Martha Ballard's Diary, November 21 - 26, 1790

21 C
Clear and pleast. we Dind on a Turkey of Jonas providing, mr Hamlin & Patridg here. the Girls went home with them. I have been at home, a fine Evng. at home [  ] Clear [we ].  
22 2
Clear and pleast, muddy walking. I went to mr Westons, Bot for Polly Taylor with money which mr Jackson gave for her; 1 lb rasons, 1 quart molases and 28 Bisquit. my Girls washt. at mr Westons. he gave a pint of WE Rhum for Polly Taylor.  
23 3
rainy. Seth Foster workt here, moovd fence on ye point South Side ye Crick. mr Putnam Calld and informd me mr Ballard was well last Satturday and yt mr Gillman was Some unwell. I have been at home. at home. Dolly made her Callamanco Skirt. Death, Jery Whites inft. 
24 4
Clear part of ye Day. I have been at home, finisht Ephms Stockins and made my Self a Baise Coat. Capt Nichols here directly from Oxford; informs my friends are well there. at home. Capt Nichols here. Burial mr Whites infant.  
25 5
Clear and Cold. the Public thanksgiving. my Girls went to mr Hamlins. Jona Sitt out for Long reach, with a rafft of Boards ys Evng. mr Wall with him with Boards for Capt Davis. I am informd yt Saml Foster of Winthrop had the misfortin to Break one of his Leggs last Satturday and is thot to be in Danger of loosing his Life. at home. Asa Mason & Hannah Cowen Married ys day. thee ice runs in ye river.  
26 6
X Birth. Ezra Hodges 3d dagt & 5th Child; the first was 5 ys old ye 10 of Sept last. XX
Clear part of the Day & very Cold. I am informd that Jona & others who were attempting to go Down with a rafft were inclosd by the ice at Bumber hook Point. thee ice makes very fast. Doct Williams & his Son here at Evn. Could not pass with yr Horses, left ym here and went to mr Pollards. I was Calld at 8 h Evn to See mrs Hodges in Labour. her women were Calld and Shee was Safe Delivrd at 10 h and 30 m Evn. mrs Pollard being unwell Did not arive till the moment the Child was Born. the Ladies who assisted took Supper after all our matters were Completed, & retend home about 12. mrs Pollard and my Self tarried all night & Sett up. mrs Hodges rested finely, ye inft allso. at mr Savages and mr Hodges. thee ice Stopt at Fort Westorn. Birth 29th. Saml Dawin fell thro ye ice as he was attempting to go of ye rafft to ye Shore, but was Savd by their geting to him with a Cannoe & takeing him in.  

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