Born into slavery and then sold into the circus, Millie and Christine McKoy ultimately took back their own destiny.
Wikimedia CommonsThe McCoy twins , circa 1871 .
Known by many as “ The Carolina Twins , ” “ The Two - Headed fille , ” and “ The Two - Headed Nightingale , ” conjoined similitude and former slaves Millie and Christine McCoy became star on the nineteenth - 100 genus Circus electric circuit both in the U.S. and overseas before ultimately pass away in obscurity and being swallow in an unnoted grave .
Their floor begins in Welches Creek , North Carolina on July 11 , 1851 , Millie and Christine were born into slavery , the girl of Jacob and Monemia , slaves owned by local Fannie Farmer Jabez McKay . Connected at the spine , the Gemini were “ … united at the lateral , posterior portion of the pelvis , the sacrum and the tail bone joined , the lower part of the spinal cord united , ” according to amedical reportby Edinburgh , Scotland physician and the inventor of chloroform , Dr. James Simpson .
Wikimedia CommonsThe McCoy twins, circa 1871.
Born at a combined weight of 17 pounds ( Christine weighing 12 , Millie a much smaller five ) each sister had two implements of war and two legs of her own . Nevertheless , they often referred to themselves as a curious someone , Millie - Christine , as did close members of their family .
Library of CongressCirca 1866
Attracting attention from locals right away , the McCoy twins were taken from their parents almost immediately and sold into a humankind of entertainment , where they would be for most of their lives .
Library of CongressCirca 1866
First appear in a public expo at the tender age of ten month , the twain changed hand many times over the years before eventually beingacquired by a affluent merchant name Joseph Pearson Smith , who play as their manager . Through Smith , the Gemini were placard as “ The Carolina Twins ” and toured the American South , force to work as sideshow “ freaks and human oddity , ” as they were often referred .
Unlike their fellow circus attractiveness , the Carolina Twins overlook an extra 50 cents on top of the price of admission just to be date , gain them a hot trade good from the start of their vocation . At the age of three , the twain were appearing at P.T. Barnum ’s American Museum in New York City .
Wikimedia CommonsAn 1882 bill promoting an appearance of the McCoy twins .
Wikimedia CommonsAn 1882 poster promoting an appearance of the McCoy twins.
Competing carnival promoters , managers , and exploiter alike recognized the twins ’ earning potential , and Millie and Christine McKoy were kidnapped several times before being snatch around the time they were being shown in New York .
With the help of the twin ’ female parent , Smith search for the kidnapped girls , eventually finding them sour abroad in England . Taking his subject to an English judicature , Smith returned with the Gemini upon gain the conflict , and both they and their kinsfolk were relocated to live with Smith and his married woman . There , the brace learned to read , publish , and speak two new languages , German and French , and resolve to remain with the family after emancipation in 1863 .
For the next 30 years , Millie and Christine continued to work the circus view , no longer sideshow attracter , but as a singing duo . Rebranding themselves as “ The Two - Headed Nightingale , ” the pair mold the countryside from slide to glide , with Christine whistle treble and Millie vocalizing alto .
Wikimedia CommonsCirca 1890s
They finally revisited the places at which they were ram to come out in puerility , on their own price — first , upon beinginvited to perform for Queen Victoriaof England , and later , by performing in Barnum ’s go circus . The duo also differentiate their life write up in their own password with an autobiography entitledThe story of the Carolina Twins , in which they explicate :
“ We might , could we feel disposed , tell many anecdotes of our travelling , but we think a simple narrative of ourselves is all that at present those of our patrons who buy our niggling book will ask . ”
The booklet was release by Buffalo Courier Printing House , and was “ sold by their agents for their ( the similitude ) special benefit , at 25 cent . ”
Wikimedia CommonsCirca 1890s
After 30 years of performing all over the world , Millie and Christine retired to the woodlet they were stand at afterinheriting it from their father , who had buy the attribute sometime earlier .
In 1912 , Mille contracted TB and died on October 12 , her sister joining her in the great beyond just 17 hours later . The couple were buried in a double casket in an unnoted plot of land since overgrown , before being act to the Welches Creek residential area cemetery in 1969 , where they can still be found resting today .
After learn about Millie and Christine McKoy , understand about the funny life of the conjoinedHilton sisters . Then , learn up on the sad storey behind some of the Ringling Brothers ’ most famous“freak show ” membersand learn the story of“Lobster Boy . ”
