Martha Ballard's Diary, July 18 - 22, 1798

18 4
Cloudy, raind at Evn. my Dagt Pollard and mrss Dingley here, helpt me do my work; washt my Kitchen &C. mrss Livermore and her Dagt Heartford Came in to See mrs Town. Shee Seems more Comfortable than Shee was yesterday. Son Town Came here aftern, his famely are well at home. at home. my Dagt Town is a little more Comfortable. I had Company.  
19 5
Clear foren, Showers aftern. mr Bullin and wife Dind and took Tea with us. I am Destitute of help. Dagt Lambd Came at Evn, tarries all night. Dagt Town has had a Comfortable day and rested tolerable well. at home, had Comp.  
20 6
Birth Abel Chases Son and first Born.
Clear Except Showers. I was Calld at 1h 30m to go and See the wife of Abel Chase who was in Labour. Shee was Deld at 5h 30m of A fine Son, her first Born. I left her and inft as well as Could be Expected and returnd home at 9h foren. my Dagt Town had a Severe fitt of Ague and feaver. mrs Dingley Came in and helpt me. mrss Livermore & Densmore here aftern. my Dagt had a faint turn at Evn. I gave her Caster and Shee revivd. at Abel Chases. returnd at 9h m. myDagt Town had a Shakeing fit, began at 10, and a Severefeaver fit after it. Birth 20th
21 7
Clear. my Dagt is more Comfortable than Shee was yesterday. Shee rode as far as the fense by ye road twice this day. Mrss Dingley here foren. Dagt Pollard, mrs Pattin & mr James Hinkleys wife took Tea with us. at home.  
22 G
Clear. mr Ballard and the young men went to meeting. my Dagt Town rode on a hors to the road this morn & in a Shais aftern, as far as mr Hinkleys; her husband with her. Doct Odion here to See her. mr Gill & wife, wido Savage, Son Jona and wife, my Dagt tarries, Son & Dagt Lambt. at home. Son Town Came. my Dagt has been not So ill as on friday. Hannah More [Calld].  

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