Watercolor painting of Commodore Nutt. Manchester Historic Association. Used with permission.
Standing about twenty-nine inches tall in adulthood, George Washington Morrison Nutt, was auspiciously born on April 1, 1844 in Manchester, New Hampshire. [Note: other sources state he was taller than this].
Called “Commodore” during his show career, he was paid $30,000 by P.T. Barnum to join his troup of performers, and was part of the Thumbiana & Liliputian Opera Company.
He was of Scotch-Irish descent, the son of Rodney & Maria (Dodge) Nutt, and one of a family of eleven children. His brother, “Major” Rodnia Nutt was also part of Barnum’s midget troupe. Their remaining 9 siblings apparently were of normal size. Continue reading
