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Some Recollections: The Story Of My Marriage And Honeymoon

From: Mrs. Tom Thumb's Autobiography
Creator: Lavinia Warren (author)
Date: October 7, 1906
Publication: New York Tribune Sunday Magazine
Source: Available at selected libraries


Introduction

This was the second of Lavinia Warren's articles to appear in the New York Tribune Sunday Magazine in 1906. Amidst the carnage and uncertainties of the Civil War, the wedding of Charles Stratton and Lavinia Warren in New York City on February 10, 1863 was a well-publicized social event and popular culture diversion. Invited to the White House after the celebration, the couple met with Abraham Lincoln, his family, and various dignitaries. The following account of that visit comes from Lavinia Warren’s series of articles in the New York Tribune in 1906. This brief description illustrates Lincoln’s renowned sense of humor as well as the cultural meanings of bodily difference at a time when the dime museum was established as a central institution in the world of American amusements.


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To me as to every other woman, my marriage was the most important event of my life, and as I look back upon it, I think I can safely say that no other event ever occasioned so great public in interest in me as did that. We were married in Grace Church New York, on Tuesday, February 10, 1863. The further particulars are taken from the report published in "Frank Leslie's Weekly."

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"Before the hour of high noon," says the report, "the entire neighborhood of Grace Church was thronged with expectant and smiling crowds. All vehicles had been turned from the route by the police, whose cooperation had been obtained by the foresight of the presiding genius, P. T. Barnum.

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"To the diminutive bridal pair, the ordinary arrangements of the chancel would have been far too Brobdignagian. The chancel rail would have towered above their heads, and the chancel steps would have proved heights beyond their powers to scale. Therefore, a neat platform was erected in front of the chancel, to the right of the pulpit, carpeted like the aisles, six steps leading to it, and spanning the three ordinary steps which suffice for ordinary sized mortals. The platform was prettily bordered with gilded moldings, and the surface of it was at about half the height of the chancel rail.

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"The interior of the church was crowded with a gray assemblage of the youth, beauty, wealth, and worth of the metropolis. The cards of invitation had requested full dress, which was, in most instances, complies with, so that the swarming, bustling congregation resembled one vast parterre of brilliant tulips all ablaze in the midday sun. Major General Ambrose L. Burnside was, perhaps, the most notable guest who assisted upon the extraordinary occasion.

The General as a Bridegroom
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General Thumb looked the respectable gentleman in miniature, wearing a full dress suit of the finest broadcloth, vest of white corded silk, with blue silk under vest, white gloves, and shining boots. Commodore Nutt was similarly attired, with a pink under vest.

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"The graceful form of the bride was displayed to peculiar advantage in her robe of white satin, its skirt, fashioned with a flowing train, decorated with a superb point lace flounce, which cots its half hundred a yard. Her massive hair, slightly waxed, was rolled a la Eugenie in front, and elaborately puffed behind. The bride's jewels consisted of a complete parure of diamonds comprising a superb necklace, with pendants, bracelets, and brooch of star design, ear rings, solitaires with pear shaped pendants, while two diamond pins fastened the bridal veil.

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"The tiny bridesmaid, who had just attained sweet sixteen, wore a white silk dress covered with tulle puffings, interspersed with bright rosebuds, the low neck corsage having a bertha to match. A wreath of small roses rested on her short curls, and unobtrusive diamond ornaments completed her toilet.

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"The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr. Willey of Bridgeport, Connecticut; the bride was given away, at the request of her parents, by the Rev. Dr. Putnam of Middleboro; and the benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Dr. Taylor, rector of Grace Church. After the wedding, re-entering the carriages in waiting, they were rapidly driven through the animated crowds that nearly blocked Broadway, to the Metropolitan hotel, where they received their 'clear five thousand friends,' from one until three o'clock.

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"Among the many bridal gifts presented to the happy pair were a coral and gold brooch set, earrings, and studs, of the finest workmanship, presented by Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt; a pair of silver cups and saucers lined with gold, by Mrs. William Bassett; a silver miniature tea set, by Mrs. James Gordon Bennett; a set of charms in gold, presented to the bride by August Belmont; a necklace of Tuscan gold, by Mrs. Belmont; coral leaf brooch and earrings with diamond center, by Mrs. Astor; a set of silver goblets and salver, by Mrs. Livingston; a diamond ring, by Commodore Nutt; a black fan, composed entirely of feathers, the handle of gold, by Mrs. Ashwell; coral and diamond set, by Mrs. Clark; dressing case, by H.A. Spalding; a set of coffee spoons, silver, lined with gold, by Mrs. Quackenboss; a set of salt cellars and teaspoons, by Mrs. C.A. Phelps; dressing case, by Mrs. S.H. Hurd; bronze clock and vases, by Mrs. Howland; malachite stand, by Mrs. Thorne; gold and pearl card receiver, by Mrs. Stuart; dinner set of porcelain and gold, numbering one hundred and twenty-seven pieces, by Mrs. E. N. Roosevelt; dining silver plated chafing dishes and covers, fourteen in number, by Mrs. Greeley; dessert service, Sevres porcelain, harlequin pattern, eighty-four pieces, Mr. and Mrs. Lenox; book case, papier mache, inlaid with gold, silver, and pearl, Mrs. S. Draper; a set of Chinese fire screens, by Mrs. Lincoln.

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"At ten o'clock in the evening, the New-York Excelsior band serenaded the bridal party at the Metropolitan. The street in front of this hotel was so densely crowded with people that stages and other vehicles were brought to a standstill, or obliged to turn off through other streets in order to pursue their way. After the band had played several airs, Mr. and Mrs. Stratton appeared upon the balcony, and were greeted with cheers."

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