A Nova Scotian Giantess with Queen Victoria’s dress
An unlikely story of a unique woman and an illustrious Queen
As Nova Scotians celebrate their Victoria Day weekend, I thought it would be fitting to write about how Queen Victoria celebrated a Nova Scotian – and in a big way.
Anna Swan was born on August 6, 1846, in Mill Brook. She was one of 13 children for parents Alexander and Ann Swan. But when Anna was born, she was a bit different from the rest. Her birth weight was 18 pounds.
Anna would continue to grow until she was 17 years old when she would hit the height of seven feet and 11 inches.
To this day, she holds the Guinness World Record for tallest female under the age of 18 ever recorded. She was proud of her height and was said to live by her grandmother's advice, “stand tall and be proud of your Highland ancestry.”
My own Highland ancestry has granted me the height of five foot six inche and I sometimes need assistance with the top shelf at the grocery store, but I digress.
Anna’s height gave her a career and granted her an education. In 1862 she was hired by the PT Barnum Museum in New York as the Nova Scotian Giantess. Barnum provided her with tutoring. She was taught to play piano as well as singing. While working at PT Barnum, near disaster would strike as the museum caught fire and the windows were not large enough for Anna to escape. Eighteen people gathered to carry her to safety.
Anna would occasionally visit her home of Nova Scotia but was known to tour the United States and Europe. In 1863 she was presented to Queen Victoria in England. Anna made quite the impression on the Queen and the two would form what would seem like an unlikely friendship.
While on tour in 1871 Anna came to know another member of the tour, Martin Van Buren Bates. Martin was seven feet and eight inches tall and named The Kentucky Giant. They were crossing the ocean on the ship City of Brussels and were engaged before the boat could even dock in Liverpool.
Anna’s unlikely associate Queen Victoria was a historic romantic. When she lost her husband Prince Albert in 1861, she fell into a deep depression and was unable to fulfil all her royal duties. She wore black for the rest of her 40 years to express her grief and state as a widow.
However, when Queen Victoria heard the exciting news of her friend's engagement, some light must have shone for the grieving Queen. She had a bridal gown made just for Anna. It was reported to cost $1,000 and was made of 100 metres of satin and 50 metres of lace decorated with embroidered orange blossoms. It is alleged the Queen had a hand in arranging Anna and Martin’s wedding location at the Church of St Martin-in-the-field’s in London, but that report cannot be confirmed as fact of folklore.
After Anna and Martin’s honeymoon and return to England, there was an Order from the Queen requesting them to present themselves at Buckingham Palace. Queen Victoria gifted Anna a diamond cluster ring and Martin received a gold watch and chain. The couple would meet with the Queen two more times, as well as other royals.
Anna and Martin eventually settled down in Seville, Ohio. They had a house, furniture, and barn all built to their measurements, with a house built to regular size for their guests. They would become pregnant twice. They had a daughter while they were in England who was stillborn and a son born in Ohio, who sadly did not experience more than a day. Anna understandably was devastated by the loss of her children and soon retired from most of her tours.
Anna died in 1888, the day before her 42nd birthday. Martin had a large statue made as a monument on her grave. Martin remarried a year later and moved out of their giant house to one more suitable for his new wife’s regular stature. When he died, he was buried with Anna.
Though Anna had survived a fire in her life, unfortunately, her wedding dress did not. It burned in a house fire, though the owner did run into the blazing house to try to save the dress.
While their story ends on a sad note after having a grand life of travel and love as the tallest couple in the world, the pair is adequately remembered.
In Seville, Ohio, at their historical society, there is an exhibit dedicated to the pair with artifacts about their life. Locally at the Tatamagouche Creamery Square Heritage Centre, there is a museum of Anna Swan’s life with artifacts, photos, and information about the Nova Scotian Giantess. The museum even has some family involved in curating and guiding tours.
The Creamery Square Heritage Centre opened for Saturdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. this weekend and will be open daily beginning on July 1st. They have many other interesting exhibits. The building also has a beautiful river view, as well as access to the Trans Canada Trail. The Heritage Centre is accessible with an elevator between floors. You can visit their website at www.tatamagoucheheritagecentre.ca.
This Victoria Day weekend, give a cheer of whatever you like to fill your cup with to Anna Swan and Queen Victoria for her Dress. You can celebrate again on June 17th, Anna and Martin’s 151st wedding anniversary!