Martha Ballard's Diary, August 6 - 11, 1799

6 3
Clear and warm. mr Ballard and Cyrus to Son Jonas. I was Calld at 11h morn to See mrss Rollands who Seemd to be in Labour but her Case was Linguring. I tarried all night. mrss Hinkley and Church there all night. at mr Rollan.  
7 4
Clear. I am at mr Rollandss. mrss Hinkley and Church went home, and returnd. we went to bed and Slept Some. the Patient Calld us up. at Ditos.  
8 5
X. Birth mr Roland Son. XX. 		Clear and warm. we were Calld up at 1h morn. mrss Swetland Calld and the Patient was Safe Deld at 2h 45m morn of a fine Son which wd 8 lb 11 oz. after Compleating my business I returnd home at 6h morn. I receivd 10/6 as a reward. mr Ballard to Son Jonas, Cyrus to ye hook and to his Brothers. Hepsy went to the hook. at mr Rolands. Birth 33d. recd 10/6.  
9 6
X. Birth mr Pickfords Son. XX. 		Clear. mr Ballard and Cyrus to Jonas. Dagt Lambd Sent Saml for me. I went and Dind there. went to mr Childs, find the infant Sick with a Soar mouth. Shee as well as Can be Expected. I returnd to My Dagts, Drank Tea, mr Ballard allso. I was Calld in hast by mr Pickford to See his wife who was in Labour. Shee was Safe Deld at 9h Evn of a fine Son. we took Tea and I returnd to Son Lambds at 11h, went to bed and had Comfortable rest. at Son Lambds, Childs & mr Pickfords. Birth 34th. recd 12/ as a reward.  
10 7
X. at Son Lambds. Birth, his 2nd Son. XX. 		Clear till Evn when we had thunder & rain. I was at Lambds, my Dagt was taken ill at 3h m. Sent for Dagt Ballard & mrss Gill. Shee was not very Sick till about Sun Sett when mrss Haywood, Soal and Pitts were Calld and Shee was Safe Deld at 9h Evn of her Second Son, a fine Child which wd 9_ lb. Shee and inft as well as Could be Expected. I tarried all night. Dagt Ballard Sett up. mrss Gill and I Slept. at Son Lambds. Birth 35th. 
11 1
Cloudy and rain. Son Lambd Conducted my Dagt Ballard and mrss Gill home and mrs Conry there to Nurs. I returnd home at 5h pm. w [sic] had heavy thunder and rain afterwards. I left my Child Cleverly. Shee has been out of bed twice and had her bed made. Mr Hallowelll had Barn burnt by Lightning, [with] 30 tons hay & 3 Cows. at Son Lambds. mrs Conry Came to nurs.  

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