Martha Ballard's Diary, February 19 - 23, 1797

19 A
X Birth David Pollards Second Dagt. XX.
Clear and pleast Day, Cloudy at Evng. I was Calld to See mrs Pollard at 4h morn, Shee was Deld at 5 of a Daught, her forth Child. I left her and infant Cleverly and returnd at 7. my Dagts and their husbands, Ezra & Ephm, mrs Eunice & Lucy Town Dind here. Jona Ballard allso, the 2 latter Sleep here. at Leut David Pollards. Birth 11th. October 6th I recvd 9/ of mrss Pollard as a reward. 
20 2
Cloudy. I have not been so well as I Could wish. Lucy Town helpt me do my work, I bakt, tho much fatague. I have seen 63 revotutions of the Sun. it Seems as if I Could not labour much longer as I have done. May God grant me grace to Endure with patience what I have to Sufer. at home.  
21 3
X Birth Saml Daviss Son. XX.
Clear. my Dagt Lambart Came here with her Babe. Ezra Town & Son Ephm took Breakfast, I gave Each of them 6/ to purchace them Bibles with. Dolly Spun me yarn for Candle wicks. mr T Page and P Bullin Dind here. I was Calld to See the wife of Saml Davis who was in Labour and was Deld of a Son at 7h 30m Evng. I tarried all night. at Saml Daviss. Birth 12th.receivd 6/7 as a reward. Dagt Lambt here.  
22 4
Cloudy and Some Snow. I Came home at 9h morn. the old Lady Davis wrode up with me. Dagt Lambart and I made 43 Dzn Candles. her husband Came and Sleeps here. my Tallow Cought fire and alarmed us much, my Dagt fainted by reason of her Surprise. at Ditoes.  
23 5
Cloudy part of the Day and part very pleasant. Son & Dagt Lambart went home. Sally Fletcher Came here at noon. mr Moore and Thankful Godfray here. at home. Dagt Lambart went home. Sally Fletcher Came here.  

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