Martha Ballard's Diary, July 4 - 9, 1800

4 6
Clear and warm. Son and Dagt Lambd Came here forenn. he went down to the Settlement to Observ independance, his wife and I went to See Son Jonas wife. I have felt very unwell. I Came home after Sun Sett. Sister Pollard Calld at our door on her way home. Bror Lambard here, took Tea and then Sett out to acompany my Dagt home. may they be prospered on their way and reach their place of destination in Safty, and may my Son, who is Confined from his famely, be returnd in Safety in thine own time. giv him Seutable Contemplations [at] thy Divine disposal and may he from this time devote himself to thy Service. at Son Jonas. mrs Saunders there.  
5 7
Clear and very warm. Brother Lambd Dind here. Dagt Ballard has been to See her husband and has allso been to try to Borrow money to help him out of his trouble, but did not sucsceed. I have been helping do my house work. I took a walk to the East of this house till I Came in Sight of Howards mills. at home.  
6 1
Clear and very warm. I was Calld by mr Sole to go and See his wife who was very ill. I administred Some remedies which gave Some relief, went into meeting after Sermon was began, it was Communion day. after foren Service and the Sacrament was Past, I went to my patient again. found her very faint, gave her more medisin. Shee got a little Sleep and Shee was Deld of an untimely Birth. I tarried with her all night, mrss Dickman with her allso. at mr Soals and at meetin foren, it was the Communion.  
7 2
Clear and warm. I returnd, left my Patient as well as Could be Expected, was Calld in to See mrss Crages inft who is unwell. find Polly washing, helpt her and did Some things in my gardin. mr Ballard went to Son Pollards for monney for Son Jona who is Confined to the prison yard. at mr Soals. recd for attendance & medisin 6/ [   ] 18.  
8 3
Clear Except a very light Shower aftern. Son Jona discharged the debt for which he has been Confined one weak, and returned to his famely. he, his wife and Revd mr Stone took Tea with us this aftern. may all troubles work together for our good. at home. Revd mr Stone made us a visit.  
9 4
Clear Except a Shower at night. I houghd my gardn. was Calld to mr Edsons at night to See mrs Collier. Shee was relievd before I arivd. I larried all night. mr Ballard gone to Pownalboro to Coart. at mr Edsons to See mrs Collier  

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