Martha Ballard's Diary, January 12 - 18, 1797

12 5
Birth Fickys Dagt.
Clear and Pleasant. we had our Piggs Butchered by Sons Jona & Lambart, Son Town assisted. I was Calld about noon to See mrss Ficky who was in labour and was Dild of a Dagt at 3h pm, the wives of Shubal & James Hinkley attended. I Came home before Sun Sett. at mr Fickys. Birth 1st Phillip Sleeps here.  
13 6
Clear and pleasant. mr Ballard & Cyrus went to Court. I have been doing house work, do not feel so well as I Could wish. Phillip Bullin took tea with us this Evng. I have tried my hoggs lard. I bot 7 oz snuff & paid for 1 oz which I had of mr Carter last friday, Cost 2/3. at home.  
14 7
Clear. I was Calld at Evn to See mrss Burtun who was unwell. old mrss Hamlin there, we went to bed together. at mr Burtuns.  
15 A
X Birth mr Kimbals Son. X X
Clear and moderate. I was Calld at 6h morn from mr Burtuns to mr Kimbals to See his lady who was in labour and was Deld at 4h 30m Evn of a Son. I returnd to mr Burtuns at 7, was Calld back at 10, by reason of the infants bleeding, made use of means which preventd it. tarried there thro the night. it snowd. at mr Kimbals. Birth 2 nt. receivd 9/ as a reward.  
16 2
Snowd all Day. I Came to mr Burtuns again, Spent the day there. at mr Kimbals & Burtuns.  
17 3
X Birth Genl Sewells Son. XX.
Clear. I was Calld from mr Burtuns at 2h morn to See the Lady of Genl Sewell who was in labour and was Deld at 11h 30m of a Son, Shee was faint after Delvy. I left her Comfortable at 4 and returnd home. Calld at mr Burtuns, find her as well as Shee has been. I Crakt a spair rib after I Came home. mr Plantain from Sharon Sleeps here. at Genl Sewalls. Birth 3d. receivd 9/7  
18 4
Clear most of the day. I have been at home, had more to do than I was able. mrs Leach Dind here. mr Ballard been writeing and to Esqr Coneys. Cyrus to the hook for Corn. at home.  

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