Martha Ballard's Diary, October 1 - 11, 1803

1 7
Clear and very pleast. I have finisht harvisting my Beens. Polly workt here ys day, went home at Evng. Ephm and his men Came here. at home. Polly Farewel wt home.  
2 1
Clear. the men to meeting. I sett out aftern, met Augustus Ballard, his wife and 2 Childn going to our hous. I returnd home. Son Jona, his wife and part of their Childn here to Tea. my dagt and I went to mr Danys at Evng. I Deld her 6/ which Genl Town Sent her as a present. at Mr Danys. Augusts Ballard & wife here.  
3 2
Clear and very warm. Polly Farewl here to work. Dagt Ballard and mrs Pitts and part of yr Childn here. at home.  
4 3
Cloudy, raind at noon. Polly mending a Bed quillt. Rhoda and Hannah Sleep here. mr Purington Paid me 6/7 for Bakeing for him this Sumer and 2/ for Stalks & Shock. at home.  
5 4
Clear. I have Done hous work. Polly finisht ye Bed quillt and did Some other mending, and went home after [Diner]. I paid her 6/7 for 3_ days. Sally Church workt half ys day. I have not paid her. Dagt Ballard Conducted Joanna Smith here to work for me. Shee is 16 years old. at home. Joanna Smith Came here to work at Evng.  
6 5
Clear. Joanna & I washt. Rhoda & Hannah Sleep here this night. at home.  
7 6
Clear. I helpt do my hous work. at home.  
8 7
Clear. Cyrus puled Beens in ye Corn field. I piqut part of ym fm ye vines. Betsy, Rufus & Rachel Smith here. Son Ephm and Polly Farewel gone to winslow. mrs Farewel here. at home. Compy here. Ephm to Winslow.  
9 1
Clear. my famely to meeting. Bror Towns widdo Came here. mr Gill and Lambard here at Evng. Georg Andrus Came home with Joanna. at home. mrs Town here.  
10 2
Clear. mr Ballard Collecting taxes. we have washt. mr Town here ys day. at home.  
11 3
Cloudy. mr Town went to Son Lambds, Joanna to quillt for Betsy Andrus, taried all night. Fanny, Rhoda & Hannah Sleep here. at home.  

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