Martha Ballard's Diary, October 24 - 31, 1796

24 2
X. Birth mr Pillsburys Dagt. XX.
Cloudy. I was Calld at 6h morn to See mrss Pillsbury who was in Labour. Shee was Safe Deld at 1h pm of a fine Dagt. I went from there to Doct Colmans Store, bot 2 oz Spermaseta @ /4_ /9. Do Cammomile. yd vial & Salts, & Box Snuf /8. from there to See mrss Child, find her better. I returnd and took Tea, receivd 6/ and then Came home, attended by mr Pittss Boy. I left mother and infant Cleverly. at mr Pillsburys & Childs. Birth 50th. receivd6/ as a reward. EbenZ [Cool] Left here.  
25 3
rainy. I have been at home, prepared a medisen for [ ] Cough and knitt at Evng. at home.  
26 4
Cloudy part of ye Day. I have Scourd yarn and quilld for Becky to weave. Shee Drew a piece into the Slay this morn; Lining warp and it is filld with wool. Daniel Livermore here, informd me that mr Pickfords infant Expird the 24 inst and is to be interd this aftern. at home.  
27 5
Clear. I have been at home, wound quills & knitt on mr Ballards Buskin. at home.  
28 6
Clear & pleasant. I have been at home, filld quills, Did house work & knitt. mr Baker of keritunk Dind here. David Wall & wife took Tea with us. at home.  
29 7
raind Some. mr Capin Dind here. I have been at home, filld quills and helpt do hous work. Patty Eastey Came here this afternoon and Subscribed her name to an Acknolidgment that Shee took a quantity of Silver money out of mr Ballards Desk unjustly last August, and promist to restore the Same. Phillip Bullin and Polly Wall were the Witnes's. at home. Patty Eastey here.  
30 B
Clear. my famely attended worship foren Except my Self. Cyrus Came up; he and my Self went aftern. mr Cushman performd. at meeting & at mr Dingleys.  
31 2
Cloudy, Snowd at Evn. I have been at home, Cleand my Coverled warp, mend a waistcoat for mr Ballard & knitt Some. mr James Page Dind here. Becky went to ye hook. Becky [         ].  

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