Martha Ballard's Diary, January 15 - 21, 1803

[15] 7
Clear. I have been at home, we Bakt Bread, Pudings, meat & mins Pies. mrs Farewell Calld here at dusk. mr Ballard is gone to run a line for mr Whipple west Side this river. at home.  
16 1
Clear. mr Ballard, my Self, Cyrus & Ephm & Hoiet went to meeting. we, some of us, went to Son Lambds at intermition. he and my Dagt were gone to mr Capins. James Cowens wife desired prayers for her Self being in a low State and allso the Death of her Daught might be Sanctified. at meeting & at Son Lambds. hearyt mrs Badcock was dead.  
17 2
Clear and Colder than it has been of late. I have Done part of ye hous wk and knitt Some. Ephm Conducted his Sist Lambard to Son Pollards. mr Ballard been down in Town. Nabby washt and Sewd for her Self. at home.  
18 3
Clear and prity Cold. mr Ballard Surveying for James Page on mrs Farewells Back lott. I have been at home, washt the N room and knitt. Jona & wife & Hitty Pierce gone to Son Pollards, the Childn Came here. at home.  
19 4
Clear till near night. mr Ballard to Son Pollards, Dagt Ballard & Lambard Came home from there. I have Brewd and done other work. at home. Dagt Lambd Calld here.  
20 5
Clear day, Cloudy Evng. mr Gill, Sons Jona & Lambd & wives and nrs Farewell here to visit us. at home. Childn to See us.  
21 6
[X. Birth magr Stickneys Dagt. X.] 		Clear. I was Calld Early this morn to magr Benn Steckneys wife in Labour. Shee was Safe Deld of her 3 Daugt & 8th Child, at 5h 30m Evn. I left her Comfortable & went with mr Gill to see his wife. at mgr Stickneys. Birth 3d. recd [8/] as a reward.  

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