Martha Ballard's Diary, September 1 - 4, 1798

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Clear. I have been helping do the house work. Dagt Ballard Came here, Shee thinks of going to Winslow tomorrow. I went to See Nancy Dingley who is unwell, her Dady & marm are gone to winslow. Jane is not very well this Evng. I gave her Cammomile Tea and Shee got Cleverly by morn. at mr Dingleys. Nancy is unwell. A barn was Consumed by fire at Reedsfield last thursday, it belonged to A mr Smith.  
2 G
Clear. we all attended meeting. the Ordinance of the Supper was Administred. I went to mr Dingleys, Nancy is better. they informd me that Dagt Town has been more Comfortable ys Two Days, for which favr I would Bless the Great Author of all our mercies. Son Ephm and Jery Heartford took Tea with us. I was Calld about Sun sett to See the wife of Zyba Petingail who was in Labour, but not very ill. I tarried all night. had no Sleep. at meeting. the Lords Spr administrd. I was at mr Dingleys & informd yt Dagt Town is revivd a little. was at mr Petingals. Son Ephm here. this is the aneversarey of the Birth of Dagt Lambard, 26 years Since.  
3 2
Clear. I was at mr Petingals. my Patient Lingars. mrss Fletcher Calld there ys morn. Shee and I went to mr Allins. the women Calld to See mrs Petingl at midnight. at mr Petingls & Allins. mr Hill and RachelSavage were Married.  
4 3
X. Birth Zeba Petingls Dagt & first Born.
Cloudy morn. mrss Petingail was Deliverd of A fine Dagt at 1h 40m this morn. I left her and infant Cleverly and arivd at home at 4h and 20m, went to bed and Slept till 8. have been Since Doing matters about house. at mr Petingls. Birth 24th. I receivd 12/ as a reward for my Service.  

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