Martha Ballard's Diary, January 6 - 11, 1796

6 4
Cloudy. I have been washing. Son Jona Dind here. mr Livermore, his wife and Cousin & mrss Holdman took Tea. I feel Some fatagud ys Evn. I laid my Washing aSide when my Company Came and finisht it after they went away, Except rinsing. at home, had Compy
7 5
Snowd. I was Calld Early to mr Gills, find his wife unwell. I Did her house work, feel very unwell, have a pain in my head. we Calld Esqr Brookss Lady at Evng. Shee tarried all night. at mr Gills.  
8 6
Clear Except Some Squalls of Snow, very Cold at Evn. mr Gill Brot Sally Cocks, and I Came home; feel very much fattagud. at Ditoes. Sally Cocks Came there.  
9 7
X. Birth mr Gills Son. XX.
Clear and Cold. I was Calld at 3h ys morn to See mrs Gill again. Shee was Safe Deld at 5 of a Son (her first Child by mr Gill), and is very Comfortable. mr Gill bestowd 12/ as a reward for my Service, and I returnd home. we brot Harnon Barton with us. Calld at mr Pollards and Lambarts, they are all well. I finisht my washing and Did my other work. mrs Dingly Sent home a Shirt which Shee made for mr Ballard. at Ditoes. Birth 2nt. receivd 12/ and 3 lb Sugar.  
10 D
Clear and Cold. Cyrus went to meeting. Harnon Barton went to mr Pollards, Came here again before Cyrus returnd from meeting. I have felt very unwell. mr Burtun Sent for me but I Could not go, her youngest Child is Burnt. Phillip Bullin returnd here. at home. am not So well as I could wish.  
11 2
Clear. Cyrus & Bullin gone to ye Meddow. mr Densmore brot hs Dagt Mary to my Door in a Sleigh, but Did not Come in. Hannah Goodin & Fanny Cocks, Nancy Hilton and Sally Smith here. at home. Mary Densmore wrode here in a Sleigh.  

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