Martha Ballard's Diary, September 21 - 28, 1797

21 5
Birth mrs Getchels Son.
Clear and pleast. I was Calld at 4hm to See a mrss Getchel at the hook who was in Labour with her first Child, her husband at Sea. Shee was Deld at 11h of a fine Son. I tarried with her till till [sic] 6 pm when I left her and inft Cleverly and returnd home. at [mrs] Gitchels. Birth 45th. march [11], 1798 receivd 6/ in part.  
22 6
Clear and pleast. I wound my yarn for Thread and went to mr Densmores and did Some house work & pikt wool. at mr Densmrs.  
23 7
Clear and very pleast. I Did Some Gardin matters and doublid my Thread. Hepsy Twisted 28 knots. Thankfull here to Spool a web, Nansy Dingly with her; they took Tea here. at home.  
24 A
Clear and very pleasant. I attended worship at Hallowell, Hepsy allso. John Rices Child Baptised by the name of Betsy. at meeting at Hollowell.  
25 2
Clear. I have been at home gathering Beens and Sheling them. mr Thomas Hinkleys wife here for a hernis. Thankfull warpt a web on my Bars. at home.  
26 3
Cloudy. I have been at home. Cyrus went to Son Jonas, mr Ballard and his men returnd from Surveying at Bodinham this Evng. at home. mr Ballard returnd.  
27 4
Clear and pleast. mr Ballard went to the hook to Survey for mr Vauhn, Cyrus to Son Jon as to Gather apples. Hepsy washt. I have been doing work about house and gathering Sage and other herbs. Son Jona Supt here. at home.  
28 5
X. Birth mr Gows Son. XX.
Clear and very pleast. I was Calld at 1h 40m in morn to See mrss Gow. Shee was Safe Deld at 4h 40m of a fine Son, her 3d Child. I left them Cleverly and returnd at 11h. mrs Moore Calld here. I went to see mrs Dingly. at mr Gows. Birth 46th. recd 9/ as a reward.  

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