Martha Ballard's Diary, April 27 - May 3, 1797

27 5
Clear. mr Ballard Sett out to Lott out TownShips between this river and Penobscott. mrss Page here. Sally Sett the web to work, it broke very much. I went and got Sary Neal to Come and Show her how to do it. at mr Dingly. mr Ballard Sett out to Survey.  
28 6
Clear, a South wind. there were a number of vessls went up yesterday & ys Day. mrss Child and Savage Dind & took Tea with me. I have rakt Chips, wound quills & knitt on my Stockin. Sally weaving, Ephm here helping Plough. at home. mrss Child & Savage here. 
29 7
rainy part of the day. Ephm and Hoiet plowing and Butcherd a Veal. I have rackt Chips and wound quills and done Something about my Soap. at home.  
30 A
Clear and very pleasant. I have been at home. the others of my famely attended worship at the fort. my Dagts Pollard & Lambart, with their Childn, Came and Spent the aftern with me. Son Jona here at Evng. at home, my [Childn] here.  
1 2
X. Birth mr Phelpss Dagt. XX.
Cloudy foren, Clear part of ye aftern, raind at Evn. I was Calld at 5h morn to See the wife of mr Phelps, Shee was in Labour and was Deld at 10 of a fine Dagt. I Calld in to See mrss Guild, find her and famely well. I was at mr Lords. I returnd home aftern, Sowd Lettis, peper, S grass, radish & Savory Seeds. at mr Phelpss. Birth 22nt.Septr [11] receivd 9/ of mr Phelps.  
2 3
rain, haill & Snow, the air Chilly. I have been winding quills. Sally Spun as we Could not keep fire in our Loome roome. at home.  
3 4
A Clear, Cold Morn, the ground frozen. I have been Doing house work and winding quills. Sally wove 6 yds, Polly workt for my Dagt Pollard. my Son Ephm Sleeps here. at home. Ephm Sleeps here ys night.  

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