A potential photograph of Berengera Caswell, ca. 1849
Maine Historical Society
Suspect: Dr. James Smith
Accusation: Murder
Location: Saco, Maine
Date: 1849
Victim: Berengera Caswell
While working at a textile mill, Berengera Caswell (1828-1849) met suitor, William Long (born circa 1825) in Manchester, New Hampshire before parting ways—Berengera going to Salem, New Hampshire and William to Biddeford, Maine. In the winter of 1849, after discovering her pregnancy, Berengera visited William in Biddeford to discuss their options.
Agreeing to terminate the pregnancy, they visited Dr. James Smith (1809-1855) on the suggestion of William’s mill manager. A homeopath, Dr. Smith, used juniper, an herb known to induce abortion. Berengera stayed at his house while waiting for the results. After nearly a month, the juniper had not worked, and Dr. Smith attempted a surgical abortion.
Untrained in surgical procedures, Dr. Smith punctured Berengera’s uterus, resulting in an internal infection. She suffered for several days before dying. Hoping to hide his involvement, Dr. Smith and his wife tied Berengera to a board and placed her in a creek, thinking she would float to the Saco River and out to sea. When William Long arrived for his weekly visit with Berengera, Dr. Smith told him she died from typhoid. William offered to assist with returning her body to her family, but Smith said he took care of it.
Berengera Caswell’s body lodged in a culvert until spring, when two boys found the well-preserved corpse. A coroner’s inquiry determined she died after a surgical abortion. The authorities identified Dr. Smith, charged, and tried him.
Convicted of felony murder and imprisoned, an 1852 appeal released Smith for time served and reduced the charge to manslaughter.