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General Tom Thumb

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The Intelligencer of May 1, 1849, announced a local upcoming performance by General Tom Thumb. “This miniature man, who has astonished all Europe and America, with his diminutive greatness, will visit Doylestown on Friday of this week and hold his levees in the Beneficial Hall, afternoon and evening. The General is 17 years of age, but 28 inches high, and weighs only 15 pounds. His person is symmetrical in its proportions, his mind is intelligent and mature, while he is smaller than the smallest child.”
Given the name of Charles Stratton, Tom Thumb was born to parents of medium height. At birth he weighed 9½ pounds and grew as other children until 7 months; then his development slowed and eventually stopped.

Phineas T. Barnum heard about Stratton, and after contacting his parents, taught the boy how to sing, dance, mime, and impersonate famous people. With Barnum, Tom Thumb performed all over the world, becoming an international celebrity. During his visit to Doylestown, “The General” gave a performance of songs and dances in what is now the Masonic Hall on East State Street. The cost of admission to the Tom Thumb Show was 25 cents.

Doylestownhistorical.org


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