Martha Ballard's Diary, March 25 - April 1, 1802

25 5
Clear. I have been at home, am unwell. mr Ballard down to ye Settlement. at home.  
26 6
Clear. I have been at home, not able to do much work. Dolly Card ing Cottne. at home.  
27 7
Clear. I have been at home, unwell. mr Ballard to ye Settlement. Dolly went to my Sons and Spun Some wick yn. at home.  
28 1
Clear morn but Cold, Snowd aftern and was very Cold. Son & Dagt Ballard and Childn Supt with us. we had a Sheep died. mr Ballard, Ephm and Saml Trask went to meeting. I feel more Comfortable ys day but was very unwell all night. at home. Son Jona and famely Supt here.  
29 2
Clear foren, Cloudy aftern. I have been mending Stockins and Legins for mr Ballard & Cyrus. mr Ballard is gone East Side of ye river to Collect Taxes. I am informd that John Brown is in Joal for Commiting a Rape on his own Daught of 11 years of age. at home.  
30 3
Cloudy. mr Ballard Sett out for Monmoth to Survey. I have been at home mending hoes and doing hous work. Dolly went to her marms. I paid her 6/7. Son Jon a and all his Childn, Except Hannah, took Tea. Bror Moors Son James and Jack & Le faett Ballard Sleep here. at home. mr Ballard gone to Monmoth. Jethro Gardner here.  
31 4
rainy. I have been at home mending hoes for mr Ballard, and helping do hous wk. James Lester here, Sodered ye handle on a Coffee Pott, mended a Tea do & 2 Basons. Dolly Spun 1 Skein Cottne. at home. Paid for Tinkering 1/4.  
1 5
Cloudy. I have been at home, did hous wk and mended a pair Legins. mr Ballard returnd at Evng with his right hand and Sholder Lamb by reason of a fall he got yesterday. Jimy Page Supt with us. at home. mr Ballard returnd Lambe.  

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