Sunday, February 22, 2009

Giants of Seville


Our little town of Seville is famous for "Our Giants of the late 1800's" Capt.Martin Van Buren Bates and his wife Anna "Swann" Bates. They travelled with the circus and settled here in Seville. I had bought the magazine "SEW" by Stampington and found an article by Sandra Evertson... she made family portrait RAG DOLLS very nice. Check out the article and her picture's.

I thought I'd like to give it a try so I decided on using the Bate's as my people... I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out. The one of Anna is on their wedding day and the one of Capt. Bates is when he's older, the little doll on top is of my brother. Below this picture is a little info on the giants.

Captain & Mrs. Martin Van Buren BatesThe Giants of Seville

In 1873, a couple moved to Seville, Ohio, who would be responsible for more reams of newspaper footage than anyone who set foot there before or since.
The Captain & Mrs. Bates toured Europe and the United States giving lectures and having "teas". They were presented at the Court of England on at least two occasions. Many of their friends included the royal families of Europe.
The Captain received his rank during the Civil War, while serving with Virginia State Line Troops. He was born in Kentucky in November, 1845. Growing until he was 28 years-old, he reached a height of seven feet, eight inches and a weight of 470 pounds.
Mrs. Bates was born in Nova Scotia in 1848. By 1870, she had established herself in a career, working for P.T. Barnum. It was Mrs. Bates who began giving "teas". She was not interested in Barnum's "traveling" shows. Rather, she had receptions at the Barnum Museum or in "notables" homes. By her twenty-second birthday, Mrs. Bates was seven feet, eleven inches and weighed 413 pounds.
The Village of Seville along with The Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Seville Kiwanis and Lions Clubs, The Guilford Grange, The Seville Historical Society, and The Ohio Historical Society, erected a sign at the Stanhope Park. Visit the park to read their amazing story; it's worth the trip.

1 comment:

Sandy said...

Very cool Giants....good job!