This tradition is entred into the register booke there, from
whence I have taken this narrative (1659). [See the extract from the
register, which is signed by "Roger Powell, Curate there," in Hoare's
Modern Wilts. (Hundred of Branch and Dole) p. 49.-J. B.]
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On Tuesday the 25th day of October, Anno Dni 1664, Mary, the wife of
John Waterman, of Fisherton Anger, neer Salisbury, hostler, fell into
travell, and on Wednesday, between one and two in the morning, was
delivered of a female child, with all its parts duly formed. Aboute
halfe an hour after she was delivered of a monstrous birth, having two
heades, the one opposite to the other; the two shoulders had also
[each] two armes, with the hands bearing respectively each against the
other; two feet, &c. About four o'clock in the afternoon it was
christened by the name of Martha and Mary, having two pretty faces,
and lived till Fryday next. The female child first borne, whose name
was Elselet, lived fourteen days, and died the 9th of November
following: the mother then alive and in good health.
[This narrative is accompanied by a description of the internal
structure of the lusus natur?, as developed in a post mortem
examination; which "accurate account," says Aubrey, "was made by my
worthy and learned friend Thorn. Guidot, Dr. of Physick, who did
kindly communicate it to me out of his collection of medicinall
observations in Latin.
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