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    Mercy Lavina Stratton (Warren)

    Birth: 10-31-1841

    Death: 11-25-1919

    Nickname: Lavina Warren

Relationships

Spouse

Stratton, Charles Sherwood | Marriage Date: 2-10-1863

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Biography

She was first introduced to the public by P.T. Barnum in 1862 as Lavinia Warren. A dwarf, she stood only 32 inches tall and weighed 29 pounds at the time Barnum hired her to appear in an exhibit of curiosities at his American Museum in New York City. She was introduced to Charles Sherwood Stratton, a.k.a. "General Tom Thumb", and they were married on February 10, 1863. No small affair, the wedding took place at New York's Grace Episcopal Church, and the couple stood atop a grand piano to receive over two thousand guests afterward. Her singing voice was described as beautiful (albeit tiny) by many and she performed with her husband at countless exhibitions sponsored by Barnum, including a special presentation for then President Abraham Lincoln. Tom Thumb died of a stroke in 1883 and she went on to marry Count Primo Magri (also a dwarf) in 1885. She, the Count and a troupe comprised of other dwarves as well as people of taller stature traveled the world, performing plays such as "The Rivals" and "Gulliver Among the Lilliputians" for the public and royalty alike (i.e. England's Queen Victoria). Some of her tiny funiture, clothing and accessories can be seen at the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She is buried with her first husband.

Citations

Biography and Citation Information:
Biography: 
She was first introduced to the public by P.T. Barnum in 1862 as Lavinia Warren. A dwarf, she stood only 32 inches tall and weighed 29 pounds at the time Barnum hired her to appear in an exhibit of curiosities at his American Museum in New York City. She was introduced to Charles Sherwood Stratton, a.k.a. "General Tom Thumb", and they were married on February 10, 1863. No small affair, the wedding took place at New York's Grace Episcopal Church, and the couple stood atop a grand piano to receive over two thousand guests afterward. Her singing voice was described as beautiful (albeit tiny) by many and she performed with her husband at countless exhibitions sponsored by Barnum, including a special presentation for then President Abraham Lincoln. Tom Thumb died of a stroke in 1883 and she went on to marry Count Primo Magri (also a dwarf) in 1885. She, the Count and a troupe comprised of other dwarves as well as people of taller stature traveled the world, performing plays such as "The Rivals" and "Gulliver Among the Lilliputians" for the public and royalty alike (i.e. England's Queen Victoria). Some of her tiny funiture, clothing and accessories can be seen at the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She is buried with her first husband.
Citation Type: 
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Citation URL: 
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19765397
Website Viewing Date: 
Thursday, March 24, 2016 - 16:00
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Citation for Birth Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19765397
Website Viewing Date: 
Thursday, March 24, 2016 - 16:00
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Thursday, March 24, 2016 - 16:00
Citation for Death Info:
Citation Type: 
Website
Citation URL: 
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19765397
Website Viewing Date: 
Thursday, March 24, 2016 - 16:00
Website Last Modified Date: 
Thursday, March 24, 2016 - 16:00