Martha Ballard's Diary, December 10 - 18, 1800

10 4
Clear. I have been at home, did my hous wk & knit Some. Ephm at work here, he is not So well as usual. I made herb Tea. at home. [            ].  
11 5
Clear till near night. mr Ballard had 200 25 lb Beef brot home ys aftern, it Cost 3 Dols pr h. I have been at home, done my hous wk & knitt Some. Ephm is more Comfortable. at home.  
12 6
A very rainy day, attended with high wind. I have been at home. Son Town Calld ys morn to bid us farewell. I removd things East Side the Sellar and Cleard the drane So the water ran of. at home.  
13 7
Cloudy. mr Ballard Sett out to go to Son Lambards for Corn. I have Salted the Beef. the trees were Blown down So that Mr B. Could get no farther than mr Edsons with his Sleigh. he wrode without a Saddle to Lambds, got 1_ Bushl Corn and Carried it to mill. at home.  
14 1
Clear and Cloudy by turns, not very Cold. mr Ballard and three of Jonas Sons went to meeting, he and his wife and Wm Spent Evng with us. the Bell Cow Calvd in the field, the men got ye Calf to ye barn after meeting. Ephm is gone to Son Lambards. at home. Son Jona & wife here.  
15 2
Clear and pleast. mr Ballard was at hallowell and at the meeting hous. I have been at home. Betsy Cowen did my washing for which I gave her 1/6. at home.  
16 3
Clear and Pleast. I have been at home, Pickt up 10 Bushels Chips and did hous wk. at home. Ephm Sleeps here.  
17 4
Clear. mr Ballard gone to run lines for Moses Ingerham. Cyrus been to Son Lambds, brot home 2 Bushels Corn at. he informs me Dagt Pollard is not well. at home. Ephm Sleeps here.  
18 5
Cloudy and moderate. mr Ballard is not returnd. I have been at home, did my hous work and mended 3 pair hoes for Cyrus. Ephm put the ash box together and went to Coart. Dagt Ballard dind. P. Bullin Supt and Sleeps here. at home.  

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