Commodore Nutt and Minnie Warren CDV Commodore Nutt (born George Washington Morrison Nutt; 1848–1881) was a famous American entertainer born in New Hampshire. Standing only 29 inches tall, he was hired by showman P.T. Barnum in 1861 to perform at the American Museum in New York City. Barnum gave him the title "Commodore," outfitted him in naval uniforms, and provided a unique carriage shaped like an English walnut. Nutt became a headline attraction, even visiting President Abraham Lincoln at the White House in 1862. Nutt was famously involved in a publicized love triangle with fellow performer Lavinia Warren, who ultimately married General Tom Thumb; Nutt served as best man at their 1863 wedding. He later toured the world with the couple before pursuing independent ventures. Barnum later attempted to create another publicity coup by pretending there was a budding romance between Commodore Nutt, and Mrs. Thumb’s younger sister, Minnie Warren. The romance was pure fantasy. Though the couple worked together for many years, no actual romantic alliance ever developed. Minnie did later marry another Barnum little person, Major Edward Newell. The other man in this photograph — who may have been included for no other reason than to indicate scale — may be Sylvester Bleeker, who served as Barnum’s most trusted agent. Bleeker traveled with the Thumb entourage as manager in the years following the Fairy Wedding. Back marked C.D. Fredricks and Co., New York.