Thumb, Tom, 1838-1883
Dates
- Existence: 1838 - 1883
Parallel Names
- Stratton, Charles S. (Charles Sherwood), 1838-1883
- Thumb, Thomas, 1838-1883
Biography
Tom Thumb (1838-1883) was an American performer known for his small stature.
Tom Thumb was born Charles Sherwood Stratton on January 4, 1838, in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Cynthia Thompson and Sherwood Edward Stratton. At five years old, Tom Thumb began his first tour of America with P.T. Barnum. He would sing, dance, and impersonate characters such as Cupid and Napoleon Bonaparte. Barnum coined the name General Tom Thumb as a marketing tactic. After a three-year tour of Europe, Tom Thumb gained fame and popularity in the United States. He married Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump on February 10, 1863, in Manhattan, New York. Together they had a baby girl, Minnie Warren Stratton. Tom Thumb made his final appearance in England in 1878. He died on July 15, 1883, at the age of forty-five from a stroke. Being a Master Mason, Saint John’s Lodge buried Tom Thumb with Masonic honors in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Citation:
Wikipedia, January 21, 2025 (Tom Thumb; Charles Sherwood Stratton; b. January 4, 1838, in Bridgeport, Connecticut; parents were Cynthia Thompson and Sherwood Edward Stratton; five years old, began his first tour of America with P.T. Barnum; He would sing, dance, and impersonate characters such as Cupid and Napoleon Bonaparte; Barnum coined the name General Tom Thumb as a marketing tactic; After a three-year tour of Europe, Tom Thumb gained fame and popularity in the United States; married Mercy Lavinia; his final appearance in England in 1878; d. at the age of forty-five from a stroke; Being a Master Mason, Saint John’s Lodge buried Tom Thumb with Masonic honors in Bridgeport, Connecticut)FamilySearch, January 21, 2025 (Charles Sherwood Stratton; b. January 4, 1838, in Bridgeport, Connecticut; parents were Cynthia Thompson and Sherwood Edward Stratton; married Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump on February 10, 1863, in Manhattan, New York; baby girl named Minnie Warren Stratton; d. July 15, 1883, in Bridgeport, Connecticut)
Photograph of Charles S. and Lavinia Warren Stratton, and Minnie Warren, approximately 1863 (Charles S. Stratton)
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Mathew Brady portraits
Photograph of Charles S. Stratton, Lavinia Warren Stratton, and Minnie Warren
Carte-de-visite albumen silver photograph of Charles S. Stratton, also known as Tom Thumb, his wife, Lavinia Warren Stratton, and her sister Minnie Warren. Photograph was printed by E & H.T. Anthony & Co. of New York, New York. Materials dated approximately 1863.