Charles S. Stratton (General Tom Thumb);Southworth, Mary
1838 – 1883
Charles S. Stratton, best known as General Tom Thumb (January 4, 1838- July 15, 1883) was an entertainer who worked for P.T. Barnum, and married fellow Barnum performer Mercy Lavinia Warren. His natural charisma and talent, combined with his being a proportionate dwarf, helped propel him to the status of celebrity in the 1800s.
Stratton was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Sherwood and Cynthia Stratton. His father was a carpenter, and his mother was a homemaker with two daughters and a son by the time Charles was born. The family was not impoverished by contemporary standards, they had little to get by on. When Charles was born, he was over nine pounds, but at around six or and seventh months of age, he failed to grow, so that even at four years old, his height had not changed and he was a mere 24 inches.
P.T. Barnum met the Stratton family towards the in of 1842. Barnum was in Bridgeport due to a frozen over Hudson River, and taking advantage of the fact his brother Philo owned the Franklin House hotel. Barnum remembered hearing of the diminutive boy in Bridgeport, and asked his brother to go and get the family. “Charlie” was bright and affable, and Barnum responded to his charm; he felt that the boy could be taught to act, and wanted him to come and perform at his new American Museum in New York City.
A business arrangement was negotiated with Stratton’s parents, and it was agreed that Barnum could exhibit Charles for an experimental month, for $3.00 plus room, board, and travel expenses. As a result, Charles headed to New York City with Barnum in 1843, and was given the stage name “General Tom Thumb.”
Charles took to showbusiness, and Barnum taught him various acts, quips, and everything needed to do a good performance. Charles had an innate skill for this kind of work, and after Barnum made a few introductions to the press (often by barging into homes unannounced), General Tom Thumb made his debut at the American Museum. The reception was warm, but word of mouth boosted the success of the act. In his promotions, Barnum exaggerated the boy’s age, stating it was eleven rather than five, to make Charles’ tiny stature seem even more impressive.
Such acclaim enabled a tour of Europe a year later, with Stratton giving not one but two command performances in front of Queen Victoria, within the space of eight days. Stratton quickly became a favourite at the courts he visited, including in France and Belgium, and such warm receptions continued whenever he toured in Europe.
Stratton remained in show business in his teenage years and into his twenties, alternatively touring the country and performing at Barnum’s American Museum. It was in his mid-twenties that he met M. Lavinia Warren, a new Barnum performer, and the two began an acquaintance that rapidly turned romantic. Just two months later Warren and Stratton married in an event orchestrated by Barnum known as the Fairy Wedding. The wedding took place on February 10, 1863 at Grace Episcopal Church in New York City, and became the social event of the year, along with the lavish reception afterwards. This was during the American Civil War when newspapers were filled with the tragic news of battles and casualties; to the delight of the American public, the Fairy Wedding stole the show briefly and became front-page news in numerous papers and magazines.
The couple was received at the White House by President Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, a memorable event for all. Afterwards, Charles and Lavinia embarked on a three year world tour, along with Lavinia’s sister Minnie Warren, and fellow Barnum performer George Washington Morrison Nutt, all of whom were little people. Charles and Lavinia became an international celebrity couple, America’s first. Following the tour, which added even more to their wealth, the Stratton alternated living at their home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and their home in Lavinia’s hometown of Middleborough, Massachusetts. They continued to tour and entertain the public, and remained close friends and associates of Barnum’s. The marriage was generally considered a happy one, and they remained close throughout their lives.
In his leisure time, Charles enjoyed yachting and horse racing, and generally fancied himself a man of leisure, spending liberally on fine food and other luxuries. He was also generous, and gave money to worthy causes. He also was active in the Freemasons, joining the organization in 1862 and eventually becoming a 32nd degree mason, Knight Templar.
On July 15, 1883, Stratton suffered a stroke and passed away. He is buried at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Lavinia remarried and lived until 1919; she asked to be buried with her first love, “Charlie” in the Mountain Grove Cemetery.
Stratton was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Sherwood and Cynthia Stratton. His father was a carpenter, and his mother was a homemaker with two daughters and a son by the time Charles was born. The family was not impoverished by contemporary standards, they had little to get by on. When Charles was born, he was over nine pounds, but at around six or and seventh months of age, he failed to grow, so that even at four years old, his height had not changed and he was a mere 24 inches.
P.T. Barnum met the Stratton family towards the in of 1842. Barnum was in Bridgeport due to a frozen over Hudson River, and taking advantage of the fact his brother Philo owned the Franklin House hotel. Barnum remembered hearing of the diminutive boy in Bridgeport, and asked his brother to go and get the family. “Charlie” was bright and affable, and Barnum responded to his charm; he felt that the boy could be taught to act, and wanted him to come and perform at his new American Museum in New York City.
A business arrangement was negotiated with Stratton’s parents, and it was agreed that Barnum could exhibit Charles for an experimental month, for $3.00 plus room, board, and travel expenses. As a result, Charles headed to New York City with Barnum in 1843, and was given the stage name “General Tom Thumb.”
Charles took to showbusiness, and Barnum taught him various acts, quips, and everything needed to do a good performance. Charles had an innate skill for this kind of work, and after Barnum made a few introductions to the press (often by barging into homes unannounced), General Tom Thumb made his debut at the American Museum. The reception was warm, but word of mouth boosted the success of the act. In his promotions, Barnum exaggerated the boy’s age, stating it was eleven rather than five, to make Charles’ tiny stature seem even more impressive.
Such acclaim enabled a tour of Europe a year later, with Stratton giving not one but two command performances in front of Queen Victoria, within the space of eight days. Stratton quickly became a favourite at the courts he visited, including in France and Belgium, and such warm receptions continued whenever he toured in Europe.
Stratton remained in show business in his teenage years and into his twenties, alternatively touring the country and performing at Barnum’s American Museum. It was in his mid-twenties that he met M. Lavinia Warren, a new Barnum performer, and the two began an acquaintance that rapidly turned romantic. Just two months later Warren and Stratton married in an event orchestrated by Barnum known as the Fairy Wedding. The wedding took place on February 10, 1863 at Grace Episcopal Church in New York City, and became the social event of the year, along with the lavish reception afterwards. This was during the American Civil War when newspapers were filled with the tragic news of battles and casualties; to the delight of the American public, the Fairy Wedding stole the show briefly and became front-page news in numerous papers and magazines.
The couple was received at the White House by President Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, a memorable event for all. Afterwards, Charles and Lavinia embarked on a three year world tour, along with Lavinia’s sister Minnie Warren, and fellow Barnum performer George Washington Morrison Nutt, all of whom were little people. Charles and Lavinia became an international celebrity couple, America’s first. Following the tour, which added even more to their wealth, the Stratton alternated living at their home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and their home in Lavinia’s hometown of Middleborough, Massachusetts. They continued to tour and entertain the public, and remained close friends and associates of Barnum’s. The marriage was generally considered a happy one, and they remained close throughout their lives.
In his leisure time, Charles enjoyed yachting and horse racing, and generally fancied himself a man of leisure, spending liberally on fine food and other luxuries. He was also generous, and gave money to worthy causes. He also was active in the Freemasons, joining the organization in 1862 and eventually becoming a 32nd degree mason, Knight Templar.
On July 15, 1883, Stratton suffered a stroke and passed away. He is buried at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Lavinia remarried and lived until 1919; she asked to be buried with her first love, “Charlie” in the Mountain Grove Cemetery.
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