1826 PRONOUNCING BIBLE. Provenance to Influential Early Abortion Death and Court Case.

Aside from being an interesting early example of Israel Alger's innovative Pronouncing Bible, the present offering is more fascinating because of its provenance. The front calf board has a red morocco onlay for Susan M. Sessions. Then, on the fly leaf is a written genealogy, "My Father's Family" beginning with John Sessions in England, great grandfather Nathaniel Sessions in America, and then Captain Amasa Sessions [grandfather].  The last guy is the interesting one. This was her paternal grandfather, and he was involved in one of the most important abortion cases of the 18th century. Now discussed in virtually every text on women, women's rights, and abortion in the 18th century.  At 19 years of age, a young Sarah Grosvenor had a clandestine affair with 27-year old Amasa Sessions. She became pregnant and, apparently with pressure from both families, each prominent in the community, began taking an oral abortifacient. It was unsuccessful in terminating the pregnancy. That was when Dr.