CHANG AND ENG BUNKER
Chang Bunker and Eng Bunker (May 11, 1811-January 17, 1874) were the conjoined
twin brothers whose condition and birthplace became the basis for the term "Siamese
twins."
The Bunker brothers were born on May 11, 1811 in Siam (now Thailand), in the
province of Samutsongkram, to a Chinese fisherman and a half-Chinese/half-Malay
mother (Nok). They were joined at the sternum by a small piece of cartilage.
Their livers were fused but independently complete. Although 19th century
medicine did not have the means to do so, modern surgical techniques would have
easily allowed them to be separated today. In 1829, they were discovered in Siam
by British merchant Robert Hunter and exhibited as a curiosity during a world
tour. Upon termination of their contract with their discoverer, they
successfully went into business for themselves. In 1839, while visiting
Wilkesboro, North Carolina with P.T. Barnum, the twins were attracted to the
town and settled there, becoming naturalized United States citizens.
Determined to start living a normal life as much as possible, the brothers
settled on a plantation, bought slaves, and adopted the name "Bunker". They were
accepted as respected members of the community. On April 13, 1843, they married
two sisters: Chang to Adelaide Yates and Eng to Sarah Anne Yates. Chang and his
wife had ten children; Eng and his wife had twelve. In time, the wives squabbled
and eventually two separate households were set up just west of Mount Airy,
North Carolina in the community of White Plains the twins would alternate
spending three days at each home. During the American Civil War Chang's son
Christopher and Eng's son Stephen both fought for the Confederacy. Many of their
descendants still live in the Mount Airy area. The twins died on the same day in
1874. Chang, who had been in declining health for several years, died first; Eng
died several hours later.
Chang Bunker and Eng Bunker (May 11, 1811-January 17, 1874) were the conjoined
twin brothers whose condition and birthplace became the basis for the term "Siamese
twins."
The Bunker brothers were born on May 11, 1811 in Siam (now Thailand), in the
province of Samutsongkram, to a Chinese fisherman and a half-Chinese/half-Malay
mother (Nok). They were joined at the sternum by a small piece of cartilage.
Their livers were fused but independently complete. Although 19th century
medicine did not have the means to do so, modern surgical techniques would have
easily allowed them to be separated today. In 1829, they were discovered in Siam
by British merchant Robert Hunter and exhibited as a curiosity during a world
tour. Upon termination of their contract with their discoverer, they
successfully went into business for themselves. In 1839, while visiting
Wilkesboro, North Carolina with P.T. Barnum, the twins were attracted to the
town and settled there, becoming naturalized United States citizens.
Determined to start living a normal life as much as possible, the brothers
settled on a plantation, bought slaves, and adopted the name "Bunker". They were
accepted as respected members of the community. On April 13, 1843, they married
two sisters: Chang to Adelaide Yates and Eng to Sarah Anne Yates. Chang and his
wife had ten children; Eng and his wife had twelve. In time, the wives squabbled
and eventually two separate households were set up just west of Mount Airy,
North Carolina in the community of White Plains the twins would alternate
spending three days at each home. During the American Civil War Chang's son
Christopher and Eng's son Stephen both fought for the Confederacy. Many of their
descendants still live in the Mount Airy area. The twins died on the same day in
1874. Chang, who had been in declining health for several years, died first; Eng
died several hours later.