Martha Ballard's Diary, April 26 - 30, 1796

26 3
Clear, Nabby washt and went to the hook. I Did the houswork foren, workt in my Gardin aftern. Cyrus and Ebenz ploughd, Ebn Sowd parsnips. mrs Heartford here at Evn, brot 5 Skeins lining yarn that mrs Livermore Spun. I Sent her 1/6 and Shee has had 1 lb Lard @ /10. at home. Cleand the [garden] roots from Currants and Sett Some.  
27 4
X. Birth Benn Browns Dagt. XX.
Clear. I was Calld about Day Break to See mr Benn Browns wife. I walkt to the ferry, wrode from there, arivd at 6 h morn. my Patients illness Came on Severe at 9. Shee was Deld at 12 of a very fine Dagt. her illness was Severe and Shee was very faint after. Shee was put in Bed, but revivd and Seemd as Comfortable as Could be Expected. I left her about 3h pm and walkt Down to the ferry, had Son Pollards hors to wride home. mr Brown gave me 7/6 as a reward. I Calld at mr James Cowens; mr Pierces, find him better than he has been; at wido Savages, Shee is unwell. Crost at the ferry, was in at Old mr Pollards. at mr Benn Browns. Birth 19th. receivd 7/6.  
28 5
Cloudy and Some rain. our men Ploughd part of the Day. Cyrus went home with Son Pollards hors. Ebenz Cleand the Store and I Swept it. I have workt Some in my Door yard, feel Some fatagud. at home.  
29 6
X. Birth Thos Kennys Dagt. XX.
rainy. I was Calld aftern to go to Ephn Cowens. I prepared to go and Thoms Kenny Came, Exprest a wish to have me go and See his wife. mr Cowen Consented. I went, find her very ill. Shee was Deld of a Dagt about Sun Sett. I left them Comfortable and went to Cowens at Evn, find her not very Sick. I lost my Shoes. at Thos Kenneys. Birth 20th. at Ephm Cowens allso, lost my Shoes & fell from my hors.  
30 7
rainy. at mr Cowens. he went Early to Seek my Shoes, found them, informs me Mrs Kenny is Cleverly. mrs Cowen is not very Sick. I tarried all night. at Ephm Cowens.  

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