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Abbie A. Corner (b. Lovejoy) (1835-1927) was born in Andover,
Massachusetts, and died in Watertown, Massachusetts. She married John P. Corner, a
salesman, in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1858. She was a student of Mary Baker Eddy's and
a member of the Christian Scientist Association. Corner was a Christian Science
practitioner in Medford, Massachusetts, whose daughter, Lottie A. James, and grandchild
died in Corner's care when she presided over her daughter's labor in April 1888. Corner
was charged with manslaughter and brought to trial, but she was acquitted in June when
it was determined that her daughter's death could not have been prevented even had a
physician been present. Nevertheless, public opinion turned on Eddy. Eddy told the press
that Corner had only attended her college for one term and had never entered the new
obstetrics class needed to midwife. There was dissent within the church, and a group of
Eddy's students, including William H. Bertram, Sarah H. Crosse, and Albert B. Dorman,
caused a split within the Christian Scientist Association over its response to the case.
Many students left the movement in the fallout. Based on the records available, we have
found no further information concerning Corner's involvement with Christian
Science.
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