Henry Dyer Grindle (November 19, 1826 – September 14, 1902) was a Manhattan physician and abortion provider in the 1870s who worked under the name H.D.
[1][10] On August 27, 1868, Susannah Lattin died post-partum at his illegal abortion and adoption clinic at 6 Amity Place (now West Third Street) in New York City.
[2] Her death led to an investigation which resulted in regulation of abortion clinics and adoptions in New York City.
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.
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.
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 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 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!"
[14][15] In 1872 Henry and Madame Grindle were indicted in New York City 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.
[16] In 1884 he was elected president of the Blaine and Logan campaign club in Rockland County, New York.