These entries detail the events of Mary Wollstonecraft’s last days following the onset of labour and the birth of her daughter Mary. The ‘puppies’ refer to a means of drawing off excess milk; Mrs Vaughan was employed as a midwife. Wollstonecraft died at 7.40 on 10 September 1797. Fanny Imlay was sent away during the birth, and the baby was also taken away, to be cared for by Elizabeth Fenwick and Mrs Nicholson. Wollstonecraft's funeral was held on 15 September 1797.