Mary Ballou (1809–1894) was an American memoirist notable for her collection of letters I Hear the Hogs in My Kitchen.
[1] Ballou's writing gave personal insight into the life of an American pioneer.
Her letters describe the antics of the miners she housed, as well as the unique experience of being a woman during the California Gold Rush.
In addition to running a boarding house, she provided many services such as childcare, including nursing, making soap and sewing.
Christiane Fischer (Hamden, Conn.: Archon Books, 1977) This article about a United States writer of non-fiction is a stub.