Martha Ballard's Diary, April 17 - 21, 1790

17 7
Clear & pleasant. mr Ballard is gone to measure the road from this Side mr Craggs to ye top of ye hill North of here. I have finisht a pair of hoes for my Self. I am informd Capt Reed is arivd with a larg quantity of Corn. the river opend as low as mr Livermores. mr Jones Crost at Pollards Ferry with his hors & 2 Cows. Ephm went to mr Woodwards for gardin Seeds. I was at home. finisht my Stockins. the river Opend. Death mrs Sherburns Child.  
18 C
Clear morn. Cloudy aftn, the wind very Chilly. mr Black & Pollard here. Dolly Came home from mr Hamlins; informs mr Craggs inft is well. at home.  
19 2
Snowd by Showers all day. I have been at home. my Girls washt, I Began me a pair of Stockins & mended Foster a pair. mr Pollard informd me of ye Death of the widdow Sherburns Dagt & only Child. I allso hear that old mr Smith is very Sick. Revd Isaac Fosters 1st Dagt born this night.  
20 3
Cloudy till ye 11th h morn when the Sun Shone. mr Ballard & Foster gone to to [sic] a meeting of ye proprietors of the Town Ship Calld unity at the house of mr Carr. Neigr Savage informd me that the Revd Isaac Fosters Lady was Safe Delivd of a Dagt Last Evng & is Cleverly. I have been at home; feel unwell. Cyrus Borrowed a 40 Sleigh of the widdow Coburn for Dolly to weav a pice for Benn Porter. at home.  
21 4
A very rainy foren. Cleard of pleast at ye 3 h pm. mr Ballard Bot two Bushels of Corn of meloy; gave 10/ in Cash. I have been at home. Foster went from here; he has not Eat anything here ys Day. Samuel Cumings Junrs Son Drowned. at home. Saml Smith here for Sustenance for his father who is Sick. Death.  

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