Martha Ballard's Diary, January 21 - 26, 1791

21 6
Clear and very Cold. mr Ballard went from home bound for Sandy river. I was Calld to See Wm Densmore, he was Siesd with the Collic, got Ease before I arivd. I returnd home & went Directly to mr Bisbes, tarried & watcht. Pollys feaver very high the most of ye night. Wm Howard Came there at Evn. the wind Shifted to ye S & blew very hard. mrs Bisbe is very anxious about Polly. at mr Bisbes. mrs Rockwood went home.  
22 7
Clear and very Cold, ye wind Shifted to NW, Blew very high. mr Howard brot me home aftn. Polly is very much as Shee has been some Days past, very helpless. at mr Bisbes.  
23 B
Clear & Cold. I have been at home. mr Densmore here, Says his Son is much as he was. mr Ballard Came from mr Rusts at Sandy river this Day. at home.  
24 2
Cloudy & Cold. mr Ballard been to ye hook to a meeting of ye proprietors of Unity. I have been at home, finisht a pair of mitts for Patty. at home.  
25 3
Cloudy & not very Cold. I was unwell, Did not rise till mr Pinkam Calld me to go to mr Bisbes, his Dagt Polly being Siesd with a Complaint in her Nervs. I made use of pipe Phisic which gave relief & Shee rested much Bitter than Shee had for Some nights past. Capt Haywoods Lady & I watcht. at mr Bisbes. mrs Haywood there &Doct Williams at Evng.  
26 4
X. Birth mr Blaks Son. XX.
Cloudy morn. I was Calld from mr Bisbes at Day Dawn by mr James Blak to See his wife. Shee was Deld at 7h 13m morn of a fine Son. I tarried thro the Day & night; was awake y most of ye night. at Dos & mr Blaks. Birth 1st of my asisting ys year.  

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