A Tragic birth

[Jebber]

(All Saints Colchester

On the 31 January 1697 was born to Sam Gonner a female child in the parish of St Peters Colchester, with one head but three distinct tongues, four arms, hands and shoulders, four legs, thighs and feet, two bodies joined together at the neck, and head standing with its face between the  two bodies above the shoulders. Each body had one breast, back and all parts proportional  to a female child below the neck. It had two crowns separated behind on the head, with very thick curled hair. It lived about half an hour and was afterwards carried up to London for a sight.)

This entry of what appears to have been conjoined twins was in the Parish Records.

Jebber

[westlass]

I crossed my legs as I read this , the Poor other having to give birth , oh dear

[westlass]

Sorry Mother , not other

[Treetotal]

How sad for both mother and the baby girls 
Carol

[groom]

Sad, but made worse by the fact that rather than be given a decent burial, the body was "carried up to London for a sight" Presumably that means it was put on display.

[Jebber]

Sad, but made worse by the fact that rather than be given a decent burial, the body was "carried up to London for a sight" Presumably that means it was put on display.

Something that was all too common in those days. Not only the dead were displayed, the badly disfigured living would be hawked around as objects of curiosity and entertainment.

Even today, things are not much different in some third world countries.

[jaybelnz]

Not as long ago ago as 1697, (more like the late 1940's early 50's naturally)  )  but I can remember seeing tents showing "freak shows" at circuses, carnivals etc!  Some were deformed animals, and some were human!  I never actually saw inside a tent, just what to me were really scary pictures on billboard advertising etc.

I didn't want to go in, but my brothers wanted to, NOPE - they weren't allowed! 

Haven't seen anything like that advertised anywhere for years!  Thank goodness! Very sad!