In the mid-19th century, Berengera Caswell’s sad story became widely known and sparked important discussions about women’s rights during a time of rapid social change. Often called by her nickname, Mary Bean, Berengera Caswell was a young woman from Canada who, like many other women of that time, went to work in the textile mills of New England. However, her life took a tragic turn when she died after a failed abortion. This event drew a lot of attention and highlighted the difficult challenges that women faced during that period.
Early Life and Work
Before she fell into a coma, Berengera Tigrona Caswell grew up on her parents’ small farm in Canada, born in 1828. Like many young women in the 19th century, she wanted independence and a steady income. So, she started working at different mills in New England.
Women who worked in these mills earned their own money, and many of them sent their wages back home to support their families. Berengera worked at the mills in Saco, Maine. The women there worked very hard and formed close friendships, like a sisterhood.
The Fateful Relationship with William Long
Berengera’s life was not without drama. She eventually got involved with a man named William “Willie” Long, who would later play a part in her tragic death. When Berengera found out she was pregnant with his child, Long refused to take responsibility.
He ran away from the situation and told her to have an abortion. In those days, being pregnant and unmarried was considered shameful, and women like Berengera had very few choices.
The Botched Abortion
In December 1849, William Long took Berengera to Dr. John Smith, a local herbal doctor in Saco, who did illegal abortions. At first, the doctor tried to end the pregnancy with herbs, but when that didn’t work, he performed surgery.
The surgery caused severe damage to her womb, which was removed without any pain relief. Berengera quickly developed an infection and her health got worse. She died from shock caused by the infection (sepsis) on December 22, 1849.
The Discovery of Her Body
After her death, Dr. Smith tried to cover up what he had done. He tied her body to a piece of wood and dumped it into Woodbury Brook, hoping the water would carry it away without being noticed. However, in April 1850, her body was found by some locals, stuck in a culvert. Because her body had been in the water for months, it had decomposed, making it hard to identify her right away.
The Trial and Public Sensation
Dr. Smith’s trial became very famous and wasn’t just about the illegal abortion. It also brought up bigger issues about women’s freedom, independence, and morals during that time. At first, Dr. Smith was found guilty of second-degree murder, but the decision was changed later.
He was released after serving a shorter sentence for manslaughter. This trial showed how women like Berengere, who wanted to be independent and make their own choices, often ended up in dangerous situations.
The Legacy of Mary Bean
The tragic life of Berengera became well-known because of Dr. Smith, who gave her the name “Mary Bean” to protect her real identity during legal proceedings. Her death highlighted the dangers women faced, not just from illegal abortions but also from a society that judged them harshly for their actions.
At that time, two sensational books were written about her under the name Mary Bean. These stories were used to teach young women that having relationships before marriage could lead to serious consequences.
The Broader Implications
Berengera Caswell’s death shows the bigger problems women faced during the Industrial Revolution. As cities grew, factory jobs gave women ways to earn money, but they also faced risks.
Without control over their own bodies and with society’s harsh views on women’s sexuality, many were taken advantage of. In Berengera’s situation, her wish to make choices for herself led to a sad end, showing how tough life was for women when their roles were so limited.
Overturned Conviction and Tragic Demise of Smith
In March 1851, two months after Smith’s conviction, his lawyer appealed to the Maine Supreme Court. He pointed out 22 reasons why the decision was wrong. The main argument was that Smith should have been found guilty of manslaughter, not murder.
After thinking about the case for over a year, the court gave its answer in April 1852. They agreed that Smith had been wrongly charged with murder. His conviction was overturned, and since he had already spent enough time in prison for manslaughter, he was set free.
Smith went back to his hometown of Saco and reunited with his wife and children. Sadly, his happiness didn’t last long. He had caught tuberculosis, most likely during his time in prison. Only three years after being freed, Smith passed away from the illness in 1855.
The Bottom Line
The story of Berengera Caswell is a sad reminder of how difficult life was for women in the 19th century. At that time, new opportunities for independence were coming into conflict with old rules and beliefs.
Her death, which has been written about and remembered in many ways, became a warning to Americans about the dangers of unregulated abortion. It was also just one of many examples of women’s fight for equal rights during a time of great social change.
Berengera’s name is forgotten, but “Mary Bean” remains a symbol of women’s struggles in the industrial age. Her life reminds us of the harmful standards that sometimes forced women to take extreme actions. It is also a key moment in history, showing how far we’ve come in terms of women’s health rights and independence, but also how much more work we still need to do.
