mr Ballard & Capt Weston went to Esqr Coneys ys morn, Breackfastd yr. Joseph Town Dind here. I have been at home. I was at [home]. Snow.  
30 4
X. Birth mr Brookss Dagt. XX.
Clear & very pleasant. I was Calld at about 1h morn to See mrs Brooks who was in travil. I Rode to mr Pollards Landing, mr Ballard acompanied me & took the hors Back. I walkd from there to mr Brookss, was much fatagud. found his Lady in a deplorable Situation, but by the blessing of providince I put her Safe to bed at ye 3d h, the living mother of a fine Daughter. I tarried till after Dinner & Left them Cleverly. mr Brooks made me a reward of 12/8. I Came home by Capt Herseys, walkt acrost ye river & got home Safe. left mrs Voce there as Nurs. I was at mr Brooks. Birth 38th
31 5
A Moderate rain thro ye Day & Evn. I have been at home, finisht footing a pair of Stockins for mr Ballard. Son Town Came here, informs his Famely are well & that his Brother is a little more Comfortable than he has been, but very weak & low yet. Parthena went to mr Densmores to Carry her Cloath for a Coat. mr Ballard & Capt Weston went to Colo Norths at Evng. Jona Came home from ye hook, he Brot home 3 pair of hoes which he bot, which Cost /7/. I hemd a hankercf for him with Tammeys Departure & return Stampt there on N[   ] 19. I was a t home. Births in Hollowell in the years 1785 Males 17 Feemales 22 1786 Males 24 Feemales 25 1787 Males 20 Feemales 28 1788 Males 17 Feemales 25 1789 Males 27 Feemales 27 232 Deaths in Hollowell in ye years 1785 Males 4 Feemales 6 1786 Males 4 Feemales 5 1787 Males 9 Feemales 7 1788 Males 7 Feemales 5 1789 Males 3 Feemales 6 56 1789 I have put 14 women to Bed with Sons and 24 with Daughts. 1790 were males Born in Hollowell 23 Feemales 19 Death Males 10 Feemales 5 1790 I have Extracted 34 Childn in this & other towns of which 20 were males, Feemales 14.   

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