Sally Deweese
Encyclopedia
Sally Deweese was an American child reported by Dr. D. Rowlett of Kentucky
to have given birth at the age of 10. Born in Butler County
, Kentucky, she was the fifteenth child of John Deweese and his wife. Rowlett stated that Deweese underwent unusually precocious puberty
, having developed breasts
within weeks of birth, and started menstruation
at 12 months. Deweese is said to have become pregnant at age nine in 1833, and, on April 20, 1834—thirteen days after her 10th birthday—to have delivered a healthy daughter weighing 7.75 lb (3.5 kg). Deweese could not breastfeed, so her child had to be fed by bottle.
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
to have given birth at the age of 10. Born in Butler County
Butler County, Kentucky
Butler County is a county located in the US state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1810, becoming Kentucky's 53rd county. As of 2000, the population was 13,010. Its county seat is Morgantown, Kentucky. Butler is a prohibition or dry county.- History :...
, Kentucky, she was the fifteenth child of John Deweese and his wife. Rowlett stated that Deweese underwent unusually precocious puberty
Precocious puberty
As a medical term, precocious puberty describes puberty occurring at an unusually early age. In most of these children, the process is normal in every respect except the unusually early age, and simply represents a variation of normal development. In a minority of children, the early development is...
, having developed breasts
Thelarche
Thelarche is the onset of secondary breast development, usually occurring at the beginning of puberty in girls. Its etymology is from Greek θηλή [tʰelḗ], “nipple” and ἀρχή [arkʰḗ], “beginning, onset”. Thelarche is usually noticed as a firm, tender lump directly under the centre of the nipple...
within weeks of birth, and started menstruation
Menarche
Menarche is the first menstrual cycle, or first menstrual bleeding, in female human beings. From both social and medical perspectives it is often considered the central event of female puberty, as it signals the possibility of fertility....
at 12 months. Deweese is said to have become pregnant at age nine in 1833, and, on April 20, 1834—thirteen days after her 10th birthday—to have delivered a healthy daughter weighing 7.75 lb (3.5 kg). Deweese could not breastfeed, so her child had to be fed by bottle.