Marriage certificate of Charles Sherwood Stratton and Lavinia Warren Bump, issued February 10, 1863. Stratton is better known by his stage name "General Tom Thumb," and his wife as "Lavinia Warren," or "Mrs. Gen. Tom Thumb." Both were little people who became famous as performers working at P. T. Barnum's American Museum and on national and international tours. The two met through P. T. Barnum in December of 1862, and shortly thereafter became engaged. Stratton was 25 and his bride 21. Their wedding was heavily promoted by Barnum as "The Fairy Wedding" since the bride, groom, best man, and bridesmaid were all little people. George Washington Morris Nutt, known as Commodore Nutt, and Minnie Warren, Lavinia’s sister, served as the best man and maid of honor respectively. The wedding became the most talked about social event of the season, and a welcome break from the constant, tragic news of the Civil War. The ceremony itself took place at Grace Episcopal Church on Broadway in New York City, and the reception, with 2000 guests, was held at the Metropolitan Hotel, where the lavish wedding gifts were displayed. The certificate is signed by Junius Marshall Willey, the minister who officiated, with George A. Wells and Jane A. Wells as witnesses. Wells was from Bridgeport, Connecticut, and for some years worked as a manager and promoter for P. T. Barnum. The certificate features an elaborate acanthus leaf, branch, and ribbon border and an illustration of a minister, bride and groom in the upper left corner. The design is dated 1859. It was printed by L. N. Rosenthal of Philadelphia.
