Martha Ballard's Diary

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In 1785 Martha Ballard began the diary that she would keep for the next 27 years, until her death. At a time when fewer than half the women in America were literate, Ballard faithfully recorded the weather, her daily household tasks, her midwifery duties (she delivered close to a thousand babies), her medical practice and countless incidents that reveal the turmoil of a new nation — dizzying social change, intense religious conflict, economic boom and bust — as well as the grim realities of disease, domestic violence, and debtor's prison.

April 24, 1789
Birth of Eben Hewins Dag, receivd 8/. A Severe Storm of rain. I was Calld at 1 h PM from mrs Husseys by Eben Hewen. Crosst the river in their Boat, a great Sea A going. we got Safe over, then Sott out for mr Hewens. I Crost a Stream on the way on fleeting Loggs & got Safe over. wonderful is the Goodness of providence. I then proseeded on my lourney. went beyond mr Hainses & a Larg tree blew up by the roots beofre me which Caused my hors to Spring back, & my life was Spared. great & marvilous are thy spareing mercies O God. I was assisted over the fallen tree y mr Hains. went on, Soon Came to a Stream, the Bridg was gone. mr Hewin took the rains, waided thro & led the hors asisted by the Same allmighty power. I got Safe thro & arivd unhurt. mrs Hewin Safe Delivd at 10 Evng
December 23, 1789
My testemony was that mrs Foster on the 19 of augus Complaind to me that Shee had Shee had [sic] receivd great abuses from people unknown to her, Such as throwing Stones at her house, Striveing to get in & lodg with her. after relating those abuses Said that was not the worst Shee had met with Since mr Fosters absence, but Shee hoped they would not quite kill her, that htey Could do nothing wors that they had unless they killed her. Shee also Said that Said North had abused her wors than any other person in the world had, but Shee believd it was best for her to keep her troubles to her Selfe as mutch as Shee Could till her Husband returnd which Shee hop wd be soon Shee also Complaind on the 25 (if I remember the day aright) of said Norths treating her wors that any other person had & Said he did go after an other woman besids his own wife & that his wife was jellous of him relating to the Chargs She now Lais. Shee Seemd Exceedingly troubled when Shee related her tryals, but not being aus any question for information did not descend to particulars at that time, which was the last ime I Converst with her while her husband was absent.
July 15-21, 1787
Clear. our famely all went to meeting but my self & Eph, he is Broak out with rash. Sister Bartons Son is much better. Shee went from here iwth mr Faught Bound for home.

X Birth. Isaac Savages Dafter. X I was Calld to mr Savages at 1 O Clok morn, his wife in Travil & was Safe Dld at 11PM of a Dafter, tho Dangerous for Some Time. I tarried till Day light. a thunder Shower.

Clear. mr Faught here, Says Gidion Barton is very well & Sister went from there this morn. mr Porter & Pamela Left here for her her [sic] fathers on a visit. I came home about Day light & went to bed. Eph is Better, went to School. I went to mr Savages after, Shee is very Comfortable. Gillbreath Sleeps here. mr [G Cowen] here on business with mr Ballard.

Cloudy & very Cold for y season. mr Ballard houghing potatoes. I carrid mrs Pollards Sleigh home & was at mr westons & Col Norths. find my famely all in Bed on return.

Clear. I went to Deacon Coneys & y Doctors, mr Churches, & Cap Belchers. mr Ballard went to a vessel at y hook & got some Corn. I Come home with him. Pamela returnd. Shee was joind in Wedlok with mr Porter yesterday. mrs. Church was Dilivd of a son last Tusday morn at 1O Clok & 20 m. Doct Coney operator. Jerymy Baddoks wife y Same Night of a Dafter. old mrs Fletcher performed the ofice of a midwife for her.

Clear. mr Williams & wife & Sally h. mr [] Barton & Betsy Town from Pitts Town[ ]. mrs Welch here for. I went to mr Savages, Drest her infant, form them Cleverly. mr Densmoore here for advice for his Son who is lambd by a fall which brousd his knee. Sally Peirce been here y after. we have Bakt Some rice pudings y Evinng. I finisht mr Ballard Linn Hoes at 9 & 3/4 O Clok.