Martha Ballard's Diary, May 15 - 19, 1792

15 3
X. Birth mr Beemans Dagt. XX.
Clear. I went to mr Dummers, bot 2yds Shalloon 5/, 2Do fustian 5/, 1 lb Tea & Teapot 3/8, paper pins /10, 1 Galn molases 3/6, Skein Silk /5, 2lb Butter 1/6. mrs Barton & my Dagt gone to Jonas. Thos Haywood here. I paid him 24/ for his Dad. I went to See mrs Densmores inft, it is no better. I was Calld at 9h Evn to See mrs Beeman, Shee was Delivd Soon after my arival of [a her] 4th Dagt. I tarried all night, my Patients are Cleverly. at mr Dummers & mr Densmores. I have Beets, Carrots & Beens up. at mr Beemans. Birth 19th
16 4
Cloudy. I returnd home at 9h morn, left my Patients Cleverly, receivd 6/ as a reward. mrs Bartun left here ys morn to go home by water with Jams Haywood. at Does. mrs Barton went from here. raind aftn.  
17 5
Cloudy. I was Calld at 10h morn to See Richd Fosters wife in Labour. Shee lingerd thro ye night. I Slept a little. mr Ballard is 67 years old ys Day, if alive. at Richd Fosters  
18 6
Birth Richd Fosters Dagt.
Cloudy & Showery. mrs Foster was Safe Deld of a Dagt & first Child at 5h 30m. I was Calld upon to go & See the Lady of Jedy Preskott & I arivd there at 10, find her in Labour. tarried there all night. went to Bed & had rest. mrs Attkins of Sterling there. at Does & mr Preskots. Birth 20th.  
19 7
] Coney asisted her.
Clear, a frost ys morn. my Patients illness Came on at 8h morn, her women were Calld. her Case was Lingering till 7 pm. I removd Difuculties & waited for Natures opperations till then, when Shee was more Severely atackt with with obstructions which alarmd me much. I Desird Doct Hubard might be Sent for which request was Complid with, but by Divine assistance I performed the opperation, which was blisst with the preservation of the lives off mother and inft. the life of the latter I Dispard off for Some time. at mr Preskotts. Birth 21. the mostperelous Sien I ever past thro in the Cours of my practice.blessed be God for his Goodness.  

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