Martha Ballard's Diary, May 3 - 8, 1802

3 2
Clear. I have spent the most of ye day racking Chips in my door yd. I Sett Currint Bushes & Balm Giliad. mrs Pattin brot home 21 double skeins yn which Shee has Spun for me. I paid her 7/6. Dagt Ballard and mrs Pierce took Tea here. mr Ballard, Cyrus & Ephm been to Town meeting. Magr Saml Howard Chosen to represent this Town in General Coart. [at home. mrs Pattin, Dagt Ballard & H. Pierce here.]  
4 3
Clear. I have Sett Curent Bushes, Sowd Letues and pepper grass, finisht removing the Banking from ye hous; feel fatagued. Georg Rheeds wife Deld of a Daught this day. Ephm and Saml gone to Training. at home. workt in my Gardin. Ephm Gone to Traning.  
5 4
Clear and Cold for ye Season. I Sett out french Turnips, 2 of another kind [&] 1 Beat. I went to Eliab Shaws with a web to be wove, 25 Skeins wp, 2do Lining filling, & 47 Do Cottne. I was gone 2h fm home. at mr Eliab Shaws & Calld at mr Parkers.  
6 5
Cloudy part of ye day and very Cold. mr Ballard and Cyrus Finisht Ploughing the Corn ground. I have been at home, do not feel so well as I Could wish. mrs Pierce here to Bake. at home.  
7 6
Clear and windy. Jona & wife Dind here and took Tea. Old Leut Shaws Barn Burnt and they were much put to it to Save his hous. Capt Stone was in great danger of loosing his Buildings. I have done but little more than watch ye motien of ye fire. at home.  
8 7
Clear. the fire drove mrs Welch and famely out, they Sleep at our hous. I have been out the most of ye day watching ye fire, was Calld by James Keton to go & See his wife who is unwell. at mr Ketons at night.  

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