3-043-855 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Extraordinary marriage at St. Martin's Church, [London], 1871. 'the nuptial union of two persons whose uncommon stature has made it worth while to present them to the public eye in a paid-for exhibition. The American giant and giantess, Captain Martin Van Buren Bates, of Kentucky, and Miss Ann Hanen Swann [sic], of Nova Scotia, who have recently been on view at Willis's Rooms, St. James's, were solemnly united in holy wedlock. This marriage was performed at St. Martin's Church, Trafalgar-square...the officiating clergyman was the Rev. W. Rupert Cochrane, M.A., of St. George's, Hanover-square. The bride and bridegroom were attended each by their friends, amongst whom, it may be remarked, were the twin n**** girls, Christine and Millie, who are linked to each other by an accident of birth, like the Siamese twins. These girls usually hold their public levies at the same time and place with the giant and giantess. A number of privileged spectators were the congregation within the church, and there was a crowd of people outside. The proceedings were, nevertheless, conducted with perfect order and regularity; and the happy pair withdrew, having duly signed their names in the parish register, like any other newly-married couple of private folk'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.