Martha Ballard's Diary, January 14 - 20, 1799

14 2
Cloudy. mr Ballard been to the meddow. I have been at home. Polly Town Seems unwell. I made her a Tea of Camomile. my Son Ephm Came here and Sleeps, to go to the Meddow. at home. Polly Town here, some unwell. I gave her herb Tea at night.  
15 3
Cloudy Part of the day. mr Ballard went to ye meddow for hay. son Ephm Drove the teem. mr Dingley Came and Conducted me to his house, the widdow Haywood of winslow there. Ephm Sleeps here. mr Waid Supt here. Sally washt this day. Polly Town went to Son Lambards foren. at mr Dingleys. widdow Haywood and her son Saml there.  
16 4
Clear and pleast. mr Ballard and Ephm went to the meddow for the last of the hay. Cyrus went to hear Coart. Son Jona Came and Caried his Childn from here, they have been with us two weaks. he Conducted Sally Fletcher, allso, to his house to take Care of his wife. Doct Quimby took Tea here, he paid me 2 Crowns and I gave him a receipt as we Could not find the note. at home. Sally went to Son Jon as, his Childn went home. Doct Quimby here.  
17 5
Clear and pleast. I have felt very unwell but have done my house work and finisht a mit for cyrus. mr Ballard and he been up to the Coart house, the Coart ajourned without day. at home.  
18 6
Clear and pleast. mr Waid helpt mr Ballard get wood. Son and Dagt Lambard with their Childn, Son Jon a and Calvin Ballard Supt with us. I have Done my hous work and knitt some. at home.  
19 7
Clear. I have been at home. Cyrus to Son Jon as. at home.  
20 1
Cloudy and a little Snow. mr Ballard, my Self and Cyrus went to meeting. I went to Son Lambards at noon. A Gentleman by the name of Tiltne performed foren fm Romans 1st 22 vers, aftn from St. John VII C 16-17 verss. Noah Watson came here to work for us. at meeting.  

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