January 5 1812: Martha Ballard

On January 5, 1812, a Sunday, Martha Ballard wrote in her diary:

Clear. I have been at home. Jonas wife and 2 Childn here at Evng. Shee informd me that mr Tappins Text was Eclesiasts 11 C 1st vers, and that there was a Contribution for the relief of the poore that are Sick.  at home. Son Jonas wife here at Evng. 

The Biblical text referred to appears to be from Ecclesiastes 11:1. The King James Version reads: 

 Cast  thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

The transcription above is again taken form the website dohistory. The transcription of the diary is the work of Robert R. McCausland and Cynthia MacAlman McCausland.

For more on Martha Ballard see here and here.

January 4 1812: Martha Ballard

 On January 4, 1812, a saturday, Martha Ballard wrote on her diary:

Snowd, Cleard a way at Evng. I was Calld to See mr Firbeshes infant, it has a very bad Cold and is Costive. we administred a Clistar which gave relief. I returnd home about Sun Set. I washt my husband A Shirt after.   

at mr Firbishes. 

A "clistar" may mean that Martha administered an enema to the infant. "Costive" may indicate the infant was also constipated.

The transcription above is again taken form the website dohistory. The transcription of the diary is the work of Robert R. McCausland and Cynthia MacAlman McCausland.


For more on Martha Ballard see here and here.