Martha Ballard's Diary, December 12 - 20, 1793

12 5
Clear. I have been at home kniting on mr Ballards Legin. at [home].  
13 6
Clear. Dolly & I went to Son Pollards. I finisht a legin. at mr Pollards.  
14 7
Clear part of ye Day. I have been at home Carding Cottne. mr Ballard went to the hook, brot 12 yds Cloth which mrs Cleark wove. I Sent little Jacky & La faett Some mitts. at home. Cyrus brot our Small hand irons from mr Savages.  
15 F
Clear. our Childn all here yt are in ys Town, mr Pitts & his wife & mrs S. Williams. I was Calld at Evn to See mr Deckmans Child who has a Swelling on ye Throat, mrss Pollard, kimbal & Capin there. at mr Dickmans to See a Sick Child. Dolly went home with Jona
16 2
Cloudy. mr Ballard Surveying ys morn for Colo Duttun, to Town meeting aftern. mr Waid & Son Jona Butcherd a Cow for us, the wt 489. I Cleand ye heels, Tripe & tryd the Tallow before I Slept. at home. we killd a Beef.  
17 3
X. Birth mr Hamlins Dagt. XX.
Clear. I was Calld at 6h morn to See mrss Hamlin, Shee was Deld of a Dagt at 7h & 20m. I Spent the most of ye Day with her. I went to See mrs Dickmans Child, find it very Sick; the Lady had a fitt. mrs Pollard was there. I left mrs Hamlin & infant very Comfortable & returnd home at Evn. mr Livermors Laid a floor in our kitchen. at mr Hamlins. Birth 52nt. receivd 12/ Feby 5th 1794 of mr Hamln
18 4
Cloudy, Snowd aftern. I have been at home, Did house work. Sally Spun. at home.  
19 5
Clear. mr Ballard & Ephm went to the meddow. I have been at home. at home. ys [is] ye anneversary of my [marriag].  
20 6
Cloudy & Snow. I have been at home. Dolly unwell this foren. I have Done house work, we brot the Loom into ye house & Sett it up & [   d] a web. at home.  

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