Henry Dyer Grindle
Encyclopedia
Henry Dyer Grindle was a Manhattan
physician and abortion
provider in the 1870s who worked under the name H.D. Grindle.
. He married Mary Babbage in Maine on 20 May 1848, in Penobscot
, and they had two children: Flora E. Grindle (c1849-1866); and Priscilla Herrick Grindle (1851-1924). He graduated from University Medical College in 1867. He married Julia A. Lockwood (1837-1900) of Connecticut
. She also worked as a physician and was known as "Madame Grindle" and they had a child, Minnie Grindle (1862-1938) who would later marry Alonzo Grey, a physician; and John Wesley Grindle.
died post-partum at his illegal abortion and adoption clinic at 6 Amity Place (now West Third Street) in New York City. Her death led to an investigation which resulted in regulation of abortion clinics and adoptions in New York City. Grindle was indicted for "performing an abortion" on Lattin. The trial ended in his acquittal with only a censure from the judge because the prosecution proved only that the woman died at his institute during childbirth and not during, or because of, an abortion.
ran the following investigative report
by Augustus St. Clair:
for abortion, but they were again found not guilty. The woman who charged them with selling her a twenty-dollar bottle of medicine to induce abortion, admitted under oath, that she had not told the couple that she was pregnant.
. In 1884 he was elected president of the Blaine and Logan
campaign club in Rockland County, New York
.
He died on September 14, 1902, possibly in Rockland County, New York
or Stamford, Connecticut
and he was buried in Long Ridge Union Cemetery, in Stamford, Connecticut
.
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
physician and abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
provider in the 1870s who worked under the name H.D. Grindle.
Birth
He was born on November 19, 1826 in MaineMaine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. He married Mary Babbage in Maine on 20 May 1848, in Penobscot
Penobscot, Maine
Penobscot is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. The Bagaduce River runs through the town. The population was 1,344 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, and they had two children: Flora E. Grindle (c1849-1866); and Priscilla Herrick Grindle (1851-1924). He graduated from University Medical College in 1867. He married Julia A. Lockwood (1837-1900) of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. She also worked as a physician and was known as "Madame Grindle" and they had a child, Minnie Grindle (1862-1938) who would later marry Alonzo Grey, a physician; and John Wesley Grindle.
First indictment
On August 27, 1868, Susannah LattinSusannah Lattin
Susannah Lattin was an American woman who died of a postpartum infection at an illegal abortion clinic at 6 Amity Place in New York City, operated by Henry Dyer Grindle...
died post-partum at his illegal abortion and adoption clinic at 6 Amity Place (now West Third Street) in New York City. Her death led to an investigation which resulted in regulation of abortion clinics and adoptions in New York City. Grindle was indicted for "performing an abortion" on Lattin. The trial ended in his acquittal with only a censure from the judge because the prosecution proved only that the woman died at his institute during childbirth and not during, or because of, an abortion.
The Evil of the Age
On August 23, 1871 The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
ran the following investigative report
Investigative report
An investigative report is a document that is meant to provide information on a certain topic that is not easily obtained. It is meant to present the reader with a wealth of easily understood information and usually contains an interview or two on the subject...
by Augustus St. Clair:
- Ladies' Physician. -- Dr. H.D. Grindle, professor of midwifery, twenty-five years successful practice in this City, guarantees certain relief to ladies in trouble, with or without medicine; sure relief to the most anxious patient at one interview; elegant rooms for ladies requiring nursing.
- Madame Grindle, Female Physician, guarantees relief to all female complaints; pleasant rooms for nursing.
The forgoing advertisement has for a long time appeared in the columns of the New York HeraldNew York HeraldThe New York Herald was a large distribution newspaper based in New York City that existed between May 6, 1835, and 1924.-History:The first issue of the paper was published by James Gordon Bennett, Sr., on May 6, 1835. By 1845 it was the most popular and profitable daily newspaper in the UnitedStates...
and other papers. The history of these two worthies is peculiar. The male member of the firm, if report is correct, knows much more of shoe-making than of medicine. His verbose circular ostentatiously announces him as a "member of the New-York University," with twenty-five years experience. His diploma is said to have been obtained but four years ago from a New York Medical college at considerable expense. The nature of this occupation is sufficiently well indicated in the advertisement without the necessity of further description. He and his "Madame" transact an immense amount of business, in which they are reputed to have amassed a handsome fortune. Formerly their premises were in Amity-place, but the house becoming notorious they removed to their present locality in Twenty-sixth street, midway between Sixth and Seventh avenues. The house is of the three-story and basement style, with rear extension, and has a capacity for about twenty patients. It is appropriately surrounded by fashionable markets of infamy. A huge silver plate upon the outer door bears "Dr. Grindle's name; a sign of similar pattern, gearing the "Madame's" name, glares upon the inner door. The interior is furnished with taste and elegance. The parlors are spacious, and contain all the decorations, upholstery, cabinet-ware, piano, book-case, &c., that is [stet] found in a respectable home. A lady and gentleman who recently called there relate the following: A neat-looking lad ushered us into a parlor, and went after the "Madame." A profusion of circulars were scattered over the centre-tables, some of them being folded as if intended to be mailed. Suddenly the door opened, and the Madame entered. She is fair, fat, forty, and evidently vigorous, and keen in all her actions. She addressed us with primping care, and in a voice as smooth as the flutter of a humming-bird. "My dear friend," she said, "we can do what you hint at. I understand the case. We have had hundreds of them. Poor unfortunate women! How little the world knows how to appreciate their trials. We think it our mission to take them and save them--a noble work it is, too. But for some friendly hand like ours, how many, many blasted homes, scandalized churches and disorganized social circles there would be. Why, my dear friends, you have no idea of the class of people that come to us. We have had Senators, Congressmen and all sorts of politicians bring some of the first women in the land here. Many--very many aristocratic married women come here -- or we attend them in private houses." "What are your charges, Madame?" "Three hundred dollars cover all expenses, and we see the patient through -- unless it occupies more than a week. Then we charge an extra medical fee and board money." "What about the child?" "Well, we adopt it out in good hands. One hundred dollars extra, is our fee for that." "But -- if -- not -- a -- child -- what then?" A quick rolling and flash of her glittering black eyes, a sprightly nod of the head, a finger placed on the lips, a knowing look and "Sh--h!" was the pantomime [stet] reply. "We understand every branch of our business!" she exclaimed, with peculiar emphasis. She stated that a more aristocratic but expensive nursing place could be furnished in West Twenty-third-street. This place is sumptuously furnished and well kept. The best of nurses are employed. Chapters of thrilling interest could be written upon the scenes within those elegant rooms. The pale--ghastly pale and remorseful-looking countenances of the sufferers are indexes to romances in real life more startling in their stern reality than any web of fiction. How many bitter pangs, scalding tears and moans of agony were there. The most pitiful sight was that of the babes, sleeping sweetly--evidently under the influence of mild opiates. Fresh and fragrant flowers, and choice fruit were occasionally observed. How many broken hearts and shattered lives there stray points eloquently speak of. But more than that are the parting scenes between mother and child when the latter, taken away for adoption. Twenty five dollars per week is charged for board at this place.
Second indictment
In 1872 Henry and Madame Grindle were indicted in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
for abortion, but they were again found not guilty. The woman who charged them with selling her a twenty-dollar bottle of medicine to induce abortion, admitted under oath, that she had not told the couple that she was pregnant.
Retirement
By 1880 he was living in Ramapo, New YorkRamapo, New York
Ramapo , formerly known as New Hempstead and then Hampstead, is a town in Rockland County, New York, United States located north of New Jersey; southeast of Orange County, New York; south of the Town of Haverstraw and west of the Town of Clarkstown and the Town of Orangetown...
. In 1884 he was elected president of the Blaine and Logan
United States presidential election, 1884
The United States presidential election of 1884 saw the first election of a Democrat as President of the United States since the election of 1856. New York Governor Grover Cleveland narrowly defeated Republican former United States Senator James G. Blaine of Maine to break the longest losing streak...
campaign club in Rockland County, New York
Rockland County, New York
Rockland County is a suburban county 15 miles to the northwest of Manhattan and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area, in the U.S. state of New York. It is the southernmost county in New York west of the Hudson River, and the smallest county in New York outside of New York City. The...
.
He died on September 14, 1902, possibly in Rockland County, New York
Rockland County, New York
Rockland County is a suburban county 15 miles to the northwest of Manhattan and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area, in the U.S. state of New York. It is the southernmost county in New York west of the Hudson River, and the smallest county in New York outside of New York City. The...
or Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
and he was buried in Long Ridge Union Cemetery, in Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
.
Publication
- An important treatise on the pathology and treatment of tuberculosisTuberculosisTuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and pulmonary consumption: Also remarks upon the most effectual treatment of other obstinate chronic diseases (1885)