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The Nov. 11 entry recounts one of just two times that Martha called in a doctor to help with a delivery. The other time was May 19, 1792 .
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As on Nov. 11, a doctor was present at a delivery Martha presided over on October 10, 1794, but in the latter case the mother and her family called the doctor, not Martha. Investigate that event in-depth in Martha and a Man-Midwife .
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The Nov. 12 entry is relevant to the "Martha Ballard and Money " Theme in Martha Ballard's Diary
Birth. X Henry Babcocks Dafter born at five in
morn. XX
I was Calld at 5 O Clock ys morn to Henry Babcocks,
his wife being in Travil. arivd there about Day Light; found her
put to bed, the operation performd By mrs Smith. mrs Babcock
I found in Severe pain; her complaints So great & Shee very
Desireous I should inquire into ye Cause. I Complyd
& found her greatly ingered by some misshap. mrs Smith does
not alow yt Shee was Sencible of it. however her, Viz
mrs Babks , Distres was so very Severe we were apprehencive
Shee was Expiring. Sent for Doct Colman But Dr Williams
fortunately Came in & prescribed remidies which aford Some
relief. I Left him there & returnd home at 10/PM.
I am at home. Doct Wms Calld here on his return from
mr Babcocks. Enforms me yt She is Some more Comfortable;
he has hopes She may recover. mr Smily here. we bt
18 lb of Buttr of him. we paid him one Dollar in
Cash & three at Davess Store; we are to give one
Shilling pr pound.
Clear Morn, Cloudy aft. I attended Divine Servis. Capt
Grant & mrs Foster here in intermishn .
I went to See mrs Babcock, found her very Low. Son Town here this
night.
mr John Jones taken & brot to Pollards.
Son Town went home from here. mr Ballard went to Cabese. I went to mr Suels to visit his fammily yt were Sick. There were a gang went to Saml Duttuns & took John Jones; Brought him to Pollards. tarrd till morn when they Set out with him for wiscasett.