There was a link between the textile economy and social medicine. Midwifery and textile production were women's professions that relied on neighborhood exchanges and both fueled the economy. “The most experienced weavers, all women, extended the skills of their neighbors in the same way that midwives extended the abilities of nurses and matrones (79). The economy was based on household production. There were two different family economies in Martha Ballard's household, based on the sexual division of labor and carrying specific responsibilities. Men ran public enterprises and women took care of household chores. Each employee was a daughter or niece of the family, or the daughter of a neighbor. They were all welcomed by Martha and her husband. The shake-up of young women in Hallowell contributed to the community's social network. They exchanged their fabric production with their neighbors and other families in the town. Martha recorded the type of exchanges between neighbors and the compensation for services rendered. The Ballard household received many visitors over the years she recorded in her diary, and the most common names were Mrs. Savage, Mrs. Woodward, Mrs. Hamlin, Mrs. Pollard, and Mrs. Burton (93). Constant visitors and the exchange of goods are the most widespread aspect of the community's strong social network. During this time