Martha Ballard's Diary, December 3 - 9, 1796

3 7
Clear part of the day. I have been at home, washt & washt my kitchen. Cyrus went to mill. we killd 5 Chickins. at home.  
4 B
Clear and pleast. mr Ballard only, went to meeting from here. I have been unwell. Cyrus has a bile on his hand. mr Rice Calld on me to go & See his infant, but I am So unwell I Could not. mr Pitts Calld here at Evng. at home.  
5 2
Clear. I went to Son Lambarts to have a goun made. Dagt Pollard & her Childn Came there, Ruth Rockwood there allso. Ebenz Cole Sleeps here. mr Wicksone been thracshing wheat for us. at Son Lambarts.  
6 3
Clear part of the day. Esqr Cony Dind with us, my Dagts Pollard & Lambart and their Childn allso. mr Weeksam workt here this day. EbenZ Cole began to work for us, he has agreed to tarrie one month. Phillip Bullin here this night. I finisht futing a pair of hoes for mr Ballard. at home. a Severe Snow Storm began this Evng.  
7 4
Snowd & blowd all day. mr Ballard and EbnZ winnowd our wheat 5_ bushels. I began to knitt my Self a pair of hoes and mended a pair Small Cloaths for mr Ballard. he went to Son Lambarts, find that my Childn got home well last Evng. at home.  
8 5
Clear. my Sons Jon a & Ephm Came and assisted us to Butcher a beef Cow, the wt of the quarters was 669 lb. they began the work at noon and I have Cleand the Tripe & feet and Tried the Tallow; Straind it to cool. I Closed my Evngs work at 11h 30m. at home. it is one year this Day Since my Son Ephm went to liv with Son Lambart.  
9 6
Clear. I have been at home Doing house work. Patty Easty Came here and restord 3_ Dollars more of the Cash Shee Stole from us & receivd the goun which Shee left for our Security. mr Joy workt for us with his oxen. at home Paty Eastey here to replace Stolen Money.  

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