 Although it is known that the charity had been in operation as early as 1656 , an anonymous article in The Gentleman 's Magazine in August 1770 is the earliest recorded account of the legend of the Biddenden Maids . This account states that the twins were joined at the hip only , rather than at both the hip and the shoulder , and that they lived to a relatively old age . The article explicitly states that their names were not recorded , and that they were known only as the " Maids of Biddenden " . The anonymous author recounts the story of their bequest of the lands to the parish to support the annual dole , and goes on to say that despite the antiquity of the events described , he has no doubt as to their authenticity . As with all accounts of the tradition prior to 1790 the author does not mention their alleged birth in 1100 , or the name of Chulkhurst ; these details first appeared in a broadside published in 1790 . The Antiquarian Repertory of 1775 says that the sisters had lived " as tradition says , two hundred and fifty years ago " . Drawings of Biddenden cakes from this period show that they featured an image of two women , possibly conjoined , but no names , dates or ages . 
 Although it is known that the charity had been in operation as early as 1656 , an anonymous article in The Gentleman <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>Magazine in August 1770 <a href='drop_aux' title='2'><mark>is</mark></a>the earliest recorded account of the legend of the Biddenden Maids . This account <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>states</mark></a> that the twins <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> joined at the hip only , rather than at both the hip and the shoulder , and that they lived to a relatively old age . The article explicitly <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>states</mark></a> that their names <a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>were</mark></a> not recorded , and that they <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>were</mark></a> known only as the " Maids of Biddenden " . The anonymous author <a href='uninflect' title='8'><mark>recounts</mark></a> the story of their bequest of the lands to the parish to support the annual dole , and <a href='uninflect' title='9'><mark>goes</mark></a> on to say that despite the antiquity of the events described , he <a href='got' title='10'><mark>has</mark></a> no doubt as to their authenticity . As with all accounts of the tradition prior to 1790 the author <a href='uninflect' title='11'><mark>does</mark></a> not mention their alleged birth in 1100 , or the name of Chulkhurst ; these details first appeared in a broadside published in 1790 . The Antiquarian Repertory of 1775 <a href='uninflect' title='12'><mark>says</mark></a> that the sisters <a href='been_done' title='13'><mark>had</mark></a> lived " as tradition <a href='uninflect' title='14'><mark>says</mark></a> , two hundred and fifty years ago " . Drawings of Biddenden <a href='uninflect' title='15'><mark>cakes</mark></a> from this period show that they featured an image of two women , possibly conjoined , but no names , dates or ages . 
Although it is known that da charity had been in operation as early as 1656 , an anonymous article in TdaGentleman  Magazine in August 1770 the earliest recorded account of the legend of the Biddenden Maids . dis account state dat the twins was joined at thdaip only , rather den at both the hip and thedaoulder , and tdatthey lived to a relatively old age . The article explicitly state that their names was not recorded , and thdathey was known only as the daaids of Biddenden " . The anonymous author recount the story of their bequest of the lands to the pdash to support the annual dole , and go on to say thadatspite the antiquity of the events described , he got no doubt as to their authenticity . As with alll accounts of the tradition prior to 1790 the author do not mention their alleged birth in 1100 , or the name of Chulkhurst ; these details first appeared in a broadside published in 1790 . The Antiquarian Repertory of 1775 say thatdat sidars done lived " as tradition say , two hunnit and fifty years ago " . Drawings of Biddenden cake from this period show that dat featured an image of 2 women , possibly conjoined , but no names , dates or ages .