| HISTORY: |
Chang
and Eng were conjoined twins born in 1811 in the fishing village of Meklong,
Siam (now Thailand). Connected at the chest by only a narrow band of flesh,
the twins led a long and relatively “normal” life. In 1829, they left Siam
and began touring the United States, Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean
giving demonstrations and lectures. Along with Tom Thumb, Chang and Eng were
one of P. T. Barnum's most popular “curiosities.” Through their exhibitions,
which usually billed the brothers as the “United Siamese Twins,” Chang and
Eng became so well known that the term “Siamese twins” was universally
employed to describe all conjoined twins.
Despite their celebrity and financial success, Chang and Eng stopped touring
and settled in rural Wilkes County, North Carolina, in the late 1830s. There
they purchased a farm, livestock, and slaves, and married sisters Adelaide
and Sarah Yates in 1843. Except for a few brief tours, the twins stayed in
North Carolina the remainder of their lives, moving to Surry County in 1846.
Between them, Chang and Eng fathered 21 children. The twins died on January
17, 1874, at age 63, and were buried in the White Plains Baptist Church
cemetery. |
| SLAVE POPULATION:
Former Bunker Slave
(click photo for larger image)
|
In 1850, Mt.
Airy, Surry County, Chang & Eng Bunker had 18 Slaves together.
In 1860, Dobson District, Surry Co, they had 18 Slaves, with a total
of 4 Slave houses.
******************
Bill of sale for 2 Slaves of CHANG & ENG BUNKER
Know all men by these presents that I THOMAS F. PRATHER of the county of
Surry and the State of North Carolina have this day bargained and sold and
by these presents do bargain and sell unto CHANG and ENG BUNKER of the
County of Wilkes and State of N. Carolina two Negro girls To Wit, MARY,
aged 7 1/2 years and NICEY aged 5 1/2 years for the sum of Four
hundred and fifty dollars in hand paid by the said CHANG & ENG BUNKER to the
said THOS. F. PRATHER the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged the title
of said Negroes I hereby bind myself and my heirs and assigns to warrant and
defend to the said CHANG & ENG BUNKER their heirs and assigns forever. In
witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29th day of
September A.D. 1845. The above Negroes I warrant sound and healthy.
THOS. F. PRATHER (Seal).
Test.
GEO. W. BROWN
A. DUNNAGAN
Surry County Court February Term 1846.
The executor of the within Bill of sale was duly proven in open court by the
oath of GEORGE W. BROWN, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and
ordered to be registered.
F. K. ARMSTRONG, clk.
By H. C. HAMPTON, DC.
Surry County, Registered in Registers office, Book No. 4, page 305.
A DUNNAGAN P Regr.
THOMAS F. PRATHER
to
ENG and CHANG BUNKER
View Bill of Sale
Bill of sale for 10 Slaves of CHANG & ENG BUNKER
Whereas a copartnership has heretofore existed between ENG and CHANG BUNKER
in the following negro slaves To wit;
1. BERNY a Man aged about 60 years
2. LEAN a Girl aged about 30 years
3. DANIEL Boy aged about 17 years
4. NISE a Girl aged about 16 years
5. SHERMAN a Boy aged about 12 years
6. MOSES a Boy aged about 12 years
7. PATIA a Girl aged 10 years
8. PERRY a Boy aged about 9 years
9. ALLEN or CRECY a Girl aged about 8 years
10. CAROLINE a Girl aged about 6 years.
And whereas it is mutually agreed by and between both parties that the said
CHANG BUNKER is to have the full and entire interest in said Negro slaves.
This indenture therefore witneseth that the said ENG BUNKER for and in
consideration of the sum of One Dollar to have in hand paid by the said
CHANG BUNKER the receipt whereof is hereby fully acknowledged hath sold and
delivered to the said CHANG BUNKER and his heirs and assigns forever the
undersigned one half of the aforesaid slaves.
In testimony whereof the said ENG BUNKER hath hereto set his hand and seal
this 20th November AD 1855.
ENG BUNKER(seal)
Test.
JOB WORTH
WILLIAM RAWLEY
ENG BUNKER to CHANG BUNKER Bill of Sale 10 Slaves. North Carolina Surry
County. May Term 1859.
The Execution of the foregoing bill of sale was duly proven in open court by
the oath of JOB WORTH and ordered to be registered. JOHN H. DOBSON, clk. By
T. D. HAMLIN. Registered in Register's office in Book No. 10 page 223 T.F.
ANTHONY, Regr.
|
| RESEARCH NOTES: |
Chang & Eng Bunker first lived in Wilkesboro, then by 1850, they were living
in Mount Airy, Surry County, NC, where their personal value was listed as
$4000.Researched & transcribed by Deloris Williams
|
