[Cabinet photograph of Millie-Christine wearing striped dress]

Description

Title: [Cabinet photograph of Millie-Christine wearing striped dress]
Creator: Eisenmann, Charles, 1850-
Contributor: Eisenmann, Charles, 1850-
Millie-Christine, 1851-1912
Millie-Christine,--1851-1912--Portraits.
Published / Created: circa 1886-1894
Publication Place: New York
Abstract: A cabinet photograph created by Charles Eisenmann, circa 1886-1894. Eisenmann was a photographer in the Bowery of New York City, circa 1876-1890.
Description: Acquired from various sources. For more information refer to the material in the collection.
Millie-Christine (1851-1912), also known as Millie McKoy and Christine McKoy were African American conjoined twins and entertainers. Millie-Christine were born on July 11, 1851, to Monemia and Jacob, slaves owned by Jabez McKay on a plantation in Welches Creek, North Carolina. Around eighteen months after their birth, McKay sold the girls to Joseph Pearson Smith (1815-1862) of Wadesboro, North Carolina. Smith and his wife, Mary Aleff Cooper Smith (1822-1893) educated the twins; they could speak five languages, dance, play music, and sing. During their lifetime, Millie-Christine enjoyed a successful career as "The Two-Headed Nightingale." On October 8, 1912, Millie died of tuberculosis, while doctors euthanized Christine.
Extent: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 14.2 x 9.6 cm. on mount 16.6 x 11 cm.
Extent of Digitization: This object has been completely digitized.

Format: still image
Genre: Cabinet photographs.
Card photographs.
Photographic prints.
Studio portraits.
Resource Type: Prints & Photographs
Subject (Name): Eisenmann, Charles, 1850-
Millie-Christine, 1851-1912
Millie-Christine,--1851-1912--Portraits.
Subject (Topic): African American entertainers--Pictorial works
African American singers--Pictorial works.
African American women--Pictorial works.
African American women--Portraits.
Conjoined twins--Pictorial works.
Conjoined twins--Portraits.

Access: Public
Rights: The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.
Citation: Photographs of Millie-Christine. James Weldon Johnson Collection in the Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.