Post by Spooky on Dec 31, 2007 16:26:58 GMT -5
"Anna Swan was born in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, Canada on August 6th. 1846.
She was a large baby. She began her life at 18 pounds and continued to grow.
By the age of four she was almost five feet tall. By the time she was 16, Anna towered over her parents and her 12 siblings. When she was done growing Anna stood a staggering 7 feet, 11 and a half inches tall.
Anna met a Kentucky gentleman named Martin Van Buren Bates. Bates had been a Confederate Captain during the Civil war. He was charming, soft spoken and eloquent. He also happened to be nearly 8 feet tall.
The pair married on June 17th. 1871. They were known as the world's tallest couple and showered with wedding gifts.
Queen Victoria herself provided the gown and diamond ring.
The couple settled in Seville, Ohio and went ahead to build a colossal home. The ceilings were 14 foot high and the door frames 8 feet. Every piece of furniture was custom built.
1872 Anna gave birth to her first child. The 'little' girl weighed 18 pounds, just as her mother had, but unfortunately died not long after the birth. In 1879 the couple had another child, this time a 22 pound boy. Sadly he too died during infancy.
Despite these tragedies, the couple lived together in their custom built home quite happily in love.
In 1888, one day before her 42nd. birthday, Anna passed away unexpectedly. Her husband, Martin, erected a great funeral monument to his wife.
Atop her grave towers a 15 foot statue of a Greek Goddess.
Although Martin later remarried, he insisted that, upon his death, he be laid to rest next to his beloved Anna and their children. His request was granted and today they rest together."
She was a large baby. She began her life at 18 pounds and continued to grow.
By the age of four she was almost five feet tall. By the time she was 16, Anna towered over her parents and her 12 siblings. When she was done growing Anna stood a staggering 7 feet, 11 and a half inches tall.
Anna met a Kentucky gentleman named Martin Van Buren Bates. Bates had been a Confederate Captain during the Civil war. He was charming, soft spoken and eloquent. He also happened to be nearly 8 feet tall.
The pair married on June 17th. 1871. They were known as the world's tallest couple and showered with wedding gifts.
Queen Victoria herself provided the gown and diamond ring.
The couple settled in Seville, Ohio and went ahead to build a colossal home. The ceilings were 14 foot high and the door frames 8 feet. Every piece of furniture was custom built.
1872 Anna gave birth to her first child. The 'little' girl weighed 18 pounds, just as her mother had, but unfortunately died not long after the birth. In 1879 the couple had another child, this time a 22 pound boy. Sadly he too died during infancy.
Despite these tragedies, the couple lived together in their custom built home quite happily in love.
In 1888, one day before her 42nd. birthday, Anna passed away unexpectedly. Her husband, Martin, erected a great funeral monument to his wife.
Atop her grave towers a 15 foot statue of a Greek Goddess.
Although Martin later remarried, he insisted that, upon his death, he be laid to rest next to his beloved Anna and their children. His request was granted and today they rest together."