Early Boston Physician Performed First Major Operation Using Ether Sells Land For Sale

GEORGE HAYWARD was born on March 9, 1791, in Jamaica Plain, MA, the son of Lemuel Hayward (1749-1821), who was a surgeon during the Revolutionary War. After graduating from Harvard College in 1809, George studied medicine at Philadelphia where he came under the influence of Benjamin Rush, Benjamin S. Barton and Caspar Wistar. Hayward received a degree of M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1812. Hayward eventually entered his father’s practice. He was appointed physician to the Almshouse. In 1834, he became a lecturer at the Harvard Medical School and, in 1835, Hayward was made professor of a new department on the principles of surgery. Hayward was a pioneer of reconstructive pelvic surgery and was the first to employ anesthesia during a major operation. Hayward was secretary of the Massachusetts Medical Society, 1832-1835, and president, 1852-1855.

Hayward’s medical writings are of considerable importance. In 1834, he wrote the first American textbook of Physiology: Outlines of Human Physiology, which offered a new way of physiological experiment. His various surgical papers were reprinted in 1855 under the title: Surgical Reports and Miscellaneous Papers on Medical Subjects.

Offering an oversized 10 x 17 deed, part-print, for land on Eliot Street (likely Jamaica Plain), which is part of the city of Boston. Hayward sold the land for $4,676 to John Howe, a lumber merchant, on May 22, 1824. The document contains extensive detail on the location of the land. The document is signed by Hayward and his wife Caroline (Knapp) Hayward, among others.

Wafer seals intact. Toning and folds. Fold breaks reinforced with archival tape. Two small holes at folds, affecting a few words.

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