Abigail Adams Smith - Daughter of John Adams

Abigail Amelia Adams Smith was the oldest surviving daughter of John and Abilgail Adams. She was affectionately known as Nabby to her family. She fell in love with and married William Stephens Smith, former aide-de-camp to George Washington and future New York representative. They would have 4 children. In 1809 she discovered she had breast cancer and underwent treatment/surgery in 1811 only after convincing her husband to give his permission. Unfortunately, the cancer had spread, and she would return home to Quincy and her parents' home to die. She is buried in Hancock cemetery.

Surgery for cancer in those days was horrific. Her mastectomy was performed in her parents' home and without anesthesia. The tools-of-the-trade for surgeons at this time, was a large fork with two sharp prongs and a razor with a wooden handle. After being belted into a reclining chair, assisting physicians held Nabby still as the doctor used the fork to lift her diseased breast and severed it from her body with the knife. Next, the surgical team had to stop the bleeding and cauterize the wounds, a challenging process that took over an hour and involved a hot, thick iron spatula.