Martha Ballard's Diary, March 14 - 22, 1808

14 2
Clear and Cool. I have been at home, Sorted raggs & Cutt some. old mr Hall here. at home.  
15 3
Clear and Cool. Cyrus went to Mill with _ lb wheat. Dagt Lambard washt her Cloaths & mine. mr Stilson Calld in to See me. this is the aniversary of Charls Gills killing him Self. mr Ballard very Sick all night. I gave him Andersons Pills. I was up to take Care of him 3 times, he had ye Cramp. at home. my husband very ill all night with [Cramp] & Disintery.  
16 4
Snowd foren, raind Some aftern. I have felt fatagued. my husband Easier but feeble. mrs Brooks Sent here for meel, my Daugt L gave her a quart. not long before night we were alarmed by the Bells ringing for fire. Son Cyrus Sett out imediately and went on for ye Settlement, found it to be the Jail & Jail hous which are [Confined] Consumed. the prisners are Secured. by what means it took fire is ye t unknown. fears are Entertained it was [disignedly] done. at home. the Jail and Jail hous Consumed by Fire ys Evning.  
17 5
Clear. old mrs Kenny Dind here. mr Ballard been to ye Settlement. I have been kniting. at home.  
18 6
Clear. I have been at home kniting. at home.  
19 7
Clear part of ye day. I finisht kniting a pair Legins and Sorted raggs, Cut some. at home. Death [young] Purkins.  
20 1
Clear part of ye day. mr Ballard And Cyrus to meeting. Son Jona and wife took Supper with us. at home.  
21 2
Clear and not very warm. mr Ballard & I went to Son Pollards. Ephm Conducted me in a Sleigh. we tarried all night. at Son Pollard, all well.  
22 3
Clear. we Sett out after 9h morn, reacht home before 11. Dagt Ballard & mrs [Gilbi ] here aftern. James Bolton Sent me a pair Shoes & Some Sugar on John Boltons aCount. at Detoes & Son Jonas. Funeral mrs Savage Son by [Purkins].  

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