Martha Ballard's Diary, September 10 - 14, 1799

[10] [3]
rainy. mr Ballard is very Sick yet. my hopes are allmost vanisht that he will recover but God is infinitily Good and wise in all his dealings with us, and I really wish to be able to Say his will be done!!! but how hard it is thus to Say when it Seems oposite to our present Comfort. my husband is very low and has aparantly Symtoms of being near the Close of life. our Neighbours Came in to See him. mr Dingly tarries with me all night. my Distrest husband Seemd a little revivd by 4h morn. Sister Williams, who hapened here on a visit, rose and I went on the bed and took Some rest. at home. mr Ballard Continues to Puke and is very ill. Dagt Lambd and others here to see him. Cyrus brot two Cows here for us to improve.  
11 4
Clear morn, presented with the happy Prospect that my Dear Compannion is Some better) favour immence and fine). Great God the Glory Shall be thine). Sister Williams went to her Son Augustuss and returnd here before noon, then took her leav of us and Sett out for home. Jona Came here. my Son Cyrus is 43 years old this Day. mr Livermore and Dinsmore Sett up with mr Ballard and I undrest & went to bed at 11h, Slept till 3h morn then rose by reason of the Cramp, and mr Livermore went home. at home. Sister Williams went home.  
12 5
Cloudy foren and Some rain. mr Ballard has been more Comfortable, his Phisic operatid. mrss Livermore here to See him, mrss Haywood and Pattin at Evng. I took Care of mr Ballard this night and am very much fatagud. at home. Son Town Sleeps here. mr Ballard is better.  
13 6
Clear. mr Ballard remains better. Son Town Came at Evn and Sleeps here. I went to bed and Slept this night. mr Ballard walkt out this morn. the Doct and Dagt Lambd here. at home. mr Ballard been out a Doors. Son Town Sleeps here.  
14 7
Cloudy and [Some rain]. mr Ballard gits better. Son Town [and] Jason [Pierce] and Joll White [Dind] here. I have been at home. at home. Ephm Sleeps here.  

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