Martha Ballard's Diary, June 19 - 22, 1799

19 4
Clear. mr Ballard Sett out for mount Vernon. I went to work in my gardin, killing Buggs on my Plants and at 9h m. mr Benn White Calld me from that to go and See his wife who is unwell. I went aftern to See Old Lady White and mrss Burns and Slept at mr Whites. the Patient Seems better. at mr Whites.  
20 5
X. Birth Benn Whites 5th Dagt. it was Born dead. XX.
Clear. mr Ballard Sett out for Colo Dutuns Directly after I reacht home at 8h m. I have been Doing my hous work and in my Gardin. mrss Densmore Came aftern for Beens to Plant. I was Calld in hast to go to mr Whites again. the Boys Landed me at Jackson Landing. I took of my Shoes & walkt in my Stockins, Steerd as Strait a Coars as I Could and reacht mr Whites very Soon, but was much fatagud. his wife was Delivd at 10h Evn of a Daughtr which was Dead. I tarried all night, Slept Some. ye patient as well as Can be Expected. at mr Whites. Birth 24th. receivd 9/ as a reward.  
21 6
Clear. I left mrss White as well as we Could Expect. Calld at mgr Stickneys and the Leuts whose infant had a very ill turn. we feard it was Expireing, but by the use of means it revivd and I left it. walkt to mr Pages Landing from whence mr Stickney Conducted me home by water. I arivd at 2h Pm. Did Some matters about house and went to mr Dingleys and took Tea with her, mrs Livermore, Moore, Mc Causland &C. at Ditoes. Funeral of his infant Dagt.  
22 7
Clear. mr Ballard went to mr Moodys and Bot 7yds Callico, 1yd Cottne, 2 lb Sugar; then he Conducted Dagt Lambd here to make my Gown, thin went up Streat. was informd yt Betsy welch was found in the river. he then went to Capt Williams, was Sumoned on the Jury. mrss Dingley here, mrss Livermore and her Dagt Heartfod Calld here. Rufus Ballard and Son Lambd took Tea with us. at home. mrs Land made me a goun. Betsy Welch was found and Buried.  

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