General Tom Thumb

Birth Name: Charles Sherwood Stratton

Date of Birth: January 4, 1838

Place of Birth: Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.

Date of Death: July 15, 1883

Place of Death: Middleborough, Plymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.

Ethnicity: English, as well as small amounts of Welsh and Scottish

General Tom Thumb was an American performer. He was known for working with circus pioneer P. T. Barnum, often appearing with a military uniform, hence his title of General; he began working with Barnum when he was four years old, and was later his business partner. He was generally believed to have been 3′4″. Born to parents of “medium” height, he had what became referred to after his death as pituitary dwarfism.

General Tom Thumb was the son of Cynthia (Thompson) and Sherwood Edward Stratton, a carpenter. His parents were first cousins. His grandmothers were twin sisters, believed to have been of short height. General Tom Thumb was of entirely Colonial American descent. Most of his American-born ancestors were born in Connecticut, and a small amount in Massachusetts.

He was married to circus performer Lavinia Warren (born Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump), until his death. Lavinia was a proportionate dwarf. She was of Colonial American descent, with several ancestors who were Mayflower passengers.

General Tom Thumb’s paternal grandfather was Seth Sherwood Stratton (the son of Thomas Stratton and Martha Edwards). Seth was born in Connecticut, likely in Trumbull, Fairfield. Thomas fought in the Revolutionary War. He was the son of Thomas Stratton and Sarah Barlow. Martha was the daughter of Couch Edwards and Naomi Sherwood.

General Tom Thumb’s paternal grandmother was Amy Sharp/Sharpe (the daughter of Thomas Sharp/Sharpe and Mary Treadwell). Amy was born in Connecticut. Thomas fought in the Revolutionary War. He was the son of Thomas Sharp and Sarah Crozier. Mary was the daughter of Timothy Treadwell and Phebe Foote.

General Tom Thumb’s maternal grandfather was Joseph Thompson (the son of Jeduthan Thompson and Thankful Beardsley). Joseph was born in New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Jeduthan was the son of Joseph Thompson and Hannah Smith. Thankful was the daughter of Samuel Beardsley and Eunice Brown.

General Tom Thumb’s maternal grandmother was Mary Ann Sharp/Sharpe (the daughter of Thomas Sharp/Sharpe and Mary Treadwell). Mary Ann was born in Connecticut. Thomas fought in the Revolutionary War. He was the son of Thomas Sharp and Sarah Crozier. Mary was the daughter of Timothy Treadwell and Phebe Foote.

Sources: Genealogies of General Tom Thumb – https://www.geni.com
https://www.findagrave.com
https://famouskin.com