Martha Ballard's Diary, June 16 - 20, 1798

16 7
Clear foren, Cloudy aftern. mr Ballard been to Pittstn to the fort and to Hollowell. the Lady of Esqr Mathew Haywood, his Grand Dagt and Dagt Lambard here, James Moore allso. I have been at home. at home. am informd of the death of CaptZimry Haywood, his remains interd this Day.  
17 G
Clear and warm. Cyrus Came up, we all attended worship all day. Nabby at Hallowell. mr Ballard and my Self Calld at Son Lambards. Son & Dagt Pollard, mr Gill & wife, Shubal Pitts & wife there. we all partook of a good Puding & roast Veal with them. mr Lambard informs me that Dagt Town is more Comfortable and that Shee proposes to Come here Soon. may we be Seutably imprest with a Sence of Gods goodness to her. at meeting and at Son Lambards. mr Stone Discoarst from Proberbs XXII C 2 Vers, the rich and poor meet together, the Lord is the maker of them all.  
18 2
X. Birth Wm Bells Son. XX.
Clear and very warm. I was Calld at [ ]th h morn by Wilm Bell to See his wife who was in Labour. Shee was Deld at 8h 30m Evng of a Son, her first born, and is very Comfortable. mrss Mc Master and Haywood were my assistants. I tarried all night. at mr Bells. Birth 16th. receivd 12/ as a reward. 
19 3
Clear and warm. mrss Bell was Siesd with a very Severe pain in her head a little before Day. I made use of means which gave her relief, and left her much more Comfortable at 4h pm. I was at mr Carters, Kitridges, Wessons, Pittss, Soals and Pattins & Dingleys. at Ditoes and other Neighbours. Esqr Preskot & wife Sleep here.  
20 4
Clear and hott fore noon. I went to mr Bells, find her more Comfortable. I was at Lewis Hamlins, his wife is Cleverly; at mr Crags, Pegy very low. I Calld at mr Heartfords, his wife Deld of two Dead Babes by Esqr Cony this morn, one of Each Sex. at mr Bells and others. Birth. mrs Heartford twins, a Son & Dagt.  

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