Giants of Seville, Ohio
While many giant skeletons have been found in mounds across the country, there is an accurate record of two giants, who resided in Ohio in the late 1800s.
The Seville Historical Society Museum, located just a few miles west of Akron, contains the history of these two giants. Their display includes life-sized statues of Martin and Anna Bates as well as a pair of Captain Bates’ shoes and his hat.
Martin Van Buren Bates began a tremendous growth spurt about the age of six or seven. By the time he was twelve years old, he was over 6 ft. tall and weighed over 200 pounds.
During the Civil War in 1861, Bates joined the 5th Kentucky Infantry at the age of 16 as a private in the Confederate Cavalry. His large figure and ferocious manner quickly earned him the rank of captain and the title “Kentucky Giant.” However, he was wounded in battle around the Cumberland Gap area and captured. He was imprisoned for a time at Camp Chase in Columbus, but later discharged due to his size. He was still often called Captain Bates for the rest of his life.
Anna Haining Swan was born in Nova Scotia in 1848 where she was known as the Nova Scotia Giantess. Because of her size at 7’11” tall and weighing 413 pounds, she began working for P.T. Barnum at the age of 16. She had no interest in his traveling shows, but held receptions and teas at the P.T. Barnum’s American Museum in New York City.
After the war, Martin toured with a small circus. While the circus was on tour in Halifax, Canada, the 7’11” tall Anna Haining Swan appeared as part of the P.T. Barnum show, being billed as “The Tallest Woman on Earth.” She and Martin, who was now 7’8” tall and weighed 470 pounds, soon got to know each other, being the tallest people around, as they toured extensively.
Martin and Anna were frequent guests at Buckingham Palace often performing skits together or giving readings. Anna even played the piano. When Queen Victoria heard they were getting married, she had her seamstresses make a beautiful wedding dress for Anna using 60 yards of lace and 50 yards of material.
This wedding on June 17, 1871 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London, England drew thousands of people due to the unusual pair getting married. Queen Victoria herself attended the wedding and gave them two extra-large watches as wedding presents. Martin’s watch was as big as a saucer.
On a visit to the United States, the barker from Barnum brought them to the area of Seville where he lived. They both found it a pleasant place to live and soon acquired a 130 acre farm there in 1871. Martin built a massive house with 14′ high ceilings to accommodate their larger size with all furniture built to order. At the Seville Baptist Church, a special extra wide pew had to be built to accommodate their size.
Anna taught Sunday School at the First Baptist Church and had a carpenter build a large shoe which she filled with presents for the children. Then they were treated to lunch at Anna’s home, a place the children loved to visit as they liked climbing on the extra large elevated furniture where they could sit in the giants’ laps and have stories read or told to them. They also loved riding in their giant sized carriage or sleigh.
While Martin wanted to be a farmer and had the best breeds of cattle and Norman draught horses, their size made them an unusual attraction. In 1878-1880, Martin and Anna were leading attractions of the W.W. Cole circus as a break from country living. P.T. Barnum remained a personal friend throughout their lives. They often entertained friends from the circus at special Christmas parties in their home.
A favorite story tells how the men of the town were arguing in the dry goods store about how strong the retired Captain Bates really was. Usually people could hear Bates as he approached town because of the hoofbeats of his large horse. However, this time he was not heard. He came into the store just as the owner was saying, “If Bates can pick up this barrel of sugar (possible weight varied from 350 to 500 pounds), I will give it to him.”
Bates easily picked up the barrel and carried it to his wagon. When he returned to the store, he asked, “Do you have any other heavy barrels you want to give away?”
Anna died in 1888 and Martin ordered a statue from France of a beautiful woman for her grave in Mound Hill Cemetery. One son is buried there also, while their first son was buried in London, where he died just hours after his birth.
Martin sold their oversized house, and moved to town. He did remarry in 1897 but this time it was to a woman of 5’4”, Annette LaVonne Weatherby, and lived a peaceful life until his death at the age of 74 in 1919 of nephritis, an inflammation of the kidneys.
The farm house burned down years ago, but the barn is still standing that Martin Bates built. You can still faintly see “M V Bates 1883” on the roof in giant letters of course. The doors are also giant size so he could enter easily. There is a nearby pen used to hold wild animals he owned, as well as animals from the circus when it passed through.
The museum is open on Saturday mornings from 9-12 during the months of May – September where you will also find a Farmers’ Market. In March, April, October, November, and December they are open the first Sunday of each month from 9-12. The museum is closed in January and February.
Martin and Anna Bates left a large footprint on the village. A piece of history for all to still enjoy today. Be sure to visit the Seville Historical Society Museum, Mound Hill Cemetery, and First Baptist Church while in town and perhaps drive just outside of town to see the old barn. This was an unusual couple of giants. It’s worth the trip!
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